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Biological Science Techncian

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

Summary

As a Biological Science Techncian you will be responsible to accurately identify and delineate wetland basins.

This is a Term appointment, not-to-exceed 13 months, which can be extended for a total appointment of 4 years without further competition.

Overview

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Hiring complete
Open & closing dates
04/17/2018 to 04/30/2018
Salary
$41,365 to - $53,773 per year
Pay scale & grade
GS 7
Locations
12 vacancies in the following locations:
Bismarck, ND
Coleharbor, ND
Crosby, ND
Devils Lake, ND
Travel Required
Occasional travel - You may be expected to travel for this position for field work and training, as needed.
Relocation expenses reimbursed
No
Appointment type
Term - 13 months
Work schedule
Full-Time
Service
Promotion potential
7
Supervisory status
No
Announcement number
10172177-RF-18-002-AI
Control number
497004400

This job is open to

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Clarification from the agency

U.S. Citizens, CTAP/ICTAP

Duties

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  • Conduct surveillance to detect and/or map wetland basin boundaries with an emphasis on Geographic Information System (GIS) and Global Positioning System (GPS) technology.
  • Develop and maintain GIS databases; develop maps, graphs, charts and/or illustrations for biological documents, reports and technical publications using GIS and other computer software.
  • Assist with planning various biological censuses and surveys by contributing ideas, determining or establishing GIS data collection methods and standards, or establish practical procedures for accomplish and report the GIS data.

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
  • Suitability for employment, as determined by background investigation
  • May be required to successfully complete a trial period
  • Wearing of official uniform
  • Must have and maintain a valid driver's license

Qualifications

Only experience and education obtained by

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS: Applicants must meet A, B or C to qualify:

A. I possess at least one year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-6 grade level in the Federal service. Specialized experience includes having performed the following duties: Conducting surveys of wildlife habitat conditions and making recommendations for habitat improvement; assisting in the development of management plans; monitoring and assisting in control of wildlife and plant disease outbreaks, pest plant and wildlife control.

B. I have completed at least 1 year (18 semester hours or equivalent) of graduate level education in a field directly related to this position.

C. I have a combination of specialized experience and graduate education (both as described above) that, when computed as percentages of their respective requirements, equals at least 100% when combined. Only graduate education beyond the 1st 9 semesters (or equivalent) is creditable using this method.

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.

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.

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

Housing Information:
Pingree, North Dakota - housing available
Crosby, North Dakota - housing available in station bunkhouse

FWS has determined that the duties of this position are suitable for telework only during an emergency or natural disaster.

We may use this announcement to fill additional vacancies within 90 days of 04/30/2018.

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):

  • KNOWLEDGE OF METHODS AND PROCEDURES FOR BIOLOGICAL DATA COLLECTION, RECORDING, AND ASSEMBLAGE.
  • ABILITY TO USE COMPUTER TECHNOLOGY TO MAINTAIN AND RETRIEVE INFORMATION FROM AUTOMATED DATA SYSTEMS.
  • PRINCIPLES, PRACTICES, AND TECHNOLOGY RELATED TO FISH, WILDLIFE, AND/OR PLANT BIOLOGY.

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.
  • Highly 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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