The Pacific West Region is recruiting for summer seasonal Biological Science Technician (Avian), GS-0404-5/6/7 positions intended to assist permanent staff with biological science - avian field work.
Open to the first 100 applicants. Applications must be submitted by 11:59 EST on the 'applicant cut-off' date (which may be sooner than 02/28/2019) to be considered.
The Pacific West Region is recruiting for summer seasonal Biological Science Technician (Avian), GS-0404-5/6/7 positions intended to assist permanent staff with biological science - avian field work.
Open to the first 100 applicants. Applications must be submitted by 11:59 EST on the 'applicant cut-off' date (which may be sooner than 02/28/2019) to be considered.
The Pacific West Region is recruiting for TEMPORARY seasonal positions not to exceed 6 months (1,039 hours) work in a service year. Dates of employment will vary between park sites depending on funding, weather conditions and visitation. Within regulatory limitations, the length of initial appointment may be shortened or extended depending on work availability and funding. For information about work season, government housing availability, and rate of pay, please review the "Duties" below.
At the GS-05 Level: The technician may work independently or in pairs, and will be assigned to work on bird projects that involve area searches, point counts, nest searches, and spot mapping for passerines. Duties will include: surveying for passerines using a variety of survey techniques in wilderness and front country settings; surveying for passerines for long periods of time using binoculars; navigating using GPS technology; entering, proofing, and summarizing data; interacting with the public regarding sensitive avian wildlife management issues; and presenting scientific information to peers and the public. The technician must be able to identify at least 50 species of passerines that regularly occur in the Sierra Nevada by sight and sound and have work experience surveying for passerines
At the GS-06 Level: In addition to the duties described at the GS-05 level, the incumbent's duties may include any or all of the following or similar duties: organizing and scheduling field crews; updating and maintaining Microsoft Access databases or other similar databases; producing maps using GIS; carrying out literature searches; and assisting in the preparation of reports that include a description of methods, preparation of figures and tables, and a summary of findings.
At GS-07 Level: In addition to the duties described at the GS-05 and GS-06 levels, the incumbent's duties may include any or all of the following or similar duties: being responsible for data and database management; conducting data analysis using statistical software and/or GIS; and supervising crews comprising 1 to 4 people.
FOR ALL GS LEVELS: Technician must have strong hiking, backpacking, and wilderness camping skills, be comfortable in remote wilderness settings with limited human contact, and be able to work in cold, hot, wet, windy, buggy, and potentially stormy conditions. The incumbent must be able to work well independently and in a small crew, be detail-oriented, able to maintain equipment and gear, and have excellent problem solving and communication skills. The incumbent must be able to hike up to 16 miles per day, on and off trail, over rough terrain, while carrying a heavy backpack (weighing a third of person's body weight). This position requires a high degree of physical fitness, navigation expertise, and hiking skills.
Appointment subject to background investigation and favorable adjudication.
Meet Selective Service Registration Act requirement for males.
Required to participate in the Direct Deposit Electronics Funds Transfer Program.
CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT: Please click on the duty location links listed under "Duties" section for specific requirements.
PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS and WORKING CONDITIONS: Please click on the duty location links listed under "Duties" section for specific requirements.
You will be required to operate a government (or private) motor vehicle as part of your official duties; a valid driver's license is required. You will be required to submit a Motor Vehicle Operator's License and Driving Record. You must also 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 disclose all valid driver's licenses, whether current or past, possessed by you.
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.
Qualifications
SELECTIVE FACTORS: This position performs data collection on Sierra Nevada avian wildlife species, and proficiency in ornithology is required. Data collection activities often take place in wilderness areas of Yosemite, therefore wilderness travel and living skills are required. Applicants MUST demonstrate in their resume that they possess these skills. Candidates who do not meet these requirements by close of this announcement will receive no further consideration for this position.-
AND -To qualify for this position at the GS-05 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-04 grade level in the Federal service (obtained in either the public or private sectors). This experience includes activities such as: assisting biologists with passerine research, conducting surveys for passerines using standardized methods, data collection on passerine age, gender, reproductive status, behavior, and habitat use, recording field notes in a well-organized fashion, recording observations, entering data, and using a GPS unit, assisting with writing reports using data collected, navigating using a topographic map and compass. You must include hours per week worked.
