PLUMAS NATIONAL FOREST
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OUTREACH NOTICE
PLUMAS NATIONAL FOREST
Beckwourth Ranger District, Blairsden, CA
___________________________________
Biological Science Technician (Wildlife)
GS-0404-06
Temporary NTE 1039hrs
Government Housing Will Be Available
One position will be available on the Beckwourth Ranger District, Plumas National Forest. It is
recommended that you apply as soon as possible to be considered for the position, as the hiring process
will begin in mid-March.
TO APPLY FOR THIS POSITION:
Go to USAJOBS (must set up and have a USAJOBS profile) www.usajobs.gov
Search/locate the “Open and Continuous” announcement number; Select position(s) and location(s) you
are interested in and begin the application process. These are open continuous rosters so you must be
specific in location to apply to our positions: Select Blairden, CA as your preferred place of employment.
FOR BIOLOGICAL SCIENCE TECHNICIAN (WILDLIFE) POSITION:
GS-06 Annoucment # TEMPOCR-0404-6-WLDLF-DT
Link to GS-06 job annoucment- https://www.usajobs.gov/GetJob/ViewDetails/336074800
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DESCRIPTION OF THE DUTIES ASSOCIATED WITH THIS POSITION:
This is a short synopsis of what you as a member of the wildlife shop can expect to do if hired. This is a
very general list and specific job duties change frequently. This job will predominantly consist of field
work in the Sierra Nevada at elevations of 4,500 - 8,000 feet. This position is a member of a 2 to 3 person
crew whose primary duties include locating and traveling to selected surveys areas or routes during
varying hours of the day and night. Surveys would be conducted for California spotted owls (night
surveys), Northern goshawks and a host of other Forest Service sensitive species (day surveys) as well as
recording survey efforts on data sheets and noting special or important habitat features. The field season
is split with approximately 6 weeks of owl surveys (night time work) and approximately 8 weeks of
goshawk and other species surveys (day time work). Some office work including data entry is required
during the season. Some preparatory office work may be available in early season and data entry or
cleanup at the end of the season. Duties are only limited by projects, budget and time.
We are looking for motivated applicants with a background and/or high level of interest in ornithology
who are in good physical condition and willing to endure high altitude, moderately rough to arduous
terrain, warm summer temperatures, sunny skies, and clear, cool nights. Experience in bird surveys and
identification is desired. Ability to get along with crew members is a must. Safe driving skills are
required, as driving on native surface logging roads is an integral component of the job.
AREA
DESCRIPTION:
The Plumas National Forest encompasses over a million acres of tree-covered mountains, filled with
hundreds of high alpine lakes and thousands of miles of clear running streams. Elevations range from
3,000 to 8,000 feet. The area has four seasons with warm to hot days and warm to cool nights in the
summer, and periodic snowstorms in the winter. Average annual precipitation is about 35~40 inches a
year. Within a half day or less drive are Lake Tahoe, Reno, Sacramento, Susanville, San Francisco,
Redding, Chico, California coast, Lake Shasta, Lassen Volcanic National Park and a vast variety of
activities and opportunities. Popular activities within Plumas County and the Plumas National Forest
include hiking, fishing, hunting, camping, boating, white water rafting, cross country skiing,
snowmobiling, and wildlife viewing.
COMMUNITY INFORMATION:
Quincy, CA:
The community of Quincy is the Plumas County seat and has a population of approximately 5,000.
Quincy is located at an elevation of 3400 feet in a small mountain valley in the northeastern Sierra
Nevada. Area vegetation is typically mixed conifer. Year-round county population is approximately
25,000. Local community services include: a hospital, a limited service airport, a public library, a theatre,
a junior college, a high school, two public elementary schools, one private elementary school, a variety of
churches, two supermarkets, a bowling alley, a public pool, a health club, and numerous restaurants and
motels.
Blairsden/Graeagle/Portola, CA:
The community of Blairsden/Graeagle is located 60 miles west of Reno, NV, and 20 miles east of Quincy
at an elevation of approximately 4400 feet. Local community services include a market, hardware store,
bakery, deli, pizza parlor, one full service gas station, physician’s clinic, dental office, post office, and
several restaurants and motels. There are four 18-hole championship and two 9-hole golf courses within
five miles of the office. Johnsville Ski Area is a local historic downhill ski area which hosts two long
board-racing events per year as well as public downhill skiing. Rentals for a two bedroom /two bath
condominium start around $1000 per month. Since housing is expensive in the Blairsden/Graeagle area
many employees live in Portola or Quincy. The community of Portola (ten miles east of
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Blairsden/Graeagle) has a population of 2,000 with services including a hospital with physician's clinic, a
public library, one elementary school, one middle school, one high school, a variety of churches, a
supermarket, a bowling alley, a health club, and several restaurants and motels. Rentals for a two
bedroom /one bath start around $600 per month.
The Blairsden/Graeagle, Portola, and Quincy communities offer a variety of cultural events, and yearround sporting activities are available for all ages in a picturesque mountain setting. The areas have four
seasons with warm days/cool nights in the summer and periodic snowstorms in the winter. Average
annual precipitation is 35 to 40 inches.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION ABOUT THIS POSITION CONTACT:
Beckwourth District Wildlife Biologist Russell Nickerson (530) 836-7115
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) prohibits discrimination in all its programs and activities on the basis
of race, color, national origin, age, disability, and where applicable, sex, marital status, familial status, parental
status, religion, sexual orientation, genetic information, political beliefs, reprisal, or because all or part of an
individual’s income is derived from any public assistance program. (Not all prohibited bases apply to all programs.)
Persons with disabilities who require alternative means for communication of program information (Braille, large
print, audiotape, etc.) should contact USDA’s TARGET Center at (202)720-2600 (voice and TDD). To file a
complaint of discrimination, write to USDA, Director, Office of Civil Rights, 1400 Independence Avenue, S.W.,
Washington, DC 20250-9410, or call (800) 795-3272 (voice) or (202) 720-6382 (TDD). USDA is an equal
opportunity provider and employer.
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OUTREACH RESPONSE FORM
If you are interested in this position, be sure to submit your application through www.usajobs.gov.
In addition, you are encouraged to complete this form and reply to Russell Nickerson by March
11, 2013 in one of three ways:
E-mail: rnickerson@fs.fed.us.
Mail: Russell Nickerson
District Wildlife Biologist
Plumas National Forest
Beckwourth Ranger District
PO Box 7
Blairsden, CA 96103
Ph. (530) 836-7115
Fax: (530) 836-0493
By completing this form, you are indicating that you are interested in the following position:

Biological Science Technician (Wildlife), GS-0404-06, Temporary NTE 1039hrs
Location:
 Region 5, Plumas National Forest, Blairsden, California
PERSONAL INFORMATION:
Name
Date
Address
City
State
Zip
E-Mail
Phone number(s)
Are you currently a federal employee
If Yes, current agency and location
current title/series/grade
Type of Appointment
Permanent
Term
Temporary
Type of Schedule
Full-time
Part-time
Intermittent
If you are not a current permanent (career or career conditional) employee, are you
eligible for appointment under any of the following special authorities (check the
appropriate box):
Person with Disabilities
Veteran Readjustment
Former Peace Corps Volunteer
Disabled Veteran with 30% Compensable Disability
Student Career Experience Program
Veterans Employment Opportunities Act 0f 1998
Other, please describe:
Submission of this form is voluntary. Thanks for your interest!
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