Deadline: Mon, 01/30/2023 - 12:00pm Employer: US Department of Agriculture Forest Service Southern Research Station Job Field: Forestry Job Type: Full Time Location: South Carolina Location Detail: Clemson Job Description: The scientist will develop studies consistent with the mission of the Unit across the southern United States, with particular emphasis on wildlife within the southern portion of the Central Hardwood Region. This includes research on wildlife associated with hardwood, hardwood-pine, pine-hardwood, and spruce-fir forests. The scientist will work with other researchers in the Unit and the rest of the Southern Research Station, National Forest System, and collaborators in the academic community, state and federal agencies, tribes, forest industry, and non-governmental organizations to develop appropriate research initiatives for new work in these ecosystems. The goals of the scientist’s research are to understand wildlife population and demographic responses to natural and anthropogenic processes; synthesize research from multiple disciplines to model the effects of natural and anthropogenic disturbances including forest management activities, endemic and emerging diseases, non-native invasive species, climate change, and landscape configurations (e.g., connectivity) on animal populations of concern; and develop decision-support tools for managers and policy makers. More specifically, the scientist will design field studies and use existing datasets to develop population demographic models for wildlife species of conservation and management concern in the upland hardwood region and other ecosystems to assist managers in designing management and conservation/recovery strategies and assist policy makers by providing the best available science regarding population trends and threats. The scientist will develop a collaborative research program that addresses the needs of managers as well as addresses basic questions regarding wildlife demography, population ecology, and evolution. Applicants should have experience with state-of-the-art tools such as population and genetic models, GIS, remote sensing, analytical statistics, and spatial statistics to achieve these objectives as well as have knowledge and understanding of forest and wildlife ecology, silvicultural and forest management practices, and other disturbances such as climate change and disease ecology. Qualifications: Those who are interested must meet the qualification requirements for the 0486 or 0408 series for scientist positions. The OPM Qualification Standards Handbook Manual is available at https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/classification-qualifications/general-schedule-qualification-standards/. Current U.S. Citizenship is required for employment in this position with the USDA Forest Service. Miscellaneous: Clemson is located in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains and is home to Clemson University. The incumbent will be located in the Department of Forestry and Environmental Conservation (https://www.clemson.edu/cafls/forestry-environmental-conservation/index.html) and will be able to apply for Adjunct status within the department. Although Clemson is a relatively small city (19,000 people), Greenville, SC, Asheville, NC, Charlotte, NC, and Atlanta, GA are 45 minutes to 2.5 hours away for access to airports and cultural activities. Outdoor recreational opportunities abound as the town and university are surrounded by the Clemson Experimental Forest, and the Sumter National Forest, Chattahoochee National Forest, Nantahala National Forest, and Great Smoky Mountains National Park, several lakes, and the Chattooga River, a wild and scenic river, are within 1-3 hours drives. The area has four distinct seasons with high temperatures in the summer averaging in the upper 80s (average daily summer temperatures in upper 70’s) and winter temperatures averaging in the 40s. Rainfall for the city is ~50 inches per year. Major employers in the area include Clemson University, several health care facilities, Duke Energy, and Michelin North America. Many corporations and other employment opportunities are available in Greenville. Other USDA Forest Service offices in the area include the Andrew Pickens Ranger District of the Sumter National Forest in Mountain Rest, SC. Typical home prices in Clemson are approximately $370,000. There are several elementary schools in Clemson along with one middle school and one high school. How to Apply: If interested please contact Susan.Loeb@usda.gov for the proper forms and record your response at https://fsoutreach.gdcii.com/
