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Biological Science Technician

Department of Agriculture
Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service
This job announcement has closed

Summary

This position performs duties relating to wildlife management and use of techniques aimed at controlling damage caused by wildlife to help protect agriculture, natural resources, property, and threats to human health and safety. The work is primarily concerned with wildlife damage management (WDM) operations relating to the assessment, reduction, and/or elimination of problems associated with wild and/or feral animal species in urban, suburban, and rural environments.

Overview

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Hiring complete
Open & closing dates
04/29/2021 to 05/05/2021
Salary
$45,043 to - $58,558 per year
Pay scale & grade
GS 7
Location
1 vacancy in the following location:
Kaneohe, HI
Telework eligible
No
Travel Required
Occasional travel - You may be expected to travel for this position.
Relocation expenses reimbursed
No
Appointment type
Permanent
Work schedule
Full-time
Service
Competitive
Promotion potential
7
Supervisory status
No
Security clearance
Not Required
Drug test
Yes
Position sensitivity and risk
Non-sensitive (NS)/Low Risk
Trust determination process
Announcement number
DE-11096332-21-WS
Control number
599566900

Duties

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  • The duties described are for the full-performance level. At developmental grade levels, assignments will be of more limited scope, performed with less independence and limited complexity.
  • The duties may include, but are not limited to:
  • Responsible for planning, organizing, and conducting direct control operations to reduce wildlife damage within a geographical area or technical/subject area of program involvement.
  • Inspects and surveys areas and, as necessary, will revise existing WDM programs.
  • Incumbent exercises a high degree of independence in determining strategies and logistics for providing services in assigned area.
  • May be required to use chemical immobilization and euthanasia drugs to capture and handle wildlife.
  • Uses WDM tools/devices which may include some or all of the following depending on need in assigned area: firearms; foothold, body-grip, cage traps; foot snares; and others.
  • Correctly identifies current, and forecasts future, damage problems and relates them to the damage-causing species.
  • Independently determines and selects the most effective means of control for individual situations.
  • Recommends and facilitates the request and issuance of depredation permits for the general public through the appropriate U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) Migratory Bird Office.
  • Enters data into established WDM database/system of record. Uses data to prepare and submit routine and special reports regarding daily, weekly or monthly activities, observations, and events.

Requirements

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Conditions of employment

  • You must be a US Citizen or US National.
  • Males born after 12/31/1959 must be Selective Service registered or exempt.
  • Subject to satisfactory adjudication of background investigation and/or fingerprint check.
  • Successful completion of one-year probationary period, unless previously served.
  • Direct Deposit: Per Public Law 104-134 all Federal employees are required to have federal payments made by direct deposit to their financial institution.
  • Successfully pass the E-Verify employment verification check. To learn more about E-Verify, including your rights and responsibilities, visit E-Verify at https://www.e-verify.gov/
  • Testing Designated Position: Selectee must submit to a urinalysis to screen for illegal drug use prior to appointment and random testing thereafter. Final appointment and continued employment is conditional on negative results for illegal drug use.
  • Valid state driver's license is required at the time of application.
  • Work is performed in both office and field setting which frequently include remote uninhabited areas.
  • The work includes regular and recurring exposure to moderate risk and discomfort, such as adverse weather conditions, noisy environments, uneven and rocky terrain, extensive vehicle travel, and work with aerial operations crews.
  • The incumbent may need to transport self and equipment for performing official duties by operating 4X4 vehicles (all-terrain and utility task vehicles), boats, snow mobiles, or ride horseback over rough terrain and in other off-road environments.
  • The incumbent may also actively participate in aerial activities as a passenger and/or crew member of a fixed- or rotary-winged aircraft.
  • The incumbent may be exposed to hazards such as foothold, body-grip, cage traps; foot snares; neck snares; chemical control methods; pyrotechnics; noise cannons/exploders; drop nets; rocket/cannon nets; various other scaring devices.
  • In some work performance safety precautions are necessary which may require protective clothing and equipment.

