- Position Title
- Biological Science Technician (Plants)
- Agency
- National Park Service
- Announcement Number
- AK-1537-AKRO-20-10652027-DE Opens in new window
- Open Period
- Monday, November 18, 2019 to Friday, November 22, 2019
For preview purposes only. To apply, please return to the USAJOBS announcement and click the Apply button.
Eligibilities
1.
Do you claim Veterans’ Preference?
2.
Are you a United States Citizen?
For more information, review Employment of U.S Citizens.
For more information, review Employment of U.S Citizens.
3.
Are you a current or former federal employee displaced from the agency hiring for this position? If yes, confirm:
For more information, review the USAJOBS Help Center.
To verify your eligibility, you must submit supporting documentation such as a Reduction in Force (RIF) separation notice or a Proposed Removal/Separation notice to include your latest performance rating (if the notice does not have this information included, you must submit a copy of your most recent performance appraisal) and a copy of your latest Notification of Personnel Action, Standard Form 50.
- you are located in the same local commuting area of the vacancy; AND,
- you are applying to a position that is at or below the grade level of the position from which you were or will be separated; AND,
- you are applying to a position that does not have greater promotion potential than the position from which you were or will be separated; AND,
- your last performance rating of record is at least fully successful or the equivalent.
For more information, review the USAJOBS Help Center.
To verify your eligibility, you must submit supporting documentation such as a Reduction in Force (RIF) separation notice or a Proposed Removal/Separation notice to include your latest performance rating (if the notice does not have this information included, you must submit a copy of your most recent performance appraisal) and a copy of your latest Notification of Personnel Action, Standard Form 50.
4.
Are you a current or former federal employee displaced from a position in a Federal agency other than the agency hiring for this position? If yes, confirm:
For more information, review the USAJOBS Help Center.
To verify your eligibility, you must submit supporting documentation such as a Reduction in Force (RIF) separation notice to include your latest performance rating (if the notice does not have this information included, you must submit a copy of your most recent performance appraisal) and a copy of your latest Notification of Personnel Action, Standard Form 50.
- you are located in the same local commuting area of the vacancy; AND,
- you are applying to a position that is at or below the grade level of the position from which you were or will be separated; AND,
- you are applying to a position that does not have greater promotion potential than the position from which you were or will be separated; AND,
- your last performance rating of record is at least fully successful or the equivalent.
For more information, review the USAJOBS Help Center.
To verify your eligibility, you must submit supporting documentation such as a Reduction in Force (RIF) separation notice to include your latest performance rating (if the notice does not have this information included, you must submit a copy of your most recent performance appraisal) and a copy of your latest Notification of Personnel Action, Standard Form 50.
Preferences
1.
Select the locations you want to be considered for. You must choose at least one location.
2.
Would you accept a temporary appointment?
Assessment 1
1.
From the descriptions below, select one response that best describes how your background meets the basic experience or education requirements for a Biological Science Technician (Plants), GS-0404-06 position. Read all responses before making your selection. MARK ONLY ONE RESPONSE. If you select more than one response, or leave this question blank you will be rated ineligible. If you do not meet these minimum qualifications, you will be considered not qualified and will not receive consideration for this position.
For the questions below, please select from A through E to indicate the skill level that you possess for each task listed. The questions were developed based on the knowledge, skills, abilities and competencies needed to perform the work of this position.
Be sure to describe your experience that supports your answers to the questions below, in your resume or application materials. It is important that your application package submitted, including a resume or application form, clearly shows how you possess the experience and skills levels you claim in this questionnaire. Each of your responses must be clearly supported by your education, training, and/or specific work experience you describe in your application packet submitted for this position (application form or resume, transcripts, list and description of training completed and/or other items you submit). If not, your score will be lowered or you will be found not qualified. The information you provide will be verified. Any exaggeration of your experience, false statements, or attempts to conceal information may be grounds for rating you ineligible, not hiring you, or for firing you after you begin work.
Select the one statement that most accurately describes your training and experience carrying out each task using the scale provided.
2.
Use taxonomic keys to correctly identify vascular and non-vascular species observed in the field.
3.
Demonstrated knowledge of non-vascular plant taxonomy and demonstrated ability to recognize species in the field based upon morphological traits.
4.
Collect and prepare herbarium-quality vascular and non-vascular specimens for identification.
5.
Use compound and dissecting microscopes and taxonomic (dichotomous) keys in the lab to identify large numbers (hundreds) of native vascular and non-vascular species.
6.
Prepare vascular and non-vascular voucher specimens to document species' occurrences. For non-vascular specimens, this task requires preparing a voucher packet for archiving the specimen in an herbarium.
7.
