Deadline: Fri, 02/03/2023 - 12:00pm Employer: USDA Forest Service, Southern Research Station (SRS) Job Field: Forestry Job Type: Seasonal, Temporary, Internship Location: Regional/Multiple Location Detail: Otto, NC, location and a 36-month term appointment at the Cordesville, SC, location. Job Description: The USDA Forest Service, Southern Research Station (SRS) may soon be seeking up to two dynamic, innovative self-starters for a Full-time, Term Biological Science Technician position, GS-0404-06 (salary ranges from $36,070 to $42,022 per year) to join Santee Experimental Forest (SEF)/Center for Forested Wetlands Research Unit in Cordesville, SC and the Coweeta Hydrology Laboratory (CHL), Forest Watershed Science Unit in Otto, NC. These positions are non-permanent with up to a 6-month term appointment at the Otto, NC, location and a 36-month term appointment at the Cordesville, SC, location. The purpose of this outreach is to inform prospective applicants of potential upcoming opportunity and to assess the level of interest in the position to work at the SEF and CHL units beginning in early May 2023. About The Position: The primary purpose of these positions is to provide field technical support directly to ecohydrology research projects at selected sites on forested watersheds at the SEF and CHL under the supervision of research scientists. Duties will include undertaking field reconnaissance, installation and maintenance of equipment, and assisting in data processing and management required for analysis and studies. The incumbent will work with electronic sensors and data loggers for measuring meteorology and microclimate, sap flux in tree stands, and eddy covariance (EC) mass and energy fluxes. In addition, the incumbents will interact regularly with research staff, administrative staff within the unit and agency, collaborating institutions, and project stakeholders. The duties are varied, requiring knowledge, skills, and experience in forest ecohydrology measurements, some data analyses, reporting, and field coordination. Duties include but are not limited to: 50-60% of this position is spent outdoors for regular maintenance and troubleshooting of above ground equipment and sensors/loggers and data downloads in the SEF and CHL watersheds. The other 40-50% consists of office work based on data collected in the field. Daily field and office work schedule may be flexible, and plans can often change. Potential candidates should be comfortable driving in relatively rough forested wetland sites, sometimes wading in streams/wetlands, and working in teams or alone in the field. Qualifications: To qualify for a GS-6 position candidates will need at least 4 full years of college level and/or one year of experience at the GS-5 level. Interested candidates must meet the qualification requirements for the GS-0404 series that is covered by the Professional and Scientific Positions standards. The OPM Qualification Standards Handbook Manual is available for the review at any federal personnel office or on the Internet. Miscellaneous: About Us USDA Forest Service Santee Experimental Forest (SEF) is located within the Francis Marion National Forest (FMNF) near the town of Huger and Cordesville, South Carolina. Located in coastal counties of Charleston and Berkeley, the 2600 ha SEF was established in 1937 by the USDA Forest Service with a mission of silvicultural and hydrological research, environmental monitoring, demonstration, and educational activities in support of sustainable forest management practices on coastal landscapes. The four longterm gauged experimental watersheds of varying scales at the SEF on freshwater wetland forests has its unique location draining to tidally influenced Huger Creek, headwater of East Branch of the Cooper River which drains into Charleston Harbor. For more details about the site and on-going and past research, visit https://www.srs.fs.usda.gov/charleston/santee/. The FMNF is subjected to significant urbanization issues, with numerous rapidly growing urban communities found within and adjacent to the proclamation boundary. It is situated between two major metropolitan areas: Myrtle Beach (60 km to the north) and historic Charleston (50 km to the south). This part of coastal South Carolina is a popular tourist destination well known for its freshwater and saltwater recreation, golf/tennis, beautiful coastal scenery, and historical landmarks dating back to colonial America. The climate is hot and humid in the summer and typically mild in the winter. With a population of over 128,000 residents, Charleston is the largest nearby metropolitan area. However, the towns of Moncks Corner (25 km), Goose Creek (55 km), Mount Pleasant (36 km), and McClellanville (32 km) are nearby. The Coweeta Hydrologic Laboratory and Experimental Forest is in Macon County, North Carolina near the community of Otto, NC. Otto is located about 10 miles south of Franklin, 2 hours from Atlanta, and 80 miles from the Southern Research Station headquarters in Asheville. Otto is surrounded by the Nantahala National Forest, within the Blue Ridge Mountains and along the Little Tennessee River, which provide excellent opportunities for outdoor recreation, including hiking, paddling, hunting, and fishing. The town of Franklin was recently named the 25th Best City to Live in North Carolina by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce. Should you like to learn more about the Southern Research Station, visit http://www.srs.fs.usda.gov/. The Southern Research Station is a great place to work. SRS is one of five regional units that comprise the USDA Forest Service Research and Development USDA is an equal opportunity provider, employer, and lender. United States Department of Agriculture Forest Service organization. SRS maintains 15 research units and 19 experimental forests across a 13-state territory. SRS has a cadre of diverse and highly trained employees, including 100+ research scientists, developing science-based knowledge and technology to help inform decisions about natural resource management, use, and sustainability. Long-term studies combined with 21st century innovations provide the foundation of a responsive, forest-based research program that continues to expand into new fields and address emerging challenges, including how forces such as climate and land use change, population growth, invasive plants and pathogens, and fire affect the provision of timber, wildlife, clean air and water, recreation, and many other ecosystem services. Visit https://www.srs.fs.usda.gov/ to learn more about the Southern Research Station. Salary: GS-0404-06 Full-Time, Term positions Otto, SC & Cordesville, SC (1ea location) How to Apply: How To Respond: To express interest in this opportunity, please return completed Outreach Response form by February 03, 2023, to Tami Goodhart at Tami.Goodhart@usda.gov. Refer questions about the position to Dr. Devendra M Amatya at 843-367-3172 or devendra.m.amatya@usda.gov. The position announcement will be sent to you when the official position opens. Forest Service employees are asked to use the Forest Service Outreach Database to respond. The USDA Forest Service is an equal opportunity employer. More information can be found at the link below. https://apps.fs.usda.gov/hrm/outreach/Outreach?id=58C1A307D1644F04A3466DB7D09BCDAA
