Position Title: Zone Fisheries Biologist (Kenai Peninsula), GS-0482-9/11
Tour of Duty: PFT
Duty Station: Moose Pass (preferred) or Girdwood, Alaska
Open Continuous Vacancy: ADS08-FSJOBS(FishBio)-0044G & ADS08-FSJOBS(FishBio)-0044DP
Apply By: February 1, 2010
The Seward and Glacier Ranger Districts, Chugach National Forest (CNF), are planning to fill one GS-0482-9/11 Zone Fisheries Biologist position. The position will be permanent full time with a preferred duty station on the Seward Ranger District located in Moose Pass, Alaska. However, a duty station on the Glacier Ranger District in Girdwood, AK may be considered. Government housing may be available. This Kenai Peninsula Zone (KPZ) position will be responsible for assisting the Kenai Peninsula Aquatic Program Manager with the management of the fisheries and watershed program on the Seward Ranger District and Glacier Ranger District located on the Kenai Peninsula.
POSITION INFORMATION:
The incumbent will work with the KPZ Aquatic Program Manager to coordinate the fisheries and watershed program, facilitate budgets and partnerships, develop project proposals, produce project reports, and provide leadership and supervision for the aquatic staff serving the Kenai Peninsula Zone. Individually, or as part of a team assignment, the incumbent provides expertise and assistance in fishery resource management. The two Districts have well-established fisheries and watershed programs focusing on Pacific salmon and rainbow trout habitat enhancement and restoration. The KPZ includes all National Forest-managed lands on the Kenai Peninsula and lands surrounding upper Turnagain Arm - which are predominantly “wild” but do have management challenges associated with a substantial increase in visitation during the summer season. The KPZ also includes the famous Kenai River and Russian River, which are known for their world-class salmon, trout, and char angling opportunities. Work is accomplished in very remote locations that are accessed either by boat or small aircraft and in locations accessible by road.
Employment Conditions: This is a field-going position; the individual will be required to carry a firearm in the field (requires drug testing) and must have a valid driver’s license.
Work Environment: As a zone position, frequent travel will be required between the two district offices. Alaskan field logistics will also require the incumbent to occasionally travel via boats, airplanes and helicopters to remote work sites. This position may require working in remote field camps in adverse conditions for extended periods of time using alternate work schedules (including weekends).
QUALIFICATION REQUIREMENTS: Those who are interested in this opportunity must meet the qualification requirements for the GS-0482-9/11. Qualifications are covered in the OPM Qualification Standards Handbook. These standards are available on the Internet at http://www.opm.gov/qualifications/index.htm.
For more information about the position:
Contact Person: Sean Stash
Phone Number: 907-754-2328 or Email address: sstash@fs.fed.us
If you are interested in the position, please submit application by due date.
VACANCY ANNOUNCEMENT
The vacancy announcement for this position is posted on the U.S. Government’s official website for employment opportunities at, www.usajobs.gov under vacancy announcement ADS08-FSJOBS(FishBio)-0044G&DP. Choose Moose Pass or Girdwood, AK as the duty location. This is an Open Continuous vacancy announcement with no closing date. Those that wish to be considered for this position must apply to the vacancy announcement by February 1, 2010. The referral list for this position will be issued to the selecting official on February 2, 2010. All applicants who have applied to the announcement on or before the listed dates and are found to be qualified and in the quality group will be referred for consideration.

HOW TO APPLY
Applications for this position are being processed through an on-line applicant assessment system at AVUEDigitalServices.Com that has been specifically configured for USDA Forest Service applicants. Even if you have already developed a resume in USAJOBS, you will need to access and complete an application using the AVUE Digital Services application process. Interested individuals should first create and/or update their virtual resume and profile in AVUEDigitalServices.com prior to the expiration of the Outreach process. Internal (merit status) employees will apply via AVUE under vacancy announcement ADS08-FSJOBS(FishBio)-0044G. Interested external (civilian) applicants will apply via AVUE Digital Services under vacancy announcement, ADS08-FSJOBS(FishBio)-0044DP. Follow the hyperlinks listed in the vacancy announcement at the USAJOBS website under “JOB SUMMARY”. During the application process within AVUE, applicants need be sure to select “Moose Pass” or “Girdwood”, “AK” from the “Preferred Location” screen within the “Applicant Information” page. Please ensure your application is posted and current in AVUE by 5 PM, February 1, 2010. The referral list is expected to be pulled on February 2, 2010.
Additional Forest Information:
The Chugach is the second largest National Forest in the system at more than 5.3 million acres. It has the lowest road and trail density in the National Forest System. The Forest has a permanent staff of approximately 160 and hires approximately 47 FTEs worth of temporary seasonal employees. The forest budget in FY 2010 will likely exceed 20 million dollars plus allocations from the Oil Spill Recovery and Restitution funds. Recreation, Fish, and Wildlife management are the most significant elements of a diverse Forest program of work.
Kenai Peninsula Zone:
The Kenai Peninsula Zone geographic area encompasses the eastern portions of the Kenai Peninsula and upper tributaries to Turnagain Arm. The resources here are some of the most accessible in Alaska with world class recreational, hunting, and fishing opportunities. Over two thirds of Alaska’s population is within an hour and half drive making it a playground for residents as well as outside visitors. Some of the key resource management focus areas on the Kenai Zone include the restoration of fish and wildlife habitat, as well as providing recreational and wildlife viewing opportunities. The Kenai Zone is home of the famous Russian River fishery where over 100,000 anglers reel in 25% of all the sport-caught sockeye in the entire state. Just downstream, the world record king salmon was caught in the main stem of the Kenai River at over 96 lbs! The

