CLOSING DATE OF ANNOUNCEMENT EXTENDED TO FRIDAY, January 5, 2018
These positions are Full-Time temporary positions not-to-exceed 1039 regular hours (about 6 months in a service year) located in Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore, in the Natural Resources Division. Please visit find a park for additional park information. Positions may be terminated sooner or extended depending on management needs. Individuals selected under this vacancy announcement are eligible for rehire in subsequent service years. Positions will be filled at the GS-6 or GS-7 level depending upon applicants qualifications and funding. There is no promotion potential.
The typical seasonal entry-on-duty period for Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore is April through September, but can be variable during these months due to weather conditions, project needs, or funding. Anticipated Entry on Duty: April 15, 2018
Travel, transportation, and relocation expenses will not be paid. All travel, transportation, and relocation expenses associated with reporting for duty in this position will be the sole responsibility of the selected employee.
Shared government housing may be available for rent. Laundry services are not available but can be sought out in neighboring towns.
Summary
CLOSING DATE OF ANNOUNCEMENT EXTENDED TO FRIDAY, January 5, 2018
These positions are Full-Time temporary positions not-to-exceed 1039 regular hours (about 6 months in a service year) located in Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore, in the Natural Resources Division. Please visit find a park for additional park information. Positions may be terminated sooner or extended depending on management needs. Individuals selected under this vacancy announcement are eligible for rehire in subsequent service years. Positions will be filled at the GS-6 or GS-7 level depending upon applicants qualifications and funding. There is no promotion potential.
The typical seasonal entry-on-duty period for Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore is April through September, but can be variable during these months due to weather conditions, project needs, or funding. Anticipated Entry on Duty: April 15, 2018
Travel, transportation, and relocation expenses will not be paid. All travel, transportation, and relocation expenses associated with reporting for duty in this position will be the sole responsibility of the selected employee.
Shared government housing may be available for rent. Laundry services are not available but can be sought out in neighboring towns.
50% or less - Required to live and work throughout the Lakeshore including the remote Manitou Islands for extended periods of time (up to 12 nights per month).
GS-0404-06 positions will serve as a project leader for natural resource management projects including the following; monitoring and controlling exotic plants; conducting natural resource monitoring programs of rare plants; assessing forest health and treating for forest pests; and conducting extensive beach and dune fieldwork. Duties will include identifying plants; surveying for target invasive plants; collecting field data and recording the data into established or new databases; collecting GPS and GIS data; and controlling invasive plants using hand-pulling, hand tools, power tools, and chemical herbicides. Successful applicants will lead teams that may include NPS seasonal, interns, volunteers, and other agency staff. They may be asked to occasionally lead larger groups of volunteers in projects. Herbicide use and some overnight backcountry camping can be expected. Global positioning systems, aerial photographs, topographic maps, and/or compass may be used in navigation. A portion of time will be dedicated to project logistics and preparatory ground work, data entry, preparation of Field and Project Reports, assisting with the appraisals of seasonal staff and other duties in the laboratory/office setting.
GS-07 positions will also lead multiple field crews organizing, scheduling and executing established natural resource projects; training others to accurately follow procedures; determining and implementing exotic plant control efforts; analyzing and providing botanical data for long-term planning efforts; conducting botanical surveys to be used in environmental assessments; developing and implementing site restoration plans, etc.
Appointment subject to background investigation and favorable adjudication.
Meet Selective Service Registration Act requirement for males.
Valid state drivers license required.
Pesticide license with right of way category required.
Selectee will be required to participate in the Direct Deposit Electronics Funds Transfer Program.
This position is subject to drug testing based on the collateral duty requiring firearms in the back-country or other locations for non-law enforcement reasons such as protection from animals.
