Forest Health Protection Resource Assistant

USFS Southwestern Region – State, Private & Tribal Forestry

Position Details

Stewards Individual Placement Program (Stewards) provides individuals with service and career opportunities to strengthen communities and preserve our natural resources. Participants work with federal agencies, tribal governments, and nonprofits building institutional capacity, developing community relationships, and supporting ecosystem health.

Stewards in partnership with Forest Health Protection – Southwestern Region (Region 3: New Mexico, Arizona) will gain a wide variety of experience working with the Region 3 State, Private & Tribal Forestry staffs. This position will require fieldwork and travel within the Region. Work is typically performed in a forest environment where terrain is often uneven, rocky, and covered with thick vegetation, and where there is exposure to extremes of weather and temperature; some tasks are performed in office, nursery, and laboratory environments. The employee may be required to use protective clothing and equipment.

The resource assistant will be provided experience and mentorship in insect and disease-related activities and invasive species program activities conducted by Forest Health Protection; and work conducted by the Reforestation, Nurseries & Genetic Resources positions. The resource assistant will be mentored in diverse tasks involving working with tribes, communication (direct, email, virtual, webinars), data compilation and management, research (various types [online information gathering, scientific literature, etc.]), and some reporting (writing and editing). Technical assistance visits to tribal nurseries may also include travel.

Position Responsibilities may include:

·        Conservation Education assistance

·        Assisting Aerial Survey Program Manager in managing survey data, maps, georeferencing and digitizing data and scanning historical documents

·        Assisting with writing Forest Health reports and online products that tell the Forest Health story

·        Assisting Entomologists and Plant Pathologists with field activities including insect trapping programs and pathogen collections.

·        Assist with Unmanned Aerial Systems (drone) setup and operations.

·        Assist Invasives Program Manager and Pesticide Coordinator when needed.

·        Assist Tribal Nursery Specialist with technology development, communication, data compilation, and some writing. In some cases, in-person and virtual technical assistance visits to tribal nurseries will be necessary.

·        A propagation protocol guidebook for native plants is in preparation and will need organization, fact checking, synthesis of latest science, and general editing. 

·        Assist in developing agenda, schedules, local logistics, communication, and on the ground coordination for the Annual Intertribal Nursery Council meeting.

Minimum Requirements:

·        US Citizen or Legal Permanent Resident  

·        Must be 18 years or older

·        Must have High School Diploma/GED

·        Must have or be able to obtain a post-secondary degree by end of service (Associate’s or Higher)

·        US Citizen or Permanent Legal Resident

·        Have a valid driver’s license and be insurable by Conservation Legacy (over 21 years old or driver’s license for at least three years)

Preferred Qualifications:

·        Experience with ArcGIS software and/or creating ArcGIS online products.

·        Bachelor of Science degree in Forestry, Natural Resources, or related sciences

·        Technical writing experience.

·        Strong organization and communication skills

·        Be able to work outdoors in variable weather conditions for moderate periods of time.

·        Bilingual in English and Spanish

Benefits:

·        $1,000.00/month housing allowance. (pre-tax)

·        $50/monthly commuting allowance. (pre-tax)

·        $4,750.00 Professional Development and Travel fund.

·        Eligible for Health Benefits after 60 Days of Employment.

·        On-the-job training related to position responsibilities.

*The USFS Resource Assistant Program (RAP) is a rigorous, immersive, paid internship providing developmental and training opportunities for individuals interested in learning more about Forest Service careers. After completing a minimum of 960 hours of satisfactory work and an associate degree, RA’s may acquire a two-year certificate of noncompetitive hiring eligibility. The certificate enables participants to apply to internal merit announcements for qualifying permanent General Schedule FS positions as well as a Direct Hire Authority for FS Career positions.

How to Apply
Click "APPLY" at the top of this page. In addition to your resume, please submit a one-page cover letter highlighting why you are interested in this position and how your background and experience will help you succeed in this position.

Application Questions:  Please contact Conservation Legacy Program Coordinator, Sam Rush, srush@conservationlegacy.org for any questions.

Conservation Legacy is an equal opportunity employer. We are committed to hiring a breadth of diverse professionals and encourage members of diverse groups to apply. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, age, national origin, political affiliation, protected veteran status, disability status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, marital status, genetic information, or any other characteristic protected by law. We also consider qualified applicants regardless of criminal histories, consistent with legal requirements. If you need assistance and/or a reasonable accommodation due to a disability during application or recruiting process, please send a request to the hiring manager.