Deadline: Sat, 11/12/2022 - 12:00pm Employer: United States Forest Service Southern Research Station Forest Inventory & Analysis (FIA) Job Field: Forestry GIS/Technology Job Type: Seasonal, Temporary, Internship Location: Regional/Multiple Job Description: About the Position: This position is anticipated to be advertised at the GS-11/12 grade, however the outreach database list it at the highest grade level (GS-12). The incumbent will use existing data, including long-term silvicultural research data, FIA data, and existing stand dynamics models to forecast stand dynamics and outcomes related to species composition and associated production of ecosystem services across upland hardwood forests of the Southern region. Determining priority areas for sustainable management is a cross-boundary issue that will link desired ecological and economical outcomes at many levels and will be relevant to millions of acres of state, private, and federal land across the South. The incumbent will use a multitude of calibration, parameterization, and model validation techniques, as well as perform necessary sensitivity and uncertainty analyses to provide quality model outputs and understanding of model response relating to forecasting upland hardwood regeneration potential across the broad and complex landscape of the Southern region. The scientist will examine model input and calibration data from a data quality perspective, including assessing spatial and temporal scaling issues in a geographical context. This will require analyzing spatial data in a geographic information system (GIS) as well as creating and utilizing models in a computer programming environment, e.g., using python, R, or C++. Qualifications: Qualification Requirements: Those who are interested must meet the qualification requirements for the GS-0408 series that is covered by the Professional and Scientific Positions standards. The OPM Qualification Standards Handbook Manual is available for review at any federal personnel office OR on the Internet at: https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/classification-qualifications/general-schedule-qualification-standards/#url=Overview. Miscellaneous: Summary of Our Mission: This position is under the oversight of the Forest Inventory and Analysis (FIA) unit of the Southern Research Station. The McSweeney/McNary Forestry Research Act of 1928 established FIA by directing the Secretary of Agriculture to make and keep current a comprehensive inventory and analysis of the Nation’s forest resources. Nationally speaking, FIA is a comprehensive field-based inventory of all forest ownerships for each of the 50 states, affiliated Pacific Islands, Puerto Rico, and the US Virgin Islands and we conduct extensive collaborative research to develop and use the latest technology in remote sensing and field measurement. Currently, we collaborate with more than 550 federal, state, universities, and other professional staff to efficiently deliver the FIA program. We provide public access to current and historic resource data through online tools with more than 100,000 data accesses annually. For a more comprehensive look at the national FIA program, you can go to the following website: https://www.fia.fs.fed.us/. How to Apply: How To Respond: Those interested are strongly encouraged to respond to the electronic outreach database at: https://fsoutreach.gdcii.com/?id=35A1D97C613F4EA8A204D0AAFB6D8308. Once the position is advertised, all responders who provide an email address will automatically receive the link to this position at www.usajobs.gov. Additional Information: Please contact Christopher Oswalt, Southern Research Station, Forest Inventory and Analysis Program at 865-862-2068 or christopher.oswalt@usda.gov if you have any questions regarding this position.
