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Biological Scientist (Environmental)

Department of the Air Force
Air Force Materiel Command
This job announcement has closed

Summary

Click on "Learn more about this agency" button below for IMPORTANT additional information.

Overview

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Reviewing applications
Open & closing dates
11/09/2020 to 11/08/2021
Salary
$43,251 to - $68,777 per year
Pay scale & grade
GS 7 - 9
Locations
Few vacancies in the following locations:
Gunter AFB, AL
Edwards AFB, CA
Los Angeles, CA
Vandenberg AFB, CA
Telework eligible
Yes—as determined by the agency policy.
Travel Required
Occasional travel - You may be expected to travel for this position.
Relocation expenses reimbursed
No
Appointment type
Permanent
Work schedule
Full-Time
Service
Competitive
Promotion potential
12
Supervisory status
No
Security clearance
Secret
Drug test
No
Position sensitivity and risk
Noncritical-Sensitive (NCS)/Moderate Risk
Trust determination process
Announcement number
K-21-DHA-10644595-07-09-JLE
Control number
583975400

This job is open to

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Clarification from the agency

This public notice is to gather applications that may or may not result in a referral or selection.

Duties

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  • Uses prescribed methods to perform specific, and limited work assignments that are normally minor phases of a broader assignment of a higher-grade professional (e.g., engineer, biologist, or physical scientist).
  • Assists in coordinating projects with engineers, biological scientists, physical scientists, and community planners.
  • Complies with health, safety, and environmental rules and procedures and performs work in a manner that enhances the safety of the work environment.

Requirements

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Conditions of employment

  • Please read this Public Notice in its entirety prior to submitting your application for consideration.
  • U.S. Citizenship is required
  • Males must be registered for Selective Service, see www.sss.gov
  • Total salary varies depending on location of position
  • PCS expenses if authorized will be paid IAW JTR and Air Force Regulations
  • Recruitment incentives may be authorized
  • Position may be subject to random drug testing
  • A security clearance may be required
  • Disclosure of Political Appointments
  • Mobility-you may be required to relocate during or after completion of your training.
  • You will be required to serve a two year probationary period
  • Successful completion of all training and regulatory requirements as identified in the applicable training plan
  • Must meet suitability for Federal employment

Qualifications

Basic Requirements:

1. Degree: Biological sciences, agriculture, natural resources management, chemistry, or related disciplines appropriate to the position
OR
2. Combination of education and experience: Courses equivalent to a major, as shown in A above, plus appropriate experience or additional education.
To qualify for a GS-07: Completion of 1 full year of graduate level education, or bachelor's degree with Superior academic Achievement as provided in the "General Policies and Instructions" for Qualifications Standards Operating Manual, or 5 academic years of pre-professional study, or 1 year specialized experience equivalent to at least GS-5.

To qualify for a GS-09: Master's or equivalent graduate degree, or 2 full years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to such a degree, or LL.B or J.D., if related.

Experience refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service Programs (i.e., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizations (e.g., professional; philanthropic; religious; spiritual; community; student and social). Volunteer work helps build critical competencies, knowledge and skills that can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience.


SPECIALIZED EXPERIENCE: Applicants must have at least one (1) year of specialized experience at the next lower grade GS-05/07, or equivalent in other pay systems. Examples of specialized experience includes knowledge of the biological sciences (environmental) concepts and principles and standard practices, methods, and techniques to perform, following specific instructions, routine projects or minor phases of a larger and more complex project.

To view qualifying educational requirements and/or combination of education and specialized experience, click on the following link:http://www.opm.gov/qualifications/standards/indexes/num-ndx.asp

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES (KSAs): Your qualifications will be evaluated on the basis of your level of knowledge, skills, abilities and/or competencies in the following areas:

1. Professional knowledge of the biological sciences (environmental) concepts and principles and standard practices, methods, and techniques to perform, following specific instructions, routine projects or minor phases of a larger and more complex project.
2. Knowledge to study environmental problems requiring investigation of unsanitary or questionable conditions in assigned projects (See Environmental Program Checklist).
3. Basic knowledge of applicable Federal, State, and local laws, regulations, and other guidance to make recommendations concerning assigned restoration, compliance, conservation, pollution prevention, and/or integration principles and practices.
4. Ability to search technical reports, manufacturers' catalogs, and other guidelines to obtain information.
5. Ability to work cooperatively as a team member in the design of environmental systems.
6. Ability to communicate effectively, both orally and in writing, clearly, concisely, and with technical accuracy.


