These positions are located in Yosemite National Park, in the Resources Management and Science Division, Aquatic Wildlife program. Please visit find a park for additional park information.
These positions are Full-Time temporary positions not-to-exceed 1039 regular hours (about 6 months) in a service year. Positions may be terminated sooner or extended depending on management needs. Individuals selected under this vacancy announcement may be eligible for rehire in subsequent service years. The typical seasonal entry-on-duty period for Yosemite National Park is April - June, but can be variable during these months due to weather conditions, project needs, or funding. Anticipated Entry on Duty: April-May.
All Grade Levels: Technicians MUST be physically fit and have strong hiking, backpacking, and wilderness camping skills, be comfortable in remote wilderness setting with limited human contact, be comfortable working in black bear habitat, have experience doing field work in aquatic ecology and/or aquatic invasive species control, be able to work well on a small crew, be extremely responsible and able/willing to work with volunteers/interns, be detail oriented, be able to swim and be very comfortable in/around water, have excellent problem solving and communication skills, and be able to work in cold, wet, windy, buggy, and potentially stormy conditions. Technician MUST be flexible to changes in work schedule and project assignment. Work schedules and project assignments may change depending on staffing needs, weather conditions, and funding. Technician MUST have prior experience either conducting amphibian and reptile surveys, turtle trapping, radio telemetry, and/or working with gill nets or electrofishing equipment for fisheries management/research.
This job announcement is open to receive applications from the first 50 applicants. The job announcement will remain open until either the quota of 50 applicants, or 02/26/2018 is reached. All applications submitted by 11:59 (EST) on the closing day will receive consideration, even those that exceed the 50 applicant limit.
Travel, transportation, and relocation expenses will not be paid. All travel, transportation, and relocation expenses associated with reporting for duty in this position will be the sole responsibility of the selected employee.
Summary
These positions are located in Yosemite National Park, in the Resources Management and Science Division, Aquatic Wildlife program. Please visit find a park for additional park information.
These positions are Full-Time temporary positions not-to-exceed 1039 regular hours (about 6 months) in a service year. Positions may be terminated sooner or extended depending on management needs. Individuals selected under this vacancy announcement may be eligible for rehire in subsequent service years. The typical seasonal entry-on-duty period for Yosemite National Park is April - June, but can be variable during these months due to weather conditions, project needs, or funding. Anticipated Entry on Duty: April-May.
All Grade Levels: Technicians MUST be physically fit and have strong hiking, backpacking, and wilderness camping skills, be comfortable in remote wilderness setting with limited human contact, be comfortable working in black bear habitat, have experience doing field work in aquatic ecology and/or aquatic invasive species control, be able to work well on a small crew, be extremely responsible and able/willing to work with volunteers/interns, be detail oriented, be able to swim and be very comfortable in/around water, have excellent problem solving and communication skills, and be able to work in cold, wet, windy, buggy, and potentially stormy conditions. Technician MUST be flexible to changes in work schedule and project assignment. Work schedules and project assignments may change depending on staffing needs, weather conditions, and funding. Technician MUST have prior experience either conducting amphibian and reptile surveys, turtle trapping, radio telemetry, and/or working with gill nets or electrofishing equipment for fisheries management/research.
This job announcement is open to receive applications from the first 50 applicants. The job announcement will remain open until either the quota of 50 applicants, or 02/26/2018 is reached. All applications submitted by 11:59 (EST) on the closing day will receive consideration, even those that exceed the 50 applicant limit.
Travel, transportation, and relocation expenses will not be paid. All travel, transportation, and relocation expenses associated with reporting for duty in this position will be the sole responsibility of the selected employee.
Technician will work in crews ranging from 2 to 8 individuals. Crews may be assigned to work on aquatic restoration projects (including removing nonnative fish and bullfrogs from alpine lakes and Yosemite Valley), amphibian and reptile projects (including surveys for Sierra Nevada yellow-legged frogs or other imperiled amphibians), and Western Pond Turtle projects (including surveys, radio telemetry, and trapping of Western pond turtles). Projects may take place in the front country or in remote wilderness settings and will involve night and weekend work. Projects require a high level of physical fitness, multi-night backpacking (up to 9 nights) in wilderness, and the ability to work various work schedules (including weekends, split-shift, night shift, and regular day time work schedules).
