Biology Technicians (Plants) make observations and record data relating to plant studies; documents occurrence and distribution of identified species; inventory rare and endangered species habitat; participate in environmental studies documenting factors affecting plant species and habitat; they lead or conduct field searches for populations of sensitive, threatened or endangered plant species; photograph, collect and mount plant specimens encountered at different stages of development; collect ecological site information for population distribution, condition, trend, associated species, geology, soil type and prepare reports. Work is performed in an outdoor environment that ranges from very cold and wet to very hot and dry. This work may require physical exertion over very steep, wet, muddy, slippery, rough, uneven or rocky surfaces; and also may include bending, crouching, stooping, stretching, reaching, and similar activities.
Physical Demands / Work Environment: Work requires some physical exertion such as bending and walking in terrain that is rough, rocky, mountainous and densely vegetated. Required to lift and carry equipment necessary to efficiently perform the work of the position, and to provide for personal comfort and safety. This can include tools, personal protective equipment, food and water for extended periods of work away from vehicles.
Salary: Salary shown is taken from the Rest of the U.S. pay table, step 1. You may view the OPM salary tables, with the various locality rates, at 2020 General Schedule (GS) Locality Pay Tables.
If selected from this or a similar competitive, seasonal announcement, your appointment may be creditable for consideration under PL-114-47, Land Management Workforce Flexibility Act (LMWFA). The Act allows certain individuals, who have or had time-limited appointments at land management agencies, to compete for any permanent position in the competitive service under “internal” merit promotion procedures. For more information, see the section under Eligibility, which starts with Question #26 (Q26. Who is eligible for appointment under these provisions?).
All positions may not be filled or they may be filled at different times depending on budget, hiring needs, and requirements. These positions are temporary and are expected to last for approximately 6 months. These positions have no promotion potential, if you want to be considered for a higher grade you must apply for the higher grade.
Read the "How to Apply" and "Required Documents" Sections
You cannot hold an active real estate license; nor can
you have an interest or hold stocks in firms with interest in Federal Land
Security Clearance/Background Investigation is required.
You must meet all qualification requirements by the closing date of the announcement. Your resume must contain enough information to show that you meet the specialized experience as defined in the announcement or vacancy questions. In addition, your responses to the questions must be adequately reflected in your resume.
Qualifications
In order to be rated as qualified for this position, we must be able to determine that you meet the one year of specialized experience requirement - please be sure to include this information in your resume.
GS-4: 6 months of general experience and 6 months of specialized experience. Examples of general experience may include working in any professional, technical, or other responsible field that provided you with a familiarity of native plants in their natural habitat or techniques of collecting scientific data. Examples of specialized experience may include following specific instructions to check extensive data relating to the survey/study area; collecting samples; or observing and recording specific information (i.e., vegetative cover, water quality samples, flora or fauna). -OR- Successful completion of 2 years of study that included at least 12 semester hours in any combination of scientific or technical courses 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 the position to be filled. -OR- A combination of experience and education to meet total experience.
GS-5: One year of specialized experience equivalent to at least GS-4 level. Examples of specialized experience may include inventorying rare and endangered species habitat based on guidelines; taking soil samples by layer; and taking root samples. -OR- Successful completion of a full 4-year course of study leading to a bachelor's degree with major study or at least 24 semester in any combination of scientific or technical courses such as biology, chemistry, statistics, entomology, animal husbandry, botany, physics, agriculture, or mathematics. At least 6 semester hours of courses must have been directly related to the position to be filled. -OR- A combination of experience and education to meet total experience.
GS-6: One year of specialized experience equivalent to GS-5 level. Examples of specialized experience may include surveying, mapping and documenting a variety of wildlife species and habitat conditions; compiling occurrence and distribution data, cover maps, and herbarium study mounts; assisting in performing fisheries studies and in constructing fish habitat improvement structures; and compiling data obtained through soil inventory and assembling data into a logical sequence for review. -OR- Successful completion of one full year of graduate study directly related to the work of the position. -OR- A combination of experience and education to meet total 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.
Additional information
Selective Service: Male applicants born after December 31, 1959, must certify that they have registered with the Selective Service System, or are exempt from having to do so under the Selective Service Law. To register or verify your registration go to the Selective Service System website.
Travel and relocation expenses will not be paid by the Department of the Interior. Any travel, transportation and relocation expenses associated with reporting for duty in this position will be the responsibility of the selected employee.
Career Transition Assistance Plan (CTAP)/Interagency Career Transition Assistance Program (ICTAP): CTAP provides eligible surplus and displaced Federal competitive service employees with selection priority over other candidates for competitive service vacancies. Information about CTAP/ICTAP eligibility is available from OPM's Career Transition Resources website at CTAP or ICTAP. If your agency has notified you in writing that you are a surplus or displaced employee eligible for CTAP consideration or that you are a displaced employee eligible for ICTAP consideration, you may receive selection priority if: 1) This vacancy is within your CTAP/ICTAP eligibility; 2) You apply under the instructions in this announcement; and 3) You are found well qualified for this vacancy. You must provide proof of eligibility with your application to receive selection priority. Such proof may include a copy of your written notification of CTAP/ICTAP eligibility, or a copy of your separation personnel action form. CTAP and ICTAP eligibles will be considered well qualified if they fall within the Well or Best Qualified categories on the rating criteria for this position.