-OR- EDUCATION: Successful completion of at least 4 full years of study above high school leading to a bachelor's degree with major study of at least 24 semester hours in any combination of scientific or technical courses such as wildlife management, biology, ornithology, zoology, or ecology, and must include at least 6 semester hours directly related to ornithological studies. You MUST submit a copy of your transcripts at the time of application.
-OR-
Successful completion of a combination of education and experience as described above. To combine education and experience, only education beyond the first 60 semester hours may be considered as qualifying for substitution of specialized experience. Convert the amount of qualifying education into a percentage of the total requirement. Then take the number of months of full time specialized experience and divide by 12 months. Add the percentages together. The total must equal at least 100 percent to qualify. You MUST submit a copy of your transcripts at the time of application.
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: assisting biologists with management and conservation of passerine populations, conducting surveys for passerines using standardized methods, collecting data on passerine age, gender, reproductive status, behavior, and habitat use, conducting field surveys for passerine species, entering, analyzing, and managing passerine data, preparing scientific reports on data collected, preparing field schedules, and organizing/maintaining gear. You must include hours per week worked.-
-OR- EDUCATION: Successful completion of at least 18 semester hours or 27 quarter hours study above a bachelor's degree leading to a master's degree with major study in any combination of scientific or technical courses such as wildlife management, biology, ornithology, zoology, or ecology. You MUST submit a copy of your transcripts at the time of application.- -OR-
Successful completion of a combination of education and experience as described above. To combine education and experience, convert the amount of qualifying graduate education into a percentage of the total requirement. Then take the number of months of full time specialized experience and divide by 12 months. Add the percentages together. The total must equal at least 100 percent to qualify. You MUST submit a copy of your 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:
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: leading crews of 1 to 4 wildlife biology technicians assigned to complete avian survey projects; surveying for passerine birds using point count, area search, and nest searching protocols; entering, managing, and analyzing passerine data, updating and maintaining Microsoft Excel spreadsheets and Access databases or other similar electronic databases, producing maps using GIS, preparing scientific reports using data collected, preparing field schedules, and organizing/maintaining gear. You must include hours per week worked.
-OR- EDUCATION: Successful completion of at least 18 semester hours or 27 quarter hours study above a bachelor's degree leading to a master's degree with major study in any combination of scientific or technical courses such as wildlife management, biology, ornithology, zoology, or ecology. You MUST submit a copy of your transcripts at the time of application.-
-OR-
Successful completion of a combination of education and experience as described above. To combine education and experience, convert the amount of qualifying graduate education into a percentage of the total requirement. Then take the number of months of full time specialized experience and divide by 12 months. Add the percentages together. The total must equal at least 100 percent to qualify. You MUST submit a copy of your 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". No additional credit is given for overtime. In describing the nature of your duties (your experience), please be clear and concise. We will not make assumptions regarding your experience. The Office of Personnel Management Qualification Standards are available for review at: https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/classification-qualifications/general-schedule-qualification-standards/.
ICTAP/CTAP Statement: Current surplus and current or former displaced Federal individuals who have special priority selection rights under the Agency Career Transition Assistance Program (CTAP) or the Interagency Career Transition Assistance Program (ICTAP) must be well qualified for the position to receive consideration for special priority selection. Well qualified means that the applicant meets the following: OPM qualification standards for the position; all selective placement factors, where applicable; special qualifying conditions that OPM has approved for the position, where applicable; is physically qualified with reasonable accommodation, where appropriate to satisfactorily perform the duties of the position upon entry; and is rated by the organization at least at the well qualified level on all competencies.
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
Temporary positions not-to-exceed 1039 regular hours in a service year may be terminated sooner or extended depending on management needs. Individuals selected under this vacancy announcement are eligible for the possibility of extensions or rehire in subsequent service years.
