USA Staffing

Position Title: Biological Science Technician (Research)
Agency: Forest Service
Announcement Number: 21-RES-11022072-DT-KMR Opens in new window
Open Period: Monday, February 22, 2021 to Friday, February 26, 2021

For preview purposes only. To apply, please return to the USAJOBS announcement and click the Apply button.

1. Do you claim Veterans’ Preference?

A. No, I do not claim Veterans' Preference

B. 0-point Sole Survivorship Preference (SSP)

C. 5-point preference based on active duty in the U.S. Armed Forces (TP)

D. 10-point preference for non-compensable disability or Purple Heart (XP)

E. 10-point preference based on a compensable service connected disability of at least 10% but less than 30% (CP)

F. 10 point preference based on widow/widower or parent of a deceased veteran, or spouse or parent of a disabled veteran (XP)

G. 10-point preference based on a compensable service connected disability of 30% or more (CPS)

Are you a current USDA employee who meets the definition of a "surplus" or "displaced" employee, in which received official notice that your job is no longer needed or that you will lose your job by Reduction-in-Force (RIF)? If yes, confirm:

• you are located in the same local commuting area as the vacancy; AND,
• you are applying to a position that is at or below the grade level of the position from which you will be separated; AND,
• you are applying to a position that does not have greater promotion potential than the position from which you 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.

A. Yes

B. No

Are you a current or former federal employee displaced from a position in a Federal agency other than USDA? If yes, confirm:

• you are located in the same local commuting area as 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.

A. Yes

B. No

4. Have you registered for reemployment consideration AND meet one of the below:

• Are you a current or former competitive service USDA employee who will be or was separated by Reduction-In-Force (RIF) and received a rating of satisfactory or above as your last annual performance rating?
OR
• Are you a former USDA competitive service employee who separated due to a compensable injury or disability?

A. Yes

B. No

1. Would you accept a term appointment?

A. Yes

B. No

This section will be used to determine if you possess the education and experience needed to qualify for this position.

1. Select the statement that reflects your education or experience. Experience claimed should be supported in your resume. (select all that apply).

A. I have 6 months of general experience in performing farm/ranch labor, such as feeding and tending livestock or general maintenance of farm/ranch facilities; Worked in a greenhouse or nursery moving, watering, and tending plants & performing other general labor; Worked on a landscape or construction crew; Other work experience, paid or unpaid, that demonstrates an ability to learn & perform the work of this position.

B. I have 6 months of specialized experience participating in biological-related projects by assisting with measurements, recording observations, and assisting with the collection of biological and vegetation specimens.

C. I have successfully completed 2 years of study that included at least 12 semester hours in any combination of courses such as biology, chemistry, statistics, entomology, animal husbandry, botany, physics, agriculture, or mathematics. At least 6 semester hours of courses must be directly related to the position to be filled.

D. I have a combination of education and experience that together meets the qualification requirements for this positon.

E. I do not meet any of the requirement(s) described above.

Specialized Qualifications

For each of the following questions, choose the response that best describes your experience and training. Mark only response for each question. Please note that your answers will be verified against the information you provide in your resume or application and information provided by your references. FAILURE TO RESPOND TO THESE QUESTIONS WILL RESULT IN AN INELIGIBLE RATING. PLEASE PROVIDE A COPY OF YOUR OFFICIAL TRANSCRIPTS.

2. Which of the following have you identified by observing physical characteristics, using taxonomic keys, and/or conducting microscopic examinations? (select all that apply)

A. Forest conifer and/or deciduous trees.

B. Noxious weeds.

C. Forest plants.

D. Forest fungi.

E. Insects/insect life forms.

F. Mycorrhiza fungi.

G. None of the above.

3. Which of the following duties and functions have you performed to support biological science studies (select all that apply):

A. Maintained records of study and/or project findings and results.

B. Collected field samples.

C. Handled and processed samples and/or specimens.

D. Assisted with preparing specimens for analysis.

E. Followed applicable rules and regulations.

F. Operated equipment and scientific instruments.

G. Followed established work plans/schedules.

H. None of the above.

4. Which of the following best describes your highest level of experience performing technical tasks and duties in the field to support natural resource management botany/plant/aquatic projects and programs?

A. I have no experience performing this work.

B. I have some experience, education, and/or training, but less than the levels described below.

C. I have performed technical tasks and duties in the field to support similar or related botany/plant/aquatic projects and programs.

D. I have worked under the guidance and direction of a higher-level technician or scientist while performing technical tasks and duties in the field to support natural resource management botany/plant/ aquatic projects and programs.