Reemployment Priority List (RPL): The RPL is the mechanism agencies use to give reemployment consideration to their former competitive service employees separated by a RIF or who have fully recovered from a compensable injury after more than one year. If you are currently on a Reemployment Priority List, you may be given priority consideration.
If tentatively selected for this position you will be required to complete and submit a OF-306 Declaration for Federal Employment prior to being appointed to determine your suitability for Federal employment and to authorize a background investigation. In addition, you may be subject to completion of a favorable background investigation. Failure to satisfy the preliminary background check will result in cancellation of the tentative job offer. Failure to satisfy the full investigation requirements may be grounds for termination, once you are placed in the position.
Minimum Age Requirement: Employees required to operate a motor vehicle must be at least 18; otherwise, you must be at least 16 at the time you report for work.
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.
Temporary seasonal employees are eligible for the following:
-Annual and Sick Leave
-Depending on tour of duty – Sunday, holiday, shift differential
-Paid Federal Holidays
-Participation in the Federal Employees Health Benefit (FEHB) program - Employees electing to participate in the FEHB will be responsible for the employee share of the premium while on the official agency roles, which is deducted from bi-weekly earnings. After separating from federal employment, employees will be offered to continue participation in FEHB under the Temporary Continuation of Coverage (TCC) option. Employees electing to continue coverage under the TCC provision will be responsible for the full premium amount plus a 2% administration fee.
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 application will be made to ensure you meet the basic qualification requirements. Your rating will be based on your responses to the Job Specific Questionnaire and the information stated in your resume. If you meet the qualification requirements, your application will be placed in one of three categories: Best Qualified, Well Qualified, or Qualified. Within these categories, applicants eligible for veteran's preference will receive selection priority over non-veterans. In addition, interviews may be conducted for this position. The interviews may be conducted on a pass/fail basis or may be scored. The job specific questions relate to the following knowledge, skills and abilities required to do the work of this position.
GS-04/05/06
Knowledge of technical methods, and procedures of botany management to plan and accomplish a variety of botany projects.
Knowledge of and skill in applying the basic theories and practices of botany to resolve botany related issues.
Knowledge of computer capabilities sufficient to produce reports with graphics; produce simple maps; develop spreadsheets; and enter, retrieve and manipulate data.
Skilled at reading maps and using GPS equipment to determine locations.
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.
Temporary seasonal employees are eligible for the following:
-Annual and Sick Leave
-Depending on tour of duty – Sunday, holiday, shift differential
-Paid Federal Holidays
-Participation in the Federal Employees Health Benefit (FEHB) program - Employees electing to participate in the FEHB will be responsible for the employee share of the premium while on the official agency roles, which is deducted from bi-weekly earnings. After separating from federal employment, employees will be offered to continue participation in FEHB under the Temporary Continuation of Coverage (TCC) option. Employees electing to continue coverage under the TCC provision will be responsible for the full premium amount plus a 2% administration fee.
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.
Resumes must show relevant experience and other information. Your resume must list your education and work experience including the dates (mm/dd/yy) of each employment along with the number of hours worked per week and salary information. Your resume will be used to validate your responses to the assessment tool(s). You are welcome to submit a cover letter (optional).
In addition to the online application (resume and responses to the questionnaire), you may be required to submit the following forms as applicable. Failure to provide the applicable required documents may result in no further consideration for this vacancy:
If you are claiming Veterans Preference, you should indicate the level of Veterans' Preference you are claiming on your resume. If you are claiming 0-point Sole Survivorship Veterans’ Preference (SSP), please provide the documentation you received granting this preference. If you are claiming 5-point Veterans’ Preference, you must submit a copy of your DD-214, Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty, confirming dates spent on active duty and your character of military service. If you are claiming 10-point Veterans' Preference, in addition to your DD-214, you must submit documentation that supports your claim (e.g., an official statement from the Department of Veterans Affairs or from a branch of the Armed Forces certifying the existence of a service-connected disability; or receipt of a Purple Heart). Missing documentation may result in a change or removal of your claim for Veteran’s preference. Additional information on Veterans' Preference can be found in the VetGuide. If you are currently on active military duty, you must provide certification from your command that you are expected to be discharged or released from active duty service in the armed forces under honorable conditions not later than 120 days after the date your application is submitted. Additional information regarding Veterans Preference or active duty military can be found here.
College Transcripts: If you are qualifying based on education or a combination of education and experience, you must submit a copy of your college transcripts or a list of college courses that include hours and grades. All qualifying education must have been obtained in an accredited college or university recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. You can verify accreditation at http://www.ed.gov/admins/finaid/accred/index.html. Unofficial transcripts are acceptable at the time of application. If you are selected, official transcripts will be required prior to appointment date. If your degree is from a Foreign Institution See Foreign Education
Career Transition Assistance Program (CTAP) or Interagency Career Transition Assistance Program (ICTAP) eligibles: documentation verifying your CTAP/ICTAP eligibility - this includes a copy of the agency notice and your most recent SF-50 noting current position, grade level and duty location.
