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Biological Science Tech (Wildlife)

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

Summary

This position is a Biological Science Tech (Wildlife), GS- 0404-7 working in Kilauea, Hawaii for the R1-Kauai National Wildlife Refuge Complex.

This is a term position expected to last 13 months but may be extended up to a total of 4 years.

Overview

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Hiring complete
Open & closing dates
02/22/2021 to 03/01/2021
Salary
$45,043 to - $58,558 per year
Pay scale & grade
GS 7
Location
Kilauea, HI
1 vacancy
Telework eligible
Yes—as determined by the agency policy.
Travel Required
25% or less - You may be expected to travel for this position.
Relocation expenses reimbursed
No
Appointment type
Term - 13 Months
Work schedule
Full-Time
Service
Competitive
Promotion potential
None
Supervisory status
No
Security clearance
Not Required
Drug test
No
Position sensitivity and risk
Non-sensitive (NS)/Low Risk
Trust determination process
Announcement number
R1-21-11037590-AF-DE
Control number
592843600

Duties

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As a Biological Science Tech (Wildlife) your duties will include, but are not limited to, the following:

  • Assists in the planning and implementation of wildlife censuses and surveys and recommends wildlife management practices. Assists in planning multifaceted wildlife studies by contributing ideas, determining research methods, establishing practical procedures for accomplishing and reporting the work and determining other needs, such as costs, equipment and personnel.
  • Monitors and assists in control of wildlife, plant disease outbreaks, pest plant control, mowing/seeding activities and vegetation removal.
  • Assist in monitoring and controlling invasive plants and animals and disease outbreaks (such as herbicide treatments, trapping, hunting, habitat modifications, and integrated pest management ) and making science-based recommendations for adaptive management.
  • Captures, applies visual and radio tags, and gathers physiological and spatial data on wildlife.
  • Monitors elements of the physical environment, such as temperature, precipitation, stream flow, snow depth, wind speed, and humidity.
  • Develops databases and analyzes data using standard statistical methods and procedures in preparation of wildlife reports. Enters and retrieves data from the Geographic Information System and/or other information management systems. Develops graphs, charts and illustrations for reports and technical publications using computer software, such as Microsoft PowerPoint and Harvard graphics.
  • Operates farm tractors, light trucks, vehicles, small water craft and various other equipment such as generators, radios, radio tracking equipment, water monitoring equipment, global positioning systems and cameras.
  • Provides work direction and guidance to biological technicians and volunteers and YCC enrollees, including safe handling of tools and operation of motorized vehicles and water craft.
  • Attends meetings with landowners, sports groups and local units of government.

Requirements

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Conditions of employment

  • Must be a U.S. Citizen or National.
  • Individuals assigned male at birth after 12-31-59 must be registered for Selective Service. To verify registration visit SSS.gov.
  • Resume and supporting documents (See How to Apply).
  • Suitability for employment, as determined by background investigation
  • Uniform: Official U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service uniform is required.
  • Must possess a valid State driver's license.

Qualifications

Only experience and education obtained by 03/01/2021 will be considered.

In order to qualify for this position you must possess the Minimum Qualifications.

Minimum Qualification GS-07

  1. One year of specialized experience comparable in scope and responsibility equivalent to grade GS-06 in the Federal service. Experience may include basic and applied habitat restoration techniques of wetland habitats for the benefit of various species; experience in the practices/techniques and terminology related to wildlife management and habitats; capturing, handling and monitoring a variety of species; knowledge and experience working with laws and regulations, as well as policies pertaining to the protection of a variety of federally listed species and their habitat; using computer technology to maintain and retrieve information from automated data systems, and statistical software programs in order to develop reports; working with and leading volunteers; ability to effectively communicate orally. OR
  2. One full year of graduate level education (18 semester hours) in a discipline that is directly related to this position (I understand that I must submit a copy of all my transcript(s) to support my education. Areas of study may include courses such as biology, chemistry, statistics, entomology, animal husbandry, botany, physics, agriculture, or mathematics. OR
  3. A combination of education and experience as described in 1 and 2 above which together equals 100% of the requirement
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.

