Karst Specialist job at Camp Bullis, TX

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Karst Specialist job at Camp Bullis, TX

Postby rpaylor » Aug 20, 2009 9:12 am

If you're a cave biologist and a karst hydrologist and an engineer and a planner and a natural resource manager and a vertical caver and a cave mapper and a cave rescue expert, then this job is for you! They're not asking much, huh?
_________________________________________

http://jobview.usajobs.gov/getjob.aspx?JobID=82897885

KARST SPECIALIST

Additional Duty Location Info: 1 vacancy - TX - San Antonio

MAJOR DUTIES:
Under the general supervision of the Natural Resources Manager and Lead Wildlife Biologist, serves as the Installation Karst Specialist in the DPW, Environmental Division with specific duties within endangered Karst species management, aquifer management, and integrated natural resource management for Fort Sam Houston and Camp Bullis Training Sites. Serves as subject matter expert and biologist/geologist for Karst research and management programs on Camp Bullis. Analyzes and monitors military landscape use around sensitive species Karst features. Integrate the identification and management of the caves and Karst resources and their associated resource values into resource management planning and management efforts, and avoid or minimize conflicts between caves and Karst lands resources management and other surface and subsurface resource management activities. Implement/Enhance the MOU with the USFWS regarding the Karst Management Plan.

KNOWLEDGE NEEDED FOR THIS POSITION:

Experience with the maintenance, implementation, and enhancement of Karst portions of an Installation Endangered Species Management Plan (ESMP). Knowledge and experience in advanced cave documenting and mapping techniques. Knowledge and experience with Karst evaluations per TCEQ and USFWS standards and guidelines. Proficient in rigging and conducting repel and/or ascensions via Single and Double rope techniques. Knowledge and ability in the proper set-up and use of life saving/monitoring equipment used specifically for remote caving. Such as, but not limited to: O2/CO2 Meter, contained/surface ventilation equipment, and other environmental monitoring equipment. Knowledge of a broad range of professional concepts, theories, principles, and practices from diverse disciplines ranging from geology to zoology, entomology, herpetology, mammalogy, and ornithology, relating to the administration of a multi-species wildlife and fisheries management program. Sufficient knowledge of engineering methods and procedures and related biological sciences to review specifications and designs prepared by others to assess their environmental impact. This includes plans for new construction and modification of existing facilities. Knowledge to provide installation management officials authoritative advice and information of a professional nature concerning Karst management, wildlife management and ecosystem management, and to serve on various planning boards and committees on and off the installation. Knowledge and skill in written communications to review and provide input to environmental assessments and impact statements, and answer correspondence related to protection of natural resources. This level of knowledge and competence in complex areas required to enable the incumbent to serve as subject matter expert, troubleshooter, and coordinator.

CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT:

(1) Must have and maintain all appropriate Section 10 USFWS Permits for conducting work on listed or candidate species.
(2) Must have or be able to obtain within 90 days of employment, Level 1 Cave Rescue Certification from the National Cave Rescue Commission. Within 180 days, Level 2 Certification and within 1 year, Level 3 Certification.
(3) All appropriate training and certification must be current and/or must be obtained within 90 days of employment.
(4) Must have or be able to obtain within 180 days of employment, All Terrain Vehicle Safety and Handling Certification.
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Re: Karst Specialist job at Camp Bullis, TX

Postby Phil Winkler » Aug 20, 2009 9:50 am

Wow, that's a well paying job, too.

I visited a cave on Camp Bullis back in 1978 while on a Field Training Exercise (FTX). Small, but a neat cave with good formations.
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Re: Karst Specialist job at Camp Bullis, TX

Postby NZcaver » Aug 20, 2009 10:10 am

Sounds like an interesting job, but they're a little misleading in their wording.

CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT:

...
(2) Must have or be able to obtain within 90 days of employment, Level 1 Cave Rescue Certification from the National Cave Rescue Commission. Within 180 days, Level 2 Certification and within 1 year, Level 3 Certification.
...

This could be difficult for applicants, because:
(1) The NCRC doesn't conduct regular weeklong seminars every 90 days. Sorry. :doh: Sometimes there's only one for the year (the national), and some years there may be a regional or two as well.
(2) There is no Level 1, Level 2 or Level 3 NCRC "Certification" for students. Sorry. :doh: There are only certificates of completion. Subtle (but important) difference.
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Re: Karst Specialist job at Camp Bullis, TX

Postby rpaylor » Aug 20, 2009 10:16 am

NZ, yeah I noticed the wonky rescue training requirements too... they need to do a bit more research!
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Re: Karst Specialist job at Camp Bullis, TX

Postby Anonymous_Coward » Aug 20, 2009 10:42 am

NZcaver wrote:Sounds like an interesting job, but they're a little misleading in their wording.

