Summer seasonal forestry and botany positions in north-central Washington State

The following positions are currently open for 2020 summer seasonal forest ecology field technicians with the USDA Forest Service, PNW Research Station, in Wenatchee, Washington. Apply at USAJOBS through Tuesday, January 21, 2020.

Job title: Biological Science Technician (Plants), GS-0404-07
                Biological Science Technician (Plants), GS-0404-05
                Biological Science Technician (Research), GS-0404-05
                Forestry Technician (Research), GS-0462-05
Dates:          May/June through September (specific dates negotiable)
Location:       Wenatchee, WA, USDA Forest Service, Pacific Northwest Research Station
Positions available: 4-5

Job description:

Biological Science Technicians and Forestry Technicians collect field data for research projects related to forest ecology, fire ecology, and climate change in the interior Pacific Northwest. Current research is focused on studying snag, fuel, and vegetation dynamics following wildfires; long-term restoration treatment effects; forest structural changes over time; and tree growth responses to climatic variability and change. Field data collection duties include assessing tree and snag condition, measuring surface fuels and coarse woody debris, estimating plant cover by species or plant life form, measuring tree diameters and heights, collecting and processing increment cores from trees, driving on narrow and rough roads, accurately recording observations, and entering field data into databases or spreadsheets. 

Field work will be primarily in north-central Washington State, near Wenatchee, Chelan, and Winthrop, Washington. Technicians typically work in teams. Field work involves strenuous exercise, exposure to extreme temperature and weather conditions, and may require extended trips (4-8 days) to collect data from remote locations. Camping may be required for some trips. Candidates will be chosen based on their experience and education.  Successful candidates for GS-7 position(s) will have demonstrated crew leadership experience and/or demonstrated expertise in field botany and plant identification.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:  The work involves long hours spent standing, bending, and walking, often over rough terrain requiring physical exertion. Technicians may be required to lift containers weighing up to 50 pounds while performing the assignment. The typical field work schedule consists of four 10-hour days per week.

HOW TO APPLY: Applicants must apply through USAJOBS (www.usajobs.gov) under one or more of the following job announcement numbers (search USAJOBS by entering the announcement number under Keywords). Applicants should specify Wenatchee, WA, as a desired duty location.

20-TEMP2-PNW-2515-7DT-BV
20-TEMP2-PNW-4066-5DT-BV
20-TEMP2-PNW-2307-5DT-BV
20-TEMP2-PNW-2858-5DT-BV

QUESTIONS: Questions may be directed to David W Peterson (dave.peterson@usda.gov)

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