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Biological Science Technician (Avian)

Department of the Interior
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
Alaska Maritime National Wildlife Refuge
This job announcement has closed

Summary

This position is part of the R7-Alaska Maritime National Wildlife Refuge. As a Biological Science Technician (Avian) .

TEMPORARY 1039: This is a temporary appointment which is intended not to exceed 1039 hours, however, at management's discretion you may be allowed to work up to 1730 hours in a service year. If selected, you may be eligible for non-competitive rehire in subsequent service years if you do not exceed 1730 hours.

Overview

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Hiring complete
Open & closing dates
02/07/2020 to 02/13/2020
Salary
$48,368 to - $62,874 per year

The salary range given includes base pay and locality pay, you will also receive a 4.40% cost of living allowance, subject to change.

Pay scale & grade
GS 7
Locations
few vacancies in the following locations:
Bethel, AK
Homer, AK
Telework eligible
No
Travel Required
Not required
Relocation expenses reimbursed
No
Appointment type
Temporary - 1039 Hours
Work schedule
Full-Time
Service
Competitive
Promotion potential
None
Supervisory status
No
Security clearance
Not Required
Drug test
No
Position sensitivity and risk
Non-sensitive (NS)/Low Risk
Trust determination process
Announcement number
R7-20-10720099-TC(SH)
Control number
559129800

Duties

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  • Conduct productivity surveys of seabirds to estimate demographic rates.
  • Conduct productivity surveys of birds to estimate demographic rates.
  • Conduct counts of colonial birds to estimate abundance.
  • Collect other avian biological data such as hatching chronology, food habits, or behavioral observations.
  • Transcribe data into spreadsheets and databases for data tabulation and summaries.
  • Work in remote field camps collecting biological data.
  • Capture and handle seabirds to collect biological data (e.g. survival, food habits, physiology).

Requirements

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Conditions of employment

  • Applicants are ineligible for this position if ANY time they have been convicted of a misdemeanor or felony crime of domestic violence, unless such conviction was expunged, set aside or the applicant receives a pardon.
  • Must be a U.S. Citizen or National
  • Males born after 12-31-59 must be registered for Selective Service
  • Resume and supporting documents (See How To Apply)
  • Suitability for employment, as determined by background investigation
  • You may be required to carry a firearm in the performance of your duties
  • Official U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service uniform may be required
  • DRIVER'S LICENSE: You must possess and maintain a valid State driver's license at all times during your tenure
  • See Additional Information section for link to additional conditions of employment applicable to each position advertised.

Qualifications

Only experience and education obtained by02/13/2020 will be accepted.

You may qualify at the GS-07 level, if you fulfill one of the following qualification requirements:

  1. One year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-06 grade level in the Federal service that demonstrated your ability to complete the duties of the position. Specialized experience includes: 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, and 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
  2. Successful completion of 1 year (18 semester hours) of graduate level education directly related to the work of the position. (I understand that I must submit a copy of my transcript(s) to support my education).OR
  3. Have a combination of education and experience as listed above.
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

PROOF OF EDUCATION: All applicants who are using education or a combination of education and experience to qualify must submit copies of official or unofficial transcripts which include grades, credit hours earned, major(s), grade point average or class ranking, institution name, and student name. If any required coursework is not easily recognizable on transcripts, or if you believe a portion of a particular course can be credited toward meeting an educational requirement, you must also provide a memorandum on letterhead from the institution's registrar, dean, or other appropriate official stating the percentage of the course that should be considered to meet the requirement and the equivalent number of units. Unofficial transcripts are acceptable; however, if you are selected for the position, you will be required to produce the original official transcripts.

PASS/FAIL COURSES: If more than 10 percent of your undergraduate course work (credit hours) were taken on a pass/fail basis, your claim of superior academic achievement must be based upon class standing or membership in an honor society.

GRADUATE EDUCATION: One academic year of graduate education is considered to be the number of credits hours your graduate school has determined to represent one academic year of full-time study. Such study may have been performed on a full-time or part-time basis. If you cannot obtain your graduate school's definition of one year of graduate study, 18 semester hours (or 27 quarter hours) should be considered as satisfying the requirement for one year of full-time graduate study.

