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Biological Science Technician (Fish and Wildlife)

Department of Agriculture
Forest Service
This job announcement has closed

Summary

This position is temporary and has a Not-to-Exceed date. However, an extension of the appointment may be possible without further competition. The appointment may also end early due to lack of work or funds.

This position is located on a Forest Service unit. The incumbent is responsible for performing a variety of complex and recurring duties in support of wildlife habitat on the unit.

This position is located in Region 9 on a National Forest in Park Falls, WI.

For additional information about the duties of the position, please contact Ann Dassow at (715) 748-4875 or email ahdassow@fs.fed.us OR Matt Brenholt at (715) 762-5159 or email mdbrenholt@fs.fed.us

Considerable travel may be required. Some positions involve work that requires travel away from the official duty location to remote worksites within commuting distance (49 miles).

Positions will be filled as a temporary appointment not to exceed (NTE) 1 year which can be extended 1 additional year.

The USDA Forest Service has legislative authority to recruit and fill Permanent (Career/Career-Conditional), Temporary, and Term Appointments under the USDA Demonstration Project. Under this authority, any U.S. citizen may apply.

Overview

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Reviewing applications
Open & closing dates
06/27/2017 to 07/03/2017
Salary
$19.49 to - $19.49 per hour
Pay scale & grade
GS 07
Location
Park Falls, WI
1 vacancy
Travel Required
Occasional travel - Per Work Assignment
Relocation expenses reimbursed
No
Appointment type
Temporary
Work schedule
Full-Time
Service
Promotion potential
07
Supervisory status
No
Security clearance
Other
Announcement number
17-TEMP-S9-0404-7BSTPF-DT
Control number
472973000

This job is open to

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Duties

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Independently plans and conducts a variety of field studies of sensitive wildlife species to determine numbers, environmental conditions, and?the condition of the species and its habitat, and factors affecting the health?and welfare of the species and its habitat. Data elements collected include such things as habitat conditions, age of habitat, location of species, nesting status, and the condition of the species being?studied. Evaluates data and recommends improvements of habitat or species protections. 

Develops work plans to collect required data, determines recording requirements, and determines factors to use for complete habitat and species condition analyses. Participates with biologists in planning work and contributes ideas about uses of materials and methods. Improves, adapts, and develops techniques, procedures, and equipment. Changes study procedures and data collection in accordance with conditions found in order to provide clear, concise recommendations, which will improve habitat and condition of the?species.  

Provides detailed reports on work methods, data collected, and project evaluation. Determines need and recommends equipment requirements for projects and assures equipment is operational and?available when needed.  

Uses personal computer systems and?associated software for recording, storing, and analyzing data. 

Schedules, organizes, and executes project habitat improvement work based on the approved district wildlife program of work. This involves placement of wildlife nesting structures and planning, inventory, maintenance and documentation of the wildlife opening program. Implementation of the wildlife opening program can include preparing contracts and serving as contracting officer’s representative (COR) on heavy equipment projects, discing, mowing, and brushing. 

Independently or as a team lead, plans a wide variety of types of limited operational fishery projects that require diverse technical knowledge where dissimilar specialized methods, procedures, and techniques are required. Projects may occur in single or multiple phases and deal with regular as well as irregular issues. Extensive planning and coordination is required along with working with others, drawing up schedules, and selecting appropriate methods and procedures.  

Installs and maintains the Forest hydrologic instrumentation; repairs, calibrates, and services gages and recorders; performs all maintenance necessary to ensure optimal operation of all equipment. 

Serves as contracting officer’s representative (COR) or inspector on specific contracts as assigned and supervises force account projects. Ensures all provisions are enforced and proper measures are taken to protect or enhance values in accordance with contract objectives. Prepares and submits related inspection reports, checks for compliance on needed corrective actions, and recommends final acceptance of the contract upon completion. 

Serves on prescribed fire and fuels projects in positions for which qualified. Technically administers all aspects of the prescribed fire and fuels plan, ensuring that preparation, ignition, holding, mop-up, and rehabilitation are completed to the standards specified. 

