We are hiring for the 2025 field crew!
Biological Science Technician (Wildlife)
USDA Forest Service, Pacific Northwest Research Station is filling multiple Biological Science Technician positions for the 2025 field season.
Multiple temporary Biological Sciences Technician positions (GS-0404-05, GS-0404-06, GS-404-07) will be available at the following locations:
Six core study areas will be filled: Cle Elum, WA; Corvallis, OR; Roseburg, OR; Medford, OR; Springfield, OR; Arcata, CA or Willow Creek, CA
We may hire for other locations that will be filled from applicants who select location negotiable.
The following positions will be open 07/30/2024 to 08/16/2024:
Position and Announcement Number:
WE WILL ADD LINKS WHEN WE HAVE THEM ON 07/30/2024
Biological Sciences Technician (Wildlife) GS-5 Announcement number:
Biological Sciences Technician (Wildlife) GS-6 Announcement number:
Biological Sciences Technician (Wildlife) GS-7 Announcement number:
Please note the USA jobs posting details do not always fully match the duties described here. We encourage applications from those interested in the duties described on this posting. Also please note that not all locations or grade levels may be filled as the site-specific personnel needs for 2025 are still under development.
These are TEMPORARY SEASONAL (1039) wildlife technician positions with a maximum six-month tour schedule. The anticipated start date is between January 13, 2025, and February 24, 2025. The position will conclude in late August with possibility of extension into September depending on funding and the needs of the project. Applicants should assume that housing costs are not provided. Technicians will be responsible for their own transportation to and from the duty station office location. Positions will be full-time (40+ hours/week) with a typical week of 4 10-hour workdays.
Summary of Position
Primary responsibilities include:
GS-05 positions are generally considered entry level without need for prior experience.
GS-06 positions will serve as experienced crew members and assist the crew leaders with training field crew.
GS-07 positions will be an opportunity to advance from a GS-6 position. GS7s can expect to have more advanced duties and opportunities to assist the crew leaders at their study areas.
If selected, candidates will be expected to work a flexible schedule that consists of a typical week of 4 10-hour workdays. Selected individuals will be expected to work in inclement weather and other adverse environmental conditions and to follow prescribed protocols. Candidates must be capable of walking or snowshoeing over 10 miles per workday on steep terrain carrying up to a 50lb backpack. Successful candidates will demonstrate independence and problem-solving skills dealing with computers, autonomous recorders, and GPS units. Candidates should be experienced navigating with topographic maps and compass. Candidates should have excellent driving skills, a good driving record and be comfortable working alone in remote locations. Applicants also will be required to pass a Federal Background check and obtain or maintain a Forest Service driver’s license. Preferred candidates will be familiar with the vocalizations of Pacific Northwest wildlife species. Applicants will also be expected to travel for up to 6 weeks to help in other study areas. The schedule for travel will be 8 days on and 6 days off. We will work around scheduled time off or other obligations for travel.
How to Apply
Applicants must apply online at https://www.usajobs.gov/. You will be required to create a USAJOBS account and either create a resume or upload your own. Use the announcement numbers listed above to navigate to the appropriate position. Click “Apply Online” and follow the prompts to complete the online application. **Please note that the description of duties outlined here is more detailed and up to date than what is posted online.
Required Documents
For a complete list of required documents, refer to the USAJOBS vacancy announcement, but you are required to include the following:
• Resume that includes the following information: 1) job information for which you are applying; 2) personal information; 3) education; 4) work experience; and 5) other qualifications.
• College Transcripts if education is required for meeting basic qualifications and/or you are substituting education for specialized experience. An unofficial copy is sufficient with the application, however, if selected an official college transcript will be required.
• DD-214 and/or SF-15 Application for 10-point Veteran Preference if claiming Veterans’ Preference or eligibility for appointment under the VRA, VEOA, or 30% Disabled Veterans hiring authority.
Selection Considerations for GS-05
• Successful completion of a full 4-year course of study leading to a bachelor's degree in wildlife or other related fields, that included at least 24 semester hours in any combination of scientific or technical courses such as biology, chemistry, statistics, entomology, animal husbandry, botany, physics, agriculture, or mathematics.
• Good to excellent hearing and ability to discriminate between similar sounding species.
• Previous field experience should include practical orienteering usage of compass and maps.
