The Tonto National Forest will begin the process of revising its Land Management Plan to incorporate changed conditions, best available science, and new public issues beginning in October 2013. The revised plan will be a collaboratively developed, science-based framework for integrated resource management and for guiding project and activity decision-making.

As part of this effort, we are recruiting an interdisciplinary team to be dedicated to the Plan Revision. These positions are located in Phoenix, AZ, and will be TERM, time-limited appointments with an initial duration of no less than 12 months, with the potential to be extended up to a total of 4 years. This notification is being circulated to inform prospective applicants of this upcoming opportunity, and to help make future decisions about recruitment for these positions.

We envision adding two (2) ecologists to our Interdisciplinary Planning Team. Candidates should possess the following education and expertise in one or more of the following disciplines:

§ Terrestrial ecosystems: Silviculture, botany, rangeland ecology, riparian vegetation/soils, and/or wildlife

§ Fire ecology: Fire ecology, fuels

§ Physical sciences: Hydrology, soils, and/or geomorphology

In addition to expertise in terrestrial, fire, or physical sciences, candidates must be familiar with planning and management issues that pertain to ecosystems in varying ecological and geographical settings. Experience with land management decision-making processes specific to habitat maintenance and restoration, and the protection of ecological integrity, is preferable. Geospatial analysis and environmental document writing skills are desired. Because the innovative and collaborative nature of this project, team members should be well experienced in their respective fields.

If interested, please respond fill out and return the Outreach Response Form (pg 4) and resume by July 19, 2013. If potential applicants need further information, please contact Ken Born, Forest Planner, at (602) 225-5280 or kcborn@fs.fed.us. Major Duties

The interdisciplinary team works together to assess, plan, evaluate, document, and predict effects of planned forest management. Team members are responsible for identifying the relevant terrestrial, aquatic, and riparian ecosystems to be evaluated, and the appropriate scale for conducting an assessment; evaluating information about the structure, function, composition, and connectivity of the evaluated ecosystems; identifying possible system drivers, stressors, and trends, and evaluating their influences on key ecosystem integrity and sustainability; and drafting desired conditions and other plan components which are designed to move toward ecological sustainability and to guide future project or activity decision making.

The individual(s) selected would be a member of the Forest Plan Revision Core Team, working closely with various interdisciplinary specialists, including the forest planner, hydrologist, wildlife biologist, NEPA coordinator, recreation specialists, GIS specialists, and public affairs officer. This work will also involve substantial innovative work with collaborative groups, the Forest Leadership Team, Federal, state, and local officials, community leaders and organizations, and the general public. Team members will have access to the forest science community to determine appropriate scales and models, science findings, and monitoring protocols to apply to this effort.