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Biological Science Technician

Department of the Interior
National Park Service
Gateway National Recreation Area and Boston Harbor Islands National Recreation Area
This job announcement has closed

Summary

These positions are located in Gateway National Recreation Area and Boston Harbor Islands National Recreation Area, in the Natural Resources Stewardship Division..

The positions are temporary not exceed 1039 hours. The typical seasonal entry-on-duty period for the Gateway NRA (GATE) location is May-September and the Boston NRA (BOHA) location is May-November but can be variable during these months due to weather conditions, project needs, or funding. Anticipated Entry on Duty: May 2022.

Overview

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Hiring complete
Open & closing dates
02/07/2022 to 08/08/2022
Salary
$40,436 to - $52,976 per year
Pay scale & grade
GS 5
Locations
Boston, MA
Many vacancies
Highlands, NJ
Many vacancies
Brooklyn, NY
Many vacancies
Telework eligible
Yes—as determined by the agency policy.
Travel Required
Not required
Relocation expenses reimbursed
No
Appointment type
Temporary - 1039 Hours
Work schedule
Full-time
Service
Competitive
Promotion potential
5
Supervisory status
No
Security clearance
Other
Drug test
No
Position sensitivity and risk
Non-sensitive (NS)/Low Risk
Trust determination process
Announcement number
NE-1611-GATE-22-11374742-DE
Control number
634967700

This job is open to

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Clarification from the agency

U.S. Citizens, Interagency Career Transition Assistance Program (ICTAP), Career Transition Assistance Program (CTAP)

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Duties

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Gateway National Recreation Area (GATE) was established in 1972 as one of America's first urban national parks and encompasses nearly 27,000 acres of land and water, including bay and ocean shoreline in New York and New Jersey. With a remarkable concentration of cultural, natural, and recreational treasures, the park provides a wide array of recreational and educational activities for the metropolitan population, as well as large numbers of national and international visitors. The park includes a wildlife refuge, mature maritime holly forest, ocean dunes and coastal uplands, former military fortifications and facilities, and the oldest continuously operating lighthouse in the United States. Visitors enjoy ocean beaches, organized sports, fishing, hiking, bicycling, nature study and a chance to explore the area's important cultural heritage. More than 20 million people reside within a one-hour drive of the park. Annual park visitation averages 9.5 million.

Working with peers or alone, these positions perform a variety of tasks relating to natural resources, i.e., water, land, plants, animals, and soils. Assignments are performed within established methods, techniques and procedures using standard scientific equipment. Such tasks might include: field observations of vegetation, fish and wildlife resources; collection of field data; inputting data into spreadsheets and performing quality control on entered data; conducting field surveys to document and assess resource management issues; using a variety of computer programs including Excel, Access and Geographic Information System (GIS) software to compile and report data and other resource management information; habitat management activities including invasive plant control, native plant installation and site preparation; assisting with photo documentation of projects; and education and outreach to park visitors to foster shared stewardship and protection of park resources; and, compilation and presentation of educational programs to staff, volunteers and the public.

Gateway National Recreational Area Pay Scale: $45,423 - $52,976


Boston Harbor Islands National Recreation Area (BOHA) is a unique partnership park that encompasses 34 islands situated within the Greater Boston shoreline. The islands are rich in natural and cultural resources. This is a place where you can explore tide pools, walk through a Civil War era fort, climb a lighthouse, hike lush trails and salt marshes in the ancestral territory of the Massachusetts, camp under the stars, or relax while fishing, picnicking or swimming...all within reach of downtown Boston. The 34 islands are managed by a unique, 13-member partnership that includes the National Park Service and other public and private organizations. An advisory council provides a mechanism for public involvement. The office is located in downtown Boston, and park lands are accessed through multiple departure points including downtown Boston, the Charlestown Navy Yard, the South Boston Seaport, UMass Boston, Quincy, and Hingham. For additional information, please visit www.nps.gov/boha and www.bostonharborislands.org.

The selectee will work under the supervision of the Natural Resource Program Manager on all aspects of natural resource stewardship at Boston Harbor Islands NRA, including field and office work. Specific program areas include:
  • Planning and implementing invasive plant control using manual and chemical methods.

  • Conducting Biological monitoring.

  • Co-leading community-based volunteer programs.

  • Providing natural resource information to staff, park management partners and the public.

  • Collecting and organizing field data.

  • Ensuring adequate quality control of field work and data collected.

  • Assisting in the preparation of reports, plans and guidelines.

  • Providing logistical support and area orientation.

  • Installing, operating and maintaining resource management equipment (e.g., tools, sampling, monitoring, and photographic equipment).

The work also involves carrying tools and materials to field sites, the ability to navigate to various docks and offices in the Boston Harbor area using vehicles and/or public transit, and frequent transit on small landing craft boats.