.....
(2) There is no Level 1, Level 2 or Level 3 NCRC "Certification" for students. Sorry. :doh: There are only certificates of completion. Subtle (but important) difference.


Perhaps a little too subtle. It is natural for someone who receives a "certificate" to think of it as a "certification". Can't hardly blame them for getting that one confused.

Now getting Level I, II, and III all in one year? That would be quite an accomplishment!
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Re: Karst Specialist job at Camp Bullis, TX

Postby Mudduck » Aug 20, 2009 1:51 pm

Sounds like my dream job!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! :woohoo:
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Re: Karst Specialist job at Camp Bullis, TX

Postby wyandottecaver » Aug 20, 2009 4:22 pm

Wow,

not only are their NCRC regs screwy they say that

"1) Must have and maintain all appropriate Section 10 USFWS Permits for conducting work on listed or candidate species. "

LOL. well 1st, this isnt like a drivers liscense. most Individuals get permitted for specific work with specific species. I don't think I have ever heard of a blanket permit for " conducting work on listed or candidate species". This sounds like either the person writing the announcement was completely clueless or was writing it with a very specific person in mind...which would be illegal....but I have seen less extreme examples of both before....
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Re: Karst Specialist job at Camp Bullis, TX

Postby cavedoc » Aug 20, 2009 7:13 pm

wyandottecaver wrote: This sounds like either the person writing the announcement was completely clueless or was writing it with a very specific person in mind...


That's what I was thinking. So who do we know that has NCRC level 3 training AND USFWS permits already in place? The list can't be too long.
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Re: Karst Specialist job at Camp Bullis, TX

Postby boogercaver71 » Aug 20, 2009 9:38 pm

After working for the Feds for 20 years, I know for a fact they hire whomever they want regardless of qualifications. I read the application, and it sounds like they plan on hiring the foremost biologist, caver, vertical specialist, paperwork expert, and crack ATV rider in the country. I think they will have to clone Floyd Collins.
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Re: Karst Specialist job at Camp Bullis, TX

Postby Jeff Bartlett » Aug 20, 2009 10:18 pm

All I know is this: whoever qualifies for all that stuff, THAT is the person I'd like to go caving with.
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Re: Karst Specialist job at Camp Bullis, TX

Postby rchrds » Aug 21, 2009 10:54 am

Wasn't this job held by Peter Sprouse previously? Or maybe he did it on a part-time basis? Looks like they might be looking for a way to hire him on full-time. Whoever mentioned it is right- often the listings are made with someone specific in mind- I know that Chrissy's boss had to do some politics/creative assistance on her job announcement to get promoted at a state job in the same fashion.

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Re: Karst Specialist job at Camp Bullis, TX

Postby Larry E. Matthews » Aug 27, 2009 8:43 am

Wow. I was there on Field Excercises in about 1969 or 1970 when I was in the Army and stationed at Fort Sam Houston.

Fort Sam Houston in a beautiful place, and I liked San Antonio, too. But what little I saw of Camp Bullis didn't impress me at all. Of course, I didn't get to go caving. Maybe the caves are OK.

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Re: Karst Specialist job at Camp Bullis, TX

Postby Phil Winkler » Aug 27, 2009 8:48 am

Larry, Camp Bullis isn't too bad if you have a jeep to ride around the hills with. :big grin:

Otherwise, walking thru the scrub is misery. We had to do a night compass course there as part of the Advanced NCO Course and several guys got totally lost. One said he was attacked by a mountain lion and escaped by sliding down a hillside . After that when he would walk into the classroom everyone would Meow.
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Re: Karst Specialist job at Camp Bullis, TX

Postby Larry E. Matthews » Aug 27, 2009 9:18 am

Well, I was on foot. The place was badly infested with ticks. They were everywhere !!!

I have no desire to ever go back.

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Re: Karst Specialist job at Camp Bullis, TX

Postby rchrds » Aug 27, 2009 9:35 am

you mean..with ticks that make your feet look like....this?? (Thousands of tiny ticks, crossing a cow field in Yucatan, Mx)
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