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Biological Science Technician (Natural Resources)

Department of Agriculture
Forest Service
This job announcement has closed

Summary

The full performance grade of positions filled is GS-06 or GS-07. Positions filled will be full-time; full-time seasonal with 13 pay periods of guaranteed pay status and 13 pay periods of nonpay time, or 18 pay periods of guaranteed pay status and 8 pay periods of nonpay time.

Applications will expire every 90 days. To remain active for consideration, applicants must resubmit their application. Refer to the additional information section.

Point of Contact is Adam Cross at adam.cross@usda.gov

Overview

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Hiring complete
Open & closing dates
05/09/2022 to 09/30/2022
Salary
$45,189 to - $50,216 per year
Pay scale & grade
GS 6 - 7
Locations
Few vacancies in the following locations:
Anchorage, AK
Cordova, AK
Craig, AK
Fairbanks, AK
Remote job
No
Telework eligible
Yes—as determined by the agency policy.
Travel Required
25% or less - Travel is to attend meetings or training sessions
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
Moderate Risk (MR)
Trust determination process
Announcement number
22-R10-OCR-BNRES-6-7F-DP
Control number
653197700

Duties

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  • Duties are described for the minimum performance level, GS-06
  • Performs a variety of routine and frequently complex tasks involving techniques and practices relating to natural resources, i.e., water, land, food, plants, animals, and soils.
  • Independently, or as part of a team, makes browse surveys; takes and records data, counts, sorts, identifies species, and performs measurements.
  • Utilizes topographic maps; photographs, and data that identify a variety of natural resource areas and conditions.
  • Utilizes a variety of tools to collect and record data .
  • Identifies and classifies principal natural resource types in assigned geographic areas.
  • Participates in developing new or improved prevention practices relating to conditions and findings of natural resource areas where information and data have been collected.
  • Assists in layout of field experiments, pilot projects, impact evaluations, and specific natural resource projects.
  • Performs other duties as assigned.

Requirements

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Conditions of employment

  • Must be a U.S. Citizen or National.
  • Males born after 12-31-59 must be registered for Selective Service or exempt.
  • Subject to satisfactory adjudication of background investigation and/or fingerprint check.
  • Successful completion of one-year probationary period, unless previously served.
  • 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.
  • As a field going position working in brown or black bear habitat, this position is required to be firearm certified for personal and/or crew safety.
  • Executive Order 12564 requires employees designated to carry a firearm to be subject to random drug testing. This position will be subject to random drug testing and will be placed in the applicant testing pool.
  • This position requires initial and continuing qualifications in the use of firearms as outlined in the Gun Control Act of 1968, amended by the Lautenberg Amendment of 1996.
  • This is a Test Designated Position. You will be tested for illegal drugs prior to appointment and randomly thereafter. Appointment and continued employment is conditional on negative results.

Qualifications

In order to qualify, you must meet the eligibility and qualifications requirements as defined below by the closing date of the announcement. For more information on the qualifications for this position, visit the Office of Personnel Management's General Schedule Qualification Standards.

Your application and resume must clearly show that you possess the experience requirements. Transcripts must be provided for qualifications based on education. Provide course descriptions as necessary.

Specialized Experience Requirement:

For the GS-06
: One year specialized experience equivalent to the GS-05 level in one or more of the following: Analyzing natural resources information, and preparing reports of findings with appropriate recommendations; Utilizing topographic maps, photographs, and data that identify a variety of natural resource areas and conditions; OR collecting samples and recording data such as numbers, measurements, weights, samples, and special notes, and making determinations, such as species identification, habitat condition, injury, disease.

OR

One full year (18 semester/27 quarter hours) of successfully completed graduate level coursework that is directly related to the work of the position (such as biology, chemistry, statistics, entomology, animal husbandry, botany, physics, agriculture);

OR

Combinations of graduate level education that is directly related to the position and specialized experience. The education must have been obtained in an accredited college or university.

For the GS-07: One year specialized experience equivalent to the GS-06 level defined as one or more of the following: Detecting, identifying and evaluating natural resource problems; assessing technical support studies of field data in order to prepare drafts and reports of biological data and findings, OR collecting biological data, and inspecting multiples sites in performing work in support of natural resource management projects and programs.

OR

One full year (18 semester/27 quarter hours) of successfully completed graduate level coursework that is directly related to the work of the position (such as biology, chemistry, statistics, entomology, animal husbandry, botany, physics, agriculture);

OR

Combinations of graduate level education that is directly related to the position and specialized experience. The education must have been obtained in an accredited college or university.

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

See specialized experience section above for any/all education substitutions.

Additional information

The salary amount will be adjusted to include a Cost of Living Allowance (COLA). A gradually reducing COLA will continue to be paid after December 31, 2012. COLA will not be eliminated until 65% of the locality pay equals the frozen COLA rate. See the OPM website at: http://www.opm.gov/oca/cola/index.asp for additional information.

THIS IS AN OPEN CONTINUOUS ANNOUNCEMENT. This type of announcement provides the Forest Service with a readily available source of applicants when vacancies occur. Eligibility and qualifications will be verified when there is a vacancy for the location and grade for which you applied. Information on specific locations where jobs are being filled and the dates when applications are due for these locations can be found on the Forest Servicewebsite.

Career Transition Assistance Plan (CTAP), Reemployment Priority List (RPL), or Interagency Career Transition Assistance Plan (ICTAP): To exercise selection priority for this vacancy, CTAP/RPL/ICTAP candidates must meet the basic eligibility requirements and all selective factors. CTAP/ICTAP eligibles must meet the agency's definition for a quality candidate as provided in the How You Will Be Evaluated section of this announcement to be considered.

The USDA Forest Service has legislative authority to recruit and fill Permanent (Career/Career-Conditional), Temporary, and Term Appointments under the USDA Demonstration Project. Under this authority, any U.S. citizen may apply.

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 not guaranteed.

This position may be eligible to telework up to four days per week, based upon the duties of the position. This position may also be eligible for flexible work arrangements as determined by agency policy and any applicable collective bargaining agreements.

The Forest Service may use certain incentives and hiring flexibilities, currently offered by the Federal government, to attract highly qualified candidates. Additional information is available at https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/pay-leave/pay-and-leave-flexibilities-for-recruitment-and-retention/

This position is eligible for telework and other flexible work arrangements.

This is a bargaining unit position and is represented by either NFFE, AFGE, or NAGE.

Forest Service daycare facilities may be available.

Government Housing may be available.

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.

You will be evaluated in accordance with the category rating procedure as defined in the USDA Demonstration Project Plan. Applicants who meet the basic minimum qualification requirements established for the position will be placed in the Eligible category. You will be further evaluated against criteria for placement in the Quality category. This evaluation is based on the level of your experience, education, and/or training as determined by your responses to the Assessment Questionnaire. Individuals with veterans' preference are listed ahead of applicants who do not have veterans' preference within each category.

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 view the application form, visit: https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/11491314

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