Duties may include:
use of gill nets, backpack electrofisher, and turtle traps
eradicating Bullfrogs using pole spears, gigs, traps, and pellet guns
use of radio telemetry to track freshwater turtles
identifying and surveying for Sierra Nevada amphibian and reptile including species listed under the Federal Endangered Species Act
killing invasive species, handling dead fish and Bullfrogs
mark-recapture of reptiles or amphibians including scute notches and Passive Integrated Transponder ("PIT") tags
trapping, handling, and marking freshwater turtles
deployment of iButtons, HOBO, or other temperature data loggers
collecting environmental DNA samples from water bodies (aquatic "eDNA")
repairing equipment in the field/office
communicating with the public regarding controversial topics in ecological conservation and technical scientific topics
working with and providing mentorship to volunteers/interns
office work involving data entry, compilation, and writing
uses software to coordinate field work and summarize data collected including ArcGIS, the program R, and Microsoft Excel/Access databases.
GS-7 Only
The incumbent works with project leads to: plan field work goals/activities; provide leadership to field crew leads and crew members; convey questions and concerns to project lead in a timely manner; use technical experience for problem solving; promote safety in the workplace; prioritize schedules, and coordinate multiple crews, and all transportation logistics.
Appointment subject to background investigation and favorable adjudication.
Meet Selective Service Registration Act requirement for males.
Selectee will be required to participate in the Direct Deposit Electronics Funds Transfer Program. .
You may be required to operate a government (or private) motor vehicle as part of your official duties. Prior to your first official motor vehicle operation, and again every year thereafter (or more frequently if management determines such need exists), you will be required to sign an affidavit certifying to your possession of a valid State issued driver's license that is current and has not been revoked, suspended, canceled, or otherwise disqualified in any way to prohibit your operation of a motor vehicle. You will also submit a photocopy of your valid State issued driver's license prior to your first official motor vehicle operation, and again every year, or more frequently if management determines such need exists. Lastly, you may be required to submit (within a State sealed envelope or submitted directly by the State authorities), and at your own expense, all certified driving records from all States that discloses all valid driver's licenses, whether current or past, possessed by you. Please indicate in your application whether you possess a valid State driver's license.
You will be required to wear a uniform and comply with the National Park Service uniform standards. A uniform allowance will be provided.
You may be required to work on-call, evenings, weekends, holidays, overtime and shift work.
You may be required to travel overnight away from home up to. You must obtain a government charge card for travel purposes.
Qualifications
SELECTIVE FACTORS: This position performs biological science duties in and around rivers, lakes, and streams, often in wilderness areas of the park, and the following skills are required:
Ability to Swim
Wilderness Travel and Living Skills
Experience Conducting Amphibian and Reptile Surveys.
Candidates who do not meet this requirement by close of this announcement will receive no further consideration for this position.
- AND -
To qualify for this position at the GS-06 grade level, you must possess at least one of the following minimum qualifications by close of the announcement:
EXPERIENCE: At least one full year of specialized experience comparable in scope and responsibility to the GS-05 grade level in the Federal service (obtained in either the public or private sectors). This experience includes activities such as: prior specific work experience in wildlife or fisheries science, presenting scientific information to peers and public; eradicating nonnative aquatic species or monitoring turtle species; setting and cleaning fish from gill nets or setting and checking turtle traps using a float tube or boat; electro-fishing; conducting field work in remote wilderness doing wildlife restoration, research, or management; conducting amphibian, reptile, and/or fish surveys; using GPS technology to navigate and collect aquatic species data; following instructions and standardized procedures when gathering aquatic species data; and assisting in photo documentation of aquatic species sites. You must include hours per week worked.
-OR- EDUCATION: Successful completion of at least one full year (18 semester hours) of graduate level education leading towards a Master's Degree with a major study in any combination of scientific or technical courses directly related to this position such as wildlife management, ecology, herpetology, ichthyology, and/or fisheries courses. You must include transcripts at the time of application.
