[APWG] JOB: Seasonsal Student Biological Sci Aid/Tech GS-3/4 (Ironton, OH)

[Olivia Kwong]

OUTREACH NOTICE FOR SEASONAL POSITION

Student Biological Science Aid/Technician GS-3 or GS-4

Ironton Ranger District
Wayne National Forest
Pedro, Ohio

Please respond by Monday April 20th 2009

An opening exists for a summer season Biological Science Aid or Technician 
on the Ironton Ranger District of the Wayne National Forest, in southern 
Ohio.  We are located seven miles north of the historic city of Ironton 
Ohio and the Ohio River on State Route 93, Pedro, Ohio.

Major Duties:
Duties include invasive species control using herbicides and manual 
control methods (70%), invasive species surveys (20%), native plant work 
planting (5%, seed collecting, pollinator gardens), and other duties as 
needed (5%).  Ability to identify and .key-out. eastern North American 
flora, especially species of Southern Ohio species is desired.  GIS and 
basic computer skills are also desired.  Applicants must be willing and 
able to work alone in remote forest locations or with others in a team 
setting.  Successful applicants must be able to work outside, in hilly 
areas and in various weather conditions (rainy, hot/humid, etc.) for 8-10 
hours per day.

Current college students and those who will be returning to college next 
year are encouraged to respond to this outreach.  Depending on applicant 
qualifications and agency funding levels the position may be filled at a 
GS-3 ($10.31/hour, Biological Science Aid) or GS-4 ($11.57/hour, 
Biological Science Technician) level.  RV camping trailers are available 
for summer housing.  We anticipate the positions to start on June 8th and 
end on August 28th.

Please email resume, references and relevant course work to Chad 
Kirschbaum (ckirschbaum at fs.fed.us) by Monday April 20th 2008

Ironton Ranger District:

Vegetation Management:  Our vegetation management program produces 
approximately 2.5 million board feet (MMBF) annually.  Hand and herbicide 
techniques are the primary means of reforestation and timber stand 
improvement.  We are actively restoring oak hickory ecosystems.  We 
maintain a mixed pine/hardwood ecosystem dominated by oak and hickory 
forest type with large blocks of land designated for a variety of timber, 
plant, animal and recreational objectives.

Endangered Species:  The Indiana Bat and Running Buffalo Clover 
are two of our key, resident threatened and endangered species.

Fire:  Fire is considered an ecosystem component rather than a periodic 
treatment.  The District program uses prescribed fire on approximately 
1,500 acres annually to maintain pyrotypic communities and treat hazardous 
fuels.  The district also has an active wildfire suppression program.

Recreation:  The District has an innovative and expanding recreation 
program.  Two separate all-terrain vehicle trails are growing together 
with a 30-mile addition in progress.  An active trail patrol helps 
maintain the existing 46 mile of ATV trails plus 24 miles of horse 
trail. The lake Vesuvius Recreation area not includes an archery trail, 
hiking and backpacking trails, 2 campgrounds, a boat launch and a beach. 
There are over 129-miles of trails on the Ironton District, The District 
offers a mountain bike trail, horse trails, and some of the best hunting 
in the area.  Campgrounds, wildlife, hunting, and trails make the Ironton 
District a popular destination point for travel and tourism.

Special events held on the Ironton District each year include the 
Wheelin. Sportsmen Fishing event, which promotes and encourages persons 
with disabilities to explore recreation opportunities. Other special 
events include the Kids Fishing Derby and ATV rallies and numerous 
activities hosted by Ohio University Southern at the OUS Nature Center.

Cultural Resources:  Vesuvius Furnace is one of several iron furnace 
stacks remaining on the Forest. A large Civilian Conservation Corps camp 
near the Iron furnace provided the labor to construct the Vesuvius Lake 
dam and Recreation Area.

LOCATION

The Ironton Ranger District is located in the southern part of the state 
at Pedro, Ohio. It retains an air of nostalgia with covered bridges, rock 
shelters, springs and rugged hills covered with hardwood and pine trees. 
The district covers approximately 104,257-acres in Lawrence, Gallia, 
Scioto and Jackson counties.  Pedro is within a few hours drive of 
metropolitan areas such as Columbus, Cincinnati, Cleveland, Ohio - 
Lexington, Kentucky . Huntington and Charleston, West Virginia, and 
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.

