Biological Science Technician (Natural Resources) GS 404 – 6/7 Support for Soils and Hydrology Program of Work Three Rivers Ranger District

This is a permanent, full-time seasonal position (PSE-18/8) working from the Three Rivers Ranger District of the Colville National Forest (Forest). The position would support soils and other related work in the natural and physical sciences across all districts of the Forest and across a variety of vegetation management and restoration projects.

The position would support and mentor the seasonal soils field crew conducting soil disturbance monitoring protocol, wetland, vegetation, and wildlife related survey and monitoring across a variety of landscapes. The position would conduct surveys (pre-treatment) and monitoring (post- treatment) with the soil field crew as well as provide training, data quality control, and support to

1 collect the data necessary for National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) documents and post treatment monitoring. Field visits, monitoring reports, and ArcMap products would be produced to support field survey and NEPA analysis. Position would assist timber sale administrators and prescribed fire managers with the determination of soil and hydrology conditions to protect soil and water quality. Opportunities to work on landslide/slope stability issues, hardwood restoration, grazing management, and special use permits would also be available.

The position would coordinate and conduct surface water sampling across 11 six field watersheds for compliance with federal water quality standards – total maximum daily load (TMDL) restrictions. Duties would also include the installation, maintenance, and download of instream data loggers for stream temperature and rain gauge network of 12 gauges across the Forest. Position would also consolidate and manage the data for the above sampling.

Opportunities if desired are available to get/maintain/improve fire suppression qualifications to support the Forest prescribed fire program and fire management. Opportunities are also available to support the Forest and Region Burned Area Emergency Response Program and Resource Advisor programs. There is also potential to work in other resource areas to support the Forest program of work.

The Colville National Forest provides a high volume of work and experiences completing restoration on the ground in a supportive environment with challenging work and opportunities for professional development.

Please respond to this outreach by April 17, 2015 by contacting:

Jason Jimenez – Soil Scientist – 509-738-7734 or [email protected]

About the Colville National Forest The Colville National Forest is a high performing unit in the national spotlight for innovative approaches to meeting natural resource restoration goals. We have vibrant and active collaborative partners.

Nestled at the foot of the northern Rockies, the Colville National Forest is an exquisite landscape of forested mountains, clear mountain streams and fertile valleys. The 1.1 million acre forest was shaped over 10,000 years ago by Ice Age glaciers that carved three major valleys: the Columbia, Sanpoil-Curlew, and Pend Oreille River valleys. The mountains and valleys that comprise the lush northeast corner of Washington roll like waves on the high seas. Three waves of mountains run from north to south, separated by troughs of beautiful valleys. These ranges, the Okanogan, Kettle River and Selkirk are considered the eastern edge of the Okanagan highlands and the foothills of the Rocky Mountains.

The Forest has four Ranger Districts and three District Rangers: Three Rivers Ranger District, Newport and Sullivan Lake Ranger Districts and the Republic Ranger District. Each unit tends to have distinctly different zones, each with its unique climate, topography, and vegetation. Each

2 district office is located in one of the major river drainages: the Sanpoil-Curlew River Valleys, the Kettle-Colville-Columbia River Valleys, and the Pend Oreille River Valley. Topography is varied, ranging from rounded mountain slopes at low elevations to high peaks and basins above 7,300 feet in elevation.

The ecology of the Colville is highly diverse with forests ranging from ponderosa pine and Douglas fir on drier sites to western red cedar, western hemlock, western white pine and a variety of deciduous species on wetter sites. The Forest also has a significant acreage of lodgepole pine and the famously beautiful western larch. Approximately 25% of the Forest was burned in the early part of the century. The Forest is also home to a tremendous variety of wildlife including whitetail and mule deer, elk, moose, bighorn sheep, mountain goats, and black bear. Rare sightings are also possible of the threatened grizzly, Canada lynx, and endangered woodland caribou. Another amazing site is the large number of bald eagles that winter along the major rivers and nest in the vicinity.

The communities around Colville are blessed with an infrastructure that allows the Forest to manage its productive landscapes with efficiency and positive impact to these communities. The Colville’s unique relationships with it collaborative partners has allowed it to move 22 timber related projects forward over the last eight years without appeal or litigation. The Colville has also been host to a number of new initiatives and pilot programs over the years and is truly a Forest that is on the cutting edge of new trends in the agency. This unique aspect of the Colville provides a positive, challenging and transformative working environment with many innovative ways of doing business.

Kettle Falls is a small community but still offers a Natural Food Store, German Bakery, Brewery, and a host of restaurants and other conveniences in town and 10 minute drive away in Colville.

For information on the Community of Kettle Falls, and Colville please go to the websites www.kettlefalls.com, http://www.city-data.com/city/Republic-Washington.html and www.colville.com .

3 OUTREACH RESPONSE FORM

If you are interested in applying for this position and want to receive updates of the position’s status, please complete the attached outreach form and send the outreach form and resume electronically ([email protected]); or fax to 509-447- 7301. Please respond by April 17, 2015. I am interested in the following position:

Biological Science Technician (Natural Position Title/Series/Grade: Resources) GS 404 – 6/7 Location: Region 6, Three Rivers Ranger Districts

PERSONAL INFORMATION: Date: Name: Address: e-Mail Address: Phone: Are you currently a Federal employee? Yes No If yes: Current title/series/grade: Current agency and location: Type of Appointment: Permanent Term Temporary

If you are not a current permanent (career or career conditional) employee are you eligible for appointment under any of the following special authorities:

Veterans Person with Recruitmen Disabilities: t Act Disabled veteran Former w/30% Peace Compensab Corps le Volunteer: Disability:

4 Veterans Employmen Student t Career Opportuniti Experience es Act of Program: 1988:

Other:

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