U.S. Geological Survey – Forest and Rangeland Ecosystem Science Center

Length:

|

Term of positions is 26 weeks; full-time 40 hours per week

---|---

Location:

|

Corvallis, OR

Living Allowance:

|

$600/week

AmeriCorps Award:

|

Position is eligible for an AmeriCorps education award upon successful completion of the program. Value of education award is $3,447.50 (pre-tax).

Start Date:

|

Preferably by May 6, 2024, but as late as June 24, 2024

Application Due Date:

|

Preference given to applicants that submit their application by 3/15/2024

Title of Position

|

Biological Science Technician

Position Details:

Stewards Individual Placements (Stewards) provides individuals with service and career opportunities to strengthen communities and preserve our natural resources. Participants work with federal agencies, Tribal governments, and nonprofits building institutional capacity, developing community relationships, and supporting ecosystem health. Stewards in partnership with the U.S. Geological Survey – Forest and Rangeland Ecosystem Science Center (FRESC) are seeking two interns who will assist the Herpetological Research Team with field sampling activities and the Science & Data Delivery Program (S&DD) with science support activities such as IT, science communications, data/records management, or web development. The 6-month internship will be split into two 3-month blocks between the Herpetological Research Team and S&DD.

The Herpetological Research Team at FRESC focuses on issues related to conservation and management of amphibians and other aquatic and semi-aquatic species. Interns will spend 3-months working on a team to collect information about Oregon spotted frogs in Oregon’s Deschutes and Klamath watersheds. The intern will learn how to conduct capture, mark, recapture techniques, visual encounter surveys, and vegetation/habitat classification. They will also perform basic data entry, quality assurance/quality control (QA/QC), and field equipment maintenance. The intern will often be required to work over ten hours a day, occasionally and/or on weekends. Must be flexible to accommodate an unconventional work schedule on short notice as field conditions may suddenly change. Must be willing to learn and perform marking techniques on animals such as toe-clipping, PIT tagging, radio transmittering, visual elastomer implantation, and carapace notching. This position requires significant daily physical exertion and a high degree of safety awareness at remote field sites. Physical exertion will take the form of heavy lifting/bending, wading through streams and ponds of widely varying size and complexity, and working in a variety of weather conditions for long hours. Weather is highly variable, ranging from heat to cold, rainy/snowy conditions. Exposure to stinging and biting invertebrates is common and should be expected. Must be able to hike over rough terrain while carrying personal gear and field equipment. Should be able to safely, accurately, & effectively navigate to and around study sites using compasses, topographic maps, and GPS units. Housing on field trips are primarily primitive/backcountry camp sites.

The Science & Data Delivery Program at FRESC oversees and supports the Center’s lead scientists on Communications, Data and Records Management, Geographic Information Systems, Website Development, and Information Technology needs and activities. The intern will spend 3-months working in a multi-disciplinary science support field – data and records management, web development, science communications. They could learn how to effectively communicate complex scientific and technical details in plain language and in a visually appealing and engaging manner. They could learn how GIS and computer code are used to support delivery of scientific information in an easy-to-understand product. The intern could learn the importance of data documentation and the preparation of a metadata record for scientific data. The intern will spend 3-months assisting S&DD team members on tasks that fit the intern's interests, skills, and strengths. There a wide range of projects involving web development, data management, and science communications. The intern will be assigned a project(s) based on their area of interest and expertise.

Position Responsibilities will include:

· For the Herpetological Research Team

o Conduct pre-designed field sampling activities dealing with population biology and survival of amphibians or reptiles via visual encounter, mark/recapture, habitat quantification, trapping, fungal screening, and canoe surveys.

o Conduct data entry and error-checking and required gear and equipment maintenance.

· For S&DD, depending on the intern’s interest, skills, and experience they may:

* Prepare USGS Data Releases for various data sets that support FRESC science. Write FGDC metadata records for data products. (data management)
* Inventory and organize FRESC legacy data and records. Prepare legacy data for public release. GIS and Python programming experience a benefit. (data management and records management)
* Create plain language content about FRESC science (science communications)
* Create computer code for continuous integration and continuous delivery of web tools. GIS and Python programming experience a benefit. (web development)
* Test user for newly developed web tools. (web development)

---

Minimum Requirements:

· You must be able to work in a small group or with one other individual for several days at a time.

