• Assists with the management of scientific programmatic, and data management to include support in the implementation of ForestGEO census Protocols to measure woody stems in temperate ForestGEO plots.
• Manages the implementation of forest monitoring protocols at SERC and other locations as appropriate, including seedling plots, extensive and intensive dendrometer band protocols, dead wood surveys and other investigations as required.
• Lead in the continuation and expansion of the ForestGEO Temperate Program network by maintaining contact with both networks and out of network researchers, concerning program administration, data management, protocol implementation, and scientific investigations.
• Coordinates data management activities, including a quality assurance program for all work performed for the ForestGEO census, as well as advancing data collection and management using new hardware and software platforms.

Conditions of employment

• Pass Pre-employment Background Investigation
• May need to complete a Probationary Period
• Maintain a Bank Account for Direct Deposit/Electronic Transfer
• Males born after 12/31/59 must be registered with Selective Service.

Physical Demands:  The incumbents must be able to lift and carry loads weighting up to 50 lbs., and to operate hand tools. 

Work Conditions:  The incumbent should be prepared for prolonged periods of physically active field sampling and some sedentary laboratory and office work.  There will be periods of prolonged standing and walking over rough terrain.  These activities will require exposure to extremes of weather, prolonged heat and cold, wetness, stinging and biting insects, poisonous plants, and other similar hazards.  Proper precaution should be taken to ensure safety against environmental hazards and exposure to the elements.

Travel to other time zones and habitats may be required.

Qualification requirements must be met within 30 days of the job announcement closing date.

For information on qualification requirements, see Qualification Standards Handbook for General Schedule Positions viewable on the web at http://www.opm.gov/qualifications.

Qualifications

Experience: You qualify for this position if you possess one year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the GS-7 level in the Federal Service or comparable pay band system.  For this position Specialized experience is defined as completing field and laboratory tasks as they relate to performing an inventory or census of large-area forest plots consistent with protocols similar to those established by the ForestGEO program.

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.

Part-time and/or unpaid experience related to this position will be considered to determine the total number of years and months of experience. Be sure to note the number of paid or unpaid hours worked each week.

How you will be evaluated

You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.

Your application will be evaluated first for the basic qualifications described above. The applications that meet the basic qualifications will be evaluated further against the following criteria:

1. Knowledge of forest plot inventory protocols, especially for non-managed, large-area plots.
2. Knowledge of leading or independently implementing taxonomic surveys of forest woody stems and herbs.
3. Ability to lead and communicate with technical teams, forest inventory plot principal investigators and to oversee multiple scientific research projects.
4. Knowledge of data entry, data management, and digital platforms for data collection.
5. Ability to train and lead students, professionals and groups in a field setting and coordinate field- and lab-based research studies.

Applicants who meet or exceed minimum qualifications will be assigned to one of three category groups based on job-related criteria: Best Category - Meets the minimum qualification requirements and excels in most of the job related competencies above. Better Category - Meets the minimum qualification requirements and satisfies most of the job related competencies above. Good Category - Meets the minimum qualification requirements, but does not satisfy most of the job related competencies above to a substantive degree. This category rating process does not add veterans' preference points or apply the "rule of three", but protects the rights of veterans by placing them ahead of non-preference eligibles within each category. A selecting official may make selections from the highest quality category (Best Category) provided no preference eligible in that category is passed over to select a non-preference eligible in that category unless the requirements of 5 U.S.C. 3317(b) or 3318(b) are satisfied. Preference eligibles who meet minimum qualification requirements and who have a compensable service-connected disability of at least 10 percent must be listed in the highest quality category, except when the position being filled is scientific or professional at the GS-9 grade level or higher. Applicants who have not submitted a resume in the USAjobs system and/or have not answered all of the vacancy questions will not be considered for this position. Important Note: Your resume and supporting documentation will be compared to your responses to the occupational questionnaire or other assessment tool for consistency. If a determination is made that you have rated yourself higher than is supported by your resume, you will be assigned a rating commensurate to your described experience. Your resume should provide sufficient information regarding how your education and experience relate to this position, including the major duties and qualifications criteria listed.