AGENCY NAME: Klamath Inventory and Monitoring Network, National Park Service
JOB TITLE: Biological Science Technician (Plants)
DUTY STATION CITY/CITIES: Ashland, Or
SERIES/GRADE(S): GS-0404-05/06/07
ANTICIPATED LENGTH OF FIELD SEASON: May – Sept
APPLICATION DATES: Dec 16-20, 2019
POSITION CONTACT: Sean B. Smith, Botanist: sean_b_smith@nps.gov or 541-552-8570
Area Information:
These temporary positions will be working for the Klamath Network Inventory and Monitoring Program located in Ashland, Oregon (https://www.nps.gov/im/klmn/index.htm). The Klamath Network contains 6 parks: Crater Lake National Park (Crater Lake), Lava Beds National Monument (Lava Beds), Lassen Volcanic National Monument (Lassen), Oregon Caves National Monument and Reserve (Oregon Caves), Redwood National and State Parks (Redwood), and Whiskeytown National Recreation Area (Whiskeytown), located throughout northern California and southern Oregon. The parks span a land area of complex topography in the geologically ancient Klamath-Siskiyou Ecoregion in the west (containing Redwood, Oregon Caves and Whiskeytown), and the younger, volcanic Cascades-Modoc Ecoregion to the east (containing Crater Lake, Lassen and Lava Beds).
Vegetation of the two subregions ranges from temperate rainforests with enormous, world-record-height trees along the coast at Redwood, to barren shrublands on infertile soils and rock in the sagebrush desert of Lava Beds. Elevation extends from sea level at Redwood, to above timberline in Crater Lake and Lassen. Floristically, the parks capture elements of the southern Oregon and northern California Coast Ranges, the Sierra Nevada, Cascade Range, and Great Basin, all near the northern end of the California Floristic Province (Sarr et al 2015). The central significance of the Klamath Region as a floristic center of diversity, speciation, endemism and as a glacial refugium in western North America has been recognized in the classic papers by Whittaker (1960, 1961), Stebbins and Major (1965), and more recently by Burge et al. (2016) and Baldwin et al. (2017). The center of this area in the Siskiyou Mountains has “a greater diversity of forest communities, in a more complex vegetation pattern, than any comparable area of the West.” (Whittaker 1960).
Positions are duty stationed in Ashland, Oregon. Travel to the two National Parks are required for the position. Government vehicles, per diem, camping equipment, and camp sites will be provided while on travel. The work schedule is 8 10hr days with 6 days off. Work in 2019 will be conducted between the 2 National Park Service Units.
MAJOR DUTIES:
o Properly identifies vascular plant species and utilizes dichotomous keys to identify plants. Collects and prepares voucher specimens for later identification by an expert.
o Assists with data collection for the long term vegetation monitoring program of the Klamath Network. http://science.nature.nps.gov/im/units/klmn/monitor/vegetation.cfm
o Setup vegetation plots using a compass and tape measure and estimate cover of vascular plants, perform forest mensuration (Tree DBH, Height, Height to Crown etc.), dead and down fuel measurements, and collect photo point data.
o Collects high-quality data to be used as input to vegetation plans, vegetation monitoring, geodatabases, etc. Utilizes field computers to collect data, and databases.
o NO herbicide use or invasive plant treatment are required with this position.
Additional duties for the GS-06 level:
o Temporarily acts as Crew Leader as assigned.
o Temporarily serves in a leadership role with respect to compiling and organizing data needed to document work progress and findings as assigned.
Additional duties for the GS-07 level:
o Serves in a leadership role with respect to compiling and organizing data needed to document work progress and findings, and writing reports.
o Communicates regularly with supervisor to prioritize work and develop work schedule.
o Serves as Crew Leader and supervises several seasonal Biological Science Technicians in the performance of assigned tasks.
JOB REQUIREMENTS:
o U.S. Citizen
o Possession of Valid State Driver’s License
o Physical Ability to Perform Arduous Duties (ability to hike up to 12 miles/day on roads, trails, and off-trail on steep slopes with unstable footing in rugged terrain carrying a 40-lb backpack)
o Physical Ability to Perform Repetitive Tasks (e.g., measuring tree DBH, collecting plants, kneeling, stooping)
o Wilderness Travel and Camping Skills
o Willingness to travel extensively while working an 8 (10 hour days) on 6 days off schedule
o Herbicide use is NOT a requirement for this position
POSITION CONTACT: Sean B. Smith, Botanist: sean_b_smith@nps.gov or 541-552-8570