Make floristic assessments of plant communities by assigning relative abundances (via ocular estimate) for all vascular and non-vascular species.
8.
Serve as an information resource for less experienced employees or volunteers on identifying plant species and developing voucher collections.
9.
Specific knowledge of and familiarity with the vascular and non-vascular flora of Alaska.
10.
If you answered "E" for any question in this section, where can we find this experience listed within your resume? For federal civilian experience, provide the dates, job title, and pay plan/series/grade. For non-federal experience, provide the dates and job title.
Select the one statement that most accurately describes your training and experience carrying out each task using the scale provided.
11.
Coordinate field logistics for extended field projects in remote, backcountry areas; i.e., rate your experience in planning field logistics and setting the agenda for daily activities of a vegetation crew.
12.
Follow technical protocols for site selection and measurement of plant communities and environmental variables in the field.
13.
Perform a variety of quantitative field methods for measuring and describing species abundance in native plant communities, including point-intercept transects, point-frames, and nested frequency plots.
14.
Perform quantitative surveys of forest stand characteristics, including stand structure, forest health surveys, fuels profiles, and canopy cover.
15.
Make quantitative measurements of environmental variables including soil temperature and moisture, soil pH, slope, aspect, geomorphic characteristics, and plant successional status.
16.
Work in cooperation with others to ensure a safe, efficient, and congenial work environment.
17.
Assist with revegetation projects including invasive plant management, seed collection, and revegetation of disturbed areas.
18.
If you answered "E" for any question in this section, where can we find this experience listed within your resume? For federal civilian experience, provide the dates, job title, and pay plan/series/grade. For non-federal experience, provide the dates and job title.
Select the one statement that most accurately describes your training and experience carrying out each task using the scale provided.
19.
Prepare project emergency plans prior to field work.
20.
Work and travel safely in remote, roadless backcountry areas, off-trail, and through steep and uneven terrain, often in inclement weather.
21.
Use a map and compass and/or handheld GPS to navigate to sites.
22.
Use judgment to apply established techniques to new situations.
23.
Communicate regularly and clearly with park staff and/or supervisors while in the field.
24.
Use first aid in emergency medical situations in remote backcountry areas.
25.
Use the principles of leave-no-trace when working in designated wilderness areas.
26.
If you answered "E" for any question in this section, where can we find this experience listed within your resume? For federal civilian experience, provide the dates, job title, and pay plan/series/grade. For non-federal experience, provide the dates and job title.
Select the one statement that most accurately describes your training and experience carrying out each task using the scale provided.
27.
Use relational databases (e.g., MS Access, Oracle) to archive and analyze vegetation-related monitoring data.
28.
Use a Geographic Information System (e.g., ArcGIS) for tasks including the development, storage, transfer, presentation and/or analysis of geospatial data.
29.
Use mapping-grade GPS units to develop data dictionaries and record plot location and plot attributes.
30.
Independently map native and invasive plant populations using Trimble GPS units
31.
Use web-based searches to access natural resource information, references and/or published literature.
32.
Experience in electronic field data collection procedures, e.g., using tablet PCs and/or Toughbooks.
33.
If you answered "E" for any question in this section, where can we find this experience listed within your resume? For federal civilian experience, provide the dates, job title, and pay plan/series/grade. For non-federal experience, provide the dates and job title.
Select the one statement that most accurately describes your training and experience carrying out each task using the scale provided.
34.
Provide accurate and thorough written information on technical subjects
35.
Communicate scientific information by a variety of means such as technical reports, project proposals, research papers, theses, and/or professional publications.
36.
Document project accomplishments and findings for inclusion in internal documents such as annual administrative reports, agency newsletters, and/or government web pages.
37.
If you answered "E" for any question in this section, where can we find this experience listed within your resume? For federal civilian experience, provide the dates, job title, and pay plan/series/grade. For non-federal experience, provide the dates and job title.
38.
I understand that the responses provided in this questionnaire must be fully supported in my online resume. I further understand that my resume must provide detailed descriptions and/or examples of my knowledge, skill, abilities, and competencies as required in the vacancy announcement and that my failure to do so will result in my application being rated as "ineligible" or "not qualified" for this position.
39.
As previously explained, your ratings in this Occupational Questionnaire are subject to evaluation and verification based on the documents and references you submit. Later steps in the selection process are specifically designed to verify your ratings. Deliberate attempts to falsify information may be grounds for not selecting you or for dismissing you from the position/agency. Please take this opportunity to review your ratings to ensure their accuracy. By agreeing to the statement below, you are confirming that you: 1) understand this warning, 2) have reviewed your responses to this questionnaire for accuracy, and 3) verify that your responses accurately describe your current level of experience and capability. Failure to agree to this statement will disqualify you from further consideration for the position.