Biologist (Invasive Plant Control)

National Experienced Workforce Solutions; Ochopee (FL); On-site; USD 57,000 - 81,000; Part time

Job summary

National Experienced Workforce Solutions (NEW Solutions) seeks an experienced Biologist for invasive plant control in Big Cypress area. You will plan and implement control projects, coordinate with a small natural resources team, and oversee contractors and volunteers in the field.

The role requires extensive invasive plant experience, a relevant degree, and capability with GIS and office software. This is a temporary, at-will enrollment under ESP for NPS.

Qualifications

• Minimum of 15 years of experience in Implementing Invasive Plant Control or BA/BS in Biological Sciences with at least 3 years in invasive plant control in Florida.
• Driver's license and ORV operation experience; pesticide applicator license and helicopter transport experience preferred.
• Experience with Windows, MS Word, MS Excel, MS Teams, MS Outlook and Adobe Acrobat.
• ArcGIS experience is required.

Responsibilities

• Survey and plan invasive plant control, and oversee treatments by staff or contractors.
• Identify significant invasive threats and plan project prioritization with staff.
• Provide logistical support and assist with fieldwork and outreach activities.
• Assess treatment effectiveness and prescribe follow-up actions.

Skills

Invasive plant control

Pesticide knowledge

Education

BA/BS in Biological Sciences

Tools

ArcGIS

Windows

MS Word

MS Excel

MS Teams

MS Outlook

Adobe Acrobat

Job description

Biologist (Invasive Plant Control)

ID: NPSBICY-001-004

Location: Ochopee

Program: NPS

Wage/Hr: $50.00

Hours/Week: 24

Minimum Age: 55

For over 25 years, National Experienced Workforce Solutions (NEW Solutions) has specialized in connecting experienced workers (ages 55+) with full-time and part-time job opportunities that support the critical missions of Federal Agencies across the United States.

NEW Solutions connects experienced workers (ages 55+) with the National Park Service (NPS). These experienced professionals provide administrative expertise, facilities management, natural and cultural resource planning, and a broad array of other professional skills that support the National Park Service through the Experienced Services Program (ESP).

Positions listed here do not guarantee employment for any definite period. Enrollment in the Experienced Worker Programs administered by NEW Solutions is temporary. The enrollment relationship between NEW Solutions and the Enrollee is an ?at-will? relationship. This means that an Enrollee is free to terminate enrollment at any time during the enrollment period, and NEW Solutions and the Agency have the right to terminate the relationship with the Enrollee.

PLEASE NOTE: An ?Enrollee? is not a federal employee, nor an employee of NEW Solutions. An ?Enrollee? is a participant in a grant program established through a Cooperative Agreement funded by the agency and administered by NEW Solutions.

This opportunity applies to applicants legally eligible to work in the United States.

Duration: This position is funded for up to 648 total hours.

The biologist works within a small team of natural resources staff to plan and implement invasive plant control projects throughout Big Cypress National Preserve.

Qualifications

• Minimum of 15 year(s) of experience in Implementing Invasive Plant Control in natural areas OR BA/BS Degree in Biological Sciences with minimum additional experience of 3 year(s) in a position that involved control of invasive plants in Florida
• Drivers license and experience in ORV operation. Pesticide applicator license and experience using helicopters for transportation to remote areas are preferred.
• Experience required with Windows, MS Word, MS Excel, MS Teams, MS Outlook, Adobe Acrobat
• ArcGIS

Duties

Conducts invasive plant surveys and assessments, plans treatment of invasive plants using a variety of methods, and implements or oversees implementation of invasive plant control treatments conducted by staff, volunteers, and/or contractors.

• Apply knowledge of South Florida's flora, fauna, and ecological communities to identify and characterize significant invasive plant threats. Works with other staff to plan and develop invasive plant control projects and prioritize them for implementation. 30%
• Implement, or oversee implementation of invasive plant control projects conducted by NPS staff, volunteers, and/or contractors. This includes project and data management, data analysis, site visits and post-treatment assessments, herbicide delivery, and/or coordination, and report writing. 40%
• Providing general logistical support, training, and assistance to other Big Cypress National Preserve staff, including operating offroad vehicles to help transport people and equipment, helping with field work, or supporting visitor services staff through assisting with educational and outreach programs. 20%
• Conducts assessment of invasive plant control treatments to determine effectiveness and prescribe follow-up treatments as appropriate. 10%

Other

• Required Certifications: Pesticide applicator license is preferred, but not required.
• Health and Safety Considerations: Use of herbicides will be required. Training will be provided as appropriate in application of herbicides and use of personal protective equipment.
• Required Safety Gear: Appropriate PPE in accordance with herbicide labels and task-specific Job Hazard analyses.
• Physical requirements: The position involves a variety of work, including working in an office setting, outdoor work of moderate intensity, sometimes in challenging environmental conditions, including heat, humidity, and wet conditions, and exposure to thunderstorms, mosquitos, etc. Position may require occasionally walking long distances and the ability to lift up to 50 pounds. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of this position.

NEW Solutions is committed to promoting equal opportunity and to an environment free from discrimination and harassment in any form administering Experienced Worker Programs under cooperative agreements with federal agencies. It is NEW Solutions' policy to comply with all applicable laws that provide equal opportunity and to prohibit unlawful discrimination in enrolling participants in the federal programs.