GS-404-7 Biological Technician (Natural Resources)
Cowlitz Valley Ranger District
Gifford Pinchot National Forest
Reply Due: April 1, 2016
The Gifford Pinchot National Forest will soon be filling a GS-404-7 Biological Technician position on the Cowlitz Valley Ranger District. This is a seasonal position with a guarantee of 18 pay periods of full time employment each year. The duty station is Randle, Washington.
The Biological Technician is a field position with primary duties of implementation of wildlife habitat enhancement and restoration projects, in addition to out-year project development, Survey & Manage fieldwork in support of District projects, data management, and GIS mapping and analysis. Much of the work will be outdoors and in all kinds of weather and terrain. Some wildlife monitoring work may occur at night. Job duties will require 4 wheel drive and trailer license, ATV certification, and contracting officer representative training. The position is supervised by the North Zone Planning Team Leader.
It is anticipated that the position will be advertised on the USA Jobs website: http://www.usajobs.opm.gov/ within the next few months. Please return the attached outreach response form to receive updates on the hiring process.
For more information please contact North Zone Planning Team Leader, Erica Taecker, at 360-497-1136 (etaecker@fs.fed.us).
Gifford Pinchot National Forest
The Gifford Pinchot National Forest is one of the oldest National Forests in the United States. Included as part of the Mt Rainier Forest Reserve in 1893, this area was set aside as the Columbia National Forest in 1908, and subsequently renamed the Gifford Pinchot National Forest in 1949. Located in southwest Washington State, Forest Vicinity Map (printable version). The forest comprises about 1.4 million acres and includes the Mount St. Helens National Volcanic Monument established by Congress in 1982. While the Cowlitz Valley Ranger District is located in a rural setting, it is located within one-and-a-half to two hours of several large metropolitan areas including Centralia-Chehalis, Portland-Vancouver, Longview-Kelso, Olympia, Tacoma, Seattle, and Yakima.
Candidates may learn about the Forest, our programs, and our opportunities by visiting our web site: http://www.fs.fed.us/gpnf
Community and Locale
Location: Nestled among the foothills of the Cascade Mountains along the banks of the Cowlitz River, The Cowlitz Valley District office is located in a very scenic valley. Randle lies at the western edge of the Big Bottom Valley, so named by settlers for its rich, fertile soil, and boasts a 100-year history celebrated in 1983. Marks of history can be seen in area homesteads, aging orchards and historic sites as “Kitchen Rock,” a natural shelter used by pioneers and Indians.
Climate: The Cowlitz Valley is at 960’ elevation with quick elevation gains within a 20-minute drive. We experience the four seasons as follows: spring is cool and moist, summer is short, July and August are generally hot and dry, fall is crisp and pleasant, and winters are wet with only occasional snowfall at elevations less than 1,000 feet. Average precipitation is around 60 inches, falling mainly from October through June. In the higher elevations this is mostly snow.
Recreation: Lying within a triangle of three volcanoes, Randle is on US Highway 12 which provides convenient access to the east and west entries to Mount Rainier National Park. Mount Adams lies to the southeast and awe inspiring Mount St. Helens just 26 miles to the southwest. Gifford Pinchot National Forest offers tremendous outdoor recreation opportunities including camping, hiking, mountain biking, mountain climbing, fishing, cross-country and downhill skiing, whitewater rafting, snowmobiling, horseback riding, hunting, boating, and much more. Hunting and wildlife photography as well as spelunking, mushroom picking and fishing in lakes and rivers are also popular activities. White Pass Ski area is a 45 minute drive from the District Office, and Puget Sound provides sea kayaking opportunities one and half hours away. Music is a favorite pastime of the locals and a handful of employees, and the Morton community provides open mike venues. Packwood regularly hosts large concerts at a closed mill site as well as other tourist and cultural activities.
Education: There are two elementary schools within the area and one high school. Elementary schools are located in Morton (17 miles to the west) and Randle. White Pass High School is located in Randle. An extension for Centralia College is located in Morton 17 miles to the west.
Housing: Rentals generally range from $500-$800 per month. Government housing may be available. Purchase prices for 2-3 bedroom houses range from $100,000 to $200,000.
Health Care: Morton has a rural general hospital and medical center 17 miles to the west. Larger medical facilities are 65 miles to the west in Centralia including Providence Hospital. Both Morton and Packwood have small family practices. A health care clinic is located in Randle, less than one mile from the District Office.
Churches: There is a wide range of religious services available in the area.
OUTREACH RESPONSE FORM
PERMANENT (18/8) GS-404- 7 Biological Science Technician (Natural resources)
Cowlitz Valley Ranger District, Randle, WA
Gifford Pinchot National Forest
PLEASE REPLY BY March 1, 2014.
NAME: ____________________________________________________________
INTRA/INTERNET ADDRESS: __________________________________________
MAILING ADDRESS: __________________________________________________
TELEPHONE NUMBER: ________________________________
GOVERNMENT AGENCY EMPLOYED WITH: USFS____ BLM____ OTHER____
TYPE OF CURRENT APPOINTMENT: PERMANENT______ TEMPORARY_____
TERM______ OTHER_____
CURRENT AGENCY/REGION/FOREST/DISTRICT: _______________
CURRENT SERIES AND GRADE: ______________________________
CURRENT POSITION TITLE: ___________________________________
If not a current permanent (career or career conditional) employee, are you eligible to be hired under any of the following special authorities?
___ PERSON WITH DISABILITIES
___VETERANS RECRUITMENT ACT
___DISABLED VETERAN W/ 30% COMPENSABLE DISABILITY
___VETERANS EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES ACT OF 1998
___FORMER PEACE CORPS VOLUNTEER
___PATHWAYS PROGRAM
___OTHER_________________________________
Please send this completed form and any relevant attachments to etaecker@fs.fed.us or fax to (360) 497-1102 or mail to Gifford Pinchot National Forest, Attn: Erica Taecker, PO Box 670, Randle, WA 98377.
Thank you for your interest in our vacancy.
USDA Gifford Pinchot National Forest is an equal opportunity employer. The Cowlitz Valley Ranger District and Gifford Pinchot National Forest seek an individual who will personally and enthusiastically contribute to a team that values diverse perspectives and experiences.
We strive to foster ethnic and cultural diversity and we find joy in caring for the land and serving people.