Deadline: Thu, 10/20/2022 - 12:00pm Employer: USDA Forest Service, Southern Research Station, Forest Inventory & Analysis (FIA) Job Field: Forestry Job Type: Seasonal, Temporary, Internship Location: Georgia Location Detail: Athens, GA Athens-Clarke County is a consolidated city-town about 70 miles northeast of downtown Atlanta, GA. Known as a college town (University of Georgia) with a vibrant music scene, Athens is recognized as a great place to work and live. Athens is rich in culture, home to many manufacturers and other employers, has a diverse array of restaurants and pubs, and hosts several events throughout the year. The USDA Forest Service’s Forestry Science Laboratory is on a 4-acre campus of Federally-owned land in the heart of the UGA campus, and is located across the street from the UGA Warnell School of Forestry. For more on the history of Athens and the many things the area has to offer, visit the websites below. · https://www.georgiaencyclopedia.org/articles/counties-cities-neighborhoods/athens/ · https://www.visitathensga.com/plan/heritage/history-of-athens/ · https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Athens,_Georgia#:~:text=Athens%2C%20officially%20Athens%E2%80%93Clarke%20County,satellite%20city%20of%20the%20capital. Job Description: Summary of Our Mission: This position is within the Insects, Diseases, and Invasive Plants Research Work Unit (RWU 4552) within Forest Service Research and Development, Southern Research Station (SRS). The mission of RWU 4552 is to provide the basic biological and ecological knowledge and innovative management strategies required for management and control of native and non-native insect pests, disease pathogens and invasive plants in changing forest ecosystems. RWU 4552 is housed within the Center for Forest Health and Disturbance, and conducts broad, cross-disciplinary, collaborative research within and outside of SRS to address problems related to all aspects of forest health and biotic and/or abiotic disturbances. This research portfolio has regional, national, and international scope and impact. About the Position: The Southern Research Station (SRS) intends to advertise and fill one Research Entomologist (TERM; 2 years) position. RWU 4552 is headquartered in Athens, Georgia with personnel located in Asheville, NC, Stoneville, MS, and Pineville, LA. This position will conduct research on invasive ants and a broader suite of ground-dwelling arthropods. Work be regional, national, and international in scope. RWU 4552 encompasses three problem areas – (1) insects, (2) diseases, and (3) invasive plants. The scientist’s research assignment is focused primarily on problem area 1, insects. The scientist utilizes approaches from a broad toolkit to conduct integrative research addressing non-native, invasive and potentially invasive ants and other ground-dwelling arthropods, focusing on their movement, establishment, and spread at local, national and global scales. The scientist will develop global knowledge bases on invasive ants to support investigation of potential ecological impacts, environmental requirements, and risk of global transport and establishment. This work will require a high degree of proficiency in ant identification, experience harmonizing and cleaning data (taxonomic and spatial) across available data sources (e.g., Global Biodiversity Information Facility or GBIF), gleaning useful information from museum specimens, and development of a broad network of collaborators. Additionally, the scientist will conduct research to better understand the biology, ecology, and impact of forest-dwelling invasive ants such as Asian needle ants in North America. This will require expertise in multiple sampling methods and high proficiency in R programming language including spatial and statistical packages to derive useful information about ant community composition in relation to a number of biotic and abiotic factors. Final grade will be based upon a mini-panel review process that will take into account the stature and contributions of the scientist. Telework: This position is eligible for recurring telework at the discretion of the Supervisor. This is NOT a remote position; the incumbent will be expected to report to the duty station in Athens, GA. A recruitment / relocation cash incentive will NOT be offered. Qualifications: Those who are interested must meet the qualification requirements for the GS-0414 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 at https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/classification-qualifications/general-schedule-qualification-standards/#url=Overview. Qualification standards for the GS-0414 series may be seen here: https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/classification-qualifications/general-schedule-qualification-standards/0400/entomology-series-0413/. Miscellaneous: Additional Information: Please contact James T. Vogt, Program Manager, Southern Research Station, Insects, Diseases, and Invasive Plants at 865-978-0664 or james.t.vogt@usda.gov if you have any questions regarding this position How to Apply: How to Respond: Please respond directly within the outreach database at https://fsoutreach.gdcii.com/?id=13F38A5BD41741CC84EAE4595475F3DE by October 20, 2022. Once the position is advertised, all responders who provide an email address will receive the link to this position at www.usajobs.gov. Response in the database is preferred; however, you may opt to fill out the form below and return to james.t.vogt@usda.gov.
