Pacific Northwest Research Station

Pacific Northwest Research Station

USDA Forest Service

OUTREACH NOTICE

Pacific Northwest Research Station

Land and Watershed Management Program

Research Fish Biologist/Ecologist

GS-7/9/11 target 12

The Pacific Northwest Research Station (PNW) is advertising a Research Fish Biologist position, GS-0401/0408 occupational series-7/9/11 target GS-12for a Student Career Experience Program (SCEP) Student appointment.

The Student Educational Employment Program (SCEP) provides Federal employment opportunities to students who are enrolled or accepted for enrollment as degree seeking students taking at least a half-time academic, technical, or vocational course load in an accredited high school, technical, vocational, 2 or 4 year college or university, graduate or professional school. Under the SCEP, students can avail themselves of such flexibilities as year round employment and flexible work schedules and assignments designed to work around their educational schedules. Students in the SCEP gain exposure to public service while enhancing their educational goals and shaping their career choices. Students in the SCEP are eligible for both health and life insurance coverage as long as they are expected to be employed under this appointment authority for at least one year and are expected to be in a pay status for at least one-third of the total period of time from the date of their initial appointment to the date of the completion of the program.

This position is located in the PNW Research Station Land and Watershed Management Program, Aquatic Ecology and Management Team in Corvallis, Oregon.

Duties

The trainee Research Fish Biologist will work with leaders in science, government, and the conservation non-profit sector. The trainee scientist will plan and conduct research on a variety of topics involving the ecology of native and non-native fish and other aquatic organisms, the behavior and properties of aquatic and associated riparian ecosystems, and the potential impacts of climate change and land management activities on native fish in the Pacific Northwest and Alaska. Much of the work will be done in cooperation with physical, terrestrial, and social scientists. The trainee scientist will also work closely with resource managers and decision makers in the U.S. Forest Service and other resource and regulatory agencies responsible for the management of freshwater ecosystems. The trainee scientist will need to convey the results of research to managers and regulators and when requested, assist them in incorporating the results into practices and policies.
Enrollment in an educational program leading to aPh.D. in biological sciences, natural resource management, or related disciplines appropriate to the position.
Enrollment in an educational program leading to a Ph.D. in fish or aquatic ecology is required. Knowledge and skills required include: (1) a strong foundation in fish and aquatic ecology, (2) ability to conduct research individually and with collaborators in integrated multi-disciplinary groups, (3) excellent writing and verbal communications skills, and (4) computer skills in data base management, spreadsheets, and statistical analyses.
Education for the GS-7 level: 1 year of graduate-level education or superior academic achievement.
Education for the GS-9 level: 2 years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to a master's degree or master's or equivalent graduate degree.
Education for the GS-11 level for Research positions: Master's or equivalent graduate degree.
Education for the GS-12 level for Research positions: Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree.
Preference will be given to candidates who can demonstrate knowledge, skills, or experience in: (1) the ecology of Pacific salmon (Oncorhynchus spp.) with an emphasis on their freshwater ecology, (2) writing or coauthoring research publications, (3) experience working with land managers and regulators, and (4) research experience on studies involving integrated groups.
Interested applicants, or those desiring further information, contact Dr. Gordon H. Reeves, Research Fish Biologist, phone number 541-750-7314 and email or complete the attached form and return by March 1, 2012.
AREA INFORMATION:
ABOUT THE PACIFIC NORTHWEST RESEARCH STATION & STATION DIRECTOR’S OFFICE:
The PNW Research Station is one of seven research units in the USDA Forest Service. The USDA Forest Service conducts the most extensive and productive program of integrated forestry research in the world. The scientific information produced by the station has application on public, private, and tribal lands in the Pacific Northwest (Alaska, Oregon and Washington) and elsewhere in the United States and other parts of the world. The Station’s programs reflect the changing character of the questions that science is being asked to help answer.
The Land and Watershed Management (LWM) Program increases understanding of terrestrial, aquatic, and riparian ecosystems and their linkages to inform management and policy options and develops tools to enhance or maintain the production of desired goods and services. The LWM Program in Corvallis explores important biological, physical, and social considerations for forest ecosystems and reflects a strong science-management partnership that is vital to addressing society’s demands for forest goods and services. Research spans a number of science topics, including water, air, and soil; resource management and use; wildlife and fish; and inventory, monitoring, and analysis. The PNW Research Station in Corvallis is located on the campus of Oregon State University, which provides opportunity for interaction and collaboration with faculty from a range of departments and disciplines.
Information about LWM program can be found at:
Duty Station Specifics:
The Pacific Northwest Research Station is located in Portland, Oregon. The Station has approximately 450 permanent and temporary employees in professional, administrative, research, technical, and clerical positions. There are seven Program Managers that oversee program organizations, and nine laboratories which provide research. The laboratories are located in Oregon, Washington, and Alaska. The Station is also involved in international relations with foreign governmental agencies and universities in many research areas. The work activities of the Station attract considerable interest from Congress, special interest groups, and the public. The Station Director’s Office is located in downtown Portland. Public transportation and on-site child care facilities are available. Further information is available upon request.
Community Information:
Corvallis has the best of both urban and wildland settings. It is an innovative, engaged, and multi-cultural city, located on in the Willamette Valley between the Cascade Mountains to the east and the Oregon Coast Range to the west. The city offers easy access to the Pacific Ocean, the Cascade Mountains, and the high mountain desert of central and eastern Oregon. Portland, the largest city in Oregon, is 90 miles to the north.
Corvallis is a full service community in regards to various and numerous businesses, banking, restaurants, coffee shops, denominations of churches, health care facilities, medical and dental facilities, and schools.
Apartment rentals start at $7-800 per month. House rentals begin at approximately $1,000.00 per month, and the median price for purchasing a home is $250,000. Utilities are priced in the medium range.
The position to be filled must berelated to student’s chosen area of study, this program requires a formal commitment from the university or college in which the student is enrolled. Upon completion of 640 hours of work, he or she can be appointed to a permanent position without undergoing the traditional hiring process. For more information visit:
To be considered, applicants must submit: Proof of school enrollment: Transcripts or Admission Letter from an accredited school.
To be considered for a permanent appointment U.S. Citizenship is required.
Thank you for your interest in this position
The U.S. Department of Agriculture Forest Service prohibits discrimination in all its programs and activities on the basis of race, color, national origin, age, disability, and where applicable, sex, marital status, familial status, parental status, religion, sexual orientation, genetic information, political beliefs, reprisal, or because all or part of an individual’s income is derived from any public assistance program. (Not all prohibited bases apply to all programs). Persons with disabilities who require alternate means for communication of program information (Braille, large print, audiotapes, etc) should contact USDA’s TARGET Center at (202) 720-2600 (voice and TDD).
To file a complaint of discrimination write: USDA, Director, Office of Civil Rights, 1400 Independence Ave, SW, Washington, DC 20250-9410 or call (800) 795-3272 (voice) or (202)720-6382 (TDD). USDA is an equal opportunity provider and employer.

