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Employment Information
EFFECTIVENESS MONITORING OF STREAMS AND RIPARIAN AREAS
USDA FOREST SERVICE & USDI BUREAU OF LAND MANAGEMENT
Thank you for your interest in the PACFISH/INFISH Biological Opinion Effectiveness Monitoring (PIBO EM) Program of Streams and Riparian Areas. This could be an extremely rewarding position, allowing you to learn regionally applied sampling techniques, work as part of a large team, and travel extensively throughout eastern Oregon, eastern Washington, Idaho, Montana, and northern Nevada.
At this site you will find information about:
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| Caption: 2012 Group photo of Effectiveness Monitoring Crew at training outside Potlach, ID |
POSITION ANNOUNCEMENT
Forest Service Fish & Aquatic Ecology Unit
Positions:
- 16 botany/range (GS 3-5)
- 32 fisheries/hydrology/geomorphology (GS 3-5)
Riparian Vegetation Surveys Technicians - These positions involve collecting data about vegetation to determine the condition of riparian areas. You will learn a variety of sampling techniques and how to identify many riparian plant species including: sedges, grasses, forbs, willows, and other woody plants.
Successful applicants will have the following:
- At least one plant taxonomy course
- Experience identifying plants using dichotomous keys (such as the Flora of the Pacific Northwest, by Hitchcock and Cronquist)
- Field experience / course work collecting vegetation data and/or identifying grasses, sedges, woody plants, rangeland plants, etc.
- Outdoor / field experience (job requires camping for extended periods of time)
- An excellent attitude and a willingness to learn
Stream Morphology and Habitat Technicians - PIBO EM implements an intensive reach scale stream survey. Using one of the most rigorously tested sampling protocols available, technicians collect information on a variety of stream attributes including pools, channel geometry, substrate, streambank characteristics, gradient, water chemistry, large woody debris, and macro-invertebrates. Using the PIBO EM stream protocol, technicians will become familiar with a variety of sampling procedures and will apply them to a wide range of stream systems.
Successful applicants will have the following:
- Course work in natural resources; especially fisheries and water resources
- Field experience collecting fisheries or stream habitat data.
- Outdoor / field experience (job requires camping for extended periods of time)
- An excellent attitude and a willingness to learn
Opportunities:
Experienced applicants can qualify to be the leader of a 3-person crew. Also, additional work may be available to qualified individuals after the field season concludes. Initially, this work will primarily consist of gear organization and assisting full-time staff with data quality assurance in Logan, Utah. Further, strongly qualified technicians have been selected for graduate projects directly resulting from their association with this program; this trend will continue.
Work Schedule:
Positions will begin Monday, May 20th and extend through at least September 3rd, with a high probability of extending longer. The duration of the field season will depend on work load, available personnel, fire season, etc. We will accommodate students who need to start school in August. However, all students will be expected to work through Tuesday, August 6th. Work is divided into 14-day pay periods; all technicians work 8 consecutive ten-hour days with the following 6 days off (see calendar below). You are required to work all hitches in their entirety unless otherwise approved by Becca Scully PRIOR to the initiation of the hiring process. If you ‘need’ to miss a work day, discuss this with Becca during the application process.
Wages (2013 Values):
Depending on qualifications, the job grade and corresponding pay ranges are: GS-03 ($11.95/hour), GS-04 ($13.41/hour), and GS-05 ($15.00/hour). In addition, employees receive a daily travel per diem of $24 for each work day ($192 every pay period). However, travel per diem allowances will change when technicians chosen to work post-field season start working at PIBO EM headquarters in Logan, UT.
Housing (subject to change):
Basic housing is provided at a fee of $3/day, automatically subtracted from per diem. You will be based out of one of three bunkhouses: Ukiah, Oregon, St. Regis, Montana, or Leadore, Idaho. We attempt to accommodate technician preferences for particular locations, although the possibility of moving between stations during the field season is high due to sampling priorities. These buildings are property of the U.S. Government for seasonal use. Household supplies (e.g. furniture, microwave, cookware, etc.) are not necessarily provided.
Caption: Crew stream sampling in the Frank-Church Wilderness in Central Idaho
Program Description:
This program monitors stream and riparian conditions on USDA Forest Service (FS) and Bureau of Land Management (BLM), and National Park Service (NPS) lands. The program has been operating since 1998, with a current budget of approximately $1.5 million. During each field season, PIBO EM collects information on approximately 450 randomly selected watersheds throughout eastern Oregon, eastern Washington, northern Nevada, Idaho and Montana. For more detailed information, please visit our web page at www.fs.fed.us/biology/fishecology/emp/.