Coordinates with timber management to determine opportunities for funding availability for areas within timber sale boundaries, checks compartment prescriptions for resource coordination, recommends revision of Sale Area Improvement Plans to include watershed improvement needs.

NOTE: State license to operate motor vehicles, ability to operate other motorized equipment, and ability to use hand tools and forestry instruments are required.

Requirements

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Conditions of employment

  • You must be a US Citizen or US National
  • Males born after 12/31/59 must be Selective Service registered or exempt
  • Satisfactory background investigation and/or fingerprint check

ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS:

State license to operate motor vehicles, ability to operate other motorized equipment, and ability to use hand tools and forestry instruments are required.

Qualifications

You must possess the Basic Requirements identified below to be considered eligible for this position. Transcripts must be provided for qualifications based on education. Your application or resume must clearly show that you possess the appropriate experience requirements.

GS-07: (1) one year of specialized experience equivalent to at least a GS-06 grade level. 

Specialized experience is defined as inspecting wildlife habitat and/or nesting sites and collecting field data on wildlife habitat and vegetation, species condition, location, and status for the preparation of maps and habitat management and improvement plans. Compiling and summarizing biological data obtained from aerial and ground surveys to determine vegetation type, wildlife and livestock use, and to identify and evaluate habitat management.-OR

Successful completion of 1 year of graduate level education (18 semester/27 quarter hours) courses related to work of the position to be filled. -OR

A combination of education and experience listed above.

To receive consideration for this position, you must meet all qualification requirements on the closing date of this announcement.

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.

Additional information

  • BACKGROUND INVESTIGATION AND FINGERPRINT CHECK:  Selection and retention in this position is contingent on a successfully adjudicated FBI National Criminal History Check (fingerprint check) and a background investigation.
  • Bargaining Unit Status: Eligible
  • Career Transition Assistance Plan (CTAP) or Interagency Career Transition Assistance Plan (ICTAP): If you are claiming CTAP or ICTAP eligibility, provide proof of eligibility. CTAP/ICTAP eligibles must meet the agencys definition for a quality candidate as provided in the How You Will Be Evaluated section of this announcement to be considered. Information about CTAP/ICTAP eligibility is on OPMs Career Transition Resources website at http://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/workforce-restructuring/employee-guide-to-career-transition/
  • Forest Service daycare facilities are not available.
  • Direct Deposit – Per Public Law 104-134 all Federal employees are required to have federal payments made by direct deposit to a financial institution of your choice.
  • If you are newly hired, the documentation you present for purposes of completing the Department Homeland Security (DHS) Form I-9 on your entry-on-duty date will be verified through the DHS "E-VERIFY" system. Federal law requires the use of E-VERIFY to confirm the employment eligibility of all new hires. Under this system, the new hire is required to resolve any identified discrepancies as a condition of continued employment.
  • Government housing is not available.
  • If you are retired from the Federal Government and are selected for this vacancy, your retirement annuity may be offset from your pay.
  • This position is not eligible for telework.

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 in accordance with the category rating procedure as defined in the USDA Demonstration Project Plan. Applicants who meet the basic minimum qualification requirements established for the position will be placed in the Eligible category. Eligible applicants will be further evaluated against criteria for placement in the Quality category. This evaluation is based on the level of your experience, education, and/or training as determined by your responses to the Assessment Questionnaire. Applicants with veterans' preference are listed ahead of applicants who do not have veterans' preference within each category.

Note: If, after reviewing your resume and/or supporting documentation, a determination is made that you have 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 up to including removal from the Federal service.

Clicking the link below will present a preview of the application form; i.e. the online questionnaire. The application form link below will only provide a preview and does not initiate the application process. To initiate the online application process, click the "Apply Online" button to the right.


To view the application form, visit: https://fs.usda.ntis.gov/cp/?event=jobs.previewApplication&jobid=C3E3C73B-6190-4935-BECF-A79901256279

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