Peatland vegetation study, Seney NW, MI - Biological Science Technician (GS-7)
Northern Prairie Wildlife Research Center is seeking one biological science technician (GG-07 / $18.59/hr) for the 2010 summer field season for a peatland vegetation study in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan. The study is an evaluation of the response of birds and vegetation to prescribed burning in open and woody fens (sedge meadows and shrub carrs). This position provides a great opportunity to spend the summer season in diverse sedge meadows and sedge-shrub habitats in a largely undisturbed wetland system. In 2010, study work will focus on the plant community and structure 2-3 years after burning. Fieldwork consists of using established data-collection protocols to 1) identify wetland grass, shrub, and forb species, 2) perform various vegetation sampling techniques (line-intercept, visual obstruction, gap intercept) to determine plant and shrub cover and visual obstruction measures, and 3) obtain photographs at photo-points. The crew leader is responsible for identification of vegetation to species (including grasses and sedges). The crew leader also will supervise, organize, and coordinate the activities of a small crew (1-2 individuals), including organizing field equipment and work assignments, confirming quality and accuracy of data, coordinating with refuge personnel, and alerting the project leader to procedural, technical, and logistical problems. Crew will be navigating remote areas with GPS units and compass; work often requires hiking up to 3 mi/day in dry to shallowly flooded wetlands. After field work is completed, the individual will enter data into Excel spreadsheets and develop a written report summarizing field work and results. Field work will be conducted at Seney National Wildlife Refuge, Seney, Michigan, during July-August 2010 (housing available); data entry work may be conducted at Seney or in Jamestown, ND. Full employment period = 12 July to mid-Nov 2010. FOR COMPLETE INFORMATION, GO TO WWW.USAJOBS.GOV -- search for Job Announcement Number: NPWRC-JEA-01-TECH-2010. Jane Austin **************************************************** Jane Austin US Geological Survey Northern Prairie Wildlife Research Center 8711 37th Street SE Jamestown, ND 58401 Phone: 701-253-5510 Fax: 701-253-5553 Email: [email protected] *************************************************** When we talk among ourselves, all we get back are echoes. But when we talk with others of a different mind, we are made to think. And it is in thinking that we
