Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest
Outreach for Soil Tech Position
GS-0404-5 – Biological Science Technician (Soils)
Application period – October 30th, 2020 to November 8th, 2020
Apply through usajobs.gov
Employment would be from May 2021 to November 2021
The Position:
The position is a field position as a Soils Technician to work closely with the Soil Scientist. You would be working four 10-hour days, Monday through Thursday. After training and getting you oriented, you will be sent out to survey potential timber units in our large-scale restoration projects. You will be conducting the Forest Service National Soil Disturbance Monitoring Protocol surveys to determine the existing condition of the soils in these potential treatment units. Work involves carrying a heavy shovel around the woods, crashing brush, up and down steep and rough terrain collecting information that will be used to write our soil NEPA documents and to inform our treatment prescriptions. The work involves long days walking in rough conditions collecting data using GPS and other applications. Work gets done in all weather, last year crews experienced rain, snow, ice, biting insects, smoke, and hot weather.
The Soil Crew also conducts monitoring post wildfire and post prescribed fire conductions using standard protocols. Additionally, the Soil Crew conducts wetland surveys and other data collection when needed. The Soil Crew working on water quality and precipitation data collection as well. The Soil Crew also organizes, enters, and manages all the data collected. Microsoft Office and other computer skills are appreciated. There will also be opportunities to write monitoring reports, assist with technical documents, and create ArcGIS projects. For interested people who can pass the arduous pack test and complete guard school, or folks with current red card qualifications, there are opportunities to work locally responding to wildland fires. There are also opportunities to support wildfire incidents as a resource advisor or burned area emergency response specialist. Government housing may be available based on availability.
Contact & Job Announcement Information
We do not currently have a USAjobs announcement number, please look for the position using search terms “Soil” or “Cle Elum, WA” as a duty station. Any issues during the application process please contact me; applying for Forest Service jobs can be challenging and we want folks to be successful. Additional questions or looking for more information, contact: Lynn Khuat, lynn.k.khuat@usda.gov, 509-312-5180
The Forest: The Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest is one of the largest forests in Region 6 with six Ranger Districts covering more than 4 million acres in North-central Washington State. The Forest has a diverse landscape ranging from high, glaciated alpine peaks along the Cascade Crest and numerous mountain ranges extending eastward from the crest, through deep, lush valleys of old growth forest, to the dry and rugged shrub-steppe country at its eastern edge. It stretches north to south from the Canadian border to the Goat Rocks Wilderness – a distance of about 180 miles. The forest lies east of the Cascade Crest, which defines its western boundary. The eastern edge of the forest extends into the Okanogan highlands, then south along the Okanogan and Columbia Rivers, and then to the Yakima River valley. Elevations range from below 1,000 ft. to over 9,000 ft. Annual precipitation varies widely – from more than 70-inches along the crest to less than 10 inches at its eastern edge, which greatly affects forest and vegetation types across the National Forest.
The Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest is involved in numerous interagency and collaborative efforts at state, county and federal levels. The Forest is a leader in implementing a Forest Restoration Strategy that recognizes the role and needs of fire-adapted communities and wildlife. There is a demanding and complex fire workload and there is a strong and long-standing relationship with the Washington Department of Natural Resources, especially in wildland fire suppression. This Forest is also noted for a wide range of year-round recreation opportunities, 1.5 million acres of wilderness, and the associated pressures and demands associated with being a 2-3 hour drive from the Seattle/Puget Sound urban area.
The Forest has ranger district offices located in the communities of Chelan, Cle Elum, Entiat, Winthrop, Naches, Tonasket and Leavenworth, Washington. The Forest Leadership Team is comprised of the District Rangers, Administrative, Public Services, Engineering/Minerals/Fleet, Natural Resources/Planning, and Fire/Aviation Staff Officers; Public Affairs Officer, Safety/Health Mgmt. Officer, Lands Zone Team Lead, LE&I Patrol Captain, Executive Assistant, the Deputy Forest Supervisor, and Forest Supervisor.
About the District:
Cle Elum Ranger District
A 375,000 acre outdoor playground is closer than you think. With 200 days of sunshine, only 20 inches of rain and 80 inches of snow, recreation opportunities are endless. Whether you enjoy the serenity of an alpine lake sunset, wildflowers in spring, vibrant fall colors, or hitting the snowy trails of winter, the Cle Elum Ranger District is the place you can find it all, just an hour’s drive from the Puget Sound Metro area.
The District stretches from its western boundary at the crest of the Cascades east to where the forest gives way to the prairies and sage steppe of Central Washington near Ellensburg. To the north are the Wenatchee Mountains, to the south, Manastash Ridge. From craggy peaks, to rolling hills, dense forests of Douglas fir and western hemlock in the west, open pine forests in the east, meadows and secluded valleys, the district has many diverse personalities.
The Cle Elum Ranger District office is located in the community of Cle Elum, which is 75 miles east of Seattle on Interstate 90 near the center of Washington State. Other small communities nearby include Roslyn, Ronald, South Cle Elum, Easton, and Kittitas. The larger town of Ellensburg is located 25 miles east on Interstate 90.
The population of Kittitas County is approximately 33,362 residents. Cle Elum has 1,770 residents, Roslyn 936, South Cle Elum 510, and unincorporated areas 13,595 (which includes Ronald, Thorp, Easton, Snoqualmie Pass, Vantage and other rural areas). The population of Ellensburg (including Central Washington University students) is 15,414.
Cle Elum Ranger District is located on the “dry” side of the Cascades; close enough to the crest to benefit from the rain shadow effect of the mountains. Forest types vary from the old growth forests near the Cascade Crest to the dry shrub-steppe ecosystems to the east.
There are definitely four seasons in Cle Elum. Mild and windy springs warm up to summer days where the warmest temperatures can reach into the low 100s. Winter days can bring average temperatures into the low 20s in January and February. Annual rainfall averages between 22” closer to the Cascade crest to 10” as you near the Columbia River and shrub-steppe to the east, with an average snowfall of about eight feet near the mountains.
Cle Elum has one elementary, middle and high school. There are smaller schools in other nearby communities. Ellensburg has several elementary, one middle school and one high school. Central Washington University is also located in Ellensburg.
There is one moderate sized State licensed day care center located in the town of Roslyn, and several smaller home operated licensed day care providers in the Cle Elum area. Ellensburg has several day care centers and licensed home day care providers.
There is the Cle Elum Family Medicine Center and 24-Hour Emergency Service Center located in Cle Elum. There are also several local dentists and chiropractic service providers. Ellensburg is home to the Kittitas Valley Community Hospital, Valley Clinic, and several smaller medical offices. Ellensburg also has a wider variety of dental, chiropractic, massage, and optometric care providers.
Community web site for links to more information at