You may be required to operate a government (or private) motor vehicle as part of your official duties. Prior to your first official motor vehicle operation, and again every year thereafter (or more frequently if management determines such need exists), you will be required to sign an affidavit certifying to your possession of a valid State issued driver's license that is current and has not been revoked, suspended, canceled, or otherwise disqualified in any way to prohibit your operation of a motor vehicle. You will also submit a photocopy of your valid State issued driver's license prior to your first official motor vehicle operation, and again every year, or more frequently if management determines such need exists. Lastly, you may be required to submit (within a State sealed envelope or submitted directly by the State authorities), and at your own expense, all certified driving records from all States that discloses all valid driver's licenses, whether current or past, possessed by you. Please indicate in your application whether you possess a valid State driver's license.
You will be required to wear a uniform and comply with the National Park Service uniform standards. A uniform allowance will be provided.
You must be able to obtain a valid State of Michigan Pesticide Applicator's License with right-of-way category upon entry on duty.
Qualifications
SELECTIVE FACTOR: This position requires that you apply pesticide treatments to invasive plants. You must have a current valid state pesticide applicator's license with road right-of-way category at time of application. Candidates who do not meet this requirement by close of this announcement will receive no further consideration for this position. (MUST INCLUDE COPY OF LICENSE IN APPLICATION PACKAGE TO BE CONSIDERED).
- AND - To qualify for this position at the GS-06 grade level, you must possess one of the following minimum qualifications by close of the announcement: EXPERIENCE: At least one full year of specialized experience comparable in scope and responsibility to the GS-05 grade level in the Federal service (obtained in either the public or private sectors). Specialized experience demonstrates that you are able to perform successfully the duties of this position. Examples of qualifying specialized experience include: serving as project lead to implement exotic plant control efforts; analyzing and providing botanical data for long-term planning efforts; conducting surveys to be used in environmental assessments; developing site restoration plans, etc. Graduate education or an internship meets the specialized experience required above GS-5 only in those instances where it is directly related to the work of the position. Internships not completed as a part of your educational curriculum, and recorded on your transcript, will not be considered qualifying as education. However, it may be considered qualifying if it meets the criteria for specialized education. You must include hours per week worked on your resume.
-OR- EDUCATION: Successful completion of an internship or one full year (18 semester hours or equivalent) of graduate level study that directly relates to the position such botany, plant ecology, forestry, etc. Internships must be documented on your graduate transcript to receive credit. If you are qualifying under education, you must include transcripts.
-OR-
Successful completion of a combination of specialized experience and education may be considered qualifying. Only graduate level education education is creditable as specialized experience. If you check that you are qualified based upon this combination,you must include transcripts.
To qualify for this position at the GS-07 grade level, you must possess one of the following minimum qualifications by close of the announcement: EXPERIENCE: At least one full year of specialized experience comparable in scope and responsibility to the GS-06 grade level in the Federal service (obtained in either the public or private sectors). Specialized experience demonstrates that you are able to perform successfully the duties of this position. Examples of qualifying specialized experience include: leading multiple teams organizing, scheduling and executing established natural resource projects; training others to accurately follow procedures; determining and implementing exotic plant control efforts; analyzing and providing botanical data for long-term planning efforts; conducting botanical surveys to be used in environmental assessments; developing and implementing site restoration plans, etc. Graduate education or an internship meets the specialized experience required above GS-5 only in those instances where it is directly related to the work of the position. Internships not completed as a part of your educational curriculum, and recorded on your transcript, will not be considered qualifying as education. However, it may be considered qualifying if it meets the criteria for specialized education.
-OR- EDUCATION: Successful completion of an internship or one full year (18 semester hours or equivalent) of graduate level study that directly relates to the position such botany, plant ecology, forestry, etc. Internships must be documented on your graduate transcript to receive credit. If you are qualifying under education, you must include transcripts.
-OR-
Successful completion of a combination of specialized experience and education may be considered qualifying. Only graduate level education education is creditable as specialized experience. If you check that you are qualified based upon this combination,you must include transcripts.
Volunteer Experience: 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.
You must include months, years and hours per week worked to receive credit for your work and/or volunteer experience. One year of specialized experience is equivalent to 12 months at 40 hours per week. Part-time hours are prorated. You will not receive any credit for experience that does not indicate exact hours per week or is listed as "varies".