Locations:
The Effectiveness Monitoring Program samples throughout eastern Oregon, eastern Washington, Idaho and Montana. Although you will be stationed in one of three bunkhouse locations (central Oregon, western Montana or central Idaho), you will likely travel throughout the study area (see map below).
Caption: Map showing sites sampled 2001-2011 within the PIBO EM study area.
APPLICATION PROCESS
Applications should be submitted by MARCH 1, 2013
Hiring will continue until positions are filled
Important
Please follow the directions on this page carefully to apply for summer positions.
Do not mail applications to staff members listed on the ‘Staff’ web page; only those mentioned here!
Send application materials via email. Do not send paper application materials via postal mail.
HIRING and JOB INFO CONTACT:
NOTE: This year the hiring procedure is the same for Students and Non-students
TO APPLY:
In addition to completing an application with USAJobs (see directions below), send your resume (show specific dates for each job), cover letter, references, and an official transcript (or a copy of an official transcript. No Microsoft Word or editable documents will be considered) to Becca Scully (Stream) or Andrew Van Wagenen (Vegetation). Send application materials via email. Do not send paper application materials via postal mail.
Stream Contact:
Becca Scully
E-mail: rscully"at"fs.fed.us
Phone: 435-755-3579
Vegetation Contact:
Andrew Van Wagenen
E-mail: avanwagenen"at"fs.fed.us
Phone: 435-755-3572
Include the following information in your application materials:
- Full name
- Social security number
- Birth date
- Mailing address
- Phone number
- E-mail address
USAJOBS ELECTRONIC APPLICATION
Note: As of 2012, the US Forest Service is no longer hiring in AVUE; all applications must be completed in USAJOBS.
Detailed Instructions on How to Apply for a Job in USAJOBS.
It is very important to fill out your application completely and correctly the first time; you may not get a second chance. Be sure to attach an official transcript to your USAJobs application.
PLEASE NOTE: These are nationwide job announcements that are very general and do not include the specifics of the job duties. Please thoroughly read the detailed job descriptions.
TIP: in USAJobs, don’t use the ‘back’ buttons, use hyperlinks instead.
1. Access the USAJobs website: www.usajobs.gov
2. a. Select 'Sign In' if you have an USAJobs profile or;
b. Select 'Create an Account' if you do not have an USAJobs profile
3. Select 'Advanced Search' in the upper right corner of the screen
Caption: Screen shot from the USAJobs webpage showing the location of 'Advanced Search' Options.
4. In ‘Keyword Search’ enter ‘Forest Service’, in ‘Title Search’, copy and paste from the job title you are interested in from below. After filling in the Keyword and Title, click ‘Search Jobs’ ...
... OR ...
Copy and paste the URL of the position you are applying for into a web browser.
Fisheries announcements:
Botany announcement numbers:
5. Select 'Apply Online'.
Caption: Screen shot of the USAJobs web page showing the location of the 'Apply Online' option.
6. Select a stored Resume and add any additional Attachments(s). You must attach a copy of an official transcript, either here or later in the process. After you have selected a resume and added any additional documents, check the boxes ‘I have preview my resume’ and ‘I certify, to the best of my knowledge and belief, all the information summited by me with my application…’
7. Click on ‘Apply for this position now!’, a screen will open saying ‘We are now bringing you to the system used by the Forest Service…’; You will be redirected to the screen below.
Caption: Screen shot of Core Eligibility Questions web page (US Forest Service).
8. Answer all the Core Eligibility Questions; attach all required documents as well as any optional documents you choose. This is the last opportunity to attach a copy of an official transcript.
9. In Application Preferences the section ‘Select which Location(s) you want to apply for (Mandatory):’ you must select the locations, 'US/MT - Superior', 'US/ID - Leadore, ID', and ' US/OR - Ukiah'. Select these locations and then choose 'Save and Continue'.
This is a very important step, as the applicant pool we receive (who we can hire) must be directed to one of these locations. We fully expect the job to be offered in these 3 locations and it is VERY HIGHLY recommended that all 3 locations are chosen.
10. The next step is ‘Minimum Qualification Questions’ answer all questions to the best of your ability, then choose 'Save and Continue'.
11. Then move into the ‘Assessment Questions’ answer all question to the best of your ability.
PLEASE NOTE: These are nationwide job announcements that are very general and do not necessarily include the specifics of the job duties. Please thoroughly read the detailed job descriptions for a better idea of the necessary skills set for each position. Choose 'Save and Continue'.