• Capable of working in rugged outdoor settings, self-motivated under minimal supervision.
• Snowmobile and winter backcountry experience beneficial.
• Ability to follow a standard protocol and take directions from the team leader.
• Ability to work independently and as a team member.
• Valid driver’s license is required and excellent driving record.
• Desire for a career in wildlife biology.
Selection Considerations for GS-06
•Successful completion of a full 4-year course of study leading to a bachelor's degree in wildlife or other related fields, that included at least 24 semester hours in any combination of scientific or technical courses such as biology, chemistry, statistics, entomology, animal husbandry, botany, physics, agriculture, or mathematics. At least 6 semester hours of courses must be directly related to this position.
• One year of specialized work experience equivalent to the GS-5 level. Examples of specialized experience include prior experience maintaining, trouble-shooting specialized equipment with preference for previous work with autonomous recording units.
• Capable of working in rugged outdoor settings, self-motivated under minimal supervision.
• Snowmobile and winter backcountry experience beneficial.
•Ability to work with others as a team and independently
• Ability to follow standardized protocols and instruct others in proper procedures.
• Valid driver’s license is required and excellent driving record.
• Desire for a career in wildlife biology
Selection Considerations for GS-07
• Educational experience as required for GS-05 and GS-06, plus one year of specialized work experience equivalent to the GS-6 level. Examples of specialized experience must include prior experience leading a crew in setting up, maintaining, trouble-shooting specialized equipment with preference for previous work with autonomous recording units to develop intensive scientific information.
• Strong preference will be given for those with experience training other members of a team or group and developing schedules and timelines for crew members.
• A combination of experience and education does not meet the requirements for this position. Education does not constitute an equivalence to experience.
• Capable of working in rugged outdoor settings, self-motivated under minimal supervision.
• Snowmobile and winter backcountry experience beneficial.
• Serves as crew lead in the absence of the project leader.
• Ability to follow standardized protocols and instruct others in proper procedures.
• Valid driver’s license is required and excellent driving record.
• Desire for a career in wildlife biology.
You must meet all qualification requirements by the closing date of the announcement.
Questions? Please contact Alaina Thomas [[email protected]] (preferred contact method)
USDA Forest Service, Pacific Northwest Research Station is filling multiple Biological Science Technician positions for the 2025 field season.
Multiple temporary Biological Sciences Technician positions (GS-0404-05, GS-0404-06, GS-404-07) will be available at the following locations:
Six core study areas will be filled: Cle Elum, WA; Corvallis, OR; Roseburg, OR; Medford, OR; Springfield, OR; Arcata, CA or Willow Creek, CA
We may hire for other locations that will be filled from applicants who select location negotiable.
The following positions will be open 07/30/2024 to 08/16/2024:
Position and Announcement Number:
WE WILL ADD LINKS WHEN WE HAVE THEM ON 07/30/2024
Biological Sciences Technician (Wildlife) GS-5 Announcement number:
Biological Sciences Technician (Wildlife) GS-6 Announcement number:
Biological Sciences Technician (Wildlife) GS-7 Announcement number:
Please note the USA jobs posting details do not always fully match the duties described here. We encourage applications from those interested in the duties described on this posting. Also please note that not all locations or grade levels may be filled as the site-specific personnel needs for 2025 are still under development.
These are TEMPORARY SEASONAL (1039) wildlife technician positions with a maximum six-month tour schedule. The anticipated start date is between January 13, 2025, and February 24, 2025. The position will conclude in late August with possibility of extension into September depending on funding and the needs of the project. Applicants should assume that housing costs are not provided. Technicians will be responsible for their own transportation to and from the duty station office location. Positions will be full-time (40+ hours/week) with a typical week of 4 10-hour workdays.
Summary of Position
Primary responsibilities include:
- Deploying, maintaining, and retrieving autonomous recording units (ARUs) off road and trails to monitor for the presence of multiple forest wildlife species.
- Driving, hiking, snowshoeing, and using snow machines and ATVs in difficult terrain in field locations.
- Navigating (including orientation using GPS, map, and compass) off trail across steep, rough, uneven, unstable, and brushy slopes in all weather conditions from cold to hot and rainy to dry. Poison oak is prevalent in many study areas. Possibility of encountering bears, cougars and other wildlife while driving or hiking on foot.
- Front country and backcountry camping will be required to access some sites.
