Monday, July 7, 2014

Tell us a bit about yourself

This is frequently the first question you will confront in a job interview, and it's one that is surprisingly difficult to answer. It's important to spend time preparing an answer that fits the job and organization for which you are interviewing. Susan Adams offers some applicable advice on the Forbes blog, How To Craft A Job Search Elevator Pitch. Dana Leavy provides excellent guidance on the Savvy Intern blog, The 5 Best Job Interview Tips… Ever.

Wednesday, June 25, 2014

What is a Forest Service Outreach Notice?

The U.S. Forest Service is committed to diversifying its workforce. Part of that effort is assessing the diversity of the pool of applicants who might be interested in particular positions. Many jobs with the Forest Service are first advertised in an "Outreach Notice" that asks people interested in the position to complete a form.

Many outreach notices contain a statement such as, "The purpose of this Outreach Notice is to determine the potential applicant pool for this position. Assuming sufficient responses are received from this outreach notice, a referral list will be requested on or soon after [date]." All of them indicate the deadline for replying to the outreach notice and provide information that will be helpful in identifying the job posting in USAjobs.gov.

You can find U.S. Forest Service outreach notices at http://jobs.forestry.oregonstate.edu/category/job-type/outreach-notices. The Forest Service maintains a list of them at https://hrm.gdcii.com/outreach/Default.aspx, but that site does not provide a link to the actual notice. Checking the outreach notices frequently and replying to those that interest you can help you be prepared to apply positions as soon as they are posted. This can be a definite advantage in the federal employment process, since completing the application is very time consuming and timeline for accepting applications is often short.

Tuesday, January 22, 2013

Program Manager of restoration ecology program for Illinois Coastal Zone

ILLINOIS DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES
#4354
                                                            AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER

                                                             CAREER OPPORTUNITY BID NOTICE

The IL Department of Natural Resources is inviting applications for the following position:
                                                                                                                                Monthly
Position Title:  Natural Resources Specialist, Option 4                           Salary Range:  $4388.00 – 6004.00

Position Location: Coastal Zone, Michael Bilandic Building, 160 N. LaSalle, Chicago, IL  60601 (Cook County)

WORK SCHEDULE -     Monday – Friday 8:30 am to 5:00 pm 1 hour Meal Break

Description of Duties

Desirable Education, Training and Experience
Requires knowledge, skill and mental ability equivalent to a Master’s degree in natural heritage resource management, or a related biological, life or natural science; or requires a bachelor’s degree in natural heritage resource management supplemented by two years of directly related professional experience.  Requires ability to establish and maintain satisfactory working relationships with representatives from federal, state and local governments, conservation organizations, other departmental employees, and the general public.


Where
To Apply:          Diane Tecic, Michael Bilandic Building, 160 N. LaSalle, Chicago, IL  60601 312/814-0665   312/793-5968
                                Name                                                     Address                                                                  Phone                     Fax

Bargaining unit employees interested in bidding for this position should complete a Bid Form, attach it to an application, and submit it directly to the name and address listed above.  Bid Forms may be obtained at any Department of Natural Resources facility.

*NOTE:  In addition, employees who are interested in a promotion into this position must have a promotional grade.  If you do not already have a promotional grade for this title, complete a Promotional Examination Application(CMS100B) and sent it directly to the Examining Division, 500 William G. Stratton Building, Springfield, Illinois 62706.  In order to be considered for this vacancy, the CMS100B must be mailed to the Examining Division no later than the date listed below as the last day to apply.

The Department of Natural Resources does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, sex, national origin, age, religion, handicap, sexual orientation, marital or parental status, physical stature and/or any non-merit factor in admission, treatment or employment in programs or activities in compliance with the Illinois Human Rights Act, the Illinois Constitution, Title VI of the 1964 Civil Rights Acts, Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, as amended, and the U.S. Constitution.  The Equal Employment Opportunity Office is responsible for compliance and may be reached at 217/785-0067.

