Bureau of Land Management Logo
Position Title
Botanist-Ecologist
Agency
Bureau of Land Management
Announcement Number
NV Merit-21-11210844-KK Opens in new window
Open Period
Tuesday, September 7, 2021 to Monday, September 20, 2021
For preview purposes only. To apply, please return to the USAJOBS announcement and click the Apply button.
Eligibilities
1. Do you claim Veterans’ Preference? (limit characters)
2. Veterans 30% Disabled Authority:  Do you meet the following eligibility?
 
  • I am a veteran who separated or from active duty under honorable conditions and have been rated by the Department of Veterans Affairs as having a compensable service-connected disability of 30% or more.
For more information, review USAJOBS Veterans resources.

In order to receive consideration, you must submit documentation showing proof of eligibility.  All required documentation will be outlined in the Job Opportunity Announcement.   
(limit characters)
3. Appointment of Certain Military Family Members:  Do you meet any of the following eligibilities?
  • I am the spouse of a member of the Armed Forces.
  • I am the spouse of a member of the Armed Forces who retired with a disability rating at the time of retirement of 100 percent, or the spouse of a member of the Armed Forces who retired or separated from the Armed Forces and has a disability rating of 100 percent from the Department of Veterans Affairs.
  • I am the un-remarried widow or widower of a member of the Armed Forces killed while in active duty status.
In order to receive consideration, you must submit documentation showing proof of eligibility.    

Supporting Documentation showing proof of eligibility:

• verification of the marriage to the service member (i.e., a marriage license or other legal documentation verifying marriage) and verification of the spouse's military service;

• verification of the member's 100 percent disability; and/or

• verification of the member's death while on active duty.
(limit characters)
4. Career Transition Assistance Plan:  Do you meet ALL of the following eligibilities?
  • I am a current or former competitive federal employee displaced or surplused from the Department of the Interior; AND
  • I am located in the same local commuting area of the vacancy; AND
  • I am applying to a position that is at or below the grade level of the position from which I have been or will be separated; AND
  • My last performance rating of record is at least fully successful or the equivalent.
In order to receive consideration, you must submit documentation showing proof of eligibility.  All required documentation will be outlined in the Job Opportunity Announcement.   
(limit characters)
5. Current or Former Federal Employee:  Do you meet any of the following eligibilities? 
  • I am a current Federal employee with a career or career-conditional appointment in the competitive service AND the highest grade level I have held on a permanent basis is lower than the full performance level of the position being announced.
  • I am a former Federal employee who held a permanent career appointment in the competitive service AND the highest grade level I have held on a permanent basis is lower than the full performance level of the position being announced.
  • I am a former Federal employee who obtained career-conditional status (within 3 years of the date of separation or am a preference eligible) AND the highest grade level I have held on a permanent basis is lower than the full performance level of the position being announced.
To verify your eligibility as a current or former Federal civilian employee, you must submit a copy of your Notification of Personnel Action, Standard Form 50 (SF-50) or equivalent personnel action form reflecting your permanent, competitive status. If you were career-conditional and resigned, you will need to submit your resignation SF-50. You may need to submit more than one SF-50. Your SF-50 (or equivalent personnel action form) must also reflect:
  • career or career-conditional (Tenure field is 1 or 2); AND
  • status in the competitive service (Position Occupied field is 1).
(limit characters)
6. Veterans Employment Opportunities Act (VEOA):  Do you meet any of the following eligibilities?
 
  • I am a veteran whose latest discharge was under honorable conditions and I meet one of the following criteria:
    • I have served three or more years of continuous active duty service in the military (NOTE: if released shortly before completing a 3-year tour, you are considered to meet the eligibility).
    • I am entitled to veterans' preference.
For more information, review USAJOBS Veterans resources.
 
In order to receive consideration, you must submit documentation showing proof of eligibility.  All required documentation will be outlined in the Job Opportunity Announcement.   
(limit characters)
7. Are you a former Public Land Corps (PLC) Member who served as a qualified youth, ages 16 to 30 years, on an appropriate conservation project completing a minimum of 640 hours of satisfactory service that included at least 120 hours on Federal public lands within the last two (2) years?

      For more information go to: https://www.blm.gov/careers/students-and-grads/public-lands-corps

To verify your eligibility, you must provide:  a copy of your "Certificate of Eligibility for Noncompetitive Hiring" along with a copy of your "PLC Participant Verification Work Hours Sheet."
(limit characters)
8. Interagency Career Transition Assistance Plan: Do you meet ALL of the following eligibilities?
  • I am a current or former competitive federal employee displaced from a position in a federal agency other than the Department of the Interior; AND
  • I am located in the same local commuting area of the vacancy; AND
  • I am currently in a position at the same grade level or higher than the position being announced; AND
  • My last performance rating of record is at least fully successful or the equivalent.
In order to receive consideration, you must submit documentation showing proof of eligibility.  All required documentation will be outlined in the Job Opportunity Announcement. 
(limit characters)
9. Are you a current or former employee of a land management agency (Forest Service; Bureau of Land Management; National Park Service; Fish and Wildlife Service; Bureau of Indian Affairs; or Bureau of Reclamation) who:

