Deadline: Tue, 10/25/2022 - 12:00pm Employer: USDA Forest Service, Pacific Southwest Research Station Job Field: Forestry Job Type: Full Time Location: South Carolina Location Detail: Redding Job Description: This research forester (silviculture) is expected to develop a research program that expands our understanding effects of silvicultural practices on forest ecosystems, especially in California forests. Such knowledge can be used to better-inform management, guide policy, and advance theories. Potential research topics include, but are not limited to forest restoration, treatments to improve forest health and resilience, models for forest dynamics, and methods to improve reforestation efforts. Since wildfires severity has increased, fuels management is a pressing concern in Western forests. As is successful post-fire reforestation on severely burned forest land. Research partners need information to guide and improve decision making in the presence of high fire risk and other climate change impacts. Managing forests to produce a diverse spectrum of goods and services while mitigating risk presents difficult challenges to managers. The candidate’s research program will address basic and applied topics related to the sustainable forest management. The successful candidate will complete the full cycle of research, from securing support through dissemination through publications, conferences, and workshops. The researcher will be expected to pursue both existing and new research projects on the network of Experimental Forests maintained by the Pacific Southwest Research Station. Among these are Blacks Mountain Experimental Forest, Swain Mountain Experimental Forest, and Challenge Experimental Forest, which have supported over a century of foundational long-term silvicultural research in the Western U.S. Research will also support the needs of a diverse range of state and local agencies, private industry, tribal partners, and NGOs. The candidate can expect to collaborate extensively with local land managers, PSW scientists, universities, and other organizations in interdisciplinary research. Qualifications: Basic requirements follow the GS-460 Forester series. The educational requirement is at least 30 credit hours of coursework in a Forestry program. At the GS-12 level, candidates would have demonstrated the full cycle of scientific research. Candidates would typically, but not always, need a PhD or substantial progress towards a PhD to have acquired the necessary knowledge, skills, and abilities. Miscellaneous: As a research scientist evaluated under the Research Grade Evaluation Guide, the successful applicant will have open-ended promotion potential. The successful applicant will be periodically reviewed by a peer review panel, which will make promotion recommendations based on the demonstrated degree of career development. Promotions typically occur within-place. Salary: GS-12/13; $79,363 - $122,683 per year. First-time hires to government typically begin at Step 1 of either grade. Benefits: US Forest Service employees enjoy competitive health insurance, vision, dental, and life insurance policies as well as generous retirement plans. In addition to paid holidays, new hires to the government receive 4 hours of annual leave biweekly as well as generous family leave policies. How to Apply: Candidates will need to apply through USAJOBS: https://www.usajobs.gov/job/672630800 Please direct any questions about this opportunity to Martin Ritchie (530) 226-2551 or Jianwei Zhang, jianwei.zhang2@usda.gov (530) 226-2550.
