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Biological Science Technician (Fisheries - Diver)

Department of the Interior
National Park Service
This job announcement has closed

Summary

These positions are located in Channel Islands National Park, in the Division of Resource Management in Ventura, California. Please visit find a park for additional park information.

These positions are Full-Time temporary positions not-to-exceed 1039 regular hours (about 6 months) in a service year. 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.

The typical seasonal entry-on-duty period for Channel Islands National Park is April-September but can be variable during these months due to weather conditions, project needs, or funding. Anticipated Entry on Duty: April 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.

Overview

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Hiring complete
Open & closing dates
01/19/2018 to 01/25/2018
Salary
$37,793 to - $49,113 per year
Pay scale & grade
GS 5
Location
Ventura, CA
4 vacancies
Travel Required
50% or less - You will be expected to travel 50% or more for this position.
Relocation expenses reimbursed
No
Appointment type
Temporary - 1039 Hours
Work schedule
Full-Time
Service
Supervisory status
No
Security clearance
Not Required
Announcement number
PW-1547-CHIS-18-10104895-DE
Control number
487321700

This job is open to

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Duties

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Monitors the abundance, distribution and size of selected marine invertebrates, algae and fish using underwater sampling techniques on SCUBA and surface-supplied air. Techniques include but are not limited to band transects, quadrats, random point contacts, video transects, fish transects, fish sizing, roving diver fish counts, size frequency measurements, recruitment modules, video/photo documentation and use of remote temperature loggers. Acts as a lead diver for at least one other diver providing leadership and direction to conduct the above mentioned work in often adverse environmental conditions. Provides logistical support for all non- field aspects of a subtidal marine monitoring program. This includes all aspects of office work associated with field collection of monitoring data under the direction of lead Biologist and in accordance of kelp forest monitoring handbook. This includes showing proficiency of data entry, organization skills, and quality assurance/quality control of data and basic understanding of MS Access Database. Assists in all aspects of preparing trip and annual reports. Assists in making field observations and documenting them appropriately.Maintains equipment and NPS diving certification. This includes maintaining all equipment used for the kelp forest monitoring program such as SCUBA life support equipment, underwater cameras, dive computers, sampling equipment used for conducting the monitoring. Identify the needs for repairs and replacement of equipment and supplies. Maintains an accurate log of maintenance and repairs. Meets and maintains all NPS-4 diving regulations. Provides logistical support including preparing menus, dive plans, manifests, data sheets, purchasing provisions, loading food and equipment for multiday monitoring cruises that take place in remote conditions. Provides information to others on resource management issues by giving oral presentations. Assists with preparing trip reports and draft detailed annual reports on the kelp forest monitoring program to meet NPS inventory and monitoring program and park requirements. These reports will include descriptions of methods, literature research, preliminary data analysis, graphs and charts, results, and recommendations for planning, protection, and mitigation activities.

Requirements

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Conditions of employment

  • U.S. Citizenship required.
  • Appointment subject to background investigation and favorable adjudication.
  • Meet Selective Service Registration Act requirement for males.
  • Must Pass a Pre-Employment and Periodic Physical Exam.
  • Must Pass a Pre-Employment, Random and Reasonable Suspicion Drug Testing.

  • Selectee will be required to participate in the Direct Deposit Electronics Funds Transfer Program.
  • You will be required to submit to a drug test and receive a negative drug test result prior to appointment. In addition, this position is subject to random testing for illegal drug use.
  • You must be determined to be physically fit (able to perform strenuous/physically demanding duties); and pass a medical examination, by an government authorized physician.
  • You will be required to operate a government vehicle, therefore, must be able to acquire and hold a valid state Driver's License. If selected, a three (3) year driving history check will be required.
  • You may be required to work on-call, evenings, weekends, holidays, overtime and shift work.
  • You will be required to travel up to a total of 55 days on a vessel for this appointment / 50% of the time or more.
  • You may be required to complete training and obtain/maintain a government charge card with travel and/or purchase authority.

Qualifications

SELECTIVE FACTOR: You must possess a current open water and scientific diving certification from a recognized organization, be able to meet the National Park Service diving requirements within 30 days of entrance on duty and have a minimum of 100 cold water, open ocean kelp forest dives are required. Candidates who do not meet this requirement by close of this announcement will receive no further consideration for this position.
- AND -
To qualify for this position at the GS-05grade level, you must possess at least 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-04 grade level in the Federal service (obtained in either the public or private sectors). This experience includes activities such as: conducting various aspects of a subtidal biological marine monitoring program using SCUBA and/or surface-supplied air techniques such as band transects, quadrats, random point contacts, video transects, fish transects, fish sizing, roving diver fish counts, size frequency measurements, artificial recruitment modules, video/photo documentation and use of remote temperature loggers. You must include hours per week worked.
-OR-
EDUCATION: Successful completion of at least four (4) years of education above high school (120 semester or 180 quarter hours) leading to a bachelor's degree with major study or 24 semester hours of course work in a related field of scientific or technical study, such as biology, chemistry, statistics, entomology, animal husbandry, botany, physics, agriculture, or mathematics. At least 6 semester hours of courses must be directly related to this position. Examples of directly related courses are biology, ecology, zoology, marine biology or fisheries biology. You must include transcripts.
-OR-
Successful completion of a combination of education and experience as described above. For example, 6 months of the specialized experience (50% of the experience requirement), and 3 years of college study from an accredited institution (50% of the qualifying education) which included at least 12 semester hours of related coursework as specified above (50% of the related coursework required), and at least 3 semester hours of courses are directly related to this position. Examples of directly related courses are biology, ecology, zoology, marine biology or fisheries biology. 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

For additional information about this position please contact:
David Kushner, Biologist
David_Kushner@nps.gov
(805) 658-5773

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 Demands: The work requires physical exertion such as regular SCUBA diving and snorkeling in cold water and rough ocean condition, in addition to recurring walking, hiking, or climbing over wet, rough, uneven, or rocky surfaces; bending; crouching, stooping, lifting or reaching to observe, collect, or record field data; or in some situations the work may require physical exertion to scuba dive or operate a boat. Heavy items (e.g., equipment, packs, and SCUBA equipment up to 100 pounds) must be lifted or carried on a routine basis.

Working Conditions: The work is performed in an office and outdoors. The work performed involves regular and recurring exposure to extreme oceanic and terrestrial weather conditions and terrain, poisonous plants, biting insects, and wild animals. Work is often performed off vessels that are not stationary due to ocean conditions.

If you are unable to apply online or need to fax a document that you do not have in electronic form, view the following link for information regarding an Alternate Application. Click the following link for more information, https://help.usastaffing.gov/Apply/index.php?title=Alternate_Application_Information.

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:
  • Database Management Systems
  • Fishery Biology
  • Interpersonal Skills
  • Technical Competence
  • Written Communication

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