Ann Gibbs asked me to post this announcement for her: NRSFIA is still in need of individuals with botany skills this summer. We'd appreciate your giving this outreach announcement a wide distribution. Thank you. Dennis M. May, Program Manager Forest Inventory and Analysis Northern Research Station 1992 Folwell Avenue St. Paul, MN 55108 *U.S. Forest Service Northern Research Station* *Forest Inventory and Analysis Program* *Vegetation Specialist* ** *About Forest Inventory & Analysis:* These positions are in support of the U.S Forest Service Northern Research Station (NRS), Forest Inventory and Analysis (FIA) Program (http://www.nrs.fs.fed.us/fia/). FIA collects, analyzes, reports, and distributes information and data about the extent, content, and condition of the Nation's forests. The NRS-FIA unit is responsible for the comprehensive forest inventory for 24 states: Connecticut, Delaware, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, North Dakota, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Dakota, Vermont, West Virginia, and Wisconsin. National, state, and local policymakers, universities, businesses, Tribal governments, National Forest managers, other natural resource agencies, and interest groups depend on FIA for timely, scientifically credible information about our forests. The Vegetation Specialists will be primarily responsible for the collection of FIA Vegetation Diversity and Structure Indicator data ( http://www.fia.fs.fed.us/program-features/indicators/veg), including species identification and cover estimates for all trees, shrubs, herbs, graminoids, ferns, and fern allies occurring on the plots. The Vegetation Specialist will work as a member of a multi-person FIA field crew and will assist with other field measurements as time allows. Field crew members work under the direction of a crew leader and collect a broad range of inventory data, including: tree/sapling/seeding data (species, diameter, height, crown assessment, damage assessment, etc.); down woody material data (course woody material, fine woody material, fuel loading, etc.); and vegetation diversity and structure data. *Qualifications Required:* In addition to basic qualifications, applications may be screened for specific knowledge, skills, and abilities, which may include: knowledge of the principles, concepts, and practices of botany; ability to perform basic data processing, tracking, and editing functions using word processing and spreadsheet programs; and ability to identify regional vascular plant species – including trees, shrubs, herbs, grasses, ferns, and fern allies – using regional and local comprehensive identification keys. *Work Assignments: *Contractor will be working alongside US Forest Service or Maine Forest Service employees conducting Forest Inventory and Analysis field plots. These plot locations are scattered throughout a state or groups of states and are not limited to National Forest Lands. In fact, the vast majority of the plots are located on private property. The work requires regular and recurring physical exertion in the form of travel on foot over rough, uneven, and steep terrain. The field crews travel frequently and work independently. The work requires several hours of driving, several days each week. During travel periods (approximately June through September), crews will change locations frequently, often on a weekly or daily basis. Lodging (provided) is generally in motel/hotels. * * *Work locations:* - *Old Town, Maine* - Working with the Maine Forest Service employees throughout the state of Maine - 2 positions - *Westfield, Massachusetts* – Working with US Forest Service employees throughout the New England states of MA, CT, RI, VT, NH – 1 position - *Cortland, New York* and *Warrensburg, New York* - Working with US Forest employees throughout the state of New York – 1 position at each location. - *Clearfield, Pennsylvania* - Working with US Forest employees throughout the states of PA, MD, DE and NJ – 2 positions - *Dunbar, WV* (Charleston, WV) and *Lewisburg, WV* - Working with US Forest employees throughout the state of West Virginia – 1 position at each location. *Work Schedule:* 40 hours base time per week Monday thru Friday from 7AM local time until the plot(s) are completed. This is usually NLT 8:00 PM. Overtime, not to exceed 10 hours/week, is authorized. The contracting company has offered to pay for contract employee's wages for 8 hours of holiday pay on July 4th and Labor Day holidays. There is no scheduled weekend work Vegetation season: June 11 through September 21, 2007 *Wages Based on Education and Experience:* First 40 hours in a week: - GS 7 - $20.14/hr including $3.01/hr for health and welfare. - GS 9 - $23.96/hr including $3.01/hr for health and welfare. Overtime rate after first 40 hours in a week: - GS 7 - $28.71/hr including $3.01/hr for health and welfare. - GS 9 - $34.44/hr including $3.01/hr for health and welfare. *Work related travel:* * * - Extensive and almost constant Monday through Friday - Contract employee will be reimbursed by Contractor for $100/day for travel costs seven days a week for the entire term of work assignment. This will cover all contract employee's costs including: Food, use of personal vehicle, and any misc. and incidental expenses - Transportation to and from the daily plot assignment or work location will be provided by the government including when crews are in overnight travel status. - Transportation to and from the duty station office on Monday mornings and whenever work is completed local to the duty station office will be the employee's responsibility. *Government provided property:* - Data recorders, data sheets etc. as necessary - Field Guides and reference materials necessary to complete the vegetation inventory - All necessary field equipment except personal clothing and gear necessary to work in a field environment under various weather and topographic conditions. * * *Training and certification requirements:* * * All contract employees will be required to attend a week long training session on the protocols, methods, and plant identification for the Vegetation Diversity and Structure Indicator Inventory. In addition, each contract employee will be required to pass certification prior to completing field plots. Failure to obtain certification could be grounds for removing an individual from contract work. First session planned for June 11 through 15 at Portsmouth, NH. Possible lodging arrangements can be made at: Fairfield Inn Comfort Inn 650 Borthwick Av 1190 LaFayette Rd Portsmouth, NH 03801 Portsmouth, NH 03801 603-436-6363 603-433-3338 *If you are interested in these positions:* ** To contact the contractor to become a contracted employee with NRS-FIA pleases call as soon as possible beginning Monday, June 4, 2007: Contact Audrey Sewell at 404-684-6008 and mention that you are interested in contracting with "Patty Pierce" the Forest Service's Contracting Officer. A back-up contact to Audrey is Dennis Alexander: 404-684-6008 or cell 770-720-2260 *Contractor Information:* Jamison Professional Services 2995 East Point Street East Pointe, GA 30344 *U.S. Forest Service Contact:* Bob Ilgenfritz U.S. Forest Service 11Campus Blvd., Ste. 200 Newtown Square, PA 19073 Phone: 412-523-2495 Fax: 610-557-4250 E-mail: [log in to unmask]