You are viewing a preview of this job. Log in or register to view more details about this job.
Email

Project Title: Fisheries and Wildlife/Natural Resource Specialist

 

Project Type: In-person

 

Duration: This position is a 32-week long training and orientation period. The initial service period would encompass June 2024 - January 2025

 

Location: Ecology (Eco) Group – Fort Collins, Colorado

 

Housing: Must be secured by the intern. Housing stipend of $1,000 per month will be provided. 

 

Project Background: The intent is to prepare the enrollee for a career in the Fish Biology Series 0482 (GS-5/7/9) with the USDA Forest Service. Please check to see if you meet the individual occupational requirements for this series.

 

Project Duties: This position involves both field and office work.

Field duties: The work performed is traditional hands-on ecology work. Fisheries work will be prioritized over the work of other disciplines, but specialists in all disciplines may receive assistance as needed. Navigates on public and private road systems without direct supervision. Locates off-road study sites using Avenza and field maps. Records field data using Survey 1,2, or on datasheets in a legible manner. Enters field data onto a computer database. May assist in proofing and editing data forms and databases. Maintains field equipment and vehicles in good working conditions. As required, camps at remote locations on National Forest land. Looking for Biologists who want a career with the US Forest Service!

Fisheries-Duties and Responsibilities 

The Fisheries Program supports the management of aquatic habitats and the fauna that relies on these resources. Work can involve off-trail hiking over steep terrain and in and along streams with field gear and monitoring equipment. Training in field and safety protocol will be provided. You will: 

  1. Collect biological data including macroinvertebrate samples, fish population estimates, and environmental DNA from project sites across the Forest. 
  2. Record and store data using Survey123 and field notes for management and processing.  
  3. Develop skills and safety around fisheries equipment including back pack electrofishers, water quality monitoring devices, environmental DNA, habitat monitoring, and other sampling protocol. 
  4. Engage with science communication and information delivery in a large native trout conservation project. 

Overnight trips? Yes, we have some opportunities to assist with overnight field projects (e.g., macroinvertebrate sampling and chemical reclamations).  

Plant Ecology - Duties and Responsibilities 

The Plant Ecology Program supports rare plant conservation, native plant material collection, and weed management. This work will involve a lot of off-trail hiking in prairie, forest, riparian, fen, and alpine settings.  

  1. Rare plant conservation will primarily consist of surveying for new and revisiting known populations of rare plants. You will learn how to identify plants to species-level and methods for field survey and population monitoring.  
  2. Native plant material collection: You will learn how to collect, prepare, and create seed mixes and how to collect willow and cottonwood cuttings. You will learn how these materials are used in revegetation/restoration projects. 
  3. Weed management: You will learn how to identify weeds to species level and how to apply integrated pest management strategies for managing populations.

Hydrology/Soils  - Duties and Responsibilities: 

  1. Assist in identification of unmapped hydrologic features. This may involve spatial analysis in GIS as well as field verification. 
  2. Determine detrimental soil disturbance in areas where there is evidence of prior timber harvest activities. 
  3. Identify unauthorized road locations for potential decommissioning.
  4. Assist in road condition inventories.

Overnight trips? Field days will primarily be day trips based out of Fort Collins, but overnight travel is possible. 

Terrestrial Wildlife  - Duties and Responsibilities: 

  1. Assist in active prairie dog colony mapping on the Pawnee National Grassland. This will require learning survey protocol and using a GPS unit to collect data, download, and interface geo-spatially on GIS Pro software. 
  2. Perform presence/absence surveys of northern leopard frogs in known and suspected areas occupied on the Pawnee National Grassland. This will require basic amphibian identification and use of personal protective equipment for the capture of individuals. 
  3. Perform northern goshawk surveys.  These surveys will include: Checking known nests and surveying for new nest locations within proposed project areas/Hiking long days in rough, uneven terrain / Being able to follow field protocols and communicate with teammates in a  remote field setting   

Timber- Duties and Responsibilities

Performs assignments which involve sampling forest vegetation using dbh tape, clinometer, lasers, and go/no go gauge.