Education
To qualify based on education, you must submit a legible copy of transcripts from an accredited institution with your name, school name, credit hours, course level, major(s), and grade-point average or class ranking. Transcripts do not need to be official, but if you are selected for this position and you used your education to qualify, you must provide official transcripts before you begin work.
If you are using education completed in foreign colleges or universities to meet qualification requirements, you must show that your education credentials have been evaluated by a private organization that specializes in interpretation of foreign education programs and such education has been deemed equivalent to that gained in an accredited U.S. education program; or full credit has been given for the courses at a U.S. accredited college or university.
Additional information
This announcement may be used to fill additional positions if identical vacancies occur within 90 days of the issue date of the referral certificate.
Individuals selected under this vacancy announcement are eligible for the possibility of extensions or rehire in subsequent service years.
Physical Requirements and Working Conditions: These positions involve strenuous outdoor activity. You must be able to perform physically demanding work under all conditions (cold, heat, wet, deep sand, steep terrain). Duties of the position require hiking off trail in dune and forest environment where terrain is uneven, steep at times, and covered with thick, tangled vegetation, possibly stinging insects, and various other hazards where climatic conditions are variable. You must be in excellent physical condition able to hike 10 or more miles in various terrain while carrying a heavy pack (50 lbs.) while alone or on various crews, have the ability to use a compass and read topographic maps, be prepared to camp overnight for several days in the backcountry. Use of chemical herbicides are a requirement of the position so the ability to carry fully loaded backpack sprayers several miles across rough terrain and steep bluffs is necessary upon arrival. Excellent driving skills are desired. Field work may include standing and walking on uneven, rock and sandy surfaces for long periods of time; lifting and carrying of moderately heavy items, such as backpacks, chainsaws, fencing, etc.; exposure to harsh weather conditions such as temperature extremes, rain, snow, wind and direct sunlight for long periods of time; occasional sedentary work. Office work may involve hours of computer and/or equipment use. Excellent driving skills are desired.
A career with the U.S. government provides employees with a comprehensive benefits package. As a federal employee, you and your family will have access to a range of benefits that are designed to make your federal career very rewarding. Opens in a new windowLearn more about federal benefits.
Eligibility for benefits depends on the type of position you hold and whether your position is full-time, part-time or intermittent. Contact the hiring agency for more information on the specific benefits offered.
How you will be evaluated
You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.
A review of your resume and supporting documentation will be made and compared against your responses to the Occupational Questionnaire to determine if you are qualified for this job. If your resume is incomplete or does not support the responses provided in the Occupational Questionnaire, or if you fail to submit all required documentation, you will be rated 'ineligible', 'not qualified', or your score may be adjusted accordingly. If a determination is made that you have inflated your qualifications or experience, you may lose consideration for this position. Please follow all instructions carefully; errors or omissions may affect your rating.
Candidates will be rated and ranked using Category Rating procedures. These procedures place candidates with veteran's preference above non-preference eligibles within each category. Veterans with a service connected disability of at least 10 percent are listed in the highest quality category, except when the position being filled is scientific or professional at the GS-09 grade level or higher. Under Category Rating, candidates will be rated and ranked into one of three categories:
Best Qualified - applicants possessing experience that substantially exceeds the minimum qualifications of the position including all selective factors and are highly proficient in all requirements of the job and can perform effectively in the position
Well Qualified - applicants possessing experience that exceeds the minimum qualifications of the position including all selective factors and are proficient in most of the requirements of the job
Qualified - applicants possessing experience that meets the minimum qualifications of the position including all selective factors and are proficient in some, but not all of the requirements of the job.
You will be evaluated on the following competencies:
A career with the U.S. government provides employees with a comprehensive benefits package. As a federal employee, you and your family will have access to a range of benefits that are designed to make your federal career very rewarding. Opens in a new windowLearn more about federal benefits.
Eligibility for benefits depends on the type of position you hold and whether your position is full-time, part-time or intermittent. Contact the hiring agency for more information on the specific benefits offered.
NOTE: Upload all documents in your application package to the "RESUME" drop down.