aquatics program in the Kenai Zone has an exciting mix of watershed restoration, fish habitat enhancement and monitoring, creating access and opportunities for anglers, and educational interpretive programs. Key partnerships have been developed with groups such as the Kenai River Sportfishing Association, Kenai Watershed Forum, Trout Unlimited, and Cook Inlet Aquaculture in addition to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and the Alaska Department of Fish and Game. The USFS is also a partner in the Kenai Fish Habitat Partnership that includes over a dozen interested agencies and groups from the entire peninsula.
Duty station information:
Moose Pass, Alaska: http://www.moosepass.net/index.html
http://www.moosepassalaska.com/
Moose Pass, located on the Kenai Peninsula, is a friendly and picturesque little town with a year round population of about 350. It is tucked away in the mountains along the shoreline of Upper Trail Lake at Mile 29 of the Seward Highway, a National Scenic Byway. The original Iditarod Trail, used for transporting gold and supplies, was blazed through this valley in 1910. The abundance of moose in the area prompted the town’s name. Annual celebrations include the Moose Pass Summer Solstice Festival and the lighting of the community Christmas tree.

Moose Pass has a kindergarten through eighth grade school with multi-age classrooms, a library, churches, a post office, a community center, a volunteer fire department and EMS. High school students are bused to Seward for school .Busing to Seward is also an option for K-8 students. Additional services can be obtained 29 miles to the south in Seward, 60 miles to west in Soldotna, and 90 miles to the north in Anchorage.
Kenai Lake Work Center
The Kenai Lake Work Center is located 6 miles south of Moose Pass, Alaska along the shoreline of beautiful Kenai Lake. Most Seward Ranger District employees work in the brand new Kenai Lake Office which has spectacular views of Kenai Lake and the mountains that surround it. There are multiple government housing units situated at the work center including a brand new apartment building with all 8 units facing Kenai Lake.
Girdwood, Alaska: http://www.girdwoodalaska.com/
The Glacier Ranger District is located in Girdwood, Alaska, 35 miles SE of Anchorage just off of the Seward Highway, one of America’s Scenic Byways. South-Central Alaska is connected by road with the lower 48 states and can be reached by daily jet service to Anchorage’s Ted Stevens International Airport. It is also connected via the Alaska Marine Highway System.
Temperatures in the summer average 50-70 degrees. Precipitation averages 80 inches in
Girdwood, as compared to 18-22 inches in Anchorage. Girdwood is known to have stretches of sunny, gorgeous weather. In the winter it rarely drops below 0 degrees. Snows begin in October and generally remains late into spring.
The community of Girdwood is a close-knit community of about 2,500 people. It has a post office, grade/middle school, daycare center, health clinic, several bed & breakfasts, small grocery store, convenience store, gas station, community churches, several restaurants, galleries, and Alyeska Ski Resort. There is no bank, but there are a few ATM cash machines located in town. Anchorage is a diverse community of approximately
278,000 people (2007) and has all the amenities of a major metropolitan area, with banks, hospitals, grocery stores, churches, restaurants, and many shopping malls and specialty retail stores.
Girdwood has several restaurants and venues that provide the opportunity to hear live music. Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center is located 10 miles south of Girdwood on the Seward Highway. The District office is set in the beautiful Glacier Creek Valley with hiking, skiing, and biking right out your front door. Several trails exist in the valley and many more are a short drive away in the Chugach State Park or down on the Kenai Peninsula. Prince William Sound is 20 miles away by road, with the Kenai Peninsula and its many recreational opportunities just an hour or more away by road. Winter sports, fishing, and water sport activities in these areas abound. The Chugach National Forest is a recreational paradise! Anchorage has many more opportunities for entertainment as well as movie theatres, museums, and arenas, as well as a performing arts center. It’s also the home of the Alaska Zoo.
The housing market in South Central Alaska is steady with homes in the Girdwood and
Anchorage area averaging, $250,000-500,000 for 1,200 sq. ft and up. Condominiums and townhouses in Anchorage start around $200,000. Rental prices for two- and three-bedroom apartments average $900-1,400 in Girdwood and Anchorage.
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