PART-TIME OR UNPAID EXPERIENCE: Credit will be given for appropriate unpaid and or part-time work. You must clearly identify the duties and responsibilities in each position held and the total number of hours per week.

VOLUNTEER WORK EXPERIENCE: Refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service Programs (i.e., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizations (e.g., professional; philanthropic; religious; spiritual; community; student and social). Volunteer work helps build critical competencies, knowledge and skills that can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience.

Education

IF USING EDUCATION TO QUALIFY: You MUST provide transcripts to support your educational claims. Education must be accredited by an accrediting institution recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.

You must have completed a 4 year course of study leading to a bachelor's from an accredited institution AND must have documented Superior Academic Achievement (SAA) at the undergraduate level in one of the following:

a) Class Standing - upper third of the graduating class based on completed courses in the college, university, or major subdivision;

b) Grade Point Average - 2.95 or higher out of a possible 4.0 as recorded on your official transcript or as computed based on 4 years of education or as computed based on courses completed during the final 2 years of curriculum; OR 3.45 or higher out of a possible 4.0 based on the average of the required courses completed in your major field or the required courses in your major field completed during the final 2 years of your curriculum. If more than 10 percent of total undergraduate credit hours are non-graded, i.e. pass/fail, CLEP, CCAF, DANTES, military credit, etc, you cannot qualify based on GPA;

c) Election to membership in a national scholastic honor society (note: freshman honor society cannot be used to meet the requirements of this position). (If qualifying based on class standing or honor society membership, provide appropriate documentation).

PLEASE SUBMIT COPIES OF ALL TRANSCRIPTS TO INCLUDE TRANSFERRED HOURS - OFFICIAL COPIES ARE NOT REQUIRED AT TIME OF APPLICATION. IF SELECTED, YOU WILL BE REQUIRED TO PROVIDE OFFICIAL COPIES OF ALL TRANSCRIPTS. ***NOTE*** Degree Audits are not accepted.


FOREIGN EDUCATION: Education completed in foreign colleges or universities may be used to meet the requirements. You must show proof the education credentials have been deemed to be at least equivalent to that gained in conventional U.S. education program. It is your responsibility to provide such evidence when applying.

Additional information

For Direct Hire (DHA) Positions:
This is a Direct Hire Public Notice, under this recruitment procedure applications will be accepted for each location/ installation identified in this Public Notice and selections are made for vacancies as they occur. There may or may not be actual/projected vacancies at the time you submit your application.

Employed Annuitants (Reemployed Annuitants): Applicants in receipt of an annuity based on civilian employment in the Federal Service are subject to the DoD Policy on The Employment of Annuitants. Click here for more information.

Selective Service: Males born after 12-31-59 must be registered or exempt from Selective Service. For additional information, click here.

Direct Deposit: All federal employees are required to have direct deposit.

If you have questions regarding this announcement and have hearing or speech difficulties click here.

Tax Law Impact for PCS:
On 22-Dec-2017, Public Law 115-97 - the "Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017" suspended qualified moving expense deductions along with the exclusion for employer reimbursements and payments of moving expenses effective 01-Jan-2018 for tax years 2018 through 2025. The law made taxable certain reimbursements and other payments, including driving mileage, airfare and lodging expenses, en-route travel to the new duty station, and temporary storage of those items. The Federal Travel Regulation Bulletin (FTR) 18-05 issued by General Services Administration (GSA) has authorized agencies to use the Withholding Tax Allowance (WTA) and Relocation Income Tax Allowance (RITA) to pay for "substantially all" of the increased tax liability resulting from the "2018 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act" for certain eligible individuals. For additional information on WTA/RITA allowances and eligibilities please click here. Subsequently, FTR Bulletin 20-04 issued by GSA, provides further information regarding NDAA FY2020, Public Law 116-92, and the expansion of eligibility beyond "transferred" for WTA/RITA allowances. For additional information, please click here.

How you will be evaluated

You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.

Your latest resume will be used to determine your qualifications.

Your application package (resume, supporting documents, and responses to the questionnaire) will be used to determine your eligibility, qualifications, and quality ranking for this position. Please follow all instructions carefully. Errors or omissions may affect your rating or consideration for employment.

Your responses to the questionnaire may be compared to the documents you submit. The documents you submit must support your responses to the online questionnaire. If your application contradicts or does not support your questionnaire responses, you will receive a rating of "not qualified" or "insufficient information" and you will not receive further consideration for this job.

Applicants who disqualify themselves will not be evaluated further.

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