• was originally hired to a time-limited position under a competitive appointment; AND,
• served one or more time-limited appointments at a land management agency for a period totaling more than 24 months without a break in service of two or more years; AND,
• performed at an acceptable level of service during each period of service; AND,
• if no longer employed by the land management agency, have been separated for no more than two years, and for reasons other than misconduct or performance 

In order to receive consideration, you must submit documentation showing proof of eligibility. You must submit documentation showing all required periods of service (generally SF-50s) and acceptable performance (generally performance appraisal ratings or memorandum of record where the supervisor documented an acceptable performance level, or reference by supervisors, etc.).   All required documentation will be outlined in the Job Opportunity Announcement.   
(limit characters)
10. Non-Competitive Current Federal Employees:  Do you meet any of the following eligibilities?
  • I am currently employed as a Federal civilian employee in the Competitive Service at the same grade level as the full performance of the position being announced
  • I am currently employed as a Federal civilian employee in the Competitive Service at a higher grade level than the full performance of the position being announced
  • I am currently employed as a Federal civilian employee in the Competitive Service serving in a position with a full performance level equivalent to or higher than the full performance level of the position being announced  
  • I am currently employed as a Federal civilian employee in the Competitive Service and have previously held a permanent position with a full performance level equivalent to or higher than the full performance level of the position being announced   
In order to receive consideration, you must submit documentation showing proof of eligibility.  All required documentation will be outlined in the Job Opportunity Announcement. 
(limit characters)
11. Non-Competitive Former Federal Employees: Do you meet any of the following eligibilities?
  • I am a former Federal civilian employee that served on a permanent career competitive appointment AND have held the same grade level as the full performance of the position being announced or higher with the same or higher promotion potential.
  • I have obtained career-conditional status (within 3 years of the date of separation or am a preference eligible) AND have held the same grade level as the full performance of the position being announced or higher with the same or higher promotion potential.
In order to receive consideration, you must submit documentation showing proof of eligibility.  All required documentation will be outlined in the Job Opportunity Announcement.   
(limit characters)
12. OPM Interchange Agreement and Other Miscellaneous Authorities - Do you meet any of the following eligibilities?
  • I am a current Excepted Service employee of a Federal Agency that has a valid interchange agreement with the Office of Personnel Management.
  • I am a current employee of a Federal Agency that is covered by a miscellaneous appointing authority not regulated by Office of Personnel Management.
In order to receive consideration, you must submit documentation showing proof of eligibility.  All required documentation will be outlined in the Job Opportunity Announcement.   
(limit characters)
13. Are you a former Peace Corps volunteer or VISTA member who has completed your service within the past twelve months? 

-OR

Are you a former Peace Corps volunteer or VISTA member who has completed your service within the past 36 months and are requesting an extension of your non-competitive eligibility due to your military service, status as a full-time student or other experience related to this position? 

-OR

Are you a current or former Peace Corps employee who has completed at least 36 months of continuous service and has been separated from the Peace Corps for less than three years? 

To verify your eligibility, you must submit a copy of your description of service or other proof of non-competitive eligibility. If you are a former Peace Corps volunteer or VISTA member who is requesting an extension of your non-competitive eligibility, please also provide the necessary documentation to support your request.  

