Six (6) temporary biological field technicians for USGS

Position Announcement: Six (6) temporary biological field technicians are sought to work for the USGS, in the northern Great Basin from March until September, with possible extension until December.
Application Deadline: February 11, 2005
DUTIES (specific): Technician will be paid $13.21/hour and may work on several USGS-BRD projects identifying strategies to control the dominance of cheatgrass and other weeds on Great Basin rangelands, restoring native species, increasing biodiversity, and monitoring post-fire treatments. Information on one of the projects we will be working on can be found at http://www.ag.unr.edu/ifafs/Home.htm. Duties include identifying plants, performing various vegetation sampling techniques, soil sampling, monitoring native grass, forb, and shrub germination, accurately recording data, driving on poor and sometimes muddy roads, collection of GPS and photo points, and processing plant and soil samples in the laboratory. Field work will take place in Eastern Oregon and Southwestern Idaho and lab work will be done in Corvallis, Oregon. Field work will involve exposure to extreme temperature and weather conditions, and extended stays (up to 2
weeks) in remote locations (backcountry camping). Candidates will be chosen based on their combination of experience and education. Preferred candidates will have experience in plant identification, especially within the Great Basin. Travel expenses will be covered by the projects using either standard federal per diem or a camp rate per diem.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION: The work involves long hours spent standing, bending, walking, and a great amount of physical exertion. The incumbent may be required to lift containers weighing up to 35 pounds in the performance of the assignment. Work could possibly be done in 10 hours per day, hours can include all times of day and night, and will vary during the employment term with weather and field conditions. Core hours will typically be 8am â€" 5pm.
The USGS is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Selection for this position will be based solely on merit, fitness, and qualifications without regard to race, sex, color, religion, age, marital status, national origin, non-disqualifying handicap conditions, sexual orientation, or any other non-merit factors. This agency provides reasonable accommodation to applicants with disabilities.
Please email or send letter of interest, CV, and the name and contact information for three references to: Please also submit transcripts (unofficial acceptable) to document all education used for position qualification.
Scott Shaff
sshaff@usgs.gov
(541) 758-8802
Scott E. Shaff
USGS, Forest and Rangeland Ecosystem Science Center
3200 SW Jefferson Way
Corvallis, OR 97331
Phone: 541/758-8802
Fax: 541/758-8806
e-mail: sshaff@usgs.gov