Cultural Resources/Post-FIre Restoration - Duties and Responsibilities

To be determined

Office duties: Assignments involve collecting, analyzing, summarizing, and maintaining data, and developing reports on its application. You will establish and maintain collaborative relationships with Tribal, state, county, and university partners, and participate in interdisciplinary teams.


Fellows will work and communicate with a Hispanic Access Program Manager during their fellowship. Fellows will be expected to participate in scheduled conference calls, webinars, and meetings conducted throughout their term. Fellows will capture photos and/or videos for reporting purposes and submit 3-5 blog posts highlighting their experience and development.
 

Desired Qualifications:

Familiarity with Geographic Information System (GIS) and Global Positioning System (GPS) a bonus. After completing this program, to qualify as a Fisheries Biologist, applicants must meet Office Personnel Management educational requirements as described at: Fish Biology Series 0482 (opm.gov). To qualify for a Natural Resources Management position (GIS), applicants must meet Office of Personnel Management educations requirements as described at: Natural Resources Management Series 0401 (opm.gov). Please note, however, that the Arapaho and Roosevelt National Forests and Pawnee National Grassland will only have a 0482 position available, not a 0401 position. A desired qualification is knowing how to orient yourself in the field with both GPS and map. 

 

Minimum Qualifications:

Successful applicants must: 

  • have a valid driver’s license and be able to operate 4x4 vehicles
  • work outside in all kinds of weather, open range fence gates,
  • use binoculars and a spotting scope, and work safely and effectively both alone and with others.
  • US Forest Service Orientation Training is mandatory and will be provided early in your tenure.

 

Working Conditions: The Arapaho and Roosevelt National Forests and Pawnee National Grassland requires work off-trail, in mountainous forest environments where terrain is often steep, rocky, and densely vegetated. Alpine environments can also be extreme in terms of weather and temperature, changing rapidly throughout the day. Grassland environments can be hot and dry with no shade.

 

Stipend + Benefits:

  • A biweekly stipend of $1,300 based on a 40-hour workweek
  • Monthly housing stipend up to $1000 per month
  • $50 monthly commuting stipend
  • Health insurance coverage
  • Funds available to support professional development opportunities that align with role and goals (training, conference, etc.)
  • Direct Hire Authority/Public Land Corp Eligibility – after completing hours, DHA/PLC status provides special non-competitive hiring status when applying for certain federal positions.

 

Application:

Hispanic Access Foundation (Hispanic Access) is managing the recruitment for these positions. All applications should be submitted through Hispanic Access' MANO Project application page. A resume and two references will be required for submission. Your application or resume should include professional and educational experience, along with any awards, technical skills or volunteer activities. Application questions or issues may be directed to MANO Program Associate Veronica Torres, veronicat@hispanicaccess.org. 

 

Applications for this position are due on Sunday, April 28th at 11:59pm EST

 

Reasonable Accommodation Policy Statement:

Federal agencies must provide reasonable accommodation to applicants with disabilities where appropriate. Applicants requiring reasonable accommodation for any part of the application and/or hiring process should contact Hispanic Access Foundation directly. Determinations on requests for reasonable accommodation will be made on a case-by-case basis.

 

US Forest Service Mission:

To sustain the health, diversity, and productivity of the Nation’s forests and grasslands to meet the needs of present and future generations.

 

Hispanic Access Foundation Mission:

Hispanic Access Foundation (Hispanic Access) is a 501(c)(3) national nonprofit organization that connects Latinos and People of Color to partners and opportunities improving lives and creating an equitable society. Hispanic Access’s vision is that all Hispanics throughout the U.S. enjoy good physical health, a healthy natural environment, a quality education, economic success and civic engagement in their communities with the sum improving the future of America.