This announcement may be used to fill additional positions if identical vacancies occur within 90 days of the issue date of the referral certificate.I
The National Park Service has determined that the duties of this position are suitable for telework only during an emergency or natural disaster.
Travel, transportation & relocation expenses will not be paid. Relocation expenses will be the employee's responsibility.
Non-Competitive Rehire Eligibility: Effective May 26, 2018, please note that a temporary seasonal employee can only maintain their non-competitive rehire eligibility if they work no more than a combined total of 1,039 hours anywhere in the National Park Service (NPS) within their established service year. Accordingly, non-competitive rehire eligibility allows for re-appointment to the same position or another position appropriate for temporary appointment with the same qualification requirements (5 CFR 316.402[b][7]), based on series and grade, anywhere in the major subdivision (NPS).
If you have held a temporary seasonal appointment in the past 12 months, and have already worked the maximum 1,039 hours during that period, you are still welcome to apply. However, please be aware that exceeding the limit of 1,039 hours in your established service year will result in the loss of your non-competitive rehire eligibility. The limit can be exceeded by working multiple temporary seasonal positions that result in a combined total greater than 1,039 hours. The limit also can be exceeded by working a single temporary seasonal appointment that exceeds 1,039 hours, unless granted an exception by OPM.
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.
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 Assessment Questionnaire to determine if you are qualified for this job. If your resume is incomplete or does not support the responses provided in the Assessment Questionnaire, or if you fail to submit all required documentation, you will be rated 'ineligible', 'not qualified', or your score will be adjusted accordingly. If a determination is made that you have inflated your qualifications or experience, you can lose consideration for this position. Please follow all instructions carefully; errors or omissions can 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 three categories:
Best Qualified - applicants possessing experience that substantially exceeds the minimum qualifications of the position including all selective factors and are highly proficient in all requirements of the job and can perform effectively in the position
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 the 'applicant cut-off' date (which may be sooner than 02/28/2019):
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 (current or former), please include your rank and/or grade.
A complete Occupational Questionnaire
Documentation that you meet Selective Factors
College transcripts, if qualifying based on education
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.
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.
Do not upload Adobe portfolio documents. Adobe portfolio documents are not viewable by our agency's staffing offices.
To apply for this position: You must complete the occupational questionnaire and submit the documentation specified in the Required Documents section above. To receive consideration, the complete application package must be submitted by 11:59 PM EST when the 'applicant cut-off' is reached (which may be sooner than 02/28/2019). 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.
Prompted to 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.
Pacific West Regional Office
333 Bush Street Suite 500
San Francisco, CA 94104
US
Next steps
Once the Occupational Questionnaire is received you will receive acknowledgement that your submission was successful.
If you can go back to the Application section of your USAJOBS account, your application status will say Received if the application went through. Please note, this process may take several hours to reflect this status. It is your responsibility to ensure all required documents are uploaded and legible.
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 following documents are required and must be submitted by 11:59 PM EST on the 'applicant cut-off' date (which may be sooner than 02/28/2019):
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 (current or former), please include your rank and/or grade.
A complete Occupational Questionnaire
Documentation that you meet Selective Factors
College transcripts, if qualifying based on education
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.
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.
Do not upload Adobe portfolio documents. Adobe portfolio documents are not viewable by our agency's staffing offices.
To apply for this position: You must complete the occupational questionnaire and submit the documentation specified in the Required Documents section above. To receive consideration, the complete application package must be submitted by 11:59 PM EST when the 'applicant cut-off' is reached (which may be sooner than 02/28/2019). 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.
Prompted to 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.
Pacific West Regional Office
333 Bush Street Suite 500
San Francisco, CA 94104
US
Next steps
Once the Occupational Questionnaire is received you will receive acknowledgement that your submission was successful.
If you can go back to the Application section of your USAJOBS account, your application status will say Received if the application went through. Please note, this process may take several hours to reflect this status. It is your responsibility to ensure all required documents are uploaded and legible.
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.
