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Natural Resources Specialist (Park Ranger)

Department of the Army
U.S. Army Corps of Engineers
Omaha District - Operations Division - Gavins Point Project
This job announcement has closed

Summary

This is a Direct Hire Authority (DHA) solicitation utilizing the DHA for Certain Personnel of the DoD Workforce to recruit and appoint qualified candidates to positions in the competitive service.

About the Position: This position is located at the Gavins Point Project Office. Gavins Point Dam and Lewis and Clark Lake, located on the Missouri River five miles upstream of Yankton, South Dakota, has grown into one of the most popular recreation areas in the upper Midwest.

Overview

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Hiring complete
Open & closing dates
02/03/2023 to 02/17/2023
Salary
$37,696 to - $74,250 per year
Pay scale & grade
GS 5 - 9
Locations
1 vacancy in the following locations:
Saint Helena, NE
Yankton, SD
Remote job
No
Telework eligible
No
Travel Required
Occasional travel - You may be expected to travel for this position up to 10%.
Relocation expenses reimbursed
Yes—Permanent Change of Station (PCS) costs may be paid if the selecting official determines it to be in best interest of the government.
Appointment type
Permanent
Work schedule
Full-time
Service
Competitive
Promotion potential
9
Supervisory status
No
Security clearance
Not Required
Drug test
No
Position sensitivity and risk
Non-sensitive (NS)/Low Risk
Trust determination process
Announcement number
WTHI231344820225HW
Control number
704439900

Duties

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  • This is a developmental position description to the target level assignment of GS-09
  • Serves as a natural resource management staff specialist for a major water resource project(s).
  • Perform a variety of assignments involving all aspects of project operations including natural resources, recreation and dam safety.
  • Participate in the development of various planning documents including Master Plans and Operational Management Plans (OMP), for management of natural resources.
  • Coordinate planning and execution of recreation and park administration, shoreline management and stabilization, forestry, fisheries and wildlife, soil conservation, historic property protection, public education, assist visitor, and public safety.
  • Assist in preparation of annual Operations and Maintenance budgets for assigned programs; applies financial management systems, and related electronic programs and business functions.
  • Assist in maintaining the project Geographic Information System (GIS).
  • Participates in conservation, preservation, restoration and use of project natural and cultural resources.
  • Develops and administers the out lease program designed to protect and further enhance fish, wildlife, vegetative and water resources.
  • Assist in developing plans for facility improvements which are consistent with current and future demands.
  • Develop contract specifications and assist in administration of contracts for mowing, trash removal, facility cleanup, gate attendants, vegetative management, law enforcement and other contracts necessary for operation and management of the project.
  • Educate the visiting public on project purposes, conditions, policies and regulations.

Requirements

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Conditions of employment

  • Appointment may be subject to a suitability or fitness determination, as determined by a completed background investigation.
  • Prescribed uniform must be worn IAW standards and policy.
  • May be required to work uncommon tours of duty such as weekends and holidays.
  • Must be able to maintain required Corps of Engineers certification for operation of the motorboat
  • Must be able to maintain Driver's license
  • Must be able to obtain Pesticide Applicator License within 12 months in the position.
  • This position requires the completion of a pre-employment Physical Examination and an annual examination thereafter to ensure the continued, required level of physical health and ability or fitness to perform the duties of the position.

Qualifications

Who May Apply: US Citizens

In order to qualify, you must meet the education and experience requirements described below. 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). You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience. Your resume must clearly describe your relevant experience; if qualifying based on education, your transcripts will be required as part of your application. Additional information about transcripts is in this document.

Basic Requirement for Natural Resource Specialist (Park Ranger):

A. Degree: Bachelor's degree (or higher degree) in biological sciences, agriculture, natural resource management, chemistry, or related disciplines appropriate to the position.

OR

B. Combination of Education and Experience: Courses equivalent to a major, as shown in A above, plus appropriate experience or additional education.

In addition to meeting the basic requirement above, to qualify for this position you must also meet the qualification requirements listed below:

GS-05:

Specialized Experience: One year of specialized experience which includes developing and conducting interpretative talks and guided tours, patrolling land and water areas for safety and maintenance purposes, explaining park projects rules and regulations, answering visitor questions and providing information on park activities and cultural, historical, and/or natural resources history and locations.. This definition of specialized experience is typical of work performed at the second lower grade/level position in the federal service (GS-04).

OR

Education: bachelor's degree or I have completed 4 years of study above high school leading to a bachelor's degree with 24 semester hours of course work directly related to the occupation. For example: Natural resource management, natural sciences, earth sciences, history, archeology, anthropology, park and recreation management, law enforcement/police science, social sciences, museum sciences, business administration, public administration, behavioral sciences, sociology, or other closely related subjects pertinent to the management and protection of natural and cultural resources.

OR

Combination of education and experience - courses equivalent to a major in biological science (i.e., at least 30 semester hours), of which a minimum of 6 semester hours were in aquatic subjects and 12 semester hours were in biological sciences as shown in B above, PLUS appropriate experience or additional education. I have computed the percentage of the requirements that I meet, and the total is at least 100% (To compute the percentage, divide your total months of qualifying experience by 12. Then divide your semester hours of education by 60. Add the two percentages. The total percentage must equal at least 100 percent to qualify.)

GS-07:

Specialized Experience: One year of specialized experience which includes assisting with the development of plans and schedules for park employees, assisting with creating guides, manuals and training materials, performing park management functions associated with park safety and security, developing and maintaining park programs. This definition of specialized experience is typical of work performed at the second lower grade/level position in the federal service (GS-05).