-OR-
Successful completion of a combination of education and experience as described above. To combine education and experience, first take the number of completed graduate level education and covert it to a percentage of the total requirement. Then take the number of months of full time experience and divide by 12 months. Add the percentages together. The total must equal at least 100 percent to qualify. You must include transcripts at the time of application.
To qualify for this position at the GS-07 grade level, you must possess at least one of the following minimum qualifications by close of the announcement:
To qualify for this position at the GS-06 grade level, you must possess at least one of the following minimum qualifications by close of the announcement:
EXPERIENCE: At least one full year of specialized experience comparable in scope and responsibility to the GS-06 grade level in the Federal service (obtained in either the public or private sectors). This experience includes activities such as: prior specific work experience in wildlife or fisheries science, presenting scientific information to peers and public; eradicating nonnative aquatic species or monitoring turtle species; setting and cleaning fish from gill nets or setting and checking turtle traps using a float tube or boat; electro-fishing; conducting field work in remote wilderness doing wildlife restoration, research, or management; conducting amphibian, reptile, and/or fish surveys; using GPS technology to navigate and collect aquatic species data; following instructions and standardized procedures when gathering aquatic species data; and assisting in photo documentation of aquatic species sites. You must include hours per week worked.
-OR- EDUCATION: Successful completion of at least one full year (18 semester hours) of graduate level education leading towards a Master's Degree with a major study in any combination of scientific or technical courses directly related to this position such as wildlife management, ecology, herpetology, ichthyology, and/or fisheries courses. You must include transcripts at the time of application.
-OR-
Successful completion of a combination of education and experience as described above. To combine education and experience, first take the number of completed graduate level education and covert it to a percentage of the total requirement. Then take the number of months of full time experience and divide by 12 months. Add the percentages together. The total must equal at least 100 percent to qualify. You must include transcripts at the time of application.
Volunteer Experience: 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.
You must include months, years and hours per week worked to receive credit for your work and/or volunteer experience. One year of specialized experience is equivalent to 12 months at 40 hours per week. Part-time hours are prorated. You will not receive any credit for experience that does not indicate exact hours per week or is listed as "varies", "intermittent", or if you list "seasons" rather than months of the year.
Education
To qualify based on education, you must submit a legible copy of transcripts from an accredited institution with your name, school name, credit hours, course level, major(s), and grade-point average or class ranking. Transcripts do not need to be official, but if you are selected for this position and you used your education to qualify, you must provide official transcripts before you begin work.
If you are using education completed in foreign colleges or universities to meet qualification requirements, you must show that your 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.
Additional information
This announcement may be used to fill additional positions if identical vacancies occur within 90 days of the issue date of the referral certificate.
Individuals selected under this vacancy announcement are eligible for the possibility of extensions or rehire in subsequent service years.
Physical Demands: The work is partially sedentary with prolonged standing, walking, and bending often required. Heavy items (e.g., packs and equipment) must be lifted and carried on a routine basis.
Working Conditions: The work is performed in an office, laboratory, and in the field. Field work includes exposure to extreme weather and terrain conditions, pesticides, poisonous plants, biting insects, snakes, and wild animals. Laboratory work may involve exposure to hazardous chemicals.
The National Park Service has determined that the duties of this position are suitable for telework and the selectee may be allowed to telework with supervisor approval.
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.
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.
A review of your resume and supporting documentation will be made and compared against your responses to the Occupational Questionnaire to determine if you are qualified for this job. If your resume is incomplete or does not support the responses provided in the Occupational Questionnaire, or if you fail to submit all required documentation, you will be rated 'ineligible', 'not qualified', or your score may be adjusted accordingly. If a determination is made that you have inflated your qualifications or experience, you may lose consideration for this position. Please follow all instructions carefully; errors or omissions may affect your rating.
Candidates will be rated and ranked using Category Rating procedures. These procedures place candidates with veteran's preference above non-preference eligibles within each category. Veterans with a service connected disability of at least 10 percent are listed in the highest quality category, except when the position being filled is scientific or professional at the GS-09 grade level or higher. Under Category Rating, candidates will be rated and ranked into one of two categories:
Well Qualified - applicants possessing experience that exceeds the minimum qualifications of the position including all selective factors and are proficient in most of the requirements of the job
Qualified - applicants possessing experience that meets the minimum qualifications of the position including all selective factors and are proficient in some, but not all of the requirements of the job.
