USDA is an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer
Outreach Notice
USDA Forest Service
Southern Research Station
Research Scientist Position – Wildlife Biology
Research Wildlife Biologist (GS-11/12)
SRS-4353; Duty Station: Aiken, South Carolina
The Center for Forested Watershed Research of the Southern Research Station (SRS-4353)
plans to fill a full-time, term post-doc Research Wildlife Biologist position. The position will
be filled at either the GS-11 ($61,218/yr) or GS-12 ($73,375/yr) level, plus standard Federal
benefits. The duty station is located at the Savannah River Site, New Ellenton, SC. The mission
of the Center is to conduct basic and applied research on the ecological functions and
management of forested watersheds. The mission of the Forest Service, Savannah River is
to support the management and policy objectives for the Department of Energy's Savannah
River Site and to facilitate the National Environmental Research Park functions.
Duties
The scientist conducts research aimed at enhancing restoration and conservation of the wildlife
species characteristic of pre-settlement Coastal Plain ecosystems within the context of modern
multiple use landscapes. The scientist’s research is not limited to a single taxa but primary focus
is on birds and mammals. The scientist disseminates research information through publications
in both peer-reviewed and general literature and through invited and offered presentations to
academic, professional, and lay audiences.
The scientist will work as a member of a team studying invasive wild pig ecology and
approaches for control. Objectives of the team include assessing impacts of pigs on native
wildlife, gaining a better understanding of aspects of wild pig ecology that would inform control
efforts, development of improved population estimation methods, determining population
parameters to improve predictive population models, and evaluation and improvement of control
strategies. The scientist will use camera trap data to model spatial abundance of wild pigs across
the SRS landscape and will use GPS location data from satellite telemetry to estimate utilization
distributions of individual deer. The scientist will then model the potential effect of pigs on space
use by deer using these data. The scientist will assess the effect of pigs on resource availability
for native wildlife by evaluating acorn abundance in sites occurring along a gradient of pig
density.
The scientist is co-leader of a team investigating relationships between population fitness of the
endangered red-cockaded woodpecker (RCW) and its foraging habitat, with the objective of
improving management efficiency in achieving population recovery. The scientist will use longterm
population monitoring data coupled with LiDAR data on vegetation structure and field data
on RCW foraging to re-define thresholds in habitat variables that describe optimal foraging
habitat to maximize productivity. In addition, the scientist will plan and implement an
USDA is an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer
experiment incorporating these new thresholds to assess the combined effect of foraging habitat
quality and group density on occupancy success of recruitment clusters.
The scientist assembles, interprets, and disseminates data and information to provide basic
direction and priorities for managing wildlife in conjunction with other land management
activities. The scientist assembles technical information, performs analyses, prepares technical
reports, participates in writing peer-reviewed journal papers, and participates in professional
conferences.
The scientist will interact with US Forest Service biologists at the Savannah River Site and
biologists in agencies such as the US Geological Survey and the US Fish and Wildlife Service,
as well as colleagues from the University of Georgia, Clemson University, North Carolina State
University, the University of South Carolina – Aiken, and others.
Requirements
The position requires: (1) a Ph.D. in wildlife biology, ecology, zoology, or related field; and (2)
excellent oral and written communication skills. The position is a full-time 2-year term post-doc.
Applicants must be a U.S. citizen. The anticipated starting date is June 1, 2019. The position is
within the Forest Watershed Sciences Unit (SRS-4353) of the Southern Research Station.
How to be considered
The purpose of this outreach is to determine potential applicants who may be interested in the
position. If you are interested in this position, please go to
https://fsoutreach.gdcii.com?id=82AAEBCC84DE44469E9322412069B29B and click
“respond” to complete the online form by February 28, 2018. For more information, contact Dr.
John C. Kilgo at jkilgo@fs.fed.us or (803)725-0561.
