OUTREACH NOTICE

Hydrologist (GS-1315-9/11)

HUBBARD BROOK EXPERIMENTAL FOREST, WOODSTOCK, NH

About the Position: The USDA Forest Service Northern Research Station is announcing an upcoming vacancy for a Hydrologist (GS-1315-9/11). The position will provide science and science support to the Center for Research on Ecosystem Change (http://www.nrs.fs.fed.us/units/crec/), with responsibility for assisting in, conducting, interpreting and reporting hydrologic research at the 7,800 acre Hubbard Brook Experimental Forest located in Woodstock, NH.

Job Description: The position is a member of the Center for Research on Ecosystem Change which is a research team that conducts research on ecological processes in terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems. The primary duty will be to contribute to hydrologic investigations and studies required for planning and design of long term environmental monitoring programs and multi-purpose research projects focused on physical and chemical components of the hydrologic cycle, including precipitation, streamflow, soil water, ground water, evaporation and transpiration. The position is responsible for taking measurements of streamflow with velocity-area and tracer dilution methods and for servicing recording rain gauges, weather stations, and stream gauging stations throughout the year; and weekly measurements of snow courses during winter months. The position assists with the construction and maintenance of numerous field installations such as weirs, shelters, meteorological stations, vehicles, trails, and other permanent structures and equipment. The position oversees the development, installation, and maintenance of electronic equipment to support a wireless communications network. The position is responsible for writing and running code to process electronic data records and run QA/QC procedures. The position will assist scientists in the preparation of manuscripts, proposals, study plans and presentations as needed.

Basic Qualifications and Knowledge Required: Must be a U.S. citizen to apply, as well as have appropriate college coursework, and/or commensurate experience. In addition to basic qualifications, applications may be screened for several of the following knowledge, skills, and abilities which may include:

• Knowledge of the principles, concepts, and practices of watershed hydrology.
• Expertise in collecting hydrologic and meteorological data from stream gauging stations, weather stations, soils, and ground water wells.
• Ability to devise and perform routine data analysis and synthesis tasks of hydrologic and meteorological data.
• Ability to install, maintain, troubleshoot, repair and provide routine field quality control for existing mechanical and electronic meteorological, hydrologic and other local and distributed environmental monitoring systems and wireless devices.
• Understanding of and experience with data management practices that address quality control/quality assurance in large datasets associated with environmental sensors.

Other Information of Interest

• One position will be advertised
• Work may include overnight travel
• Certification in tree climbing, tower climbing, chain sawing, and snowmobiling desirable
• Basic entry qualifications for this series are a bachelor’s degree in hydrology, water resources, forestry, natural resources, soil science, ecology, or related disciplines appropriate to the position.
• This positions has an education requirement and will require transcripts. See: https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/classification-qualifications/general-schedule-qualification-standards/1300/hydrology-series-1315/
• Good written and verbal communication skills are essential
• An ability to work both independently and in a team setting is necessary

** Note: The position requires strenuous physical exertion, including hiking over rough terrain, and carrying heavy loads. Duties associated with this position result in exposure to extreme weather conditions found in northern New England.

About the NRS and Location: The position will be with the USDA Forest Service Northern Research Station. The Northern Research Station provides leading-edge forest science and technology applications to serve a wide range of clients in the 20-state region of the Northeast and Midwest. This powerful science discovery program helps improve people’s lives and sustain natural resources.

The position will be located at The Hubbard Brook Experimental Forest in Woodstock, New Hampshire. The Hubbard Brook Experimental Forest is one of the longest running and most comprehensive and influential ecosystem study sites in the world. It is located in the heart of the White Mountains in New Hampshire. The region is known for its warm hospitality, rich history, beautiful mountain scenery, wide variety of recreational activities, and four-season lifestyle. Cultural activities thrive, and nearby towns, such as Plymouth, offer concerts, plays, children’s activities, and church functions. Woodstock and the towns around it are close enough to large cities such as Boston and Portland, ME for day trips.

To Express Interest: To learn more about the job duties or other questions about the position, contact John Campbell at (603) 868-7643 (jlcampbell@fs.fed.us)

If you are interested in this position, please fill out the attached outreach notice by February 21, 2018. Once the position is advertised in USAJOBS, we will notify you by email.

For further information about the Northern Research Station: http://www.nrs.fs.fed.us/

The USDA prohibits discrimination in its programs on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, religion, age, disability, sexual orientation, and marital or familial status. The USDA Forest Service also provides reasonable accommodations to applicants with disabilities. If you need a reasonable accommodation for any part of the application and hiring process, please notify Bill Mannion, Human Resources Specialist, at (610) 557-4236. USDA is an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer.

OUTREACH NOTICE

APPLICANT REPLY FORM

If you are interested in this position, please complete and submit the attached form to Dr. John L. Campbell, Research Ecologist, Durham, NH (jlcampbell@fs.fed.us). This will help us determine the level of interest of prospective candidates and establish the area of consideration. Please respond by February 21, 2018.