- Candidates should expect to also perform miscellaneous tasks as needed to facilitate fieldwork, including:
- Keeping accurate field notes, documentation, and report writing.
- Entering data and transferring acoustic files onto permanent storage media.
- Validating functioning of ARUs prior to deployment and in the field.
- Independently troubleshooting equipment errors in the field.
- Keep vehicles clean and in safe condition during the field season.
- Organize and clean gear as needed
GS-05 positions are generally considered entry level without need for prior experience.
GS-06 positions will serve as experienced crew members and assist the crew leaders with training field crew.
GS-07 positions will be an opportunity to advance from a GS-6 position. GS7s can expect to have more advanced duties and opportunities to assist the crew leaders at their study areas.
If selected, candidates will be expected to work a flexible schedule that consists of a typical week of 4 10-hour workdays. Selected individuals will be expected to work in inclement weather and other adverse environmental conditions and to follow prescribed protocols. Candidates must be capable of walking or snowshoeing over 10 miles per workday on steep terrain carrying up to a 50lb backpack. Successful candidates will demonstrate independence and problem-solving skills dealing with computers, autonomous recorders, and GPS units. Candidates should be experienced navigating with topographic maps and compass. Candidates should have excellent driving skills, a good driving record and be comfortable working alone in remote locations. Applicants also will be required to pass a Federal Background check and obtain or maintain a Forest Service driver’s license. Preferred candidates will be familiar with the vocalizations of Pacific Northwest wildlife species. Applicants will also be expected to travel for up to 6 weeks to help in other study areas. The schedule for travel will be 8 days on and 6 days off. We will work around scheduled time off or other obligations for travel.
How to Apply
Applicants must apply online at https://www.usajobs.gov/. You will be required to create a USAJOBS account and either create a resume or upload your own. Use the announcement numbers listed above to navigate to the appropriate position. Click “Apply Online” and follow the prompts to complete the online application. **Please note that the description of duties outlined here is more detailed and up to date than what is posted online.
Required Documents
For a complete list of required documents, refer to the USAJOBS vacancy announcement, but you are required to include the following:
• Resume that includes the following information: 1) job information for which you are applying; 2) personal information; 3) education; 4) work experience; and 5) other qualifications.
• College Transcripts if education is required for meeting basic qualifications and/or you are substituting education for specialized experience. An unofficial copy is sufficient with the application, however, if selected an official college transcript will be required.
• DD-214 and/or SF-15 Application for 10-point Veteran Preference if claiming Veterans’ Preference or eligibility for appointment under the VRA, VEOA, or 30% Disabled Veterans hiring authority.
Selection Considerations for GS-05
• Successful completion of a full 4-year course of study leading to a bachelor's degree in wildlife or other related fields, that included at least 24 semester hours in any combination of scientific or technical courses such as biology, chemistry, statistics, entomology, animal husbandry, botany, physics, agriculture, or mathematics.
• Good to excellent hearing and ability to discriminate between similar sounding species.
• Previous field experience should include practical orienteering usage of compass and maps.
• Capable of working in rugged outdoor settings, self-motivated under minimal supervision.
• Snowmobile and winter backcountry experience beneficial.
• Ability to follow a standard protocol and take directions from the team leader.
• Ability to work independently and as a team member.
• Valid driver’s license is required and excellent driving record.
• Desire for a career in wildlife biology.
Selection Considerations for GS-06
•Successful completion of a full 4-year course of study leading to a bachelor's degree in wildlife or other related fields, that included at least 24 semester hours in any combination of scientific or technical courses such as biology, chemistry, statistics, entomology, animal husbandry, botany, physics, agriculture, or mathematics. At least 6 semester hours of courses must be directly related to this position.
• One year of specialized work experience equivalent to the GS-5 level. Examples of specialized experience include prior experience maintaining, trouble-shooting specialized equipment with preference for previous work with autonomous recording units.
• Capable of working in rugged outdoor settings, self-motivated under minimal supervision.
• Snowmobile and winter backcountry experience beneficial.
•Ability to work with others as a team and independently
• Ability to follow standardized protocols and instruct others in proper procedures.
• Valid driver’s license is required and excellent driving record.