DATE POSTED:  January 9, 2013      LAST DAY TO APPLY:  January 23, 2013                 

Friday, January 18, 2013

Summer Internships in Environmental Sciences, Forest Service (Otto, NC)

Summer Internships
In Environmental Sciences

USDA Forest Service
Southern Research Station
Coweeta Hydrologic Laboratory, Otto, NC

Summer Intern positions in Biological Sciences are available at USDA Forest Service, Southern Research Station, Coweeta Hydrologic Laboratory, located in Otto, NC.  To qualify, students must: (1) be in good academic standing, (2) be currently enrolled in a college or university, and (3) plan on returning to college or university in fall 2013. Interns work with Coweeta scientists and staff on a wide variety of projects.  Current research projects include, but are not limited to: land use effects on water quality using GIS; southern Appalachian forest carbon, nutrient, and water budgets and cycling; and effects of cation depletion on forest stream water quality.  Projects typically have both a field and laboratory component, and may include some data analysis.  Students may utilize some portion of data collected and/or analyzed to fulfill university intern requirements.  The rate of pay ranges from a GS-03 (approximately $11.95/hr) to GS-04 (approximately $13.41/hr), depending on education and experience.  A limited amount of housing is available on site for approximately $125/month. 

Interested students should send (1) a letter of interest, (2) resume, and (3) college transcripts by March 1, 2013 to:

Chelcy Ford Miniat
Research Project Leader
USDA Forest Service
Coweeta Hydrologic Laboratory
3160 Coweeta Lab Rd
Otto, NC 29763

Positions are highly competitive -- early applications are encouraged. U.S. citizenship and a valid driver’s license with minimal moving violations are conditions for employment.  The USDA Forest Service is an equal opportunity employer.

The Forest Service provides reasonable accommodations to applicants with disabilities.  If you need a reasonable accommodation for any part of the application or outreach process, please notify Cheryl Jefferson at 828-259-0562.

Saturday, January 12, 2013

Seasonal Forestry Internship-Riverside, IL

POSITION ANNOUNCEMENT
VILLAGE OF RIVERSIDE
DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC WORKS
FORESTRY
SEASONAL FORESTRY INTERNSHIP


Village of Riverside is seeking to fill the position of Seasonal Forestry Intern.  Riverside, Illinois is a unique suburban landscape, designed by Frederick Law Olmsted and Calvert Vaux in 1869.  This landscape has been designated a National Historic Landmark in recognition of its historic landscape architecture and unique design. 

The part-time position offered is an excellent opportunity to gain practical experience in urban forestry at the municipal level.  Learn the functions and obligations associated with a public agency and develop customer service skills while performing forestry in an urban setting. 

General Responsibilities:

Position works under the general direction of the Village Forester of Public Works and will focus on several aspects related to plant health care in a municipal setting.  Responsibilities include the monitoring of Village trees for disease and insect issues; updating tree inventory records; maintaining woody and perennial plantings in parks and parkways; record keeping and administrational duties related to forestry operations; assisting the Village Forester with various forestry related activities.  Position will also operate various vehicles and equipment for the purposes of forestry operations. 

Position Requirements:

The position requires extensive field work.  Course work and/or experience pertaining to urban forestry or a related field are desirable for the position.  Applicants should be able to meet physical requirements of the position. Ability to lift and/or move up to 25 pounds is required.  Vision requirements call for long distance sighting of Dutch elm disease and other related insect or disease issues in the landscape.  Communication skills will be required to coordinate with Village Forester and interact with residents.  The successful candidate must have a valid driver’s license and pass a physical examination with a drug screen to gain employment with the Village of Riverside.

Starting Salary:

The starting hourly pay is $12 per hour for a 40 hour work week.  This position is budgeted as seasonal, meaning that an applicant should start in mid May and terminate employment by mid August.  These terms are negotiable and can be modified to accommodate candidates.       

