U.S. Geological Survey - Student Trainee (Biology), GS-0499-4/5, Intern NTE/Full Time Applications must be received by: February 1, 2013
This position is being advertised under the Pathways Program for the USGS Snake River Field Station Office in Boise, Idaho. The duty location of this position will be in Moses Lake, Washington. The salary will be (GS- 4/5) $13.41-$15.00 per hour. The position will start on May 13th and will last 2-3 months, contingent on budget. Applicants must be enrolled at least ½ time as a college student and meet the following: GS-4: Six months of general experience and 6 months of specialized experience equivalent to at least the GS-3 level in the Federal service that is in or related to the duties of the position to be filled. NOTE: Excess specialized experience beyond the required 6 months may be substituted for general experience; i.e., one year of creditable specialized experience will meet the requirements for 6 months of general experience and 6 months of specialized experience. GS-5: One year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the GS-04 level in the Federal service that is in or related to the duties of this position. EQUIVALENT COMBINATIONS OF SUCCESSFULLY COMPLETED EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE ARE QUALIFYING. DUTIES (specific): The work is part of a USGS project that seeks to characterize post-fire recovery and successional trends in sagebrush steppe ecosystems. The student biological science technician will collect vegetation data across previously burned sagebrush communities and unburned companion sites. Duties will involve plant identification and measurement of plant characteristics such as sagebrush canopy cover and height. Sagebrush plants will also be sampled for dendrochronological analysis following the field season. Field work will take place across the Northern Columbia Basin (NCB) in central and eastern Washington. GS-4 Duties: Identify sagebrush community plants, measure plant characteristics and collect samples, collect GPS points, drive on poor and sometimes muddy roads, accurately record ecological data, and data entry. GS-5 Duties: In addition to all duties listed above under GS4, the GS5 position will be responsible for calibration and maintenance of technical field equipment. The ideal candidate will have experience in identifying sagebrush community grasses, forbs, and shrubs to species level. ADDITIONAL INFORMATION: Field trips will often require extensive driving. Technicians will work in a 2-person team with a field crew coordinator. Field work will involve exposure to extreme temperature and weather conditions. The crew will work independently with extensive stays (up to 10 days) in remote locations. Field trips will include extended periods of backcountry camping. Travel expenses will be paid by the project at either standard federal per diem or a camp rate per diem. Incumbent should have had or be willing to take First Aid and CPR prior to employment. The work involves long hours spent standing, bending, walking, and a great amount of physical exertion. Sagebrush plant collection will involve the use of a saw. The incumbent may be required to lift containers weighing up to 35 pounds in the performance of the assignment. Work could possibly be done in 10 -12 hours per day; hours can include all times of day and night, and will vary during the employment term with weather and field conditions. Core hours will typically be 7:00 AM to 5:30 PM. Interested Applicants must apply online through www.usajobs.gov (search on announcement number: PAC-2013 0182). Applications must be submitted by: February 1, 2013 For inquiries, contact: Dr. Douglas Shinneman, Research Fire Ecologist USGS - Forest and Rangeland Ecosystem Science Center Snake River Field Station, 970 Lusk St. Boise, ID 83706 Phone: (208) 426-5206 Email: dshinne...@usgs.gov The USGS is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Selection for this position will be based solely on merit, fitness, and qualifications without regard to race, sex, color, religion, age, marital status, national origin, non- disqualifying handicap conditions, sexual orientation, or any other non- merit factors. This agency provides reasonable accommodation to applicants with disabilities.
