The Thorne Bay and Craig Ranger Districts of the Tongass National Forest in Southeast Alaska will soon
be advertising and filling several temporary positions for the summer 2022 field season. Duty stations are
in the cities of Craig and Thorne Bay, Alaska, located on Prince of Wales Island. Desired start date for all
positions is April/May 2022.
Vacancy announcement numbers for these positions are expected to be available on the USA Jobs website
as soon as mid-October, 2021. At that time, they will be posted and searchable at www.usajobs.gov,
while they are open.
All positions are field going. Accomplishment of duties requires arduous field work in inclement weather
conditions. Transportation to remote field sites may utilize boats, UTVs, ATVs, float planes, helicopter,
and/or highway vehicles. Technicians are required to complete all mandatory training and follow safety
protocols. Many positions require the operation of Forest Service vehicles or equipment. A valid state
driver’s license is required.
Biological Science Technician, Fish (GS-0404-5/6/7)
These positions are based at the Thorne Bay Ranger District. Fish technicians assist the Fish Biologist in
the collection, organization, and analysis of fisheries data in preparation for natural resource management
on Prince of Wales Island. They organize and maintain gear and equipment; prepare data sheets, GPS
units, iPads, and maps for survey work; conduct a variety of surveys related to the protection and
management of aquatic resources including fish passage, stream inventory, stream productivity, stream
utilization, physical and biological characteristics, and habitat improvements or rehabilitation programs;
and process, organize, and update fisheries data using Microsoft Excel, ArcGIS, ArcGIS Online, and apps
like Collector, Field Maps, and Avenza Maps.
Biological Science Technician, Geology (Natural Resources) GS-0404-5/6/7)
These positions are based at the Thorne Bay Ranger District. The geology natural resource technicians
assist the Geologist in the collection, organization, and analysis of geologic data in preparation for natural
resource management on Prince of Wales Island. Technicians examine Forest land and make assessments
of geologic resources, specifically cave and karst resources associated with proposed timber sale
activities. Technicians will inventory and record karst features and cave locations. Technicians will
organize, prepare, and inventory all field data in ArcGIS as well as utilize GPS units, iPads, and maps for
field survey work. Applicants will have the opportunity to support the Geologist with additional geologic
mapping, paleontological resource evaluation and inventory, and cave and karst projects.
Biological Science Technician, Plants (GS-0404-5/6/7)
These positions are based at the Thorne Bay Ranger District and serve as a technical assistant to the
Botanist in the collection, organization, and analysis of data for botanical species and plant habitats on the
Thorne Bay and Craig Ranger Districts. Technicians conduct and document surveys for rare and invasive
plants and plans and implements invasive plant treatments manually and/or with herbicides; collect
inventory data to determine species identity, population characteristics, environmental conditions, and
factors affecting the vigor and extent of the species and their habitat. Technicians complete datasheets,
utilize GPS units, and are responsible for maintaining field gear; use computer systems and associated
software for recording, organizing, storing, and analyzing data; provide data to the Botanist after checking
for discrepancies and inconsistencies. Applicants should have experience identifying vascular plants to
species using a dichotomous key.
Biological Science Technician, Soil and/or Natural Resources (GS-0404-4/5/6/7)
These positions are based at the Craig Ranger District. The positions assist the Soil Scientist in the field
collection, organization, and analysis of soil and wetland data in preparation for natural resource
management on Tongass projects. Technicians organize and maintain gear and equipment; prepare data
sheets, GPS units, and maps; keep records of data; compile and summarize the data obtained from surveys
and monitoring. Due to various projects, there may be many opportunities to learn about different soils,
wetlands, and landscapes in southeast Alaska across district boundaries. Applicants should have soil, soil
pedology, and/or soil judging experience.
Biological Science Technician, Wildlife (GS-0404-5/6/7)
These positions are based at the Craig Ranger District. The positions assist the Wildlife Biologist in the
collection and organization of wildlife survey data. The crew organizes and maintains gear and
equipment; conducts a variety of surveys related to the protection and management of wildlife resources
including surveys for specific animals or birds, habitat improvements; and processes, organizes, and
updates wildlife data. Lead crew person (GS-7) prepares data sheets, GPS units, iPads, and maps for
survey work and is responsible for the day to day activities of the crew and tracking the crew progress.
The crew lead also has primary responsibility for data entry. Secondary crew members (GS-5/6) are
assistants to the lead and have many of the same duties in the field. Applicants should have wildlife
survey experience. All crew members run routine computer programs and check resulting data for
inconsistencies. They provide results to professional personnel for refinement, adjustment, and analysis
and may assist in the preparation of reports.
Forestry Technician (Recreation), GS-462-4/5
These positions provide support to the recreation program on the Thorne Bay and Craig Ranger Districts.
Duties focus primarily on maintenance of recreation facilities and trails, which includes 20 rental cabins,
3 shelters, 2 campgrounds, and approximately 72 miles of trail. Most work sites are accessible from the
road system, but some require transportation by boat or float plane.
as soon as mid-October, 2021. At that time, they will be posted and searchable at www.usajobs.gov,
while they are open.
Biological Science Technician
(Fisheries) (GS-0404-5/6/7)
Andrew
Sanders
andrew.sanders@usda.gov
cc: lucy.aragon@usda.gov
Biological Science Technician
(Plants) (GS-0404-5/6/7)
Valeria
Cancino
Hernandez
valeria.cancinohernandez@usda.go
v
Biological Science Technician
(Soil/Natural Resources) (GS-0404-
4/5/6/7)
Becki
Reynolds
becki.reynolds@usda.gov
cc: lucy.aragon@usda.gov
Biological Science Technician
(Wildlife) (GS-0404-5/6/7)
Darin
Watschke
darin.watschke@usda.gov
Forestry Technician (Recreation) GS-
0462-4/5
Justin
Donnelley
justin.donnelley@usda.gov
cc: lucy.aragon@usda.gov
Biological Science Technician –
Geology (Natural Resources) (GS-
0404-5/6/7)
Anna Harris anna.harris1@usda.gov