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Forestry Technician (Research)

Employer
USDA Forest Service
Job Description, Responsibilities and Required Qualifications or Skills

This position is located within a National Forest. The primary purpose of this position is to serve as a technician to forestry research scientists at a Research Station in a Forest Inventory and Analysis (FIA) Work Unit

  • Works with a team of technicians and professionals, collecting forestry and forest health monitoring data on permanently established fixed radius plots.
  • Assists in locating field sites using aerial photographs and topographic maps. Collects forestry, botanical, and geographic measurements according to nationally standardized protocol and field procedures.
  • The incumbent obtains data on: tree growth and mortality; forest type, stand size and stand age; anthropogenic treatments and/or natural disturbances; insects and disease; soil attributes; and understory vegetation composition.
  • Assists in field manual interpretation when assessing complex or unusual situations. Uses botanical keys to identify plants encountered and assists in the collection and preservation of specimens.
  • Records all measurements utilizing a personal data recorder. Uploads and edits data on a daily basis. Completes accurate and concise plot summaries of all field visits.
  • Actively participates in the safety program, assisting in identifying hazards and mitigating actions.
  • Travels by horse, ATV, motorcycle, boat, small aircraft, and helicopter as necessary to access field sites. Incumbent must have and maintain a valid driver’s license.

Conditions of Employment

  • You must be a US Citizen or US National.
  • Males born after 12-31-59 must be registered for Selective Service.
  • Subject to satisfactory adjudication of background investigation and/or fingerprint check.
  • Direct Deposit Per Public Law 104-134 all Federal employees are required to have federal payments made by direct deposit to a financial institution of your choosing.
  • Must be 18 years of age.
  • Successfully pass the E-Verify employment verification check. To learn more about E-Verify, including your rights and responsibilities, visit e-Verify.
  • Must possess and maintain a valid Driver's License.

Qualifications

In order to qualify, you must meet the eligibility and qualifications requirements as defined below by the closing date of the announcement. For more information on the qualifications for this position, visit the Office of Personnel Management's General Schedule Qualification Standards.

Your application and resume must clearly show that you possess the experience requirements. Transcripts must be provided for qualifications based on education. Provide course descriptions as necessary.

GS-06: Applicants must have one year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade level (GS-5).

GS-06: There is no substitution of education for experience for this position.

Examples of specialized experience include: Performing technical duties in support of forestry research. Collects, processes, analyzes, evaluates, and publishes comprehensive information on forest and other related renewable resources. Collects forestry, botanical, and geographic measurements according to nationally standardized protocol and field procedures. Collects forestry and forest health monitoring data on permanently established fixed radius plots.

Selective Placement Factor

  • Incumbent must have and maintain a valid driver's license.

Experience refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service programs (e.g., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizations (e.g., professional; philanthropic; religious; spiritual; community, student, social). Volunteer work helps build critical competencies, knowledge, and skills and can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience.

To receive consideration for this position, you must meet all qualification requirements on the closing date of this announcement.

Job Field:
Forestry
Job Type:
Full Time
Location Detail:
many vacancies
Salary:
$21.14 - $21.14 per hour, GS-6
Job Benefits:

A career with the U.S. government provides employees with a comprehensive benefits package. As a federal employee, you and your family will have access to a range of benefits that are designed to make your federal career very rewarding. 

Learn more about federal benefits.

Application Deadline:

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