The Lassen National Forest will soon be advertising a GS-430-7/9, Assistant Forest Botanist position. The position is permanent full time which may be filled at either the GS-7 or GS-9 level and having career ladder potential to the GS-9 level. The duty station is located in Susanville, California at the Forest Headquarters.
ABOUT THE POSITION:
This position functions as the assistant to the Forest Botanist for the Lassen National Forest. The botany program on the Lassen NF is a Forest-wide program run out of the Supervisor’s Office. Duties include hiring and supervising temporary employees (botanists, plant bio-techs, weed warriors), conducting and supervising floristic field surveys, keying plants, maintaining records on plant locations and habitat information, writing biological evaluations and assessments and specialist reports, interpretive activities (such as public talks and presentations, developing displays and handouts) and assisting with the forest noxious weed and other botanical programs. The Lassen NF, with its varied programs, affords a great opportunity to develop and expand its botanical program in new and exciting directions.
ABOUT THE LASSEN NATIONAL FOREST:
The Lassen National Forest lies at the heart of one of the most diverse vegetative and fascinating areas in California. The Sierra Nevada Mountains, the Cascade Range, the Modoc Plateau, and the Great Basin meet and blend geographically and floristically in the Forest's 1.2 million acres. The Forest programs are varied. The Forest greets visitors with a wide array of recreational opportunities, including three major and popular recreation areas and numerous other opportunities (a few include the only low elevation wilderness in the Region, a world-class hang gliding site, excellent hunting and fishing, and an extensive snowmobile trail network). The flora is diverse with over 1320 known species of plants. Some 360 wildlife species call the Lassen home, including bald eagle, osprey, pronghorn, deer, myriad waterfowl, and at least 85 kinds of butterflies. The vegetation and fuels management program is strong and well respected in the Region. Range management is a sizeable program, with 65 range allotments spread across the Forest.
The west side of the Forest borders the foothills of California's central valley, moving into higher elevation mixed conifer as one travels into the Sierra Nevada and Cascade mountains. An area of lush forests and cascading streams, it attracts many from major valley communities such as Redding and Chico. Deer, Mill, and Antelope Creeks feature the last natural spring run of Chinook salmon in the State. The Lassen National Forest surrounds Lassen Volcanic National Park, featuring Mt. Lassen and an array of scenic trails and sites to explore. Moving east over the mountains' crest, the land gentles and dries. Sagebrush/grass flats are common, with spectacular flora displays in wet years, and a system of vernal wetlands. These stunning, Basin vistas are flanked by volcanic cinder cones and mountains, graced with forests of fir and pine. The east side features Eagle Lake, a large, natural remnant of another time. It is a major recreation site, and home of the nationally known Eagle Lake trout. Communities in the immediate forest area are small and the feeling is distinctly rural.
ABOUT SUSANVILLE:
Nestled at the base of the Sierra Nevada's east side, Susanville is a full service community of about 12,000 with a larger population in the surrounding Lassen County. The largest community in north-eastern California, it offers a hospital, a number of independent school districts, churches representing most denominations, a local community college, and a strong sense of community. The city of Reno, Nevada is a short 85 miles to the SE, and both Chico and Redding, sizeable Central Valley communities, are within a two hour drive from Susanville. Real estate values vary greatly, with prices for a single family house ranging from $80,000 to $200,000+.
Susanville is the gateway to a host of recreational opportunities on the Lassen National Forest and Bureau of Land Management lands. Just minutes away are fishing, hunting, off-roading, mountain-biking, camping, water related sports, wildlife viewing, snowmobiling, cross-country skiing, wilderness adventures, and more. The Lassen Volcanic National Park is about an hour away and features the 10,000 foot Lassen Peak and other volcanic features. San Francisco, Sacramento, the California coast, and Lake Tahoe are all within a half day drive.
TO RESPOND:
If you are interested in this position and want to receive a copy of the Vacancy Announcement, please complete the attached form and send via email to tfrolli@fs.fed.us by March 18, 2009. If you are not a current Forest Service employee, or do not have access to email please complete and fax the form to: 530-252-6428, or mail to:
LASSEN NATIONAL FOREST
ATTN: Tom Frolli
2550 Riverside Dr.
Susanville, CA 96130