• Desire for a career in wildlife biology
Selection Considerations for GS-07
• Educational experience as required for GS-05 and GS-06, plus one year of specialized work experience equivalent to the GS-6 level. Examples of specialized experience must include prior experience leading a crew in setting up, maintaining, trouble-shooting specialized equipment with preference for previous work with autonomous recording units to develop intensive scientific information.
• Strong preference will be given for those with experience training other members of a team or group and developing schedules and timelines for crew members.
• A combination of experience and education does not meet the requirements for this position. Education does not constitute an equivalence to experience.
• Capable of working in rugged outdoor settings, self-motivated under minimal supervision.
• Snowmobile and winter backcountry experience beneficial.
• Serves as crew lead in the absence of the project leader.
• Ability to follow standardized protocols and instruct others in proper procedures.
• Valid driver’s license is required and excellent driving record.
• Desire for a career in wildlife biology.
You must meet all qualification requirements by the closing date of the announcement.
Questions? Please contact Alaina Thomas [[email protected]] (preferred contact method)
recent events
Patricia Valian Reser Center for the Creative Arts (PRAx) grand opening
Oregon State University. Corvallis, OR. April 6, 2024.
Damon presented on the background and motivation for the Pacific Northwest Research Station Bioacoustics Laboratory data used for the Refik Anadol sculpture “Data Crystal: OSU”.
Oregon State University. Corvallis, OR. April 6, 2024.
Damon presented on the background and motivation for the Pacific Northwest Research Station Bioacoustics Laboratory data used for the Refik Anadol sculpture “Data Crystal: OSU”.
2024 Annual Meeting of The Oregon Chapter of the Wildlife Society Hood River, OR.
February 14-16, 2024
Cara Appel presented, "Computer vision model to classify camera trap images from western Oregon." She won the best presentation award!
Aleena Habib presented, "The effect of anthropogenic noise and landscape features on northern saw-whet owl occupancy."
Anna Kohlberg presented, "Using passive acoustic monitoring to map avian biodiversity in the Pacific Northwest."
Damon Lesmeister presented, "The second phase of northern spotted owl population monitoring."
Marnet Ngosi presented, "Resource selection and abundance of translocated elephants in Nkhotakota Wildlife Reserve, Malawi."
Jeremy Rockweit presented, "Nuanced impact of wildfire on a critically imperiled, old-forest species." He won the best poster award!
Zack Ruff presented, "PNW-Cnet v5: Automated species detection for bioacoustics research and monitoring."
AlainaThomas presented, "Passive acoustic monitoring is more efficient than audio-visual surveys for marbled murrelets."
Marie Tosa presented, "Rest-site selection by western spotted skunks in the Pacific Northwest."
Matt Weldy presented, "Discerning landscape use and site occupancy for marbled murrelets (Brachyramphus marmoratus) using passive acoustic monitoring."
February 14-16, 2024
Cara Appel presented, "Computer vision model to classify camera trap images from western Oregon." She won the best presentation award!
Aleena Habib presented, "The effect of anthropogenic noise and landscape features on northern saw-whet owl occupancy."
Anna Kohlberg presented, "Using passive acoustic monitoring to map avian biodiversity in the Pacific Northwest."
Damon Lesmeister presented, "The second phase of northern spotted owl population monitoring."
Marnet Ngosi presented, "Resource selection and abundance of translocated elephants in Nkhotakota Wildlife Reserve, Malawi."
Jeremy Rockweit presented, "Nuanced impact of wildfire on a critically imperiled, old-forest species." He won the best poster award!
Zack Ruff presented, "PNW-Cnet v5: Automated species detection for bioacoustics research and monitoring."
AlainaThomas presented, "Passive acoustic monitoring is more efficient than audio-visual surveys for marbled murrelets."
Marie Tosa presented, "Rest-site selection by western spotted skunks in the Pacific Northwest."
Matt Weldy presented, "Discerning landscape use and site occupancy for marbled murrelets (Brachyramphus marmoratus) using passive acoustic monitoring."
Lesmeister Wildlife Ecology Lab
USDA Forest Service, Pacific Northwest Research Station
Corvallis Forestry Sciences Laboratory
Oregon State University
3200 SW Jefferson Way
Corvallis, OR 97330
541-750-7250
USDA Forest Service, Pacific Northwest Research Station
Corvallis Forestry Sciences Laboratory
Oregon State University
3200 SW Jefferson Way
Corvallis, OR 97330
541-750-7250