Research Wildlife Biologist
OUTREACH NOTICE
Northern Research Station
Research Wildlife Biologist
GS-0486-12
Louis B. Wyman Forestry Sciences Laboratory
271 Mast Road
Durham, NH 03824
RESPONSE DUE MARCH 31, 2023
ABOUT THE POSITION:
The U.S. Forest Service's Northern Research Station is seeking to hire a Research Wildlife Biologist with a duty station in Durham, New Hampshire in the near future. The incumbent will be in the USDA Forest Service's Northern Research Station (NRS), Research Work Unit (RWU) "Northern Forest Science and Applications" (NRS-07). The mission of this RWU is to provide science and tools to strengthen northern forests and communities, now and in the future.
Work is conducted at the Bartlett Experimental Forest in New Hampshire, Massabesic Experimental Forest in Maine, and elsewhere and includes research in northern hardwood and associated pine-oak and conifer (pine and hemlock) ecosystems. The scientist works with other researchers in NRS-07 and the rest of NRS, National Forest System staff, and collaborators in academia, private industry, and state and federal agencies to develop appropriate research initiatives for new work on wildlife populations and habitats in northern hardwood and to a lesser extent oak-pine and conifer ecosystems. The position is a permanent full-time appointment.
MAJOR DUTIES
The scientist plans and conducts research on wildlife-related issues in the northeastern U.S., including two of the most forested states in the nation. Investigations include studies related to complex relationships between forest environments, wildlife population dynamics, habitat relationships, natural and human-mediated disturbances (including wildfire and changing climates), silvicultural practices (including prescribed fire and restoration), and/or the provision of ecosystem goods and services, from pollination to carbon sequestration to timber production and recreation.
The scientist develops a research program focused on northern hardwood, pine-oak, and associated forest ecosystems, to improve our understanding of the ways in which forests influence wildlife, and vice versa, using available technologies, advanced field and laboratory techniques, and/or sophisticated data analysis tools, in order to improve our understanding of large-scale, long-term patterns and processes. Additionally, the scientist works with colleagues to better integrate spatial information across multiple scales using observational and experimental techniques. Other possible research areas include developing a better understanding of relationships between wildlife populations and habitats and historical, present-day, and future fire regimes, local- to landscape-scale prescribed burning design and effectiveness, prescribed fire behavior, carbon management and climate change mitigation.
The scientist will supervise one or more positions as needed. In addition to formal supervisory responsibilities, the scientist will provide mentoring and oversight to NRS-07 employees, post-docs, students, and other term and temporary employees on a variety of research projects. Because the scientist serves as the technical authority on assigned research projects, they have administrative responsibilities such as initiating productive research partnerships, writing cooperative and joint venture agreements, monitoring and documenting project deadlines and progress, fulfilling NRS-07's commitment to each project in terms of data, research, personnel, and funding, and ensuring projects make substantial contribution to the RWU's mission
LOCATION
Durham, New Hampshire (2020 pop. 15,490) offers breathtaking scenery and the slower pace of New England country and small-town life. Portsmouth, New Hampshire is only 8 miles to the east, Boston, MA 1 hour to the south, and Portland, ME 1 hour to the north; residents can access the best in health care services, arts, culture, outdoor adventures, and sporting events. The Louis B. Wyman Forest Sciences Laboratory is located on the western edge of the University of New Hampshire campus. The White Mountain National Forest is about a 2-hour drive north and includes both Bartlett and Hubbard Brook Experimental Forests. The Massabesic Experimental Forest is an hour away in Alfred and Lyman, ME. Transportation facilities within the Durham area include Amtrak train service and a bus system that connect Durham with Boston, New York City, and Portland, Maine. Air transportation can be accessed from Boston's Logan Airport, Manchester Airport, and the Portland Jetport -- providing both domestic, international, and connector passenger service through a variety of carriers. More information about the seacoast region, nearby university, and points of interest can be found here:
https://www.ci.durham.nh.us/
https://www.visit-newhampshire.com/seacoast/
https://www.unh.edu/
https://www.fs.usda.gov/whitemountain
https://www.fws.gov/refuge/rachel-carson
https://www.wellsreserve.org/
Vacancy Announcement:
The vacancy announcement for this position will be posted in the near future on the U.S. Government's official website for employment opportunities at www.usajobs.gov. All persons indicating an interest in applying for this position will be notified when the position is posted. Those who wish to be considered for this position must apply to the vacancy announcement and upload all required documentation, including transcripts and eligibility for special authority hiring, as
appropriate. All applicants who have applied to the announcement and are found to be qualified and in the quality group will be referred for consideration.
Contacts:
If you are interested in this opportunity please complete the form below. If you have questions, or wish to be sent notice of the vacancy announcement posting, please contact Mariko Yamasaki, USDA Forest Service, Northern Research Station, mariko.yamasaki@usda.gov, (603) 397-8079.
To be considered, applicants must be a U.S. citizen.
Thank you for your interest in this position.
The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) prohibits discrimination in all of 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 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.
REASONABLE ACCOMMODATION: The USDA Forest Service provides reasonable accommodations to applicants with disabilities. If you need a reasonable accommodation for any part of the application and hiring process, please contact the point of contact listed above. The decision on granting reasonable accommodation will be made on a case-by-case basis.