Career Transition Assistance Plan (CTAP) or Interagency Career Transition Assistance Plan (ICTAP):Department of Interior (DOI) Career Transition Assistance Plan (CTAP) procedures apply in filling this vacancy. CTAP/ICTAP provides placement assistance to permanent Federal employees who are surplus, displaced, or involuntarily separated. Applicants claiming CTAP/ICTAP eligibility must submit a copy of their most recent performance appraisal, proof of eligibility, and most current SF-50 noting position, grade level, and duty location with their application. To be considered under CTAP/ICTAP, applicants must be well-qualified (i.e., meet the minimum qualification requirements, including any selective placement factors; education, and experience requirements), score at least 85 on the assessment questionnaire, and be able to perform the duties of the position upon entry.
For information on CTAP and ICTAP visit https://www.usajobs.gov/Help/working-in-government/unique-hiring-paths/federal-employees/career-transition/

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

Reasonable Accommodation Requests: If you believe you have a disability (i.e., physical or mental), covered by the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 as amended and Americans with Disabilities Act 1990 as amended, that would interfere with completing the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments, you will be granted the opportunity to request a reasonable accommodation in your online application. Requests for Reasonable Accommodations for the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments and appropriate supporting documentation for Reasonable Accommodation must be received prior to starting the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments. Decisions on requests for Reasonable Accommodations are made on a case-by-case basis. If you meet the minimum qualifications of the position, after notification of the adjudication of your request, you will receive an email invitation to complete the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments. You must complete all assessments within 48 hours of receiving the URL to access the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments, if you received the link after the close of the announcement. To determine if you need a Reasonable Accommodation, please review the Procedures for Requesting a Reasonable Accommodation for Online Assessments here:
https://help.usastaffing.gov/Apply/index.php?title=Reasonable_Accommodations_for_USA_Hire

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

Telework:
This position is suitable for telework and may be allowed to telework with supervisory approval.

Additional Vacancies: One or more positions may be filled from applications received under this announcement in the advertised office or other U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service offices in the local commuting area.

Appointment length: This is a term position expected to last 13 months but may be extended up to a total of 4 years.

Pay Chart: http://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/pay-leave/salaries-wages/salary-tables/pdf/2021/HI.pdf
Kilauea, HI Only: If you accept a position for Kilauea you will receive an additional Cost-Of-Living-Allowance Rate of 10.28% added to your salary.

The cost of living on Kaua'i is very high as it is one of the more expensive and remote of the Hawaiian islands. While there is COLA provided, it does not necessarily offset the cost of living. Please consider these facts before applying to this position.

Notification to Applicants: Applicants who apply under this job opportunity announcement agree to have their application, associated documents and applicable personal information shared with other Bureaus/Offices within the Department of the Interior (DOI) who have vacancies within the same occupational series, grade, full performance level and in the same geographic location(s), including within the same metro/commuting area. Applying to this announcement does not replace the need to apply to other job opportunity announcements for which you wish to receive consideration.

How you will be evaluated

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

In order to be considered for this position, you must complete all required steps in the process. In addition to the application and application questionnaire, this position requires an online assessment. The online assessment measures critical general competencies required to perform the job.

Overstating your qualifications and/or experience in your application materials or application questionnaire may result in your removal from consideration. Cheating on the online assessment may also result in your removal from consideration. Please follow all instructions carefully when applying, errors or omissions may affect your eligibility.

You will be evaluated based on how well you meet the qualifications listed in this vacancy announcement. Your qualifications will be evaluated based on your application materials (e.g., resume, supporting documents), the responses you provide on the application questionnaire, and the result of the online assessments required for this position. You will be assessed on the following competencies (knowledge, skills, abilities, and other characteristics):
Attention to Detail
Flexibility
Integrity/Honesty
Interpersonal Skills
Learning

Reading
Self-Management
Teamwork

Technical KSAs (knowledge, skills, abilities):
Technical knowledge of the principles, practices and terminology related to wildlife biology, wildlife management and related disciplines.
Ability to use geographic information system (GIS), aerial photography, survey techniques, and global positioning system.
Ability to use computer, automated data systems, and statistical software programs to retrieve information and develop reports.
Ability to use small water craft, cars, trucks and farm tractors.

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: Best Qualified, Well Qualified, and Qualified.

The category rating process protects the rights of veterans by placing them ahead of non-preference eligibles within each quality category. Veterans' preference eligibles who meet the 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).

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