The salary range given above includes base pay and locality pay, you will also receive a 5.80% cost of living allowance for Homer, Alaska. This allowance is subject to annual review, adjustment and gradual decrease.
You too can make a difference in our world. The work of the US Fish and Wildlife Service is meaningful and varied. Want to know more about what it is like to work for us? Click here to watch short podcasts entitled Meet Your New Boss! and Diversity is Our Strength
This position will serve as a Biological Science Technician (Avian) for Alaska Maritime National Wildlife Refuge (AMNWR) in Homer, Alaska. The AMNWR is home to 40 million nesting seabirds and the refuge staff administers a nationally-recognized long-term seabird monitoring program. Project: monitoring breeding chronology, reproductive success, population changes, adult survival, and food habits of up to 15 species of seabirds. The work is temporary not-to-exceed 1,039 hours for the season (approximately 6 months, from early May to early November). Limited office work is conducted at the duty station in Homer, Alaska at the beginning and/or end of the field season. All field work is conducted on remote islands throughout Alaska. Monitoring takes place in the following locations: Buldir (western Aleutians), Aiktak (eastern Aleutians), Chowiet (Semidi Is., Alaska Peninsula), Pribilof Islands (St. Paul & St. George, central Bering Sea), East Amatuli (Gulf of Alaska), and St. Lazaria (Gulf of Alaska). Living conditions on Buldir, Aiktak, Chowiet, E. Amatuli, and St. Lazaria are primitive and crew live in small cabins. Crews in the Pribilof Islands live in small villages with access limited to air service. Weather at all locations is typical of a northern maritime climate, and is usually cold, wet, and windy.
For more specific duties of this position, please refer to "Major Duties" section of this announcement.
For additional information about the U. S. Fish and Wildlife Service in Alaska, visit: FWS.
This position is located in Homer, Alaska. Information about locations within Alaska can be found at: Alaska.
Summary
The salary range given above includes base pay and locality pay, you will also receive a 5.80% cost of living allowance for Homer, Alaska. This allowance is subject to annual review, adjustment and gradual decrease.
You too can make a difference in our world. The work of the US Fish and Wildlife Service is meaningful and varied. Want to know more about what it is like to work for us? Click here to watch short podcasts entitled Meet Your New Boss! and Diversity is Our Strength
This position will serve as a Biological Science Technician (Avian) for Alaska Maritime National Wildlife Refuge (AMNWR) in Homer, Alaska. The AMNWR is home to 40 million nesting seabirds and the refuge staff administers a nationally-recognized long-term seabird monitoring program. Project: monitoring breeding chronology, reproductive success, population changes, adult survival, and food habits of up to 15 species of seabirds. The work is temporary not-to-exceed 1,039 hours for the season (approximately 6 months, from early May to early November). Limited office work is conducted at the duty station in Homer, Alaska at the beginning and/or end of the field season. All field work is conducted on remote islands throughout Alaska. Monitoring takes place in the following locations: Buldir (western Aleutians), Aiktak (eastern Aleutians), Chowiet (Semidi Is., Alaska Peninsula), Pribilof Islands (St. Paul & St. George, central Bering Sea), East Amatuli (Gulf of Alaska), and St. Lazaria (Gulf of Alaska). Living conditions on Buldir, Aiktak, Chowiet, E. Amatuli, and St. Lazaria are primitive and crew live in small cabins. Crews in the Pribilof Islands live in small villages with access limited to air service. Weather at all locations is typical of a northern maritime climate, and is usually cold, wet, and windy.
For more specific duties of this position, please refer to "Major Duties" section of this announcement.
As a Biological Science Technician (Avian), GS-6 grade level, you will:
Collect detailed data on avian populations without direct daily supervision.
Work on remote field camps and operate as well as instruct other in the use of associated equipment.
Collect avian morphometric data, mark/recapture data and biological samples.
Use field equipment including: cameras, GPS equipment, binoculars, rangefinders and computers.
Lead field camps including planning logistics, developing work plans/schedules, providing instruction, and working with others.
As a Biological Science Technician (Avian), GS-7 grade level, you will:
Assist the study or project leader in planning the course of projects; research methods, costs, and needs related to personnel and equipment; assemble equipment and establish practical procedures to accomplish the work.
Participate in field work to include gathering and documentation of a variety of data.
Organize and perform preliminary analysis of field data.
Prepare final drafts of sections of reports.
For more information on the duties of this position call Marc Romano at (907) 226-4608 or Heather Renner at (907) 226-4623.
Be sure to read the "How to Apply" & "Required Documents" Sections.
Applicants must meet the experience and/or education requirements, qualifications, and any selective placement factors that have been specified in the announcement by the closing date of this announcement.
All Federal employees must obtain and maintain a favorable background investigation/security clearance.
Direct Deposit is required.
Qualifications
In order to be rated as qualified for this position, we must be able to determine that you meet the specialized experience requirement - please be sure to include this information in your resume. 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.
Your resume must show the number of hours per week worked and the starting and ending dates of employment – month and year – (if the position was seasonal, the periods you worked).
To qualify for the GS-06, you must meet one of the following:
Have at least 1 year of specialized experience that equipped you with the particular knowledge, skills, and abilities to successfully perform the duties of this position. To be creditable, this experience must have been equivalent in level of difficulty and responsibility to that of at least the GS-05 grade level in the Federal service. Examples of qualifying specialized experience required are: performing biological studies for determining the manner and extent to which avian populations are affected by management activities; conducting avian surveys; responsibility for field camp logistics; participating in the development of work plans and schedules; leading small groups of technicians and providing the necessary training in techniques and procedures; and any other work that is performed in a controlled environment which includes research activity or control program work. OR Have 6 months of full time graduate level education in a course related field of biological sciences, such as avian ecology, ornithology, wildlife management (birds), etc. (Transcripts must be submitted). OR Have an equivalent combination of specialized experience and education, as described above. To compute this, first determine your education as a percentage of the education requirement; and then determine your specialized experience as a percentage; add the two percentages. The total percentage must equal 100% to qualify. (Transcripts must be submitted).
To qualify for the GS-07, you must meet one of the following:
Have at least 1 year of specialized experience that equipped you with the particular knowledge, skills, and abilities to successfully perform the duties of this position. To be creditable, this experience must have been equivalent in level of difficulty and responsibility to that of at least the GS-06 grade level in the Federal service. Examples of qualifying specialized experience are: providing technical support to professional biologists in completing all phases of a biological study or project including: project planning, logistical arrangements, field work, correlation and analysis of data, completion of reports or other documents related to the project; leading a group of lower graded technicians in gathering field data. The work must be comprised of duties related to avian biology with responsibility for independently preparing final drafts of reports or sections of reports and applying a wide range of conventional, established approaches, methods, techniques and solutions to new situations. OR Have 1 year of graduate level education in biological sciences with course work directly related to the work of this position such as avian ecology, ornithology, wildlife management (birds), etc. (Transcripts must be submitted). OR Have an equivalent combination of specialized experience and education, as described above. To compute this, first determine your education as a percentage of the education requirement; and then determine your specialized experience as a percentage; add the two percentages. The total percentage must equal 100% to qualify. (Transcripts must be submitted).
Additional information
Travel and relocation expenses are not authorized. Travel, transportation 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.
Interagency Career Transition Assistance Program (ICTAP) and Career Transition Assistance Program (CTAP): ICTAP provides eligible displaced and CTAP provides eligible surplus and displaced Federal competitive service employees with selection priority over other candidates for competitive service vacancies. If your agency has notified you in writing that you are a displaced employee eligible for ICTAP or CTAP consideration, you may receive selection priority if: 1) This vacancy is within your ICTAP or CTAP 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 ICTAP or CTAP eligibility, or a copy of your separation personnel action form. Information about ICTAP/CTAP eligibility is available from OPM's Career Transition Resources website at: career transition.
CTAP and ICTAP eligibles will be considered well qualified if they fall within the Highly or Best Qualified categories on the rating criteria for this position.
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.
FWS may use certain incentives, currently offered by the Federal government to attract high quality applicants.
Government housing is available and required.
Physical Demands: Seasonal field studies involve considerable physical demands, such as frequent, extensive travel on foot; exertion from lifting and carrying equipment; and energy drain from cold, wet, and windy weather. The employee must be in good physical condition and anticipate the demands of each field trip. The employee must have hearing and vision adequate to detect and identify birds in the field. Technicians will perform field work at various locations throughout the state, including remote areas in the Alaskan bush. Travel to field camps is primarily by small aircraft or boat.
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.
To explore the major benefits offered to most Federal employees, visit the Office of Personnel Management's website at: Benefits.
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.
Upon receipt of your complete application package, 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. Answers submitted in the questionnaire must be supported on your resume. If qualified, your score may range from 70-100 points. If you meet the qualification requirements, your application will be placed in one of three categories: Best Qualified, Highly 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.
Knowledge of avian biology and ecology practices sufficient to complete field projects.
Skill in living and working in remote field locations.
Knowledge of capturing, handling, banding methods, and collection of morphometric data from birds.
Skill with field equipment necessary for completion of biological studies.
Knowledge of computer use for data entry and analysis.
Skill to lead and effectively communicate with field crews, including logistical planning, instructing other crew members and dealing with changing situations.
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.
To explore the major benefits offered to most Federal employees, visit the Office of Personnel Management's website at: Benefits.
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.
In addition to the online application (resume and responses to the questionnaire), you are required to submit the following forms:
Copy of Transcripts (official or unofficial) or a list of college courses that include hours and grades from an accredited college/university. If your degree is from a Foreign Institution, See Foreign Education. (If applicable).
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, if applicable.
Veterans' Preference: If you are entitled to veterans' preference, you should indicate the level of veterans' preference you are claiming on your resume. Your veterans' preference entitlement will be adjudicated (verified) by the employing agency using the documents you provide. If documents supporting veterans' preference are not received, then veterans' preference will not be given.
For 0-point survivorship veterans' preference (SSP), please provide the documentation you received granting this preference.
For 5-point veterans' preference, provide your DD-214 Member Copy 4 (Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty), official statement of service from your command if you are currently on active duty, or other official documentation (e.g., documentation of receipt of a campaign badge or expeditionary medal) that proves your military service was performed under honorable conditions.
For 10-point veterans' preference, submit a Standard Form (SF) 15, Application for 10-Point Veteran Preference, DD-214, and the required documentation.
Hard copy application materials, submitted without prior Human Resources approval, will be considered as an incomplete application. If the required documents are not submitted your application may be considered incomplete.
NOTE: There is a 10 page limit on each type of document that is faxed; information on excess pages will be lost. There is no limit on the number of pages when submitting online.
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.
We recommend you use the resume builder in USAJobs.
To begin click the Apply Online button and follow the prompts to register, answer a few questions, and submit all required documents. To return to your saved application, log in to your USAJOBS account and click on "Application Status. Click on the position title, and then select Apply Online to continue.
We strongly encourage you to apply online. If you cannot apply online, you may FAX your resume, assessment questionnaire, and supporting documents to (478) 757-3144. You must print a copy of OPM Form 1203-FX, document your responses to the assessment questionnaire View Occupational Questionnaire and use the official FAX coversheet found here. For both of these forms the vacancy identification number is: 1904884
The complete Application Package must be submitted by 11:59 pm Eastern Time or 7:59 pm Alaska Time on Wednesday, March 08, 2017
Who Can I Contact if I Have a Question? If you have questions about this announcement or the application process, contact Maria Romero at (907)271-3164 or toll free at (888) 859-4183. Reference the title Biological Science Technician (Avian) and/or the vacancy announcement number R7-17-1904884-TR.
US Fish and Wildlife Service Alaska
Bureau of Land Management
AK Combined Service Center
222 West 7th Ave #13
Anchorage, AK 99513
Next steps
Once the online questionnaire is received you will receive an acknowledgment email that your submission was successful. After a review of your complete application is made you will be notified of your rating and or referral to the hiring official. If further evaluation or interviews are required you will be contacted.
The Federal hiring process is set up to be fair and transparent. Please read the following guidance.
In addition to the online application (resume and responses to the questionnaire), you are required to submit the following forms:
Copy of Transcripts (official or unofficial) or a list of college courses that include hours and grades from an accredited college/university. If your degree is from a Foreign Institution, See Foreign Education. (If applicable).
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, if applicable.
Veterans' Preference: If you are entitled to veterans' preference, you should indicate the level of veterans' preference you are claiming on your resume. Your veterans' preference entitlement will be adjudicated (verified) by the employing agency using the documents you provide. If documents supporting veterans' preference are not received, then veterans' preference will not be given.
For 0-point survivorship veterans' preference (SSP), please provide the documentation you received granting this preference.
For 5-point veterans' preference, provide your DD-214 Member Copy 4 (Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty), official statement of service from your command if you are currently on active duty, or other official documentation (e.g., documentation of receipt of a campaign badge or expeditionary medal) that proves your military service was performed under honorable conditions.
For 10-point veterans' preference, submit a Standard Form (SF) 15, Application for 10-Point Veteran Preference, DD-214, and the required documentation.
Hard copy application materials, submitted without prior Human Resources approval, will be considered as an incomplete application. If the required documents are not submitted your application may be considered incomplete.
NOTE: There is a 10 page limit on each type of document that is faxed; information on excess pages will be lost. There is no limit on the number of pages when submitting online.
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.
We recommend you use the resume builder in USAJobs.
To begin click the Apply Online button and follow the prompts to register, answer a few questions, and submit all required documents. To return to your saved application, log in to your USAJOBS account and click on "Application Status. Click on the position title, and then select Apply Online to continue.
We strongly encourage you to apply online. If you cannot apply online, you may FAX your resume, assessment questionnaire, and supporting documents to (478) 757-3144. You must print a copy of OPM Form 1203-FX, document your responses to the assessment questionnaire View Occupational Questionnaire and use the official FAX coversheet found here. For both of these forms the vacancy identification number is: 1904884
The complete Application Package must be submitted by 11:59 pm Eastern Time or 7:59 pm Alaska Time on Wednesday, March 08, 2017
Who Can I Contact if I Have a Question? If you have questions about this announcement or the application process, contact Maria Romero at (907)271-3164 or toll free at (888) 859-4183. Reference the title Biological Science Technician (Avian) and/or the vacancy announcement number R7-17-1904884-TR.
US Fish and Wildlife Service Alaska
Bureau of Land Management
AK Combined Service Center
222 West 7th Ave #13
Anchorage, AK 99513
Next steps
Once the online questionnaire is received you will receive an acknowledgment email that your submission was successful. After a review of your complete application is made you will be notified of your rating and or referral to the hiring official. If further evaluation or interviews are required you will be contacted.
Fair and transparent
The Federal hiring process is set up to be fair and transparent. Please read the following guidance.
