Come Join Us!
Pacific Northwest Research Station
United States Department of Agriculture
Forest Service
Who Are We?
The Pacific Northwest (PNW) Research Station
is a leader in natural resources research. The
station generates and communicates impartial
scientific knowledge to help people understand
and make informed choices about natural
resource management and sustainability.
Headquartered in Portland, Oregon, the
PNW Research Station is one of seven U.S.
Forest Service research stations administered by the agency’s Research and
Development branch. These stations create and deliver scientific knowledge
and innovative technology to improve the health and use of the Nation’s
forests and rangelands—both public and private. Since 1925, we have been
dedicated to understanding forests and rangelands. We believe that resilient
forests are a promise to generations to come—a promise to replenish the air
we breathe and the water we drink. The station is in the unique position
to offer scientific knowledge that can be used now to ensure that future
generations enjoy the same benefits from forests that we do today.
Where We Work
The PNW Research Station has 11 laboratories and centers in Alaska,
Oregon, and Washington. Our research landscape spans coastal temperate
rain forests, northern boreal forests, dry inland forests, and rangeland.
Each of these environments poses unique opportunities for learning about
ecosystem processes and their connections to human communities. Station
researchers conduct studies in national forests, experimental forests, and
other areas to learn more about forest and rangeland ecosystems. Our 12
experimental forests, ranges, and watersheds are part of a national network
dedicated to research and public education, and serve as some of the few
places where ecology and natural resource studies can be carried out across
large areas over long periods. Research also is conducted in more than 20
research natural areas.
Laboratories and Centers
Alaska Wood Utilization and Development
Center (Sitka)
►Anchorage Forestry Sciences
Laboratory
►Boreal Ecology Cooperative
Research Unit (Fairbanks)
►Corvallis Forestry Sciences
Laboratory
►Juneau Forestry Sciences Laboratory
►La Grande Forestry and Range Sciences
Laboratory
►Olympia Forestry
Sciences Laboratory
►Pacific Wildland Fire Sciences Laboratory
(Seattle)
►Portland Forestry Sciences Laboratory
►Wenatchee Forestry Sciences Laboratory
►Western Wildland Environmental Threat
Assessment Center (Prineville)
►
Experimental Areas
1. Bonanza Creek Experimental Forest
2. Caribou-Poker Creeks Research
Watershed
3. Héen Latinee Experimental Forest
4. Maybeso Experimental Forest
5. Olympic Experimental State Forest
6. Entiat Experimental Forest
7. Wind River Experimental Forest
8. Cascade Head Experimental Forest
A L A S K A
1
Fairbanks
2
Anchorage
3 Juneau
Sitka
4
5 Seattle
Olympia
m
6
Wenatchee
W A S H I N G T O N
Portland
7
8
Corvallis
a
9
10
12
La G
Grande
Prineville
11
O R E G O N
9. Starkey Experimental Forest and Range
10. H.J. Andrews Experimental Forest
11. Pringle Falls Experimental Forest
12. South Umpqua Experimental Forest
The Research
The station has strong partnerships with national forests, nonprofit organizations, other federal agencies, private industry, state agencies, and universities. With these partners, we address key questions associated with climate
change, imperiled species, human health and well-being, and much more.
Scientists at the PNW Research Station conduct research in many topics.
Key areas are:
► Habitat integrity and species conservation
► People and landscapes
► Sustainable forests and rangelands
► Water resources
A Career in Research
A career in Forest Service research is
challenging, creative, and satisfying—
putting one at the forefront of some of
the most advanced natural resources
research in the world. Our researchers
and support personnel work together
to produce credible scientific information that is used by land managers
and policymakers as they manage
our natural resources.
There are many jobs in research. Examples include:
► Hydrologic technician
►Biologist
►Hydrologist
►Botanist
►Mathematician
►Chemist
►Meteorologist
►Ecologist
►Physiologist
►Economist
► Plant pathologist
►Engineer
► Research ecologist
►Entomologist
► Research forester
► Forestry technician
► Research geneticist
►Geneticist
► Social scientist
►Geographer
►Statistician
► Geographic Information
System specialist
► Wildlife biologist
Operations and administrative personnel play critical roles in such jobs as:
► Administrative support assistant
► Budget analyst
► Executive assistant
► Grants and agreement specialist
► Program specialist
► Purchasing agent
Communication of research findings
through publications, the Internet,
events, and the media is a vital part of
the process. Among these positions are:
► Public affairs specialist
► Science writer
► Technical editor
► Technology transfer specialist
► Graphic designer
► Web designer
Special Programs for Students
and Recent Graduates
The Pathways Program for students and
recent graduates includes three components:
The Internship Program provides students
enrolled in a wide variety of educational
institutions, from high school to graduate
level, with opportunities to explore federal careers in paid positions
while still in school. There are two types of interns:
►
▪ Pathways Intern—Students receive valuable work experience in
their field by alternating periods of study with on-the-job experience.
