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Biological Science Technician

Department of the Interior
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
This job announcement has closed

Summary

Incumbent works for the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Pacific Islands Marine National Monument, located in Honolulu, Hawai'i. The Monument includes 7 National Wildlife Refuges: Baker Island, Howland Island, Jarvis Island, Johnston Island, Kingman Reef, Palmyra Atoll, and Wake Atoll. The Monument represents one of the last frontiers and havens for wildlife in the world, and comprise the most widespread collection of coral reef, seabird, and shorebird protected areas on the planet under a single nation's jurisdiction.

Incumbent assists with 2 expeditions to Johnston Atoll for crew changeover each year and lead biology crew on Johnston Island for 6 months deployment each year.

This is a Term appointment, not-to-exceed 13 months, which can be extended for a total appointment of 4 years.

Overview

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Hiring complete
Open & closing dates
03/06/2018 to 03/12/2018
Salary
$42,462 to - $55,199 per year
Pay scale & grade
GS 7
Location
3 vacancies in the following location:
Honolulu, HI
Travel Required
75% or less - To assist with 2 expeditions to Johnston Atoll for crew changeover each year and lead biology crew on Johnston Island for 6 months deployment each year.
Relocation expenses reimbursed
No
Appointment type
Term
Work schedule
Full-Time
Service
Promotion potential
7
Supervisory status
No
Announcement number
R1-18-10154622-RR-DE
Control number
493030200

This job is open to

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Clarification from the agency

U.S. Citizens, CTAP

Duties

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  • Assists in planning multifaceted fisheries, wildlife, and plant studies by contributing ideas, determining research methods, establishing practical procedures for accomplishing and reporting the work and determining other needs.
  • Assists in planning and carrying out biological management actions designed to address needs of aquatic species and/or habitats.
  • Independently plans and implements wildlife censuses and surveys and recommends wildlife management practices.
  • Develops news release drafts for area media and/or develops and delivers informational and/or environmental education programs to individuals, local organizations, and schools.
  • Leads field crew and/or independently carries out planned studies.

Requirements

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Conditions of employment

  • Must be a U.S. Citizen or National
  • Males born after 12-31-59 must be registered for Selective Service
  • Resume and supporting documents (See How To Apply)
  • Suitability for employment, as determined by background investigation
  • A valid state driver?s license and US passport are required
  • Swimming: Swimming in ponds, lakes, moving water, and/or coastal aquatic environments is a requirement of this position
  • Snorkeling is a requirement of this position for direct observation.
  • Official U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service uniform required
  • Must possess American Red Cross First Aid/CPR certification (within 2 months of hire)
  • Work may require working evenings, weekends and holidays.
  • Incumbent is required to respond to alarms on the evenings and weekends, as assigned. Alarm must be responded to timely in order to ensure specimens remain viable.
  • Possess, or obtain and maintain USFWS approved certification(s) within 12 months of employment, the following certifications: All-Terrain Vehicle (ATV) Certification, Utility-terrain vehicle (UTV) Certification, and Pesticide Certification.

Qualifications

To qualify for this position, you must possess one of the following:
A. I have at least one year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-6 grade level in Federal Service. Specialized experience is defined as: 1) participating in the planning and conducting of plant monitoring surveys; 2) participating in the planning and conducting of fish surveys; 3) capturing, handling, and tagging or collaring wildlife; and, 4) participating in the planning and conducting of wildlife censuses and surveys. NOTE: Your resume must contain sufficient information clearly showing your performance of all of these duties. OR
B. I have successfully completed at least one year of graduate level education directly related to this position. Note: One year of full-time graduate education is considered to be the number of credit hours that the school attended has determined to represent 1 year of full-time study. If that information from the school is not provided in application, 18 semester hours is considered as satisfying the 1 year of full-time study requirement. OR
C. I have an equivalent combination of education and specialized experience as described above, that, when computed as percentages of their respective requirements, equals at least 100% when combined.

Education

PROOF OF EDUCATION: All applicants who are using education or a combination of education and experience to qualify must submit copies of official or unofficial transcripts which include grades, credit hours earned, major(s), grade point average or class ranking, institution name, and student name. If any required coursework is not easily recognizable on transcripts, or if you believe a portion of a particular course can be credited toward meeting an educational requirement, you must also provide a memorandum on letterhead from the institution's registrar, dean, or other appropriate official stating the percentage of the course that should be considered to meet the requirement and the equivalent number of units. Unofficial transcripts are acceptable; however, if you are selected for the position, you will be required to produce the original official transcripts.