Bordering states Kentucky and West Virginia make up the Tri-State area 
offering several state of the art medical centers, churches of various 
denominations, public and private schools, shopping plaza/malls and a wide 
variety of educational, sporting, cultural events and opportunities for 
all ages.

The Ironton District of the Wayne National Forest is located in the 
foothills of Appalachians and has a large diversity of plant and animal 
communities, including many threatened and endangered species.  We are 
located near the Ohio River and only a few hours drive from The Boone 
National Forest (KY), Monaghelia National Forest (WV), and the New River 
Gorge(WV).

POPULATION

The city of Ironton's population is approximately 11,320. The population 
of Ashland, KY is 21,352. The population of Huntington, WV is 
approximately 48,982. The estimated population for the tri-state area, 
which includes 2 counties in Kentucky, 2 counties in West Virginia, and 
Lawrence County in Ohio, is approximately 288,650.

CLIMATE:
The Ironton, OH climate is warm during summer when temperatures tend to be 
in the upper 80's and cold during winter when daytime temperatures tend to 
be in the 30's. The warmest month of the year is July with an average 
maximum temperature of 88 degrees Fahrenheit, while the coldest month of 
the year is January with an average minimum temperature of 21 degrees 
Fahrenheit. The annual average precipitation at Ironton is 42 Inches. 
Rainfall is fairly evenly distributed throughout the year. The wettest 
month of the year is July with an average rainfall of 4.8 Inches.

HOUSING:

Rental apartments are available in the city or county and in surrounding 
areas.  There are several small communities or towns, such as Ironton, 
Coal Grove, South Point, and Hanging Rock in Ohio, to live in with close 
proximity to Pedro.  There are also numerous communities across the river 
in Kentucky around the Ashland area. There are abundant opportunities for 
the purchase of nice housing in the area with prices ranging from $50,000 
to $225,000 plus.

CHILD CARE:

The Forest Service building is not equipped to handle childcare; however, 
there are several options available in the local area to accommodate 
children, ranging from infant care through teens.

CHURCHES:

There are many churches in the area representing more than a dozen 
religious denominations.

MEDICAL:

A great selection of health care is available, including doctors, 
dentists, and specialists.  Kings Daughter
Medical Center is located in Ashland, KY and is ranked as one of the top 
hospitals in the nation for heart care. Kings Daughter is also rated as 
one of the top 100 companies to work for. There are several other 
hospitals in the area within a short drive.

EDUCATION:

There are numerous senior/junior high schools, and elementary schools.  In 
the City of Ironton there are two city high/junior high schools and five 
elementary schools.  We have two private church school, covering K-12th 
grade.   Ohio University Southern Campus is also located in Ironton. 
Marshall University is 45 minutes away in Huntington, WV, and Ashland has 
several technical colleges.

SHOPPING:

Ironton has a moderate selection of shopping opportunities available, 
including many small specialty shops within the area.  Ashland has 2 malls 
and is located approximately 13 miles from Ironton.

ARTS / CULTURE:

Ironton has one of the longest running Memorial Day parades in the nation. 
In addition to this great tradition Ironton host several other festivals 
throughout the year.  Within the surrounding areas of Ashland, KY and 
Huntington, WV there are many theaters, art exhibits, museums, and 
community events throughout the year.

RECREATION:

Excellent opportunities are available for hunting and fishing in the local 
area, as well as the whole state.  There are several water-related areas, 
with 73 State Parks, 21 State Forests, and amusement parks within a few 
hours drive. Ohio is proud to have many cultural, historic and festive 
attractions.

There is a powerful tradition of sports in the area; including baseball, 
football, soccer, tennis, golf, racquetball, and swimming.

TRAVEL:

Columbus, the state capitol, is 2- hours (120miles) from Ironton.  The 
state has several coliseums that host many exciting events, from state 
fairs and rodeos, to live concerts.  Huntington, WV has its own airport, 
Tri State Airport is within 45 minutes, and Columbus and Cincinnati 
International Airports are 127 miles and 149 miles, respectively, from 
Ironton.

Visit the websites below to view the Ironton District area.

www.irontontribune.com 	www.herald-dispatch.com	 www.dailyindependent.com

www.lawrencecountyohio.com	www.ashlandalliance.com 
www.lawrencecountyohio.org

http://www.lawrencecountyohio.org/ledc/