Biological Experience

U.S. FOREST SERVICE, Chiloquin Ranger District, Chiloquin, Oregon
Biological Technician, GS-0404-05, 7/1999-11/1999
  • Member of 4 person survey crew; individual and shared duties.
  • Collected cover and forage data for deer model analyses.  Estimated % cover.  Identified cover and forage species.  Assigned code to each survey area based on % cover and dominant cover species.  
  • Conducted bitterbrush surveys and collected and analyzed bitterbrush samples for deer forage and plant health analyses.  
  • Bitterbrush sample analysis: Enumerated and determined biomass of new shoots for each station.  Determined dry biomass of new shoots for each station.  For bitterbrush root samples, measured diameter and enumerated growth rings with microscope to determine age.  
  • Verified location of northern goshawk nests and nesting pairs.
  • Recorded data in survey forms.
  • Entered data into Oracle databases.  
  • Collected data with GPS to document location of survey sites.

U.S. FOREST SERVICE, Bear Valley Ranger District, John Day, Oregon
Biological Technician, GS-0404-05, 9/1995-11/1995
  • Member of 2 person survey crew; individual and shared duties.
  • Using established agency protocol called Hankin and Reeves Level II Stream Survey Methodology, collected biotic habitat, geomorphic, and physical data, including vegetation and hydrologic data, for timber/range project planning.  Identified riparian and upland plant species.  Determined % shrub cover, % grass/forb cover, canopy density, number and size of deciduous and coniferous trees, and predominant landform in riparian zones.  Collected substrate data, e.g. presence/absence and % sand, % gravel, % cobble, % boulder.  Determined % undercut bank.  Enumerated large boulders.  Enumerated and measured depth of deep pools.  Identified erosion, deposition, and channel morphology.  Measured stream width and depth and active channel width and height.  Enumerated large woody debris and determined % stream shaded.  Determined stream flow type.  Documented historical timber harvest activities, including prescription and estimate of how long ago stand harvested.  Identified land use.  Measured water temperature.  Noted presence of fish and macroinvertebrates.     
  • Evaluated riparian condition in regard to timber harvest activities and grazing.  Assessed grazing activity based on % streambank disturbance.  
  • Classified streams.  Recorded stream location on GIS maps.  
  • Verified GIS inventory.  Verified location and classification of previously surveyed streams using GIS maps.  
  • Using Forest protocol, conducted riparian transect surveys for inventory database.  Determined % cover, enumerated large woody debris, and determined % stream shaded.  Used densiometer to determine canopy density.  Identified individual plants and community associations.  Assessed ungulate browse conditions within tall shrub and hardwood component.
  • Recorded data in survey forms.  
  • Entered stream survey data into Oracle-based stream inventory program SMART.  
  • Entered riparian survey data into Paradox database.
Accomplishments:
  • Received letter of reference from supervisor.
     
BUREAU OF LAND MANAGEMENT, Baker City Field Office, Baker City, Oregon
Biological Technician, GS-0404-05, 6/1995-9/1995
  • Member of 2 person survey crew; individual (estimator/numerator for stream surveys) and shared duties.
  • Conducted Hankin and Reeves stream surveys for inventory database.  Collected physical, geomorphic, and biotic habitat data, including hydrologic and vegetation data.  Identified stream habitat units, e.g. pool, riffle, glide, rapid, cascade.  Determined substrate composition, e.g. % sand, % gravel, % cobble, % boulder.  Estimated length of stream units (measured length every 10 units).  Measured stream width and depth.  Measured active channel, 50 year flood, and first terrace width and height.  Enumerated large woody debris and determined % stream shaded.  Identified riparian and upland plant species.  Determined % shrub cover, % grass/forb cover, canopy density, number and size of deciduous and coniferous trees, and predominant landform in riparian zones.  Determined % undercut bank.  Enumerated large boulders.  Enumerated and measured depth of deep pools.  Used clinometer to determine gradient of stream units and riparian zones.  Used clinometer to determine angle from center of stream upward to vegetation/topographical feature providing shade.  Used compass to determine direction of stream flow.  Identified erosion, deposition, and channel and valley morphology.  Determined stream flow type.  Determined valley width index.  Identified land use.  Measured water temperature.  Noted presence of fish and macroinvertebrates.  Identified fish species.  Documented wildlife sightings.  
  • Collected water samples from streams and performed water quality tests, including pH, dissolved oxygen, turbidity, temperature, and velocity.  
  • Collected, identified, enumerated, and measured specimens of electrofish samples.
  • Recorded data in survey forms.

BUREAU OF LAND MANAGEMENT, Salem District Office, Salem, Oregon
Biological Technician, GS-0404-05, 4/1990-8/1990
  • Member of 2 person survey crew; individual and shared duties.
  • Conducted northern spotted owl and marbled murrelet surveys for proposed timber sales.  Determined presence/absence.  Documented meteorological conditions, including temperature, cloud cover, and precipitation.  
  • Selected and flagged location of survey stations.
  • Recorded data in survey forms.  
  • Entered survey data into dBase IV database.  
  • Wrote report that included field season summary and results and criteria used for selection of location of survey stations.