Clarification from the agency

This Merit Promotion position is open to Current Federal Employees and Former Federal Employees with permanent status or reinstatement eligibility. Individuals who are eligible for a special appointing authority may also apply such as Individuals with Disabilities (Schedule A), former Peace Corps, AmeriCorps, Vista volunteers; and certain Military Spouses under various programs for Veterans. Note: Vacancy open to the public under Job Announcement # 21R-ML-306366-DEU-NZP

As Natural Resources Biologist, the incumbent has the responsibility of maintaining plant populations, tracking and maintaining database of ecology projects, and assists with training volunteers to carry out restoration activities. The major duties and responsibilities of this position include:

• Active in the control of invasive species, prescribed burns of forest and fields.
• Maintains key ecological parameters needed to preserve ecological integrity of Natural Areas and associate fields, forests, and riparian areas using the appropriate methods like herbicides/ pesticides use and application.
• Assisting with all coordination of research projects and activities in the Natural areas; application review, mapping locations of current and historical research projects, contacts prospective researchers and affected staff of activity, and insuring appropriate permits and qualifications are in place.
• Monitoring pertinent ecological literature related to land restoration and disseminate information to staff.

Conditions of employment

• Maintain a Bank Account for Direct Deposit/Electronic Transfer
• Males born after 12/31/59 must be registered with Selective Service.
• A year probationary period may be required
• Ability to lift and carry materials weighing up to 100 pounds
• Must receive immunization to guard against zoonotic diseases
• Subject to regular medical screening

Qualifications

Basic Requirements:

Must possess degree in biological sciences, agriculture, nature resource management, chemistry, or related disciplines appropriate to the position.

or

A combination of education and experience that includes courses equivalent to a major biological sciences, agriculture, natural resource management, chemistry,  or related experience disciplines, plus appropriate experience or additional education.

In addition to meeting the basic requirements above, applicants must meet the following criteria to qualify for the grade levels specified.

Qualifications:

Experience: You qualify for this position if you possess one year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the GS-5 level in the Federal Service or comparable pay band system. For this position specialized experience is defined as completing tasks related to land management or restoration; mitigating land activities or conditions that degrade the sustainability of the natural areas; maintaining ecological integrity of lands to include herbicide applications for invasive species control; burns of forest and fields or planting native plant species.

Or

Education: One full year of graduate education or Superior Academic Achievement meets the requirements for GS-7. One year of full-time graduate education is considered to be the number of credit hours that the school attended has determined to represent 1 year of full-time study. If that information cannot be obtained from the school, 18 semester hours should be considered as satisfying the 1 year of full-time study requirement. Part-time graduate education is creditable in accordance with its relationship to a year of full-time study at the school attended.

Or

A Combination of Education and Experience may be combined to meet the basic qualifications. For a full explanation of this option please see the Qualification Standards. Special Instructions for Foreign Education: If you are qualifying by education and/or you have education completed in a foreign college/university described above, it is your responsibility to provide transcripts and proof of U.S. accreditation for foreign study. For instructions on where to fax these documents, see the "Required Documents" section of this announcement.

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.

Part-time and/or unpaid experience related to this position will be considered to determine the total number of years and months of experience. Be sure to note the number of paid or unpaid hours worked each week. 

How you will be evaluated

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

Your application will be evaluated first for the basic qualifications described above. 

• Land management and restoration processes
• Field-based ecology projects
• Project management, record keeping and tracking
• Ecology research team in an institutional setting or in employment
• Safety

Veterans Employment Opportunities Act (VEOA):  If you are applying for a VEOA appointment, you must be a veteran and must be honorably separated and either a preference eligible or have substantially completed 3 or more years of active service. ("Active Service" under this law means active duty in a uniformed service and includes full-time training duty, annual training duty, full-time National Guard duty, and attendance, while in the active service, at a school designated as a service school by law or by the Secretary concerned.) A veteran who is released under honorable conditions shortly before completing a 3-year tour is also eligible.

Noncompetitive Appointment Authorities:  The following links contain information on the eligibility requirements to be considered under a noncompetitive appointing authority:

• Primary Appointing Authorities for Career and Career-Conditional Appointments
• Hiring Authorities for Veterans
• People with Disabilities

Important Note:

Your resume and supporting documentation will be compared to your responses to the occupational questionnaire or other assessment tool for consistency. If a determination is made that you have rated yourself higher than is supported by your resume, you will be assigned a rating commensurate to your described experience. Your resume should provide sufficient information regarding how your education and experience relate to this position, including the major duties and qualifications criteria listed.