Six avian field technicians needed to survey songbirds in aspen woodlands in the mountains of northern Nevada. Aspen woodlands support high numbers and diversity of avian species and are a scenic and pleasant place to spend the summer. Successful applicants will be hired as Biological Science Technicians, GG-06, at $16.73/hr, and will be full-time, temporary employees of DOI, USGS, Snake River Field Station. The length of appointment is 5/23/11 through 8/13/11. Temporary appointments less than 90 days, such as these, do not include annual leave, sick leave, health insurance, or life insurance, but incumbents will be covered by the Social Security Retirement system. The work will consist of early morning bird surveys (point counts) and vegetation sampling. The work may involve camping at remote mountain sites for 5-10 consecutive days. Work will include long days, hiking over rugged terrain, driving 4-wheel drive vehicles, possibly operating ATVs, and navigating in a remote forested landscape with GPS units and GIS software. Field conditions involve exposure to wind, dust, extreme heat and cold, and hiking at high elevations (5,000 ? 8,000 feet). Electronic entry of field data using PCs and PDAs will be required. Campers will have periodic access to a base camp with either a trailer or a wall tent, but overnight camping in a personal sleep tent will often be necessary. Technicians will camp in teams of two in either the Jarbidge Mountains (Job #SRFS-11-003), Ruby Mountains(Job #SRFS-11-004), or Santa Rosa Mountains (Job #SRFS-11-005). You may restrict your application to one of the above stations, otherwise indicate that any of the three is acceptable. To qualify for this position, applicants need 1 year and 9 months of field experience or 4 years of college with courses related to the work of the position to be filled, PLUS at least 3 months of field work experience surveying songbirds. We are particularly interested in applicants with a strong work ethic, proven ability to live and work in remote areas under rugged conditions, and experience in identifying songbirds by ear. For information about the work, please send resume to Dr. Susan Earnst, 208-426-5209, susan_ear...@usgs.gov. Send application materials by email or mail to Michelle Schatz (michelle_sch...@usgs.gov), USGS-Biological Resources Division, Forest & Rangeland Ecosystem Science Center, 777 NW 9th St., Suite 400, Corvallis, OR 97330. Include the following in your application: a) reference to Job# SRFS-11-003, or -004, or -005; b) letter of interest indicating availability for the field season; c) resume, including professional experience, especially evidence that you meet the qualifications (see above); d) when listing professional experience, be sure to indicate starting and ending dates, and hours worked per week, to verify that you meet the qualifications; e) copies of academic transcripts, unofficial transcripts are acceptable; f) list of 3 references and their contact information. Applications must be received by January 18, 2011.