The following documents are required and must be submitted by 11:59 PM (EST) on 01/05/2018:
Resume which includes a list of all significant jobs held and duties performed, with dates specified in month and year format, and, indicate hours worked per week. If military or civilian, please include your rank and/or grade.
A complete Occupational Questionnaire
Other Supporting Documents, if applicable, such as:
If you are a Discharged, Non-Disabled Veteran, you must submit a copy of your DD-214 showing character of discharge (Member 4 copy), or other Documentation of Service and Separation under Honorable Conditions, as listed on the SF15. If you don't have your DD-214, you may request it after discharge from the National Archives.
If you are a veteran within 120 days of discharge, you must submit signed documentation from the Armed Forces certifying: 1) your expected release/retirement from active duty, 2) under honorable conditions, 3) your pay grade/rank/rate at time of discharge, 4) dates of active duty service, 5) any campaign or expeditionary medals received, & 6) dated within 120 days of your separation.
If you are a Disabled Veteran, Purple Heart Recipient, orMother or Spouse of a Disabled or Deceased Veteran, you must submit all additional proof required by the SF15, and if applicable, a completed SF15. You may request a copy of your Department of Veterans Affairs letter from www.ebenefits.va.gov or call 1-800-827-1000 to establish proof of disability.
Documentation that you currently have a current valid state pesticide applicator's license with road right-of-way category. (MUST INCLUDE COPY OF LICENSE IN APPLICATION PACKAGE TO BE CONSIDERED).
College transcripts, if qualifying based on education.
Documentation for Interagency/Career Transition Assistance Plan consideration if you are a displaced Federal employee within the local commuting area. You must include: 1) Proof you are a displaced Federal employee, e.g., RIF Separation Notice, Notice of Proposed Removal, etc; 2) SF-50s (Notifications of Personnel Action) showing career/conditional tenure competitive status, promotion potential and duty location; and 3) your most recent performance appraisal. To exercise selection priority, displaced or surplus Federal employees must be rated well-qualified or above 85 on the rating criteria for this position.
Do not submit photographs with your application package. Documents with photographs may not be seen by hiring officials - you must remove your image from any badges, licenses, etc.
If you are relying on your education to meet qualification requirements:
Failure to provide all of the required information as stated in this vacancy announcement may result in an ineligible rating or may affect the overall rating.
To apply for this position: You must complete the occupational questionnaire and submit the documentation specified in the Required Documents section below. To receive consideration, the complete application package must be submitted by 11:59 PM (EST) on 01/05/2018. WE DO NOT ACCEPT HARD-COPY OR E-MAIL APPLICATION PACKAGES.
Select Apply. If you are not logged in, you will be prompted to login or create an account.
Prompted to Start the Application Process by selecting "Start Application."
Select documents you want included in this application.
Review package to acknowledge your documents were reviewed.
Select if you want to include your demographic information.
After reading and certifying the application is true and submitted in good faith, select "Continue to Agency Site."
Follow onscreen prompts and instructions to complete your application.
Add the supporting documents by indexing your documents with the dropdown.
Upload any missing required documents or optional documents.
Review and Submit Application.
While logged in, you can check the status of your application by selecting "+" next to the job title for this position.
You can review or revise your application at any point during the open period of the announcement.
To update an application, you should log into your USAJOBS account and select "+" next to the job title for this position. Select "Update Application" for this job.
Note: When you click Update Application, you will be prompted to re-select your documents from USAJOBS. Documents submitted with the first application will no longer be associated with the applicant record. So it is important that you select all documents you want to use in the re-application.
Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore
9922 Front Street
Empire, MI 49630
US
Next steps
Once the Occupational Questionnaire is received you will receive acknowledgement that your submission was successful. If you are among the most qualified candidates and your name is referred to the hiring official, you may be contacted directly for a possible interview. You will be notified of the status of your Application Package at the time candidates are referred for consideration, and when the selection process is complete.
The Federal hiring process is set up to be fair and transparent. Please read the following guidance.
NOTE: Upload all documents in your application package to the "RESUME" drop down.