12. The final step review your application in ‘Application Summary’, once you are satisfied with your application select ‘Submit Application Now’. All applications must be submitted by March 1, 2013.
13. To update or edit your application after closing the Forest Service screen go back to the www.usajobs.gov.
PLEASE NOTE: These are nationwide job announcements that are very general and do not include the specifics of the job duties. Please thoroughly read the detailed job descriptions.
THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE SIGNING ON
- This job requires living, hiking, and working outside all day, every day.
- You will be camping every night of your eight-day work hitch (mostly undeveloped sites; rarely at campgrounds). You will almost never stay in motels.
- Every season some crews will backpack into remote wilderness areas. Some may be flown into isolated locations. In such cases, crews can expect to be far from cars, people, society, etc. Some hitches may include 8 days straight in a backcountry setting.
- Some streams you sample will be near a road, while others will require long and rigorous hikes to access. Bushwhacking is common and part of the job.
- You will be crossing/wading streams all day, every day (i.e. you will be wet/in the water A LOT!).
- You will be working in all kinds of weather. Crews may experience beautiful clear days, temperatures exceeding 100°F, heavy rain, and sometimes snow!
- Be prepared to see wildlife regularly. Our crews have encountered wolves, coyotes, elk, moose, mule deer, bulltrout, Chinook and Kokanee salmon. The study area is also within the habitat ranges of grizzly bears, black bears, and mountain lions. Taking proper precautions while camping / working is necessary.
- Scrapes, bruises, and blisters are all part of the job.
WORK SCHEDULE
(subject to change)
During each two-week pay period you will work eight consecutive ten-hour days (i.e. a hitch) followed by six days off. However, the first pay period consists of ten eight-hour days. Work days are highlighted GREEN and summarized after the calendar (table). You will be asked to work holidays. If there is an issue, please notify Becca during the application process. 'H' in the calendar means 'Holiday'.
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Work Schedule in non-calendar format:
- Work days for May: 20-29; May 27th is a worked holiday
- Work days for June: 4-11 and 18-25
- Work days for July: 2-9 , 16-23, 30-31 (August1-6); July 4th is a worked holiday
- Work days for August: (July 30-31); 1-6, 13-20, 27-31 (September 1-3)
- Work days for September: (August 27-31); 1-3; 10-17; 24-30 (October 1); September 2nd is a worked holiday
- Work days for October: (September 24-30); October 1
Subject to change: September 10-17; September 24 through October 1
Fall Season Work: Working past September 3rd into October is conditional on availability of work, performance, weather, etc. Fall projects include Implementation Monitoring (IM) of grazing effects on riparian areas. Techs who are interested in fall work will learn more about this towards the end of August.
Caption: A crew finishing a long hike in the Selway-Bitterroot Wilderness, Central Idaho
Please note:
- You will need to arrive at your duty station by 8:00 pm on Sunday, May 19th (all technicians must be ready to travel ~8-12 hours as a group to the training site by 7:00 am the next day).
- Training will be from May 20th to May 29th for a total of 10 days, 8-hours a day. This will be the only hitch where you will work more than 8 consecutive days.
- More information regarding training will be given upon arriving at duty station.
You need equipment that will keep you safe / comfortable while backpacking for multiple days, car camping extensively, and recreating on your off days. No pets allowed.
Important to Have:
- Good rain gear –- multiple sets if you have them
- Warm sleeping bag (20° F or cooler works well) and sleeping pad
- Sun hat/sunglasses
- Cold weather clothes
- Even though our field season is during the summer months, temperature and precipitation types (e.g. rain, sleet, snow) vary substantially. Avoid cotton.
- Hiking boots (broken in and comfortable)
- Flashlight / Headlamp
First training is almost always in a cold, rainy meadow so plan accordingly from day one!
Nice to Have:
- Personal Backpack and tent
- Rubber knee boots
- Music (many people bring musical instruments)
- Good books to read fireside
- Recreational gear: fishing gear, hacky-sack, disc, games, etc.
- Personal eating utensils
Provided: We provide basic camping equipment and all sampling equipment for use in the field. Work gear may not be used during your days off. Crews will be responsible for maintaining all work gear and returning it in good condition. Each crew will be issued:
- Waders and wading boots
- One tent per crew and backpack/person
- Vehicles, bear spray, sat phone, SPOT
- Camp chairs and table, cook kits, stoves, coolers, and water jugs
Caption: Sampling in the Eagle Cap Wilderness, eastern Oregon
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