There will be several natural resource job opportunities on the Detroit Ranger District in Detroit, Oregon this upcoming field season.

Positions available may include:

Biological Science Technician (Botany) GS-04/05

You must apply under “multiple locations”.  See below on how to find announcement.

Duty Stations: Crews will be stationed at Detroit, Oregon.

Housing: Government provided housing may be available at Detroit. Cost is approximately $120/month.

About the Positions

All of these positions will be involved in a variety of natural resource-related tasks that help support the District’s natural resource and timber programs.

The botany/weed positions will include botanical surveys of rare plants, special habitats and noxious weeds.  Surveys will be done using several tools such as GPS equipment, maps and field data forms to collect data.  Other duties include weed control and some monitoring.

Field work is a major component of these positions.  The Detroit Ranger District includes some steep terrain.  Individuals working in these positions should expect to work outdoors rain or shine, in terrain that at times can be quite steep, and at tasks that may be considered strenuous.

Training will be provided and will include CPR/first aid, Defensive driving, 4×4 driving, radios, and all safety involved issues. Survey and field equipment such as GPS, navigational, maps, possibly GIS and local issues.

About the Detroit Ranger District

The Detroit Ranger District is the most northern District on the Willamette National Forest.  The District encompasses about 300,000 acres, and includes outstanding features such as Mt. Jefferson Wilderness, Opal Creek Scenic Recreation Area and Wilderness, the North Cascades National Scenic Byway and the Detroit Lake Reservoir.  The District has a large workload and keeps its 40+ permanent employees and approximately 50+ temporary employees very busy.

The elevation range for the District is between 1500 feet and 10,000 feet (Mt. Jefferson).  The average temperatures range from 37° low to 49° high in December and 51° low to 82° high in August.  Average yearly precipitation is around 80 inches, which occurs primarily from October to April.  Snowfall occurs in December through February.  The heavy recreation season occurs between Memorial Day and Labor Day when Detroit Lake is at full pool.

Housing is available.  Housing for resource staff is 2 bedroom duplexes with 2 beds in each room.   You may or may not share with another seasonal.  Each unit has 2 bathrooms, kitchen and living room.  Given the remote nature of the duty station, a personal vehicle is helpful for grocery and entertainment-related trips.

About the Detroit Community

The community of Detroit is situated in the heart of the Cascades—about 50 miles east of Salem, Oregon on Highway 22, and 80 miles west of Bend, Oregon.  The District office is one mile west of the City of Detroit and is located in the Santiam River Canyon

At one time, Detroit was a logging community, but is now mostly a recreation oriented community.   Detroit has about 300 permanent residents, but increases during the summer to about 500 residents.  Summer activities include hiking, backpacking, river rafting & kayaking, hunting, fishing, and mountain biking, but a main summer attraction that draws thousands of recreationists each year is the Detroit Lake Reservoir.  Detroit Lake is the most popular lake in Oregon and is known for its excellent water skiing, boating, fishing and camping.  Winter activities include backcountry skiing, snowshoeing, snowmobiling, and snowboarding/downhill skiing at nearby Hoodoo Ski area and Mt. Bachelor.

How to Apply

(1) The USDA Forest Service is continuing to use the AVUE application program for nationwide centralized recruitment notices for the 2008 season. Applicants can apply online at https://www.avuedigitalservices.com

Go to “Search for jobs”, select “Oregon” then select “search by occupation”.  This is where you will put in “Biological Science Technician”.  Here you can scroll down and find which “multiple location” announcement you are seeking.

Nationwide job announcements are posted at www.usajobs.gov

Interested Applicants should apply to the following positions:

Job announcements:  Biological Science Technician (Natural Resources) GS-0404-6/7, Biological Science Technician (Botany) GS-0404-04/05

Be sure to choose Willamette National Forest, Detroit Ranger District as a preferred work location on the application form.  This shows up only when the application process has begun.

Visit the AVUE website for complete application details.

And/Or

(2) The Student Temporary Employment Program (STEP) provides an opportunity for students to earn money, continue their education, train with professionals, and combine academic study with on-the-job experience. Work does not have to be related to the student’s academic or career goals. Students may work part time when school is in session and full time during vacation periods. The one-year STEP employment can be renewed at the supervisor’s discretion. Most students under the STEP program must be at least 16 years or older.  Information on the STEP program is available at:  http://www.fs.fed.us/fsjobs/step.html

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Send STEP employment forms directly to the particular department lead listed below.  You are also encouraged to contact the interested department for questions.

Start date is negotiable based on employee eligibility

Application Process:

In order to apply for Student Temporary Jobs on the Willamette National Forest, the following paperwork needs to be filled out and given to a supervisor that is interested in hiring you.

The forms you need are:

1. OF-612 Optional Application

2. OF-306 Declaration for Federal Employment

3. Copy of most Recent Transcripts

4. Letter of intent on school letterhead concerning status of student

If you have any questions about completing the forms or have any questions concerning the STEP program, please contact Human Resources at 1-877-372-7248.

For more information regarding specific seasonal positions, please contact: