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Biological Science Technician (Natural Resources)

Department of Agriculture
Forest Service
This job announcement has closed

Summary

The primary purpose of this position is to support natural resource programs.

Information on specific locations where jobs are being filled and the dates when applications are due for these locations can be found at https://fsoutreach.gdcii.com/Outreach


Overview

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Hiring complete
Open & closing dates
08/19/2022 to 01/31/2023
Salary
$36,118 to - $36,118 per year

Salary wage as shown is for Rest of the U.S. For more information, refer to the Office of Personnel Management, Salary and Wages web page.

Pay scale & grade
GS 5
Locations
Many vacancies in the following locations:
Harrisburg, IL
Jonesboro, IL
Vienna, IL
Wilmington, IL
Remote job
No
Telework eligible
Yes—as determined by the agency policy.
Travel Required
Occasional travel - Travel may be required for meetings, training, or site visits.
Relocation expenses reimbursed
No
Appointment type
Permanent
Work schedule
Full-time - or permanent seasonal 13/13 or 18/8 based on location.
Service
Competitive
Promotion potential
7 - Full performance level (target grade) will vary based on location of position.
Supervisory status
No
Security clearance
Not Required
Drug test
No
Position sensitivity and risk
Non-sensitive (NS)/Low Risk
Trust determination process
Announcement number
22-R9OCR-404-NATRES-5DP
Control number
672370600

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Duties

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  • This position will be filled at the GS-05 grade level with promotion potential to the GS-07 grade level. Duties listed are at the full performance level GS-07 grade level.
  • Schedule, organize, and execute field projects for detecting, identifying and evaluating natural resource problems , i.e., water, land, plants, animals, and soils.
  • Compile and summarize data obtained from aerial and ground surveys including natural resource monitoring, evaluations, and pilot tests conducted as part of the project.
  • Conduct routine analyses; and provide the data to professional personnel.
  • Use computer programs to organize the data conducted.
  • Using prescribed procedures, resolves common administrative, technical and/or safety concerns related to the project.
  • Provide technical knowledge and skills to address specific issues and resolves.

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 or exempt.
  • Subject to satisfactory adjudication of background investigation and/or fingerprint check.
  • Successful completion of one-year probationary period, unless previously served.
  • Per Public Law 104-134 all Federal employees are required to have federal payments made by direct deposit to their financial institution.
  • Successfully pass the E-Verify employment verification check. To learn more about E-Verify, including your rights and responsibilities, visit E-Verify.
  • This is a bargaining unit position represented by the National Federation of Federal Employees, IAMAW (does not apply to West Virginia locations).
  • All locations in the following states are part of the bargaining unit: Pennsylvania, Michigan, West Virginia and Wisconsin.
  • All locations in Illinois are part of the bargaining unit, except Wilmington, IL. All locations in Minnesota are part of the bargaining unit, except Cass Lake, Blackduck, Walker and Deer River.
  • All other locations listed in this announcement are not part of a bargaining unit.

Qualifications

In order to qualify, you must meet the eligibility and qualifications requirements as defined below by the closing date of the announcement. For more information on the qualifications for this position, visit the Office of Personnel Management's General Schedule Qualification Standards.

Your application and resume must clearly show that you possess the experience requirements. Transcripts must be provided for qualifications based on education. Provide course descriptions as necessary.

Basic Requirement:
GS-0404:

For the GS-5 level: You must have one year specialized experience equivalent to the GS-4 in the Federal service; Specialized experience is defined as meeting one or more of the following: Utilized topographic maps, photographs, and data that identify a variety of natural resource areas and conditions; Used a variety of tools to collect and record data such as numbers, measurements, weights, samples, and special notes, and making determinations for easily identifiable corrective action; Prepared data summaries in proper format. OR a bachelor's degree or 4 years of successfully completed education above high school (120 semester/180 quarter hours) with major study or at least 24 semester hours in any combination of courses such as biology, chemistry, statistics, entomology, animal husbandry, botany, physics, agriculture, or mathematics and at least 6 semester hours of courses must be directly related to the position to be filled.; OR combinations of successfully completed post-high school education (in excess of the first 60 semester/90 quarter hours) and specialized experience. The education must have been obtained in an accredited business, secretarial or technical school, junior college, college or university.

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

See "Qualifications" section

Additional information

THIS IS AN OPEN CONTINUOUS ANNOUNCEMENT. This type of announcement provides the Forest Service with a readily available source of applicants when vacancies occur. Eligibility and qualifications will be verified when there is a vacancy for the location and grade for which you applied. Information on specific locations where jobs are being filled and the dates when applications are due for these locations can be found at https://fsoutreach.gdcii.com/Outreach.

The USDA Forest Service has legislative authority to recruit and fill Permanent (Career/Career-Conditional), Temporary, and Term Appointments under the USDA Demonstration Project. Under this authority, any U.S. citizen may apply.

Career Transition Assistance Plan (CTAP), Reemployment Priority List (RPL), or Interagency Career Transition Assistance Plan (ICTAP): To exercise selection priority for this vacancy, CTAP/RPL/ICTAP candidates must meet the basic eligibility requirements and all selective factors. CTAP/ICTAP eligibles must meet the agency's definition for a quality candidate as provided in the How You Will Be Evaluated section of this announcement to be considered.

This announcement may be used to fill positions with a seasonal work schedule where full-time work is guaranteed for 13 pay periods or 18 pay periods and when not working, you will be placed in non-pay/non-duty status.

This position is being concurrently announced under Merit Promotion Announcement Number 22-R9OCR-404-NATRES-5-6-7G. Current or former Federal employees or other eligible applicants may apply to both announcements to expand all possibilities of consideration since different referral criteria apply to each type of announcement. See the above announcement for more information.

If you are selected for a position with further promotion potential, you will be placed under a career development plan, and may be non-competitively promoted if you successfully complete the requirements and if recommended by management. However, promotion is not guaranteed.

This position may be eligible to telework up to four days per week, based upon the duties of the position. This position may also be eligible for flexible work arrangements as determined by agency policy and any applicable collective bargaining agreements.

The Forest Service may use certain incentives and hiring flexibilities, currently offered by the Federal government, to attract highly qualified candidates. Additional information is available at https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/pay-leave/pay-and-leave-flexibilities-for-recruitment-and-retention/

Forest Service daycare facilities are not available/Government Housing may be available based on duty location.

How you will be evaluated

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

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

You will be evaluated in accordance with the category rating procedure as defined in the USDA Demonstration Project Plan. Applicants who meet the basic minimum qualification requirements established for the position will be placed in the Eligible category. You will be further evaluated against criteria for placement in the Quality category. This evaluation is based on the level of your experience, education, and/or training as determined by your responses to the Assessment Questionnaire. Individuals with veterans' preference are listed ahead of applicants who do not have veterans' preference within each category.

Note: If, after reviewing your resume and/or supporting documentation, a determination is made that you have inflated your qualifications and or experience, your score may be adjusted to more accurately reflect your abilities, or you may be found ineligible. Please follow all instructions carefully. Errors or omissions may affect your rating. Providing inaccurate information on Federal documents could be grounds for non-selection or disciplinary action up to including removal from the Federal service.

To view the application form, visit: https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/11608983

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