E. As a regular part of jobs, I have held, I have individually or as a crew or team member performed technical tasks and duties in the field to support natural resource management botany/plant/ aquatic projects and programs.

5. Which of the following have you used to collect technical or scientific data as part of biological science studies, projects, tests, or analyses? (select all that apply)

A. Botanical or invertebrate taxonomic keys.

B. Global Positioning System (GPS) equipment.

C. Aerial photos.

D. Measuring instruments.

E. Maps.

F. None of the above.

6. Which of the following best describes your highest level of experience collecting scientific or technical data as part of biological science tests, analyses, studies, or projects?

A. I have no experience performing this work.

B. I have some experience, education, and/or training, but less than the levels described below.

C. I have assisted higher level technicians or scientists with recording simple observations and measurements from laboratory and/or field biological science tests, studies, or projects.

D. I have recorded simple observations and measurements from laboratory and/or field biological science tests, studies, or projects.

E. I have worked under the guidance and direction of a higher-level technician or scientist to perform scientific/technical duties or tasks to assist with collecting and recording data from laboratory and/or field biological science tests, analyses, studies, or projects.

7. Which of the following products have you written and/or prepared? (select all that apply)

A. Records of scientific test data.

B. Database observation records.

C. Reports of research projects or studies.

D. Field notebooks of data/observations.

E. Data analysis used in manuscripts.

F. Information/education presentations.

G. Technical data reports and documents.

H. None of the above.

8. Which of the following duties and functions have you performed to prepare written biological reports, records, and charts? (select all that apply)

A. Constructed plots or graphs of data

B. Presented data in tabular form.

C. Maintained records of project findings/results.

D. Developed data in graphic form,

E. Developed reports describing project/survey results.

F. Developed tables, charts, or other graphics displaying data for use in reports prepared by supervisors.

G. Used computer programs/software to analyze data and developed spreadsheets of project/field survey data.

H. None of the above

9. Which of the following best describes your highest level of experience calibrating, using, adjusting, and maintaining equipment to carry out scientific data collection, testing, and analysis?

A. I have no experience performing this work.

B. I have some experience, education, and/or training, but less than the levels described below.

C. I have followed specific instructions to operate equipment such as cameras, measuring/sampling devices, and/or global positioning devices in volunteer or academic assignments.

D. As part of jobs I have held, I have operated equipment such as global positioning devices, data recorders, remote cameras, and measuring/sampling devices. My work was performed under the guidance of a crew leader or supervisor.

E. I have used and properly operated field equipment, such as global positioning devices, data recorders, remote cameras, and measuring/sampling devices in remote areas or rugged terrain to support of a biological science program. My work was performed under the guidance of a crew leader or supervisor.

10. Please select the statement(s) that reflect your educational achievement(s).

A. Transcripts, certificates, or other appropriate documentation must be included with this application to verify GPA, degree, and/or completion of trade or vocational school program.

B. I have a grade point average (GPA) of 2.7 or above for all completed courses at the time of this application or for all completed courses during the last two years of high school or college.

C. I have a GPA of 3.0 or above in my major field of college study for all courses completed at the time of this application or for all courses completed during the last two years of a 4 year curriculum.

D. I am (was) a member of a college national honor society (does not include a freshman honor society).

E. I have completed all the requirements for an advanced degree in a field related to this position (e.g., M.A. or Ph.D.).

F. I have a GPA of 2.7 or above for at least 24 semester hours (or equivalent) of coursework, above the high school level, that is directly related to the work of this position.

G. I have received a certificate or other indicator of successful completion of a trade or vocational school program that is directly related to the work of this position.

H. None of the above

11. I certify I have read the announcement and have attached all supporting documents as required.

A. Yes

B. No

12. Have you read the "Required Documents" section of the vacancy announcement and understand that failure to submit all required, legible documents prior to the closing date of the announcement may result in loss of consideration?

A. Yes

B. No

13. I certify, to the best of my knowledge and belief, all the information submitted by me with my application for employment is true, complete, and made in good faith, and that I have truthfully and accurately represented my work experience, knowledge, skills, abilities and education (degrees, accomplishments, etc.). I understand that the information provided may be investigated. I understand that misrepresenting my experience or education or providing false or fraudulent information in or with my application may be grounds for not hiring me or for terminating me after I begin work. I also understand that false or fraudulent statements may be punishable by fine or imprisonment (18 U.S.C. 1001).

A. Yes

B. No

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