You will be evaluated on the following competencies:
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.
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.
The following documents are required and must be submitted by 11:59 PM (EST) on 02/26/2018:
Resume which includes a list of all significant jobs held and duties performed, with dates specified in month and year format, and, indicate hours worked per week. If military or civilian, please include your rank and/or grade.
A complete Occupational Questionnaire
Other Supporting Documents, if applicable, such as:
If you are a Discharged, Non-Disabled Veteran, you must submit a copy of your DD-214 showing character of discharge (Member 4 copy), or other Documentation of Service and Separation under Honorable Conditions, as listed on the SF15. If you don't have your DD-214, you may request it after discharge from the National Archives.
If you are a veteran within 120 days of discharge, you must submit signed documentation from the Armed Forces certifying: 1) your expected release/retirement from active duty, 2) under honorable conditions, 3) your pay grade/rank/rate at time of discharge, 4) dates of active duty service, 5) any campaign or expeditionary medals received, & 6) dated within 120 days of your separation.
If you are a Disabled Veteran, Purple Heart Recipient, orMother or Spouse of a Disabled or Deceased Veteran, you must submit all additional proof required by the SF15, and if applicable, a completed SF15. You may request a copy of your Department of Veterans Affairs letter from www.ebenefits.va.gov or call 1-800-827-1000 to establish proof of disability.
Applicants who are eligible to be considered based on a Noncompetitive or Special Hiring Authority (i.e. Schedule A, VRA, Peace Corps, Americorp Vista, former PLC member, certain Military Spouses, 30% or More Disabled Veterans, Pathways Interns who have met the eligibility requirements for noncompetitive conversion, etc.) must submit appropriate documentation to verify your eligibility.
Documentation that you meet Selective Factors.
College transcripts, if qualifying based on education.
Documentation for Interagency/Career Transition Assistance Plan consideration if you are a displaced Federal employee within the local commuting area. You must include: 1) Proof you are a displaced Federal employee, e.g., RIF Separation Notice, Notice of Proposed Removal, etc; 2) SF-50s (Notifications of Personnel Action) showing career/conditional tenure competitive status, promotion potential and duty location; and 3) your most recent performance appraisal. To exercise selection priority, displaced or surplus Federal employees must be rated well-qualified or above 85 on the rating criteria for this position.
Do not submit photographs with your application package. Documents with photographs may not be seen by hiring officials - you must remove your image from any badges, licenses, etc.
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.
To apply for this position: You must complete the occupational questionnaire and submit the documentation specified in the Required Documents section below. To receive consideration, the complete application package must be submitted by 11:59 PM (EST) on 02/26/2018. WE DO NOT ACCEPT HARD-COPY OR E-MAIL APPLICATION PACKAGES.
Select Apply. If you are not logged in, you will be prompted to login or create an account.
Start the Application Process by selecting "Start Application."
Select documents you want included in this application.
Review package to acknowledge your documents were reviewed.
Select if you want to include your demographic information.
After reading and certifying the application is true and submitted in good faith, select "Continue to Agency Site."
Follow onscreen prompts and instructions to complete your application.
Add the supporting documents by indexing your documents with the dropdown.
Upload any missing required documents or optional documents.
Review and Submit Application.
While logged in, you can check the status of your application by selecting "+" next to the job title for this position.
You can review or revise your application at any point during the open period of the announcement.
To update an application, you should log into your USAJOBS account and select "+" next to the job title for this position. Select "Update Application" for this job.
Note: When you click Update Application, you will be prompted to re-select your documents from USAJOBS. Documents submitted with the first application will no longer be associated with the applicant record. So it is important that you select all documents you want to use in the re-application.
Yosemite National Park
5037 Stroming Road
Mariposa, CA 95338
US
Next steps
Once the Occupational Questionnaire is received you will receive acknowledgement that your submission was successful. If you are among the most qualified candidates and your name is referred to the hiring official, you may be contacted directly for a possible interview. You will be notified of the status of your Application Package at the time candidates are referred for consideration, and when the selection process is complete.
