I'm going to be working as a biological science technician at Mesa Verde National Park (http://www.nps.gov/meve/) in southwest Colorado, starting at the end of April and lasting until sometime between September and November. Mesa Verde was founded in 1906, encompasses 50,000 acres, and is best known for its cliff dwellings (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mesa_Verde). I'll be part of a vegetation crew there, conducting restoration work and exotic plant management - along with various wildlife, maintenance, GIS, and fire-related work. It sounds like there's going to be a lot of variety, with the chance to get trained in all kinds of new skills. Plus it's a pay raise from my work last summer (GS-5 instead of GS-4). It should be a lot of fun.
Here's the full description of job duties, from the position announcement:
"The incumbent plays an important role in supporting the park's vegetation management field programs. These duties require the safe, efficient, and sometimes independent operation and maintenance of a wide variety of natural resource field monitoring and mitigation instruments, work tools, and vehicles as well as office and laboratory reference materials, computers and software, and other assets. The incumbent implements projects outlined in the park's resource management plan. These duties include but are not limited to:
Monitoring, mapping, and documenting plant life including species of special concern, noxious weeds, vegetation study plots and transects, and impacts caused by visitors, park operations, trespass livestock, and other sources.
Mitigating damage to the park's vegetation from non-native plant and animal species, visitor activities, park operations, construction, natural processes, and other sources. Site rehabilitation may include soil preparation, native seed dispersal, live planting, ground covering with mulch or other preparation, periodic watering, weeding, and other tending duties. Noxious weeds are controlled using chemical, mechanical, or biological means. Weed control may require hiking while carrying a 40-pound (when full) backpack sprayer and wearing a respirator, mixing proper herbicide solutions for use, and keeping equipment clean and functional. Nuisance animals may be excluded or trapped and removed by various methods including lethal controls when needed. Fences are erected or repaired as needed.
Collecting and processing data that is gathered during the course of monitoring and mitigating natural resource impacts in the park and monument regardless of the source. From this and previously documented data the incumbent prepares preliminary project reports that may include results summaries, data tables, diagrams, graphs, statistics, maps, and photographs. Data processing may require the extensive and precise use of a variety of computer programs.
Observing natural resource conditions in the park, identifying conditions that need to be addressed, describing the situation with the immediate supervisor, recommending a course of action, and carrying out the agreed upon course of action.
Working alone or harmoniously within a team, the incumbent may take the lead on some projects and may need to direct the work of volunteers or other employees as needed.
Assignments are performed primarily outdoors at elevations ranging from 6,000 to 8,500 feet above sea level, but with a significant amount of indoor office work as well. Outdoor work may be performed in steep, rugged, slippery, or wet mesa and canyon terrain with exposure to biting insects, poisonous plants, rattlesnakes, and adverse weather such as rain, hail, lightning, snow, dust, temperatures ranging from above 100 degrees F to below 0 degrees F, and winds exceeding 20 mph. Potential exposure to chemicals used in treating noxious weeds and zoonotic diseases such as plague and hantavirus. At times must wear personal protective clothing and equipment (PPE) and potentially a respirator mask. Must pass a physical exam to wear a respirator. Indoor work is performed in a typical office and supply storage setting."
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