Natural Resources Specialist

Full Job Description

Explore a new career with the BLM - where our people are our most precious resource. This position is located in North Bend, OR and Spokane, WA.

Information about and the surrounding area can be found at: North Bend, OR Spokane, WA We expect to fill many vacancies. This is a temporary appointment.

Appointment to this position will not convey permanent status and will be for a period not-to-exceed 1039 hours in a service year.

In order to qualify, you must meet the education and/or experience requirements described below. Your resume must clearly describe your relevant experience.

If qualifying based on education, a copy of your unofficial transcripts must be provided with your application. BASIC REQUIREMENTS for the Natural Resources Specialist GS-0401 position.

You must meet one of the following: Successful completion of a full 4-year course of study in an accredited college or university leading to a bachelor's or higher degree in biological sciences, agriculture, natural resource management, chemistry, or related disciplines appropriate to the position.

-OR- Have an appropriate combination of education and experience, courses equivalent to a major, as shown above, plus appropriate experience or additional education related to the position which demonstrates possession of the knowledge, skills, and abilities required to perform work in the occupation, comparable to that normally acquired through the successful completion of a full 4-year course of study.

Appropriate experience may include work identifying plants, trees, or wildlife using taxonomic keys; vegetation management using hand tools or herbicides including farm, nursery, or landscaping work; experience surveying or monitoring for plants, fisheries, or wildlife; experience collecting data in outdoor field settings; experience with general field work in inclement weather or remote/rugged settings.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS: In addition to meeting the Basic Requirements, to be considered minimally qualified for this position, you must demonstrate that you have the required specialized experience and/or education for the respective grade level in which you are applying: You qualify for the grade GS-05 if you meet the Basic Requirements.

To qualify for the grade GS-07, you must meet one of the following: Have one full year of specialized experience comparable in scope and responsibility to the GS-05 grade level in the Federal service (obtained either in the private or public sectors) performing the following: compiling biological reports for review by higher graded specialist, conducting surveys for wildlife and plant species and their respective habitats, assessing ecological site conditions, analyzing environmental impacts, protecting environmental resources.

-OR- Successful completion of 1 year of graduate education in a field that demonstrates the knowledge, skills, and abilities required to conduct the work of this position such as biological sciences, agriculture, natural resource management, chemistry, or related disciplines appropriate to the position.

-OR- Have an equivalent combination of specialized experience and graduate education as described above which, when combined, equals 100% of the total requirement.

-OR- Successful completion of all the requirements for a bachelor's degree in a curriculum that is qualifying for this position, such as biological sciences, agriculture, natural resource management, chemistry, or related disciplines appropriate to the position, from an accredited college or university, and meet one of the requirements for Superior Academic Achievement based on the following: (1) class standing (upper third of the graduating class in the college, university, or major subdivision, such as the College of Liberal Arts or the School of Business Administration, based on completed courses.); (2) grade-point average (3.0 or higher out of a possible 4.0 as recorded on the official transcript, or as computed based on 4 years of education, or 3.5 or higher out of a possible 4.0 as computed based on the average of the required courses completed in the major field or the required courses in the major field completed during the final 2 years of the curriculum; or (3) election to membership in a national scholastic honor society.

Experience refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service programs (e.g., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizations (e.g., professional; philanthropic; religious; spiritual; community, student, social).

Volunteer work helps build critical competencies, knowledge, and skills and can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment.

You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience. You must meet all qualification requirements by the closing date of the announcement.

Physical Demands/Work Environments: Work requires some physical exertion such as bending and walking/hiking in terrain that is rough, rocky, mountainous and densely vegetated that may also be steep, wet and muddy.

Required to lift and carry equipment necessary to perform the work of the position, this includes tools, personal protective equipment, food and water for extended periods away from a vehicle.

Work while in the office is performed in adequately lighted, ventilated, cooled and heated area.

Fieldwork is subject to cuts and bruises, extreme and adverse weather conditions and injuries and discomforts from pests and animals. Major Duties:

• Compiles, analyzes, and summarizes survey, inventory, and monitoring data for input into reports.
• Conduct field surveys to inventory and monitor the status and condition of wildlife/aquatic and plant species and their habitats.
• Maintains equipment and data loggers, advises all specialists of the water quality, implements riparian and water monitoring projects.
• Assists with the implementation and monitoring of management plans.
• Inventories, treats, and monitors invasive weeds plus proposes, develops, and implements projects to control invasive weed species.