· You must be able to hike long distances over rough terrain carrying personal gear and field equipment.

· You must possess a valid driver’s license.

· You must be willing to undergo and pass a required criminal history check.

· You must have a strong interest in a career in natural resource conservation science.

· You must be eligible to serve in AmeriCorps State & National Direct Service programs (must not have served more than 4 terms in AmeriCorps).

· You must be available to work a 40-hour week for the 26-week term

· You must be between 18 and 34 years of age.

· You must have received a High School Diploma or GED

· You must be a member of a Federally recognized Indian Tribe, Band, or Village; Alaska Native; or meet one of the following descriptions:

o Persons who possess at least one-half degree Indian blood derived from Tribes Indigenous to the United States.

o Descendants of Members of Federally recognized Indian Tribes, Bands or Communities who were residing on any Indian Reservation on June 1, 1934 – shown by completing BIA Form 4432.

Preferred Qualifications:

· Familiarity with Microsoft Suite tools – Word, Excel, Powerpoint, Outlook, Teams.

· Primitive camping and backcountry experience is highly desired.

· For data/records management and web development tasks, GIS and Python or other programming language experience a benefit.

· For science communications tasks, strong writing skills and video/audio editing or graphic design experience a benefit.

Benefits:

· Living Allowance: $600/week (pre-tax)

· Position is eligible for an AmeriCorps education award upon successful completion of the program. Value of education award is $3,447.50 (pre-tax).

· Student loan forbearance and health insurance

· Access to and time to attend various online training courses or meetings in the area(s) of interest to the intern, such as the Community for Data Integration or the Plain Language Community of Practice.

How to Apply

In addition to your resume, please submit a one-page cover letter highlighting why you are interested in this position and how your background and experience will help you succeed in this position. You must also upload a copy of your federally recognized tribal issued ID card.

If you have questions about this position, please contact Susan Kemp, skemp@usgs.gov, (541) 750-1047 or Stewards Program Coordinator Morgan Ehmling, mehmling@conservationlegacy.org.

This program is available to all, without regard to race, color, national origin, gender, age, religion, sexual orientation, disability, gender identity or expression, political affiliation, marital or parental status, genetic information, and military service. Where a significant portion of the population eligible to be served needs services or information in a language other than English, the recipient shall take reasonable steps to provide written material of the type ordinarily available to the public in appropriate languages.

__

Required Skills

Required Experience

• Lead the work acquisition process including development of profitability plans, coordination with inter-department staff, oversight proposal development, and management of interview preparation activities.
• Identify and communicate RFP pursuit strategy to inform project approach, staffing, estimate, risks, schedule, and logistics development.
• Assign qualified staff to properly manage project scope and complexities.
• Manage the preconstruction phase working closely with preconstruction and estimating teams to develop project budgets, schedules, logistics, identify project risks, and coordinate constructability reviews.
• Provide oversight across all phases of the project from preconstruction to close-out, providing continuity from start to finish.
• Establish a customer satisfaction action plan and ensure proper execution.
• Identify project challenges and suggest solutions to achieve project objectives and profitability.
• Negotiate owner contracts and oversee administration of subcontract development.
• Provide high-level supervision across multiple projects. Lead and direct as needed to ensure goals are established and project objectives are met.
• Oversee and attend weekly owner meetings and visit project sites regularly to monitor project performance, costs, schedule, quality, safety, and project profitability. Provide leadership in responding to challenges and address client concerns.
• Maintain client contact throughout the project duration to encourage communication and gauge team performance.
• Build and maintain relationships with owners, OPM’s, consultants, Government Authorities and subcontractor.
• Mentor, train, and coach staff to meet/exceed performance standards and to attain professional growth.
• Perform performance evaluations for reports every 6 months.
• Ensure staff is trained and in compliance with corporate Standard Operating Procedures.
• Assist in sourcing, and interviewing potential new hire candidates.