OUTREACH NOTICE FORM

Occupational Title

GS-4 digit series-(grade level)

PACIFIC NORTHWEST RESEARCH STATION

If you are interested in this position and want to receive a copy of the Vacancy Announcement, please complete this form and send via e-mail to . If you are not a current Forest Service employee or do not have access to e-mail please complete the form and mail to: Dr. Gordon Reeves, Pacific Northwest Research Station, 3200 SW Jefferson Way, Corvallis, OR 97331. You may also FAX the form to Gordon Reeves at FAX # 541-750-7329. Please respond no later than March 1, 2012. The position will be advertised on the OPM USAJobs website concurrently and extending beyond when outreach is completed.

PERSONAL INFORMATION

Name: Date: ______

Address: ______

City:______State:______

E-Mail Address: ______Phone:______

EMPLOYMENT

Are you currently a federal employee? YES NO ____

If yes:

Name of your Agency/Unit and Location:______

Current Title/Series/Grade:______

Type of Appointment: Permanent Term Temporary

If not:

Current Employer:______

Current Position Title & Salary:______

Type of Appointment: Permanent Term Temporary

If not a current permanent federal (career or career conditional) employee, are you eligible for other appointments under any of the following special authorities?

___Person With Disabilities, Veterans Readjustment, Former Peace Corps

___Volunteer, ____ Disabled Veteran w/30% Compensable Disability,

____Student Career Experience Program, ___Veteran’s Employment Opportunities Act of 1998, Other

Thank you for your interest in our vacancy!