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Biological Science Technician (Fish & Wildlife)

Department of Agriculture
Forest Service
This job announcement has closed

Summary

This position is located with the Alaska Region, Chugach National Forest, Glacier Ranger District in Girdwood, Alaska.

The incumbent is responsible for planning, coordinating, and implementing projects related to the operational segments of the District fisheries and wildlife program.

For additional information about the duties of this position, please contact Adam Cross at 907-288-7715 or adam.cross@usda.gov.

Overview

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Hiring complete
Open & closing dates
06/30/2020 to 07/14/2020
Salary
$53,567 to - $76,915 per year
Pay scale & grade
GS 8 - 9
Location
1 vacancy in the following location:
Girdwood, AK
Telework eligible
Yes—as determined by the agency policy.
Travel Required
25% or less - Overnight travel on an average of 1-2 night duration and/or to attend training or meetings.
Relocation expenses reimbursed
Yes—You may qualify for reimbursement of relocation expenses in accordance with agency policy.
Appointment type
Permanent
Work schedule
Full-Time
Service
Competitive
Promotion potential
9
Supervisory status
No
Security clearance
Not Required
Drug test
Yes
Position sensitivity and risk
Moderate Risk (MR)
Trust determination process
Announcement number
20-10853150-G-EMH
Control number
572268700

This job is open to

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Clarification from the agency

Current permanent Federal Employees with competitive status, Land Management Workforce Flexibility Act eligibles, CTAP/RPL/ICTAP and VEOA eligibles, Farm Service Agency permanent county employees, 30 percent or More Disabled Veterans, Certain Former Overseas, Military Spouses, Interchange Agreement and Other Miscellaneous Authorities, People with Disabilities, Peace Corps and VISTA, Public Land Corps, Reinstatement, Resource Assistant Program and VRA eligible candidates.

Duties

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  • Duties are listed at the full performance GS-09 grade level.
  • Coordinate and implement fisheries, wildlife and watershed projects.
  • Serve as a technical expert on fisheries and wildlife projects.
  • Utilize GPS, tablets, and GIS to collect, analyze and display technical data.
  • Utilize and maintain stream weirs, rotary screw traps and other fish sampling devices, such as fyke nets, gill nets, minnow traps and backpack electro fishers.
  • Determine and coordinate fisheries and wildlife surveys following established protocols.
  • Review fish and wildlife work accomplishments and compile routine reports.
  • Operates a variety of equipment associated with the fisheries and wildlife program including Forest Service vessels up to 38 feet powered by outboard or inboard engines for use on lakes and rivers and in marine waters.
  • Safely operate chainsaws, brush saws and hand tools associated with fisheries and wildlife work.
  • Serve as project crew or field leader for fisheries, watershed, and wildlife projects.
  • Establish contacts and actively pursue and maintain partnerships agreements with cooperators for fisheries and/or wildlife projects.

Requirements

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Conditions of employment

  • Must be a U.S. Citizen or National.
  • Males born after 12/31/1959 must be Selective Service registered or exempt.
  • Subject to satisfactory adjudication of background investigation and/or fingerprint check.
  • Successful completion of one year probationary period, unless previously served.
  • Per Public Law 104-134 all Federal employees are required to have federal payments made by direct deposit to their financial institution.
  • Successfully pass the E-Verify employment verification check. To learn more about E-Verify, including your rights and responsibilities, visit e-verify.gov
  • Must be at least 18 years of age.
  • This is a bargaining unit position represented by the National Federation of Federal Employees, IAMAW.
  • Must possess and maintain a valid driver's license.
  • This is a Test Designated Position. You will be tested for illegal drugs prior to appointment and randomly thereafter. Appointment and continued employment is conditional on negative results.
  • This position requires initial and continuing qualifications in the use of firearms as outlined in the Gun Control Act of 1968, amended by the Lautenberg Amendment of 1996.

Qualifications

In order to qualify, you must meet the eligibility and qualifications requirements as defined below by the closing date of the announcement. For more information on the qualifications for this position, visit the Office of Personnel Management's General Schedule Qualification Standards.

Your application and resume must clearly show that you possess the experience requirements. Transcripts must be provided for qualifications based on education. Provide course descriptions as necessary.

