Biological Science Technician (Plants) (Backcountry And Wilderness Management)

This position is located in Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks in the Resources Management & Science Division.

Open to the first 101 applicants or until 05/20/2024 whichever comes first. All applications submitted by 11:59 (EST) on the closing day will receive consideration.This is a Career Seasonal Position and Career-Seasonal appointments are permanent positions and include the same benefits as Career appointments, but do not provide work on a year-round basis. You will work from approximately April - February and you will be in a non-pay status for the remainder of the year (approximately 7 weeks).

This position supports the plant ecology program manager in planning and implementing vegetation-related monitoring and management projects, primarily stock use management and meadow monitoring. The appointee will plan, coordinate, collect, organize, and summarize field observations related to stock use, plants, hydrology, soils, and the condition of natural resources in Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks. This work requires extended periods of time backpacking solo in remote, high elevation wilderness locations during the summer and regular use of computer for many hours at a time. Primary duties include:

• Identify wetland and upland plants to the subspecies level for rare plant surveys and other vegetation-related surveys.

• Evaluate data and conditions, prepare monitoring reports, and recommend management actions consistent with prescribed guidelines.

• Implement monitoring protocols related to stock use and meadow monitoring including data collection of plant species composition, standing biomass, bare ground, streambank alteration, map forage areas, and describe stock use patterns and impacts to wetlands. Train staff, interns, and volunteers on monitoring protocols.

• Use a variety of computer programs (e.g., relational databases, statistical software, geographic information systems, etc.) to record, compile, enter, error-check, archive, analyze and report data.

• Train, supervise, and assist with recruiting staff, interns, and volunteers.

• Interpret and apply protocols and ensure the accuracy, completeness, and archival of data.

• Record tabular and spatial data using both handheld field computers and paper data sheets.

• Work with ecologist to develop and update protocols.

• Process spatial data and produce maps in GIS.

• Develop, update, and distribute informational materials for stock users.

• Maintain communications with other workgroups and pack stock users (federal, commercial, and private).

Office duties will require full time work at a computer or in a laboratory setting. From June through September, up to 10 days at a time will be spent camping in remote locations in designated wilderness. Field work will require hiking up to 15 miles a day carrying backpacks weighing up to one-third of body weight both on and off trail. Possession of a valid driver's license is required.All qualifications must be met by the closing date of this announcement-05/20/2024.

Credit will be given for all appropriate qualifying experience. To receive credit for experience, your resume MUST clearly indicate the nature of the duties and responsibilities for each position, starting and ending dates of employment (month/year), and the resume must reflect full and/or part-time or total number of hours worked (i.e., work 40+ hours a week, rather than indicating full-time). If part-time, the hours must be annotated to be able to pro-rate the amount of qualified specialized experience.

To qualify for this position at the GS-07 grade level, you must possess at least one of the following minimum qualifications by close of the announcement:

EXPERIENCE: one year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-06 grade level in the Federal service (obtained in either the public or private sectors). Specialized experience is considered 1) plan, collect, organize, and summarize vegetation-related field data using scientifically credible sampling techniques and procedures; and (2) identify plants in the Sierra Nevada to subspecies level using dichotomous keys; and (3) backpack in remote wilderness locations to conduct field work for extended periods of time; and (4) provide training and/or supervise others for natural resource data collection. You must include hours per week worked.

• OR-

EDUCATION: Successful completion of at least one year of directly related graduate education leading to a master's degree or equivalent graduate degree with a major study in a related field such as biology, biological sciences, botany, environmental studies, environmental science, environmental science and management, ecology, soil science, or Natural Resources. You must include transcripts.

• OR-

COMBINATION: Successful completion of a combination of education and experience as described above. To combine education and experience, first take the number of semester hours (or equivalent) earned towards a graduate degree and divide by 18 semester hours (or equivalent). Then take the number of months of full-time experience and divide by 12 months. Add the percentages together. The total must equal at least 100 percent to qualify. You must include hours per week worked and transcripts.

Volunteer Experience: 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.