[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/