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, email: cjefferson@fs.fed.us.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture Forest Service prohibits discrimination in all its programs and
activities on the basis of race, color, national origin, age, disability, and where applicable, sex,
marital status, familial status, parental status, religion, sexual orientation, genetic information,
political beliefs, reprisal, or because all or part of an individual’s income is derived from any
public assistance program. (Not all prohibited bases apply to all programs). Persons with
disabilities who require alternate means for communication of program information (Braille,
large print, audiotapes, etc.) should contact USDA’s TARGET Center at (202) 720-2600 (voice
and TDD).
To file a complaint of discrimination write: USDA, Director, Office of Civil Rights, 1400
Independence Ave, SW, Washington, DC 20250-9410 or call (800) 795-3272 (voice) or (202)720-
6382 (TDD). USDA is an equal opportunity provider and employer.
USDA is an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer
Local Area Information
USFS-SR is located in the Central Savannah River Area, which includes the cities of Aiken, S.C. (15
miles from USFS-SR) and Augusta, Ga. (20 miles from USFS-SR). The 2010 United States Census has
the Central Savannah River Area’s total population at 709,433. Because the missions of the Site are
international in scope, the local communities include people from all races and cultures. The average
temperature is 65 degrees and average annual rainfall is 47.5 inches. Recreational opportunities abound in
the area and include fishing, hunting, hiking, swimming, and biking. Atlanta, the Appalachian Mountains,
and the Atlantic Ocean all offer excellent recreational opportunities, and are each only two – four hours
away by car. The area is rich with Revolutionary War and Civil War historic sites.
The Aiken Area
Aiken is the seat of Aiken County and is known throughout the world for its top class equestrian races
such as Aiken’s Triple Crown, Steeplechase and polo events. With 94 historic locations, Aiken is home to
signature gardens such as Hopelands Gardens, a 14-acre estate with 100-year-old cedars, meandering
trails and ponds; Hitchcock Woods, one of the largest urban forests in the nation with about 2,100 acres of
forest habitat; several museums and venues for recreation, arts and entertainment; and myriad of annual
events. A past winner of the nationwide All American City competition, Aiken, is a full-service
community with one hospital; two higher education institutions: University of South Carolina-Aiken and
Aiken Technical College; and an award winning public school system. An influx of retirees and a
continued passion for the equestrian sporting life are credited with making the Aiken area “the hottest real
estate market in the state.” Aiken has the aesthetic beauty and charm of a small Southern city with a
cosmopolitan flair.
Visit www.aikenchamber.net, www.visitaikensc.com, www.cityofaikensc.gov and
www.aikencountysc.gov for more information.
The Augusta Area
Nestled along the banks of the Savannah River, Augusta is the second largest and oldest city in Georgia
with a population of over 200,000. You will enjoy the historic charm of the classic South with its treelined
streets and majestic antebellum mansions. Local attractions include the historic Augusta Canal
National Heritage Area, Augusta Museum of History, Clarks Hill Lake, Enterprise Mill, Lake Olmstead
Stadium, Lucy Craft Laney Museum of Black History, The Morris Museum of Art, Sacred Heart Cultural
Center, Riverwalk, and Woodrow Wilson’s boyhood home. Columbia County neighbors Augusta and is
the second largest metropolitan area in Georgia and includes Evans, Martinez, Grovetown, and Harlem.
Columbia County is a fast growing suburban area with a diversified job market, premier school system,
and economical land for the purpose of residential and commercial development. Within the Augusta and
surrounding areas there are five major hospitals, several universities, colleges, and technical schools, an
orchestra, a minor league baseball team, and the Augusta Regional Airport. Concerts, plays and major
events are enjoyed at the James Brown Arena, Bell Auditorium, Imperial Theatre, and Lady Antebellum
Pavilion. The famous Masters Golf Tournament, high-speed power boat races and a major rodeo are also
annually held in Augusta.
Visit www.augustaga.gov, www.augustametrochamber.com and www.columbiacountyga.gov for more
information.