Selection Process:

Interested candidates should submit a resume and complete an employment application by 5 p.m. on Friday, March 15th, 2013.  Employment applications are available at the Village of Riverside’s website, www.riverside.il.us.
Village of Riverside
Department of Public Works
Attn:  Michael Collins
3860 Columbus Blvd.
Riverside, IL 60546

Questions should be directed to Village Forester, Michael Collins, at (708) 442-3590 or mcollins@riverside.il.us
The Village of Riverside is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

Thursday, January 10, 2013

Illinois DNR Aquatic Nuisance Species Specialist

ILLINOIS DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES
4357
                                                                                         AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER

                                                                                          CAREER OPPORTUNITY BID NOTICE

The IL Department of Natural Resources is inviting applications for the following position:
                                                                                                                                                                Monthly
Position Title:      Natural Resources Advanced Specialist, Option 1                                       Salary Range:  $4885.00 - $6745.00  

Position Location:   Office of Resource Conservation, Division of Fisheries, One Natural Resources Way, Springfield (Sangamon County)

Work Schedule -                 Monday through Friday 8:30 am to 5:00 pm  Saturday and Sunday days off.

Description of Duties
Under the direction of the Aquatic Nuisance Species (ANS) Manager, serves as primary project manager for all Departmental activities related to the prevention and management of ANS transfer between the Great Lakes and Mississippi River basins through the Chicago Waterway System.  Works closely with international, federal, state and non-governmental partners in developing and implementing policies, programs and plans for preventing the inter-basin transfer of ANS.  Secondarily supports ANS Manager in statewide implementation of the Illinois Comprehensive Aquatic Invasive Species Plan.

Desirable Education, Training and Experience
Requires knowledge, skill and mental development equivalent to completion of a bachelor’s degree in fisheries, fish culture or closely related biological science.  Requires four years of progressively responsible professional experience in fisheries resource management.  Requires thorough knowledge of lake, river and stream ecology.  Requires working knowledge of fisheries biology and aquatic ecology.  Requires thorough knowledge of state and federal laws, rules and regulations pertaining to fisheries resource conservation.  Requires competency in use of computers.  Requires a valid driver’s license.

Where
To Apply: Kevin Irons, Fisheries ANS Manager,  One Natural Resources Way, Springfield, IL  62702   217/557-0719  217/785-2438 
                      Name                                                               Address                                                                                  Phone                          Fax  

*(SEE NOTE)
Bargaining unit employees interested in bidding for this position should complete a Bid Form, attach it to an application, and submit it directly to the name and address listed above.  Bid Forms may be obtained at any Department of Natural Resources facility.

*NOTE:  In addition, employees who are interested in a promotion into this position must have a promotional grade.  If you do not already have a promotional grade for this title, complete a Promotional Examination Application(CMS100B) and sent it directly to the Examining Division, 500 William G. Stratton Building, Springfield, Illinois 62706.  In order to be considered for this vacancy, the CMS100B must be mailed to the Examining Division no later than the date listed below as the last day to apply.

The Department of Natural Resources does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, sex, national origin, age, religion, handicap, sexual orientation, marital or parental status, physical stature and/or any non-merit factor in admission, treatment or employment in programs or activities in compliance with the Illinois Human Rights Act, the Illinois Constitution, Title VI of the 1964 Civil Rights Acts, Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, as amended, and the U.S. Constitution.  The Equal Employment Opportunity Office is responsible for compliance and may be reached at 217/785-0067.

DATE POSTED:     January 8, 2013              LAST DAY TO APPLY:   January 22, 2013                                  

Wildlife Research Technician, University of Illinois

Title:  Wildlife Research Technician
Employer:  Department of Natural Resources & Environmental Sciences, University of Illinois.
Project:  Survival and space use of American mink
Job Description:  We are seeking one full-time technician to help live-trap and radio-track mink in Champaign County, Illinois.  The technician will be responsible for setting and checking live traps, assisting with transmitter-implant surgery, and relocating radio-marked mink.  Duties will also include collecting mink scat and measuring riparian habitat.  Field work is physically intense, and will require tracking mink during the night and possibly weekends.  The project will run from 01 February – 30 April 2013 with the possibility of an extension.   
Qualifications:  Applicants must be enthusiastic and hardworking, with the willingness to work irregular hours including weekends.  Previous field experience requiring data collection is preferred.  Because this is a full-time position, current students should not apply.  Applicants with a B.S. degree will receive preference.
Salary: $11.00/hr, 40 hrs per week.
Application Procedure: Please send a cover letter and resume/CV (including contact information for two references) to Adam Ahlers (aahlers2@illinois.edu), 217-419-2090.