Boston Harbor Islands National Recreation Area Pay Scale: $40,436 - $52,565

Requirements

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Conditions of employment

  • U.S. Citizenship required.
  • Appointment subject to background investigation and favorable adjudication.
  • Meet Selective Service Registration Act requirement for males.
  • Selectee will be required to participate in the Direct Deposit Electronics Funds Transfer Program.
  • 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.
  • GATE: Occupancy of government housing/quarters is not available.
  • BOHA: Occupancy of government housing/quarters may be available.
  • GATE: This position is not telework eligible.
  • BOHA: This position is telework eligible.
  • BOHA: This position requires the selected candidate to acquire a current, valid, Massachusetts pesticide applicator's license within one month of entry on duty, to allow the mixing, transport, and application of pesticides in a professional capacity.
  • 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.
  • Applicants must be at least (1)18 years old or (2) at least 16 years old and: (a) Have graduated from high school or been awarded a certificate equivalent to graduating from high school; or (b) Have completed a formal vocational training program; or (c) Have received a statement from school authorities agreeing with their preference for employment rather than continuing their education; or (d) Be currently enrolled in a secondary school and either work only during school vacation periods or work part-time during the school year under a formal student employment program.

Qualifications

All qualifications must be met by the closing date of this announcement-08/08/2022-unless otherwise stated in this vacancy announcement.

Credit will be given for all appropriate qualifying experience. To receive credit for experience, your resume MUST clearly indicate the nature of the duties and responsibilities for each position, starting and ending dates of employment (month/year), and the resume must reflect full and/or part-time or total number of hours worked (i.e., work 40+ hours a week, rather than indicating full-time). If part-time, the hours must be annotated to be able to pro-rate the amount of qualified specialized experience.

To qualify for this position at the GS-05 grade level, you must possess the following minimum qualifications by close of the announcement:

EXPERIENCE: At least one full year of specialized experience comparable in scope and responsibility at the GS-04 grade level in the Federal service (obtained in either the public or private sectors). This experience includes one year of experience equivalent to at least the GS-04 grade level or equivalent pay band in the Federal Service (obtained in either the public or private sectors).such as following instructions and procedures to collect and organize field data related to natural resource management; assisting to complete natural resource management field surveys to document and assess resource management issues; assisting researchers in conducting wildlife surveys and monitoring activities; utilize Geographic Information System (GIS) software to compile and report data and other resource management information; assist with long-term monitoring projects by following established protocols to collect, store, analyze and report on natural resource data using a variety of computer programs . You must include hours per week worked.
-OR-
Successful completion of at least four years of education above high school (120 semester hour or 180 quarter hours) leading to a bachelors degree with major study or 24 semester hours in any combination of courses such as in biology, chemistry, statistics, entomology, animal husbandry, botany, physics, agriculture, ecology, or mathematics, or other directly-related subject matter; and at least 6 semester hours of courses must be directly related to the position to be filled. You must include transcripts.
-OR-
Successful completion of a combination of education and experience as described above. To combine education and experience. NOTE: Only education in excess of the first 60 semester hours of a course of study leading to a bachelors degree is creditable toward meeting the specialized experience requirements. Two full academic years of study, or 60 semester hours, beyond the second year is equivalent to l year of specialized experience. For example, I have 6 months of the specialized experience (50% of the experience requirement), and 3 years of college study from an accredited institution (50% of the qualifying education) which included at least 12 semester hours of related coursework of which at least 3 semester hours was in plant or botany-related subjects (50% of the related coursework required). You must include transcripts.

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.

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

A selectee receiving a first appointment to the Federal Government (Civil Service) is entitled only to the lowest step of the grade for which selected The display of a salary range on this vacancy shall not be construed as granting an entitlement to a higher rate of pay.

Non-Competitive Rehire Eligibility: Temporary seasonal employees can only maintain their non-competitive rehire eligibility if they work no more than a combined total of Temporary NTE less than 1040 or 1730 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 temporary appointment less than 1040 hours during that period, you are still welcome to apply. However, please be aware that exceeding the limit of 1040 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 1040 hours. The limit also can be exceeded by working a single temporary seasonal appointment that exceeds 1040 hours, unless granted an exception by OPM. Employment may be terminated at any time due to fluctuations in funding levels, project needs, employee performance, or other considerations.

Physical Demands: The work requires physical exertion such as regular and recurring walking, hiking, or climbing over wet, rough, uneven, or rocky surfaces; bending; crouching, stooping, lifting or reaching to observe, collect, or record field data; or in some situations the work may require physical exertion to scuba dive or operate a boat. Heavy items (e.g., equipment and packs up to 50 pounds), must be lifted and carried on routine basis.

Working Conditions: The work is performed in an office or outdoors. The work performed involves regular and recurring exposure to extreme weather conditions and terrain, poisonous plants, biting insects, and wild animals. Laboratory work may involve exposure to hazardous chemicals.

This announcement may be used to fill additional positions if identical vacancies occur within 90 days of the issue date of the referral certificate.

If you are unable to apply online or need to fax a document that you do not have in electronic form, view the following link for information regarding an Alternate Application. Click the following link for more information, 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.

You will be evaluated based on how well you meet the qualifications listed in this vacancy announcement. Your qualifications will be evaluated based on your application materials (e.g., resume, supporting documents), the responses you provide on the application questionnaire, and the result of the additional assessments required for this position. 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:
  • Biology
  • Botany
  • Information Management
  • Teamwork
  • Technology Application


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