Hello, please help us get the word out! We are currently advertising the GS-486-11/12 Wildlife
Biologist for the Willamette Valley National Wildlife Refuge Complex. The position is
stationed at W.L. Finley NWR in Corvallis, Oregon but oversees the biology at all three refuges
in the Complex; Finely, Ankeny, and Baskett Slough. The duties of the position are varied. We
are working on restoration of native prairies, oak woodland habitat, as well as wetlands. There
are a number of federally listed species on all three refuges. This year we introduced the listed
Fender's Blue Butterfly on Finley and we continue to work on expanding the population on
Baskett Slough NWR. We received funding to work on increasing the population of Golden
Paintbrush, a listed plant, on Ankeny and Finley refuges. Additionally, this year the Streaked
Horned Lark was listed as threatened wuth critical habitat on all three refuges. The Complex
biologist works closely with farmers and refuge managers to manage for this species while
maintaining the active and important agricultural component of the refuge's mission.
The combination of native and agricultural habitats on the Willamette Valley Refuges results in a
diversity of lands which supports more than 300 species of wildlife. The refuge's seasonal
wetlands and farmed agricultural fields provide important nesting, feeding, and roosting habitat
for migrating waterfowl and shorebirds with the Pacific Flyway, and support the core population
of wintering geese in the Willamette Valley. In particular, the refuges hold the largest number of
wintering dusky Canada geese within their range. The refuges support some of the largest and
most ecologically significant blocks of native habitat in the Willamette Valley. The refuges
offer some of the best birding opportunities in the Valley.
W.L. Finley Refuge is located 10 miles south of Corvallis. Corvallis has a population of 55,000
and is situated in the heart of the Willamette Valley, 85 miles south of Portland, 35 miles north
of Eugene, and 50 miles east of the beautiful Oregon coast. It is home to Oregon State
University. Corvallis falls within the dry-summer subtropical climate zone, also referred to as
cool-summer Mediterranean. Temperatures are mild year round, with warm, dry sunny summers
and mild, wet winters with persistent overcast skies. Spring and fall are also moist seasons with
varied cloudiness, and light rain falling for extended periods. Winter snow is rare, but
occasionally does fall, and amounts can range between a dusting and a few inches that does not
usually persist on the ground for more than a day. Corvallis is a Tree City USA and boasts 47
public parks. It has a higher education rate per capita than any other city in the State of
Oregon. The League of American Bicyclists gave Corvallis a gold rating as a Bicycle-Friendly
community in 2011 and the US Census Bureau released data in 2009 showing that, at 9.3%,
Corvallis had the highest percentage of bicycle commuters of any city in the United States. In
2012 Forbes Magazine put Corvallis in its Top 25 list of places to Work and Retire and Sunset
Magazine placed Corvallis in its Top 5 Earth-Friendly Small Towns.
So with a great town to live in and an awesome place to work, why wouldn't you put in for this
job? Hurry, the announcement closes to both the public and government-wide on September 18!
If you have any questions, please feel free to contact me.
Vacancy R1-14-1204018-SG opens Sept. 5, 2014, closes Sept 18, 2014 and is open to the general public.
https://www.usajobs.gov/GetJob/ViewDetails/379948300