Qualifications

Applicants must meet all qualifications and eligibility requirements by the closing date of the announcement, including specialized experience and/or education, as defined below.

FOR THE GS-07 LEVEL: Applicants must have one year of specialized experience (equivalent to the GS-05 grade level) that may have been obtained in the private or public (local, county, state, Federal) sectors which demonstrates::

  • Ability to select appropriate wildlife damage management strategies, techniques, and tools and apply them to alleviate wildlife damage caused by feral swine.
  • Skilled in interpreting and applying policies, regulations, laws, and ordinances that affect wildlife damage management operations and working within those guidelines.
  • Ability to assess the abundance, behavior, and habitats of North American wildlife species.
  • Knowledge and ability to collect, process, and record biological samples from feral swine for wildlife disease and genetics purposes.
  • Skilled in the use of firearms, traps, snares, pesticides, immobilizing drugs, pyrotechnics, electronic harassment devices, and other non-lethal control tools.

OR:

One full year of graduate education in Wildlife related courses

Equivalent combinations of education and experience are qualifying for this grade level.

TRANSCRIPTS are required if:
  • You are qualifying for the position based on education.
  • You are qualifying for this position based on a combination of experience and education.
  • You are qualifying for this position based on Superior Academic Achievement.
  • This education must have been successfully completed and obtained from an accredited school, college, or university
COMBINATION OF EDUCATION & EXPERIENCE AT THE GS-07 GRADE LEVEL: Applicants may have combinations of successfully completed education and specialized experience to meet total qualification requirements. The total percentages must equal at least 100 percent to qualify for that grade level.

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 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

This position does not have an education qualification requirement.

Additional information

  • Career Transition Assistance Plan (CTAP), Reemployment Priority List (RPL), or Interagency Career Transition Assistance Plan (ICTAP): Visit the OPM website for information on how to apply as a CTAP, RPL, or ICTAP eligible. To exercise selection priority for this vacancy, CTAP/RPL/ICTAP candidates must meet the basic eligibility requirements and all selective factors. CTAP/ICTAP candidates must be rated and determined to be well qualified (or above) based on an evaluation of the competencies listed in the How You Will Be Evaluated section. When assessed through a score-based category rating method, CTAP/ICTAP applicants must receive a rating of at least 85 out of a possible 100.
  • First time hires to the federal government normally start at the lowest rate of the salary range for the grade selected.
  • Travel, transportation, and relocation expenses will not be paid. Any travel, transportation, and relocation expense associated with reporting for duty will be the responsibility of the selected employee.
  • Promotion Potential: If you are selected for a position with further promotion potential, you will be placed under a career development plan, and may be non-competitively promoted if you successfully complete the requirements and if recommended by management. However, promotion is neither implied nor guaranteed.

How you will be evaluated

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

Applications will be evaluated in accordance with Office of Personnel Management's (OPM) Delegated Examining Procedures and USDA policy using category rating. Applicants who meet basic minimum qualifications will be placed in one of three categories: Best Qualified, Well Qualified, or Qualified. Within these categories, applicants eligible for veteran's preference will receive selection priority over non-veterans. Category placement will be determined based on applicants' quality of experience and the extent they possess the following knowledge, skills, and abilities (KSA) or competencies:

  • Compliance
  • Public Safety and Security
  • Wildlife Biology


Your application, including the online Assessment Questionnaire, will be reviewed to determine if you meet (a) minimum qualification requirements and (b) the resume supports the answers provided to the job-specific questions. Your resume must clearly support your responses to all the questions addressing experience and education relevant to this position. Those determined to be in the best qualified category will be referred to the selecting official for consideration.

Note: If, after reviewing your resume and/or supporting documentation, a determination is made that you have inflated your qualifications and or experience, your score may be adjusted to more accurately reflect your abilities, or you may be found ineligible. 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.

To preview the application questionnaire, please visit: https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/11096332

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