The following documents are required and must be submitted by 11:59 PM (EST) on 01/05/2018:
Resume which includes a list of all significant jobs held and duties performed, with dates specified in month and year format, and, indicate hours worked per week. If military or civilian, please include your rank and/or grade.
A complete Occupational Questionnaire
Other Supporting Documents, if applicable, such as:
If you are a Discharged, Non-Disabled Veteran, you must submit a copy of your DD-214 showing character of discharge (Member 4 copy), or other Documentation of Service and Separation under Honorable Conditions, as listed on the SF15. If you don't have your DD-214, you may request it after discharge from the National Archives.
If you are a veteran within 120 days of discharge, you must submit signed documentation from the Armed Forces certifying: 1) your expected release/retirement from active duty, 2) under honorable conditions, 3) your pay grade/rank/rate at time of discharge, 4) dates of active duty service, 5) any campaign or expeditionary medals received, & 6) dated within 120 days of your separation.
If you are a Disabled Veteran, Purple Heart Recipient, orMother or Spouse of a Disabled or Deceased Veteran, you must submit all additional proof required by the SF15, and if applicable, a completed SF15. You may request a copy of your Department of Veterans Affairs letter from www.ebenefits.va.gov or call 1-800-827-1000 to establish proof of disability.
Documentation that you currently have a current valid state pesticide applicator's license with road right-of-way category. (MUST INCLUDE COPY OF LICENSE IN APPLICATION PACKAGE TO BE CONSIDERED).
College transcripts, if qualifying based on education.
Documentation for Interagency/Career Transition Assistance Plan consideration if you are a displaced Federal employee within the local commuting area. You must include: 1) Proof you are a displaced Federal employee, e.g., RIF Separation Notice, Notice of Proposed Removal, etc; 2) SF-50s (Notifications of Personnel Action) showing career/conditional tenure competitive status, promotion potential and duty location; and 3) your most recent performance appraisal. To exercise selection priority, displaced or surplus Federal employees must be rated well-qualified or above 85 on the rating criteria for this position.
Do not submit photographs with your application package. Documents with photographs may not be seen by hiring officials - you must remove your image from any badges, licenses, etc.
If you are relying on your education to meet qualification requirements:
Failure to provide all of the required information as stated in this vacancy announcement may result in an ineligible rating or may affect the overall rating.
To apply for this position: You must complete the occupational questionnaire and submit the documentation specified in the Required Documents section below. To receive consideration, the complete application package must be submitted by 11:59 PM (EST) on 01/05/2018. WE DO NOT ACCEPT HARD-COPY OR E-MAIL APPLICATION PACKAGES.
Select Apply. If you are not logged in, you will be prompted to login or create an account.
Prompted to Start the Application Process by selecting "Start Application."
Select documents you want included in this application.
Review package to acknowledge your documents were reviewed.
Select if you want to include your demographic information.
After reading and certifying the application is true and submitted in good faith, select "Continue to Agency Site."
Follow onscreen prompts and instructions to complete your application.
Add the supporting documents by indexing your documents with the dropdown.
Upload any missing required documents or optional documents.
Review and Submit Application.
While logged in, you can check the status of your application by selecting "+" next to the job title for this position.
You can review or revise your application at any point during the open period of the announcement.
To update an application, you should log into your USAJOBS account and select "+" next to the job title for this position. Select "Update Application" for this job.
Note: When you click Update Application, you will be prompted to re-select your documents from USAJOBS. Documents submitted with the first application will no longer be associated with the applicant record. So it is important that you select all documents you want to use in the re-application.
Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore
9922 Front Street
Empire, MI 49630
US
Next steps
Once the Occupational Questionnaire is received you will receive acknowledgement that your submission was successful. If you are among the most qualified candidates and your name is referred to the hiring official, you may be contacted directly for a possible interview. You will be notified of the status of your Application Package at the time candidates are referred for consideration, and when the selection process is complete.
Fair and transparent
The Federal hiring process is set up to be fair and transparent. Please read the following guidance.