OR

Education: One full year of graduate level education in a field which demonstrates the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to do the work of the position, such as: Natural resource management, natural sciences, earth sciences, history, archeology, anthropology, park and recreation management, law enforcement/police science, social sciences, museum sciences, business administration.

OR

Superior Academic Achievement. In order to be creditable under this provision, Superior Academic Achievement must have been gained in a curriculum that is qualifying for the position to be filled, such as that identified in Education above. Superior Academic Achievement is based on:
(1) Class Standing - Applicants must be in the upper third of the graduating class in the college, university, or major subdivision, such as the College of Liberal Arts or the School of Business Administration, based on completed courses; OR
(2) Grade-Point Average (G.P.A.) - Applicants must have a grade-point average of either (a) 3.0 or higher out of a possible 4.0 ("B" or better) 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 the curriculum; or (b) 3.5 or higher out of a possible 4.0 ("B+" or better) based on the average of the required courses completed in the major field or the required courses in the major field completed during the final 2 years of the curriculum.; OR
(3) Honor Society Membership - Applicants may be considered eligible based on membership in one of the approved national scholastic honor societies listed by the Association of College Honor Societies (https://www.achsnatl.org/).

OR

Combination of Education and Experience: A combination of education and experience may be used to qualify for this position as long as the computed percentage of the requirements is at least 100%. To compute the percentage of the requirements, divide your total months of experience by 12. Then divide the total number of completed graduate semester hours (or equivalent) by 18. Add the two percentages.

GS-09:

Specialized Experience: One year of specialized experience which includes developing plans and schedules for park employees, creating guides, manuals and training materials, performing park management functions associated with park safety and security, developing and maintaining park programs and delegating assignments to lower graded employees. This definition of specialized experience is typical of work performed at the second lower grade/level position in the federal service (GS-07).

OR

Education: Master's or equivalent graduate degree or 2 full years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to such a degree in a field which demonstrates the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to do the work of the position, such as: Natural resource management, natural sciences, earth sciences, history, archeology, anthropology, park and recreation management, law enforcement/police science, social sciences, museum sciences, business administration.

OR

Combination of Education and Experience: A combination of education and experience may be used to qualify for this position as long as the computed percentage of the requirements is at least 100%. To compute the percentage of the requirements, divide your total months of experience by 12. Then divide the total number of completed graduate semester hours (or equivalent) beyond the first year (total graduate semester hours minus 18) by 18. Add the two percentages.

Education

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 programs and such education has been deemed equivalent to that gained in an accredited U.S. education program; or full credit has been given for the courses at a U.S. accredited college or university. For further information, visit: http://www.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ous/international/usnei/us/edlite-visitus-forrecog.html

Additional information

  • Male applicants born after December 31, 1959, must complete a Pre-Employment Certification Statement for Selective Service Registration.
  • You will be required to provide proof of U.S. Citizenship.
  • One year trial/probationary period may be required.
  • Direct Deposit of Pay is required.
  • Selection is subject to restrictions resulting from Department of Defense referral system for displaced employees.
  • If you have retired from federal service and you are interested in employment as a reemployed annuitant, see the information in the Reemployed Annuitant information sheet.
  • This is a Career Program (CP) 18 - Engineers & Scientists position
  • Salary includes applicable locality pay or Local Market Supplement.
  • Interagency Career Transition Assistance Program (ICTAP). If you are a Federal employee in the competitive service and your agency has notified you in writing that you are a displaced employee eligible for ICTAP consideration, you may receive selection priority for this position. To receive selection priority, you must: (1) meet ICTAP eligibility criteria (2) be rated well-qualified for the position and; (3) submit the appropriate documentation to support your ICTAP eligibility. To be considered well-qualified and receive selection priority applicants must satisfy all qualification requirements for the position and receive a score of 90 or above. Additional information about the program is on OPM's Career Transition Resources website.
  • When you perform a Civilian Permanent Change of Station (PCS) with the government, the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) considers the majority of your entitlements to be taxable. Visit https://www.dfas.mil/civilianemployees/civrelo/Civilian-Moving-Expenses-Tax-Deduction/ for more information.
  • Permanent Change of Station (PCS) allowances may be authorized, subject to the provisions of the Joint Travel Regulations and an agency determination that a PCS move is in the Government Interest.
  • Due to COVID-19, the agency is currently in an expanded telework posture. If selected, you may be expected to temporarily telework, even if your home is located outside the local commuting area. Once employees are permitted to return to the office, you will be expected to report to the duty station listed on this announcement within a designated time frame identified by the organization. At that time, you may be eligible to request to continue to telework one or more days a pay period depending upon the terms of the agency's telework policy.
  • Information may be requested regarding the vaccination status of selectees for the purposes of implementing workplace safety protocols. For more information, visit https://www.saferfederalworkforce.gov/faq/vaccinations/.
  • Applicants applying for Yankton, SD will have their duty station set as St. Helena, NE.
  • Non-Competitive promotion potential to the target grade (GS-09)
  • Further certification from this announcement may take place up to 90 days beyond the closing date of this announcement.
  • Management may make selection(s) at any grade level advertised.
  • A Relocation, Recruitment, Student Loan Repayment, Advance in Hire or Advance Leave Accrual incentive may be authorized if it is in the best interest of the government.

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 application package (resume, supporting documents, and responses to the questionnaire) will be used to determine whether you meet the qualification requirements listed on this announcement.

If, after reviewing your résumé and/or supporting documentation, a determination is made that you have inflated your qualifications and/or experience, you may lose consideration for this position. Please follow all instructions carefully when applying, errors or omissions may affect your eligibility.

You should list any relevant performance appraisals and incentive awards in your resume as that information may be taken into consideration during the selection process. If selected, you may be required to provide supporting documentation.

Veterans and Military Spouses will be considered along with all other candidates.

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