The Federal hiring process is set up to be fair and transparent. Please read the following guidance.
The following documents are required and must be submitted by 11:59 PM (EST) on 02/26/2018:
Resume which includes a list of all significant jobs held and duties performed, with dates specified in month and year format, and, indicate hours worked per week. If military or civilian, please include your rank and/or grade.
A complete Occupational Questionnaire
Other Supporting Documents, if applicable, such as:
If you are a Discharged, Non-Disabled Veteran, you must submit a copy of your DD-214 showing character of discharge (Member 4 copy), or other Documentation of Service and Separation under Honorable Conditions, as listed on the SF15. If you don't have your DD-214, you may request it after discharge from the National Archives.
If you are a veteran within 120 days of discharge, you must submit signed documentation from the Armed Forces certifying: 1) your expected release/retirement from active duty, 2) under honorable conditions, 3) your pay grade/rank/rate at time of discharge, 4) dates of active duty service, 5) any campaign or expeditionary medals received, & 6) dated within 120 days of your separation.
If you are a Disabled Veteran, Purple Heart Recipient, orMother or Spouse of a Disabled or Deceased Veteran, you must submit all additional proof required by the SF15, and if applicable, a completed SF15. You may request a copy of your Department of Veterans Affairs letter from www.ebenefits.va.gov or call 1-800-827-1000 to establish proof of disability.
Applicants who are eligible to be considered based on a Noncompetitive or Special Hiring Authority (i.e. Schedule A, VRA, Peace Corps, Americorp Vista, former PLC member, certain Military Spouses, 30% or More Disabled Veterans, Pathways Interns who have met the eligibility requirements for noncompetitive conversion, etc.) must submit appropriate documentation to verify your eligibility.
Documentation that you meet Selective Factors.
College transcripts, if qualifying based on education.
Documentation for Interagency/Career Transition Assistance Plan consideration if you are a displaced Federal employee within the local commuting area. You must include: 1) Proof you are a displaced Federal employee, e.g., RIF Separation Notice, Notice of Proposed Removal, etc; 2) SF-50s (Notifications of Personnel Action) showing career/conditional tenure competitive status, promotion potential and duty location; and 3) your most recent performance appraisal. To exercise selection priority, displaced or surplus Federal employees must be rated well-qualified or above 85 on the rating criteria for this position.
Do not submit photographs with your application package. Documents with photographs may not be seen by hiring officials - you must remove your image from any badges, licenses, etc.
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.
To apply for this position: You must complete the occupational questionnaire and submit the documentation specified in the Required Documents section below. To receive consideration, the complete application package must be submitted by 11:59 PM (EST) on 02/26/2018. WE DO NOT ACCEPT HARD-COPY OR E-MAIL APPLICATION PACKAGES.
Select Apply. If you are not logged in, you will be prompted to login or create an account.
Start the Application Process by selecting "Start Application."
Select documents you want included in this application.
Review package to acknowledge your documents were reviewed.
Select if you want to include your demographic information.
After reading and certifying the application is true and submitted in good faith, select "Continue to Agency Site."
Follow onscreen prompts and instructions to complete your application.
Add the supporting documents by indexing your documents with the dropdown.
Upload any missing required documents or optional documents.
Review and Submit Application.
While logged in, you can check the status of your application by selecting "+" next to the job title for this position.
You can review or revise your application at any point during the open period of the announcement.
To update an application, you should log into your USAJOBS account and select "+" next to the job title for this position. Select "Update Application" for this job.
Note: When you click Update Application, you will be prompted to re-select your documents from USAJOBS. Documents submitted with the first application will no longer be associated with the applicant record. So it is important that you select all documents you want to use in the re-application.
Yosemite National Park
5037 Stroming Road
Mariposa, CA 95338
US
Next steps
Once the Occupational Questionnaire is received you will receive acknowledgement that your submission was successful. If you are among the most qualified candidates and your name is referred to the hiring official, you may be contacted directly for a possible interview. You will be notified of the status of your Application Package at the time candidates are referred for consideration, and when the selection process is complete.
Fair and transparent
The Federal hiring process is set up to be fair and transparent. Please read the following guidance.