In order to receive consideration, you must submit documentation showing proof of eligibility.  All required documentation will be outlined in the Job Opportunity Announcement.   
(limit characters)
14. Schedule A Appointments:  Do you meet the following eligibility?
  • I have a severe physical, psychiatric or intellectual disability that qualifies for a Schedule A Appointment.
 If eligible, you must submit documentation of eligibility for employment under Schedule A.  Documentation must meet the following criteria:
  • Documentation must be obtained from a licensed medical professional; a licensed vocational rehabilitation specialist; or any Federal agency, state agency, or agency of the District of Columbia or a U.S. territory that issues or provides disability benefits.
  • Documentation must verify that the individual is indeed a person with a severe physical, psychiatric or intellectual disability.
In order to receive consideration, you must submit documentation showing proof of eligibility.
(limit characters)
Preferences
1. Select all of the series you want to be considered for. You must choose at least one series. (limit characters)
Assessment 1
YOUR RESUME OR APPLICATION MATERIALS YOU SUBMIT FOR THIS ANNOUNCEMENT MUST SUPPORT THE ANSWERS YOU CLAIM UNDER THIS AND OTHER QUESTIONS. IF NOT, YOU WILL BE FOUND NOT QUALIFIED OR YOUR SCORE WILL BE LOWERED. From the descriptions below, select responses that best describes how your background meets the qualification requirements for a Botanist/Ecologist, GS-0430/0408-12 position. Read all responses before making your selection. Some questions allow for multiple answers, so mark those that apply. If you leave a question blank you will be rated ineligible. If you do not meet these requirements, you will be considered not qualified and will not receive consideration for this position. (limit characters)
1. Basic Requirement. Choose the one answer that best describes how you meet the Basic Educational Requirements for a Botanist, GS-0430 as described in the Qualifications Section of the Vacancy Announcement.
(limit characters)
2. Basic Requirement. Choose the one answer that best describes how you meet the Basic Educational Requirements for Ecologist, GS-0408 as described in the Qualifications Section of the Vacancy Announcement.
(limit characters)
3. Minimum Qualifications Requirement for GS-12. I meet the minimum requirements because:
(limit characters)
Select the one statement that most accurately describes your training and experience carrying out each task using the scale provided. (limit characters)
4. Describe your experience in providing persuasive and concise written reports, studies, policies, memoranda, and other correspondence to high-level management. This correspondence often involved complex, controversial issues with the need to obtain buy-in and support for corporate policy.
(limit characters)
5. When faced with tight deadlines, changing priorities and conflicting responsibility, which of the following best describes your work style.
(limit characters)
Select the one statement that most accurately describes your training and experience carrying out each task using the scale provided. (limit characters)
6. Indicate your level of proficiency as an ecologist in assessing biological functions including soil, riparian, and hydrological processes of desert environments:
(limit characters)
7. Which of the following best describes your highest level of experience, education or training developing and maintaining cooperative relationships, memoranda of understanding and cooperative agreements with state and federal organizations to pursue an organization`s goals?
(limit characters)
8. Select the statement that best describes your experience analyzing, adapting and applying research methods and analysis techniques in order to critically analyze problems involving fire, resource and ecosystem related issues.
(limit characters)
9. Which of the following best describes your highest level of experience, education or training providing long range resource planning, program direction, coordination and evaluation of native plant/vegetation/botanical management and related activities in a field office or similar environment?
(limit characters)
10. Identify the following tasks you perform that demonstrate your experience in providing leadership, coordination and administration of activities dealing with botanical (plant or native seed) management:
(limit characters)
11. Please select each of the following that describes your experience with Special Status Species (SSS)-plants:
(limit characters)
Select the one statement that most accurately describes your training and experience carrying out each task using the scale provided. (limit characters)
12. Which of the following best describes your highest level of experience, education or training in monitoring populations of federally threatened or endangered desert perennials or annual flowering plants?
(limit characters)
13. Which of the following best describes your familiarity with laws, regulations, and policies pertaining to land/resource management botany programs?
(limit characters)
14. Identify the specialized work related to the technical aspects of seed quality.
(limit characters)
15. Select each of the specialized work related to land use planning and environmental analysis that you have performed on the job.
(limit characters)
16. Select one statement that best reflects your experience working with an interdependent network of external partners and independent scientists on landscape-level issues.
(limit characters)
17. Select the statement that best describes your ability to communicate orally.
(limit characters)
18. Select the statement that best describes your ability to effectively negotiate and collaborate to build constituencies with a wide variety of individuals and groups comprised of divergent backgrounds with differing priorities and opinions.
(limit characters)
19. Select the statement that best describes your experience in working in an interagency and/or partnership work environment.
(limit characters)
20. Select the statement that best describes your experience identifying issues, resolving conflicts, and negotiating solutions.
(limit characters)
21. Select each of the following statements that describe your ability and experience with written communications.
(limit characters)
22. Identify the following tasks you have performed in communicating and interacting with others.
(limit characters)
23. Select the statement that best describes your experience using written and oral communications to convey technical information and messages to contractors, research scientists, academia, and senior management officials?
(limit characters)
24. Select the statement that best describe your skill in researching information for public presentation:
(limit characters)
25. Select the statement that best describes your experience analyzing, adapting, and applying research methods and analysis techniques in order to critically analyze problems involving ecosystem related issues.
(limit characters)
Select the one statement that most accurately describes your training and experience carrying out each task using the scale provided. (limit characters)
26. Please select the statement that best describes your experience in initiating stipulations on land use proposals for the protection of Threatened/Endangered & Sensitive Status Species.
(limit characters)
27. Identify the following tasks you have performed in communicating and interacting with others.
(limit characters)
28. I certify that, to the best of my knowledge and belief, all the information included in this questionnaire is true, correct, and provided in good faith. I understand that if I make an intentional false statement or commit deception or fraud in this application and its supporting materials, or in any document or interview associated with the examination process, I may be fined or imprisoned (18 U.S.C. 1001); my eligibilities may be cancelled, I may be denied an appointment, or I may be removed and debarred from Federal service (5 C.F.R. part 731). I understand that any information I give may be investigated. I understand that responding "No" to this item will result in my not being considered for this position.
(limit characters)