FOREIGN EDUCATION: If you are using education completed in foreign colleges or universities to meet the qualification requirements, you must show the education credentials have been evaluated by a private organization that specializes in interpretation of foreign education. For further information, visit: http://www.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ous/international/usnei/us/edlite-visitus-forrecog.html

Additional information

Career Transition Assistance Plan (CTAP) or Interagency Career Transition Assistance Plan (ICTAP): These programs apply to employees who have been or may be involuntarily separated (e.g. reduction in force, declining to relocate/transfer outside their local commuting area) from a Federal service position within the competitive service or Federal service employees whose positions have been deemed surplus or no longer needed. To receive selection priority for this position, you must: (1) meet CTAP or ICTAP eligibility criteria; (2) be rated well-qualified for the position; and, (3) submit the appropriate documentation to support your CTAP or ICTAP eligibility (e.g., Certification of Expected Separation, Reduction-In-Force Separation Notice, or Notice of Proposed Removal or Removal Notice; SF-50 that documents the RIF separation action; or Removal and most recent performance appraisal.). For more information visit: https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/workforce-restructuring/employee-guide-to-career-transition/

Selective Service: To register or verify your registration go to the Selective Service System at https://www.sss.gov/RegVer/wfRegistration.aspx

Telework: FWS has determined that the duties of this position are suitable for telework only during an emergency or natural disaster.More than one position may be filled from this announcement.

PCS: A PCS move is not authorized.

Temporary Benefits: Most Federal employees earn both annual and sick leave. For additional information, visit Leave Administration. Effective January 2015, employees on temporary appointments may be eligible for health benefits through the Federal Employees Health Benefits program and, if eligible, will receive the same government contribution as full-time permanent employees. To be eligible for consideration, temporary employees working full-time or part-time must be on appointments expected to last at least 90 days, or be on an intermittent work schedule and expected to work 130 hours per month for at least 90 days. Employees electing to participate in the FEHB will be responsible for the employee share of the premium while on the official agency roles, which is deducted from bi-weekly earnings. After separating from federal employment, employees will be offered to continue participation in FEHB under the Temporary Continuation of Coverage (TCC) option. Employees electing to continue coverage under the TCC provision will be responsible for the full premium amount plus a 2% administration fee.

Alternative Application: If you are unable to apply online or need to fax a document you do not have in electronic form, view the following link for information regarding an Alternate Application: https://help.usastaffing.gov/Apply/index.php?title=Alternate_Application_Information.

How you will be evaluated

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

Once the announcement has closed, a review of your resume and supporting documentation will be used to determine whether you meet the basic qualification requirements listed on this announcement. If you meet the basic qualifications your resume and supporting documentation will be compared against your responses to the assessment questionnaire to determine your level of experience. If, after reviewing your resume and/or supporting documentation, a determination is made that you have inflated your qualifications and/or experience which resulted in you being listed in the highest quality category, you may lose consideration, or be assigned to a lower quality category for this position. Please follow all instructions carefully when applying, errors or omissions may affect your eligibility.

Your qualifications will be evaluated on the following competencies (knowledge, skills, abilities and other characteristics):

  • Ability to accurately record, compile and report data.
  • Knowledge of avian biology and ecology sufficient to complete field projects.
  • Skill in living and working in remote field locations and using associated equipment.
  • Knowledge of capturing, handling, banding methods, and collection of morphometric data from birds.
  • Skills in use of field equipment necessary for completion of biological studies.
  • Knowledge of computer use for data entry and analysis.
  • Skills in leading and effectively communicating with field crews, including logistical planning, instructing other crew members, and dealing with changing situations.
All qualified candidates will be assigned to a quality category. The category assignment is a measure of the degree in which your background matches the competencies required for this position. The category ratings for this position are: Best Qualified, Well Qualified, Qualified

The Category Rating Process does not add veterans' preference points or apply the "rule of three" but protects the rights of Veterans by placing them ahead of non-preference eligibles within each quality category. Veterans' preference eligibles who meet the basic qualification requirements and who have a compensable service-connected disability of at least 10 percent will be listed in the highest quality category (except in the case of scientific or professional positions at the GS-09 level or higher).

If you are a veteran with preference eligibility and you are claiming 5-point veterans' preference, you must attach a copy of your DD-214 showing you were honorably discharged. If you are claiming 10-point veterans' preference, you must attach an SF-15," Application for 10-Point Veterans' Preference" in addition to the proof required by that form.

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