You may submit your documents either via Auto-Requested Fax or by uploading your documents from your USAJOBS Profile. Do not use both options. Auto-Requested Fax: allows you to submit required documentation that will be electronically displayed along with your resume. Uploading Documents: instead of faxing your documents you may use the uploading procedures thru Applicant Manager. Hard copy paper supplemental documents, submitted without prior Human Resources approval, will be considered as an incomplete application. Required documentation must be submitted by 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time, on the early consideration / closing date of this announcement.
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 receive consideration for this position, you must provide a complete Application Package, which includes ALL of the following items: 1.your responses to the Assessment Questionnaire; 2. your resume; and 3. applicable supporting documents specified in the Required Documents section of this job announcement.
Click on the button "Apply to this Vacancy" at the bottom of this Screen and login to MY USAJOBS. If you haven't already registered with USAJOBS, select the “Create a new account” link. You will be required to create a user name and password, complete a questionnaire and upload, paste or type a resume into USAJOBS. If you have already registered with USAJOBS and forgot your login information, select the Forgot your username or password? link.
Your application package must be submitted by 11:59 PM Eastern Time by the closing date of this announcement.
If applying on-line poses a hardship for you (i.e. you do not have access to the internet) you must contact us priorto the closing date of the announcement for an alternative method of applying.
Resumes must show relevant experience and other information. Your resume must list your education and work experience including the dates (mm/dd/yy) of each employment along with the number of hours worked per week and salary information. Your resume will be used to validate your responses to the assessment tool(s). You are welcome to submit a cover letter (optional).
In addition to the online application (resume and responses to the questionnaire), you may be required to submit the following forms as applicable. Failure to provide the applicable required documents may result in no further consideration for this vacancy:
If you are claiming Veterans Preference, you should indicate the level of Veterans' Preference you are claiming on your resume. If you are claiming 0-point Sole Survivorship Veterans’ Preference (SSP), please provide the documentation you received granting this preference. If you are claiming 5-point Veterans’ Preference, you must submit a copy of your DD-214, Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty, confirming dates spent on active duty and your character of military service. If you are claiming 10-point Veterans' Preference, in addition to your DD-214, you must submit documentation that supports your claim (e.g., an official statement from the Department of Veterans Affairs or from a branch of the Armed Forces certifying the existence of a service-connected disability; or receipt of a Purple Heart). Missing documentation may result in a change or removal of your claim for Veteran’s preference. Additional information on Veterans' Preference can be found in the VetGuide. If you are currently on active military duty, you must provide certification from your command that you are expected to be discharged or released from active duty service in the armed forces under honorable conditions not later than 120 days after the date your application is submitted. Additional information regarding Veterans Preference or active duty military can be found here.
College Transcripts: If you are qualifying based on education or a combination of education and experience, you must submit a copy of your college transcripts or a list of college courses that include hours and grades. All qualifying education must have been obtained in an accredited college or university recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. You can verify accreditation at http://www.ed.gov/admins/finaid/accred/index.html. Unofficial transcripts are acceptable at the time of application. If you are selected, official transcripts will be required prior to appointment date. If your degree is from a Foreign Institution See Foreign Education
Career Transition Assistance Program (CTAP) or Interagency Career Transition Assistance Program (ICTAP) eligibles: documentation verifying your CTAP/ICTAP eligibility - this includes a copy of the agency notice and your most recent SF-50 noting current position, grade level and duty location.
You may submit your documents either via Auto-Requested Fax or by uploading your documents from your USAJOBS Profile. Do not use both options. Auto-Requested Fax: allows you to submit required documentation that will be electronically displayed along with your resume. Uploading Documents: instead of faxing your documents you may use the uploading procedures thru Applicant Manager. Hard copy paper supplemental documents, submitted without prior Human Resources approval, will be considered as an incomplete application. Required documentation must be submitted by 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time, on the early consideration / closing date of this announcement.
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 receive consideration for this position, you must provide a complete Application Package, which includes ALL of the following items: 1.your responses to the Assessment Questionnaire; 2. your resume; and 3. applicable supporting documents specified in the Required Documents section of this job announcement.
Click on the button "Apply to this Vacancy" at the bottom of this Screen and login to MY USAJOBS. If you haven't already registered with USAJOBS, select the “Create a new account” link. You will be required to create a user name and password, complete a questionnaire and upload, paste or type a resume into USAJOBS. If you have already registered with USAJOBS and forgot your login information, select the Forgot your username or password? link.
Your application package must be submitted by 11:59 PM Eastern Time by the closing date of this announcement.
If applying on-line poses a hardship for you (i.e. you do not have access to the internet) you must contact us priorto the closing date of the announcement for an alternative method of applying.
