Ecologist
The Chequamegon-Nicolet National Forest
Full-Time
Job Overview:
The Chequamegon-Nicolet National Forest is seeking candidates to fill one permanent full-time position for a GS-0408-09 Ecologist to be located at the Washburn Ranger District in Washburn, Wisconsin. This position offers a challenging career opportunity for an individual seeking experience on a busy and complex National Forest that is rich in natural and cultural resources.
The Chequamegon-Nicolet National Forest is the one and only national forest in Wisconsin. At more than 1.5 million acres, the Forest stretches across northern Wisconsin and provides the scenic and economic foundation for the Northwood’s communities. Glacier-carved hills and lowlands, extensive hardwood forests, and an abundance of rivers and streams make up the Forest. Abundant wildlife and numerous recreation opportunities draw visitors to the area.
The Forest is engaged in exciting opportunities and management challenges. Current management emphasis includes maintaining and expanding our large partnership network, defining a sustainable recreation program, and continuing to grow the largest timber program in Region 9.
The Washburn Ranger District is one of the most diverse and unique among the five Districts on the Forest. The Washburn Ecology/Botany/Non-Native Invasive Species (NNIS) program plays a key role in a landscape scale partnership project to restore over 22,000 acres of globally-imperiled pine barrens ecosystem. The Washburn District is home to a mix of many other interesting ecosystems ranging from lowland spruce bogs to red/white pine forests to northern mixed hardwood forests. This position will also conduct surveys and complete biological evaluations for rare plant species, including the federally threatened Fassett’s locoweed. The District ecologist will also manage the District’s widely recognized non-native invasive species program and partnerships
Duties of this Position:
This position is located in a Forest Service unit where the incumbent serves as an Ecologist. The primary responsibilities of the position are to represent botanical and ecological resources while providing technical and programmatic input and field support to the Washburn Ranger District of the Chequamegon-Nicolet National Forest Ecology, Botany, and Wildlife Programs.
Major duties include but are not limited to:
- Serves as the lead for the District Ecology/Botany/NNIS program and participates on interdisciplinary planning teams for evaluating the impact of Forest Service or non-Forest Service activities on National Forest lands. Reviews Environmental Assessments to determine the adequacy and coordination of ecological and botanical needs. Provides the analysis needed to assess the effects of management activities and documents this analysis in an Environmental Assessment. Prepares or reviews biological evaluations for threatened, endangered, or sensitive species.
- Plans and conducts surveys and monitoring for sensitive plant and non-native invasive species.
- Primary support and team member for habitat improvement and ecosystem restoration projects.
- Provides detailed reports for collected data and enters botanical/NNIS data in USFS reporting databases.
- Coordinates with the District Wildlife Biologist, Forest Ecologist and other Staff in the development of the program of work.
- Individually, or as part of a team, participates in the development of the unit Ecology, Botany, and NNIS program and project plans to collaboratively achieve mutual goals and objectives.
- Assists with the development and implementation of ecological/botantical/non-native invasive species monitoring programs to collect, analyze, and interpret data to help guide Forest Service activities through an adaptive management framework.
- Evaluates the effect of forest management practices including silvicultural treatments, and prescribed burning on a diverse range of ecosystems and species.
- Integrates information from separate disciplines such as hydrology, soils, and wildlife, including historic and legacy data, for use in assessing current conditions, detecting trends, and developing desired future conditions for use in planning and implementing forest projects.
- Conducts and assists with fire monitoring and modeling, including evaluations of fire behavior, fuel loading, fire effects, and patterns of fire severity. Plans and coordinates long-term Firemon monitoring protocols.
- Develops GIS products, presentations, workshops, and other materials to facilitate the transfer of ecological knowledge.
- Provides technical assistance with NEPA planning and implementation.
- Actively works with partner organizations to secure funding for key aspects of the Ecology/Botany/NNIS program of work.
- Develops contracts and serves as contracting officer’s representative (COR) or inspector. Ensures all provisions are enforced and proper measures are taken to protect or enhance values in accordance with contract objectives. Prepares and submits related inspection reports, checks for compliance on needed corrective actions, and recommends final acceptance of the contract upon completion.
- Serves as project crew leader for temporary employees and/or volunteer crews.
- Assists with a variety of work in support of other programs and performs other duties as assigned.
Location:
The position will be stationed at the Washburn Ranger District in Washburn, Wisconsin. Most duties will occur on the District, although there will be occasional travel required throughout the Chequamegon-Nicolet National Forest, Regionally, or Nationally.
Qualification Requirements:
Qualifications Requirements for this position can be found in the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) Operating Manual for Qualification Standards for General Schedule Positions, which is available from any Federal Government Personnel Office and OPM website (http://www.opm.gov/qualifications/index.asp).
Additional Information:
- The work schedule is expected to be MaxiFlex.
- Travel may occur; occasionally overnight travel can be necessary.
- Transfer of Station benefits: Entitlements for payment of basic moving expenses are authorized for eligible applicants. Additional benefits are to be determined.
- The announcement will be posted on the USAJOBS website usajobs.gov when available.
How to Apply:
The purpose of this Outreach Notice is to inform interested candidates about the upcoming vacancy announcement. If you are interested in applying for this position, please respond using the via the Forest Service Employment Outreach Website (https://fsoutreach.gdcii.com/Outreach). Search for Ecologist in the Title box and Wisconsin in the Duty Location Search dropdown menu. Click on the position and then hit the respond button.
