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Biological Scientist

Department of Agriculture
Forest Service
This job announcement has closed

Summary

This position is located on ElDorado National Forest, in Camino CA. 

The incumbent is responsible for implementing seed operations and managing seed stores for reforestation and vegetation restoration actitivies.

For additional information about the duties of this position, please contact Gary Cline at 530-642-5025 or via email gcline@fs.fed.us.

Overview

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Reviewing applications
Open & closing dates
10/19/2018 to 11/05/2018
Salary
$44,767 to - $54,760 per year
Pay scale & grade
GS 07 - 09
Location
Camino, CA
1 vacancy
Telework eligible
Yes—as determined by the agency policy.
Travel Required
Occasional travel - To attend meetings and/or training.
Relocation expenses reimbursed
No
Appointment type
Permanent
Work schedule
Full-Time
Service
Competitive
Promotion potential
09
Supervisory status
Yes
Security clearance
Other
Drug test
No
Announcement number
19-SVQ4-0503-486084DPR-MV
Control number
514246000

Duties

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Duties listed are at the full performance level.

Provides managerial assistance for a complete array of seed extractor, seed laboratory, and seed storage functions.

Provides technical assistance to nurseries and other users of seed throughout the western United States.

Performs seed orchard or nursery work such as digging drainage ditches, controlling weeds both chemically and manually, pruning and removing trees, replanting and identifying new stock, installing and operating irrigation systems, and protecting trees from insect and animal damage.

Plans the receipt, unloading, and storage of all seed lots; as well as plans and directs proper storage procedures to prevent seed spoilage. Monitors seed moisture content to assure correct levels before seed is put in cold storage and directs seed drying when necessary.

Administers storage of seed by seed lot and maintains seed inventory and records. Oversees periodic physical inventories of seed stores and assures that seed record inventory and physical inventory is reconcilable at all times.

Coordinates with and maintains close informal working relationships with other seed extractory and nursery personnel in the Forest Service and other agencies, as well as Regional and Zone Geneticists and Forest level personnel concerned with seed and/or progeny seed and seedling operations.

Performs supervisory duties 20% or less of the time.

Plans the work to be accomplished by the unit, assigns work to employees, and establishes production or quality standards for the unit’s work. Establishes and communicates guidelines and performance requirements to employees; conducts formal performance reviews; and identifies and provides for the developmental and training needs of employees.

Promotes equal opportunity and employs nondiscriminatory practices and fair treatment of all employees.

Demonstrates leadership in establishing and maintaining a work environment that is free from discrimination and creates a sense of inclusion and support for all employees in the workplace.
 

Requirements

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Conditions of employment

  • You must be a US Citizen or US National.

No additional requirements.

Qualifications

You must possess the Basic requirements and specialized experience identified below to be considered eligible for this position. Transcripts must be provided if using education for qualification.

Applicants must meet all qualifications and eligibility requirements by the closing date of the announcement as defined below. For more information on the qualifications for this position, go to: https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/classification-qualifications/general-schedule-qualification-standards/0400/general-natural-resources-management-and-biological-sciences-series-0401/

Basic Qualifications: Successful completion of a full 4-year course of study in an accredited college or university leading to a bachelors or higher degree that included a major field of study in biological sciences, agriculture, natural resource management, chemistry, or related disciplines appropriate to the position.

OR

Combination of education and experience with courses equivalent to a major described above, plus appropriate experience or additional education.

Your application or resume must clearly show that you possess the appropriate experience requirements.

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.

In additional to the requirements described above, the following additional education and/or experience are required for the grades specified. For more information on the qualifications for this position, go to: https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/classification-qualifications/general-schedule-qualification-standards/#url=GS-PROF

For the GS-07 level: Applicants must have one year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the GS-05 grade level; OR one full year of graduate level education; OR an appropriate combination of graduate level education and specialized experience. The education must have been obtained in an accredited college or university and demonstrate the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to do the work.

Examples of specialized experience: Collected, processed, analyzed, and evaluated data on basic seed extraction processes; as a trainee, worked on project planning activities including scheduling, organizing, and executing field data collection projects; and/or assisted higher level specialists with routine assignments involving seed operations.

For the GS-09 level: Applicants must have one year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the GS-07 grade level; OR a master’s or equivalent graduate degree or 2 full years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to such a degree or LL.B or JD., if related; OR an appropriate combination of graduate level education and specialized experience. The education must have been obtained in an accredited college or university and demonstrate the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to do the work.

Examples of specialized experience: As an advanced trainee, provided managerial assistance for a complete array of seed extractory functions; assisted in performing seed orchard work such as digging drainage ditches, controlling weeds both chemically and manually, pruning and removing trees, replanting and identifying new stock, installing and operating irrigation systems, and protecting trees from insect and animal damage; assisted in identifying and collecting mature pollen, bagged and pollinated female flowers, and collected seed orchard cone crop.

To receive consideration for this position, you must meet all qualification requirements by the closing date of the announcement.


Education

See Qualifications for Educational requirements.

Additional information

  • This is a bargaining unit position represented by the National Federation of Federal Employees, IAMAW.
  • Direct Deposit - Per Public Law 104-134 all Federal employees are required to have federal payments made by direct deposit to a financial institution of your choosing.
  • E-Verify: Federal law requires agencies to use the E-Verify system to confirm the employment eligibility of all new hires. If you are selected as a newly hired employee, the documentation you present for purposes of completing the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Form I-9 on your entry-on-duty date will be verified through the DHS E-VERIFY system. Under the system, the new hire is required to resolve any identified discrepancies as a condition of continued employment.
  • Forest Service daycare facilities are not available.
  • This position is eligible for telework and other flexible work arrangements.
  • Government housing is not available.
  • BACKGROUND INVESTIGATION AND FINGERPRINT CHECK: Selection and retention in this position is contingent on a successfully adjudicated FBI National Criminal History Check (fingerprint check) and a background investigation.

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 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. Eligible applicants 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. Applicants 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 rating may be lowered to more accurately reflect the submitted documentation. 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.

Clicking the link below will present a preview of the application form; i.e. the online questionnaire. The application form link below will only provide a preview and does not initiate the application process. To initiate the online application process, click the "Apply" button to the right.


To view the application form, visit: https://fs.usda.ntis.gov/cp/?event=jobs.previewApplication&jobid=25B35792-B8B5-456C-B880-A97D00C62009

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