Students in this program are eligible for retirement and insurance
benefits. After graduation and successful completion of the program,
an intern may be converted to a permanent position without having
to compete for the job.
▪ Pathways Intern NTE (Not to Exceed/Temporary)—Students receive
valuable work experience in temporary positions ranging from summer
jobs to positions that may continue as long as one is enrolled in a
qualifying educational institution. These employment opportunities
need not be related to the intern’s academic field of study. After
graduation, the intern may be converted to a permanent position
without competition.
►
The Recent Graduates Program is for individuals who have completed a
qualifying educational program within the previous two years. Veterans
with continued obligations to military service have up to six years after
degree completion to apply. Successful applicants are placed in a dynamic
developmental program with the potential to move into a permanent
position. The program generally lasts for one year.
The Presidential Management Fellows (PMF) Program is a flagship
leadership development program at the entry level for individuals who
are currently completing an advanced degree program (master’s, doctoral,
or law degree). Those selected for this
two-year program will receive benefits,
valuable training, and developmental
opportunities. After completion of
the program, one may be appointed
to a permanent position.
►
To learn more about the Pathways
Program, please visit http://www.
usajobs.gov/studentsandgrads.
The Postdoctoral Research Associate Program is another opportunity for
recent graduates from doctoral degree programs. Participants conduct basic
research and receive advanced training while working with our scientists and
professional staff. This program is designed to bring new talent and ideas to
our research programs. Positions may last up to four years and they provide
retirement, health, and life insurance benefits.
Training
Many educational and training opportunities are available for developing skills to
enhance career growth and
promotion potential. Each
employee has an individual
development plan tailored to
match his or her goals with
those of the organization.
► Progressive management philosophy—
The agency gives employees the skills and knowledge to do a job,
then trusts them to do it.
► Recognition—An awards program is in place to recognize
employees with a monetary or honorary award for special acts
and services or superior work performance.
Benefits of Working for the U.S. Forest Service
The agency offers employees many benefits, including:
Child care—Many Forest Service locations offer child care facilities.
Employee counseling program—The Forest Service offers confidential,
expert assistance to deal with problems such as financial difficulties, drug
or alcohol abuse, and family discord.
Flexible work schedules—The
Forest Service is sensitive to the
competing demands faced by
people today. Most locations
offer flexible work schedules,
with increasing opportunities
for telecommuting.
Health and life insurance
for permanent employees—The employee and the
Forest Service share costs.
Holidays—Ten paid federal
holidays per year. Supervisors also will approve
revised work schedules for
employees to participate in
religious observances.
Paid vacation and personal
leave—During the first three
years, 13 days per year; after three years, 19.5 days per year; and after
15 years, 26 days per year.
Paid moving allowances—New employees pay their own expenses to relocate
for their first Forest Service job. For permanent employees, the Forest Service
pays for subsequent moves.
Promotion policy—The Forest Service is an Equal Opportunity Employer
and considers all applicants for any job for which they qualify, without regard
to race, religion, sex, age, or any other nonmerit factor.
Retirement plan for permanent employees—The retirement plan is made up
of a federal retirement fund, Social Security, and a traditional and/or Roth
savings plan. Both the employee and Forest Service contribute financially.
Sick leave—Employees receive 13 days of sick leave per year.
Interested?
October 2012
To learn more about the PNW
Research Station and its programs,
visit the station on the Web at
http://www.fs.fed.us/pnw/
For more information about a
career with the PNW Research
Station, visit http://www.usajobs.
opm.gov/
Or contact:
Human Resources Service Center
USDA Forest Service, Pacific
Northwest Research Station
ASC–HRM
3900 Masthead St NE
Albuquerque, NM 87109
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) prohibits discrimination in all its programs and activities on the basis of race, color,
national origin, sex, religion, age, disability, sexual orientation, marital status, family status, status as a parent (in education and
training programs and activities), because all or part of an individual’s income is derived from any public assistance program, or
retaliation. (Not all prohibited bases apply to all programs or activities.) If you require this information in alternative format (Braille,
large print, audiotape, etc.), contact the USDA’s TARGET Center at (202) 720-2600 (Voice or TDD). If you require information about
this program, activity, or facility in a language other than English, contact the agency office responsible for the program or activity,
or any USDA office. To file a complaint alleging discrimination, write USDA, Director, Office of Civil Rights, 1400 Independence
Avenue, S.W., Washington, D.C. 20250-9410, or call toll free, (866) 632-9992 (Voice). TDD users can contact USDA through local
relay or the Federal relay at (800) 877-8339 (TDD) or (866) 377-8642 (relay voice users). You may use USDA Program Discrimination
Complaint Forms AD-3027 or AD-3027s (Spanish) which can be found at: http://www.ascr.usda.gov/complaint_filing_cust.html or
upon request from a local Forest Service office. USDA is an equal opportunity provider and employer.