Specialized Experience Requirement:

GS-08 - One year of specialized experience equivalent to GS-7 in the Federal service. Must meet at least two of the examples which include: Gathering information for input into project plans for fisheries and wildlife improvement projects; assisting in preparing program work plans for fisheries and/or wildlife projects by combining and coordinating project plans into an annual schedule of work; guide temporary work crews involved with fisheries and/or wildlife projects; and collecting fisheries and/or wildlife data, and assisting in preparing environmental analysis reports in assigned functional area.
GS-09 - One year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-08 level in the Federal service. Must meet at least two of the examples which include: Developing project plans for fisheries and/or wildlife improvement projects; leads work crews involved with complex fisheries and/or wildlife enhancement evaluations, stream and lake surveys, watershed rehabilitation and restoration projects; and/or compiling and analyzing fish, wildlife and watershed field data; write environmental analysis reports in assigned fish or wildlife functional area.

Experience refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service programs (e.g., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizations (e.g., professional; philanthropic; religious; spiritual; community, student, social). Volunteer work helps build critical competencies, knowledge, and skills and can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience.

TIME IN GRADE REQUIREMENT: If you are a current federal employee in the General Schedule (GS) pay plan and applying for a promotion opportunity, you must meet time-in-grade (TIG) requirements of 52 weeks of service at the next lower grade level in the normal line of progression for the position being filled. This requirement must be met by the closing date of this announcement.

Education

There are no educational requirements.

Additional information

Career Transition Assistance Plan (CTAP), Reemployment Priority List (RPL) or Interagency Career Transition Assistance Plan (ICTAP): To exercise selection priority for this vacancy, CTAP/RPL/ICTAP candidates must meet the basic eligibility requirements and all selective factors. CTAP/ICTAP candidates must be rated and determined to be well qualified (or above) based on an evaluation of the competencies listed in the How You Will Be Evaluated section. When assessed through a score-based category rating method, CTAP/ICTAP applicants must receive a rating of at least 85 out of a possible 100.

Veterans who are preference eligible or who have been separated from the armed forces under honorable conditions after three years or more of continuous active service are eligible for consideration under the Veteran's Employment Opportunity Act (VEOA).

Land Management Workforce Flexibility Act (LMWFA) provides current or former temporary or term employees of federal land management agencies opportunity to compete for permanent competitive service positions. Individuals must have more than 24 months of service without a break between appointments of two or more years. Service must be in the competitive service and have been at a successful level of performance or better. Part-time and intermittent service will be credited only for time actually worked. Non-pay status such as leave without pay is credited for up to six months in a calendar year; anything beyond six months is not credited. Applicants are responsible for providing sufficient information/documentation to determine if the 24 month criteria is met.

Farm Service Agency (FSA) County Employees: Permanent County employees without prior Federal tenure who are selected for a Civil Service position under Public Law 105-277 will be given a career-conditional appointment and must serve a 1-year probationary period.

For more information on applying under special hiring authorities such as the Veteran's Recruitment Act (VRA), 30 percent disabled veterans, certain military spouses, Schedule A Disabled, etc., explore the different Hiring Paths on the USAJOBS website

PROMOTION POTENTIAL: If you are selected for a position with further promotion potential, you will be placed under a career development plan, and may be non-competitively promoted if you successfully complete the requirements and if recommended by management. However, promotion is neither implied or guaranteed.

Selectee will be responsible for tax obligations related to payments for moving expenses - 2017 Tax Cuts and Job Act, Public Law 115-97. Questions should be directed to the Travel help Desk, 877-372-7248, Option 1, or email SM.FS.asc_tos@usda.gov

Forest Service daycare facilities are not available.

Government Housing is not available.

This position is eligible for telework and other flexible work arrangements.

How you will be evaluated

You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.

You will be evaluated based on your qualifications for this position as evidenced by the experience, education, and training you described in your application package, as well as the responses to the Assessment Questionnaire to determine the degree to which you possess the competencies listed below:

  • Fishery Biology
  • Oral Communication
  • Technical Competence
  • Wildlife Biology
  • Writing


Your application, including the online Assessment Questionnaire, will be reviewed to determine if you meet (a) minimum qualification requirements and (b) the resume supports the answers provided to the job-specific questions. Your resume must clearly support your responses to all the questions addressing experience and education relevant to this position.

If you meet the qualification requirements and are determined to be among the best qualified, you will be referred to the hiring manager for consideration. Noncompetitive candidates and applicants under some special hiring authorities must meet minimum qualifications to be referred.

Note: If, after reviewing your resume and/or supporting documentation, a determination is made that you inflated your qualifications and or experience, your rating may be lowered to more accurately reflect the submitted documentation. Please follow all instructions carefully. Errors or omissions may affect your rating. Providing inaccurate information on Federal documents could be grounds for non-selection or disciplinary action.

To view the application form, visit: https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/10853150

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