PASS/FAIL COURSES: If more than 10 percent of your undergraduate course work (credit hours) were taken on a pass/fail basis, your claim of superior academic achievement must be based upon class standing or membership in an honor society.

GRADUATE EDUCATION: One academic year of graduate education is considered to be the number of credits hours your graduate school has determined to represent one academic year of full-time study. Such study may have been performed on a full-time or part-time basis. If you cannot obtain your graduate school's definition of one year of graduate study, 18 semester hours (or 27 quarter hours) should be considered as satisfying the requirement for one year of full-time graduate study.

FOREIGN EDUCATION: If you are using education completed in foreign colleges or universities to meet the qualification requirements, you must show the education credentials have been evaluated by a private organization that specializes in interpretation of foreign education. For further information, visit: http://www.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ous/international/usnei/us/edlite-visitus-forrecog.html

Additional information

Career Transition Assistance (CTAP): These programs apply to employees who have been or may be involuntarily separated (e.g. reduction in force, declining to relocate/transfer outside their local commuting area) from a Federal service position within the competitive service or Federal service employees whose positions have been deemed surplus or no longer needed. To receive selection priority for this position, you must: (1) meet CTAP or ICTAP eligibility criteria; (2) be rated well-qualified for the position with a score of 85 or above; and, (3) submit the appropriate documentation to support your CTAP or ICTAP eligibility (e.g., Certification of Expected Separation, Reduction-In-Force Separation Notice, or Notice of Proposed Removal or Removal Notice; SF-50 that documents the RIF separation action; or Removal and most recent performance appraisal.). For more information visit: https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/workforce-restructuring/employee-guide-to-career-transition/

To register or verify your registration go to the Selective Service System at https://www.sss.gov/RegVer/wfRegistration.aspx

We may use this announcement to fill additional vacancies within 90 days of 03/12/2018; OR More than one position may be filled from applications received under this announcement in the advertised office or other U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service offices in the local commuting area

Relocation expenses are not authorized for this position.

If you are unable to apply online or need to fax a document you do not have in electronic form, view the following link for information regarding an Alternate Application: 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.

Once the announcement has closed, a review of your resume and supporting documentation will be used to determine whether you meet the basic qualification requirements listed on this announcement. If you meet the basic qualifications your resume and supporting documentation will be compared against your responses to the assessment questionnaire to determine your level of experience. If, after reviewing your resume and/or supporting documentation, a determination is made that you have inflated your qualifications and/or experience which resulted in you being listed in the highest quality category, you may lose consideration, or be assigned to a lower quality category for this position. Please follow all instructions carefully when applying, errors or omissions may affect your eligibility.

Your qualifications will be evaluated on the following competencies (knowledge, skills, abilities and other characteristics):

1. Ability to collect biological and water resources data from field investigations and report findings.
2. Ability to communicate orally in order to meet and exchange information with individuals encountered in the scope of regular duties.
3. Ability to follow detailed sampling and laboratory procedures and recognize departures from established quality control and quality assurance guidelines.
4. Ability to identify species from pictures, field guides, dichotomous keys, and written descriptions, and monitors them in riparian, upland, and/or coastal habitats.
5. Ability to lead crews and facilitate a team-oriented environment
6. Knowledge of wildlife species specific to the designated survey areas sufficient to complete the field investigation and gather required data within the timeframe allotted.

All qualified candidates will be assigned to a quality category. The category assignment is a measure of the degree in which your background matches the competencies required for this position. The category ratings for this position are:

Qualified: Meets minimum qualifications established for the position, but fails to meet the benchmark definition for the Well Qualified category.
Well Qualified: Demonstrates overall competency in the knowledge, skills, and abilities of the position.
Best Qualified: Demonstrates high proficiency and comprehensive level of knowledge, skills, and abilities of the position.

The Category Rating Process does not add veterans' preference points or apply the "rule of three" but protects the rights of Veterans by placing them ahead of non-preference eligibles within each quality category. Veterans' preference eligibles who meet the basic qualification requirements and who have a compensable service-connected disability of at least 10 percent will be listed in the highest quality category (except in the case of scientific or professional positions at the GS-09 level or higher).

If you are a veteran with preference eligibility and you are claiming 5-point veterans' preference, you must attach a copy of your DD-214 showing you were honorably discharged. If you are claiming 10-point veterans' preference, you must attach an SF-15," Application for 10-Point Veterans' Preference" in addition to the proof required by that form.

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