Reply due date is June 15, 2012
The position is a permanent seasonal appointment, (13/13), and will be located at the Bend/Fort Rock Ranger District in Bend, Oregon. The purpose of this Outreach Notice is to inform prospective applicants of this opportunity, determine interest in this position, and to alert interested applicants of upcoming job announcement.
THE POSITION
The primary function of this position is assisting with the implementation of the botany program at the Ranger District; as a 5/7/9, the incumbent will be mentored and supervised by the GS-11 District Botanist/Ecologist. The Bend/Fort Rock Ranger District manages 1 million acres ranging from subalpine in the Three Sisters Wilderness to shrub steppe across a diverse landscape, leading to a high variety of work. This position includes coordination, planning, execution, and tracking of weed treatments, interdisciplinary team membership (which includes the preparation of biological evaluations and invasive plant risk assessments), conducting rare plant surveys, and assisting with the native plants/revegetation program. Internal collaboration is critical, especially among vegetation, fuels and recreation. Excellent teaming, partnering as well as written and oral communication skills are necessary for success. Knowledge of associated forest management disciplines including silviculture, fire ecology and range management is helpful. Development of habitat enhancement and conservation education projects, in association with external partners, is important and will be encouraged. Familiarity with taxonomic keys, spreadsheets, computer models and mapping/analysis programs are highly desirable. Experience with lichens, fungi, and bryophytes would also be helpful.
ABOUT THE AREA
The City of Bend is a rapidly-growing metropolitan area located in the central portion of the state, on the east side of the Cascade Mountains. This “High Desert” community is a full-service community that serves as a hub for medical, educational, recreation and entertainment needs for a large geographic area in Central Oregon.
COMMUNITY INFORMATION
Elevation: 3,623 feet
Population: City – ~80,000
County: Deschutes
Location: East side of the Cascade Mountains in Central Oregon
20 miles southeast of Sisters, Oregon
15 miles south of Redmond, Oregon
Average Summer Temperatures: 85º/day 44º/night
Average Winter Temperatures: 41º/day 21º/night
Average Annual Precipitation: 12” (mostly in the form of winter snow)
Closest Commercial Airport: Redmond, Oregon (an easy 15-mile drive to the north);
serviced by United, Delta, and Alaska Airlines
SCHOOLS
Bend is served by public and private schools from pre-school through high school. Public schools are administered by the High Desert ESD. Bend offers college level community education courses locally through Central Oregon Community College (COCC) which is located in Bend. COCC offers two-year programs. Additionally, OSU Cascades offers four-year degrees through Oregon State University and the University of Oregon.
HEALTH CARE
Bend has one major hospital and numerous clinics. Redmond offers one community hospital, located about 20 miles north of Bend.
HOUSING
As a rapidly growing city and region, real estate is readily available. A residential three bedroom home averages around $221,000 and 3 bedroom rentals average $860 per month. Prices in Redmond are typically lower (average $165,000 and $810 respectively).
ANNUAL EVENTS
The local area well is known for its many annual events, including: Pole, Pedal, Paddle race (May), Old-Fashioned Fourth of July Celebration and Bend Summer Festival (July), Cascade Festival of Music (August) and Christmas Parade (December). Additionally, a diversity of events and concerts are regularly held at the newly-refurbished downtown Tower Theatre, as well as outdoor concerts at Les Schwab Amphitheater. The nearby towns also offer many festivities, including the Sisters Rodeo and Parade (June) and Outdoor Quilt Show (July), Sunriver Music Festival (August), Sisters Folk and Jazz Festivals (September), just to name a few. The County Fairgrounds in nearby Redmond hosts numerous events, as well as major entertainment on a regular basis. Additionally, annual athletic
and recreational events also take place on forest lands under special use permit.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) prohibits discrimination in all its programs and activities on the basis of race, color, national origin, age, disability, and where applicable, sex, marital status, familial status, parental status, religion, sexual orientation, genetic information, political beliefs, reprisal, or because all or part of an individual’s income is derived from any public assistance program. (Not all prohibited bases apply to all programs.) Persons with disabilities who require alternative means for communication of program information (Braille, large print, audiotape, etc.) should contact USDA’s TARGET Center at (202)720-2600 (voice and TDD). To file a complaint of discrimination, write to USDA, Director, Office of Civil Rights, 1400 Independence Avenue, S.W., Washington, DC 20250-9410, or call (800) 795-3272 (voice) or (202) 720-6382 (TDD). USDA is an equal opportunity provider and employer.