Plant Biologist (Seasonal) (624025000)

GS-6 positions will serve as a project leader for natural resource management projects including the following; monitoring and controlling exotic plants; conducting natural resource monitoring programs of rare plants; assessing forest health and treating for forest pests; and conducting extensive beach and dune fieldwork. Duties will include identifying plants; surveying for target invasive plants; collecting field data and recording the data into established or new databases; collecting GPS and GIS data; leading pollinator monitoring work; and controlling invasive plants using hand-pulling, hand tools, power tools, and chemical herbicides. Successful applicants will lead teams that may include NPS seasonal, interns, volunteers, and other agency staff. They may be asked to occasionally lead larger groups of volunteers in projects. Herbicide use and some overnight backcountry camping can be expected. Global positioning systems, aerial photographs, topographic maps, and/or compass may be used in navigation. A portion of time will be dedicated to project logistics and preparatory ground work, data entry, preparation of Field and Project Reports, assisting with the appraisals of seasonal staff and other duties in the laboratory/office setting.

GS-7 positions will also lead multiple field crews organizing, scheduling and executing established natural resource projects with multiple components, staff crews, or programs; training others to accurately follow procedures; determining and implementing exotic plant control efforts; analyzing and providing botanical data for long-term planning efforts; conducting botanical surveys to be used in environmental assessments; developing and implementing site restoration plans, etc.

Physical Demands: The work is partially sedentary with prolonged standing, walking, and bending often required. Heavy items (e.g., equipment and packs up to 50 pounds) must be lifted and carried on a routine basis. Hiking 8 miles daily. Maintaining license and applying herbicide and pesticide.

Working Conditions: The work is performed in an office, laboratory, and in the field. Field work includes exposure to extreme weather conditions and terrain, pesticides, poisonous plants, biting insects, and wild animals. Laboratory work may involve exposure to hazardous chemicals.

Applying to a federal job for the first time? We would like to make it a more transparent and inclusive process. Please see the recorded workshops below from Ranger Paula Swingley, Volunteer Program Manager at Mississippi National River and Recreation Area.

Searching for a Federal Job: https://www.facebook.com/MississippiRiverNPS/videos/297700901618866

Federal Resumes: https://www.facebook.com/MississippiRiverNPS/videos/1735608726562838

Applying for a Federal Job & Managing the Questionnaires: https://www.facebook.com/MississippiRiverNPS/videos/253408019071386