Forest Service Logo
Position Title
Botanist
Agency
Forest Service
Announcement Number
22-R10-11533164-DP-NI Opens in new window
Open Period
Tuesday, June 28, 2022 to Friday, July 8, 2022
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.
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.
 
 
(limit characters)
3.
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.
 
 
(limit characters)
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?
(limit characters)
Preferences
1. Select the location(s) you want to be considered for. You must choose at least one location. (limit characters)
2. Select the lowest grade you are willing to accept for this position. (limit characters)
Firearms
This position authorizes the incumbent to carry a firearm. Any person who has been convicted of a misdemeanor of domestic violence cannot lawfully possess a firearm or ammunition (Title 18, U.S.C., Section 922(g)(9)). A "misdemeanor crime of domestic violence" is generally defined under the statute as any offense involving the use or attempted use of physical force, or the threatened use of a deadly weapon, committed by the victim's current or former domestic partner, parent, or guardian. The term "convicted" as defined in the statute, excludes any person whose conviction has been expunged, set-aside, or pardoned or any person whose civil rights have been restored unless the pardon, expunging or restoration of civil rights expressly prohibits the possession of firearms or ammunition. Candidates who have been convicted of a misdemeanor crime of domestic violence within the meaning of the referenced statutes are not qualified for this position. Candidates under consideration will be required to certify whether they have ever been convicted of such an offense. False or fraudulent information provided by candidates is criminally punishable by fine or imprisonment. (limit characters)
1. Have you ever been convicted of a misdemeanor crime of domestic violence within the meaning of the referenced statutes stated above? (limit characters)
2. Have you ever been convicted of a crime punishable by imprisonment for a term exceeding one year? (limit characters)
3. Are you a fugitive from justice? (limit characters)
4. Are you an unlawful user of, or addicted to, any controlled substance (as defined as a drug or other substance, or immediate precursor, included in schedule I, II, III, IV, or V of Section 812, Part B, Sub-chapter I, Chapter 13, Title 21 , of U.S. Code.)? (limit characters)
5. Are you an illegal alien or have you been admitted to the United States under a non-immigrant visa? (limit characters)
6. Have you been adjudicated as a mental defective or have you been committed to a mental institution? (limit characters)
7. Were you discharged from the Armed Forces under dishonorable conditions? (limit characters)
8. Have you renounced your United States citizenship? (limit characters)
9. Are you subject to a court-ordered restraining order from harassing, stalking, or threatening an intimate partner or child? (limit characters)
10. Are there any outstanding warrants for your arrest? (limit characters)
11. Do you have a physical condition that would cause you to be a hazard to yourself or others? (limit characters)
12. Do you understand that this is a testing designated position which requires a negative test result for illegal drug use prior to appointment and randomly thereafter? (limit characters)
Assessment 1
Thank you for your interest in this Botanist, GS-GS-0430-07/09, position with the USDA Forest Service. Your resume and the responses you provide to this assessment questionnaire will be used to determine if you are among the best qualified for this position. (limit characters)
Your responses to the Basic Requirements and Specialized Experience statements, as well as other statements in the questionnaire, in conjunction with the information provided in your completed application, will be evaluated to determine your qualifications. Read all responses before making your selection. If you do not meet one of these basic requirements, you will be considered not qualified and will not receive consideration. You must submit a copy of your transcripts that identifies for each course the college or university, semester or quarter hours earned, grade received, and date completed. A copy of your official transcripts may be required before entrance on duty, if selected. YOUR RESUME OR APPLICATION MATERIALS SUBMITTED FOR THIS ANNOUNCEMENT MUST SUPPORT THE ANSWERS YOU CLAIM. (limit characters)
Basic Requirements (limit characters)
1. From the descriptions below, select the one response that best describes how your background meets the Basic Requirements for the GS-0430 series.
(limit characters)
Specialized Experience Requirements (limit characters)
2. From the descriptions below, select one response that best describes how your background meets the Specialized Experience Requirements for the GS-07 level. Read all responses before making your selection. If you do not meet these minimum qualifications, you will be considered not qualified and will not receive consideration for this position.
(limit characters)
3. From the descriptions below, select one response that best describes how your background meets the Specialized Experience Requirements for the GS-09 level. Read all responses before making your selection. If you do not meet these minimum qualifications, you will be considered not qualified and will not receive consideration for this position.
(limit characters)
For each of the following task statements, choose the response that best describes your experience and training. Mark only one response for each question. Please note that your answers will be verified against the information you provide in your resume or application, as well as information provided by your references. Failure to respond to these questions will result in an ineligible rating. (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. Provide technical expertise regarding threatened, endangered and sensitive plant species, plant community and vegetation management.
(limit characters)
5. Utilize knowledge of the basic botanical methods, techniques, and procedures necessary to identify vegetation communities and conduct vegetation inventories.
(limit characters)
6. Identify vegetation communities and conduct vegetation inventories using basic botanical methods and techniques.
(limit characters)
7. Maintain plant surveys to meet environmental assessments.
(limit characters)
8. Conduct environmental data collection field surveys and maintain inventory of plant occurrence records.
(limit characters)
9. Assist other assigned field personnel to recognize, identify, and locate plant species of concern.
(limit characters)
10. Conduct training in habitat analysis, plant identification, and documentation in accordance with management plans and objectives.
(limit characters)
11. Provide professional advice and guidance on botanical issues to colleagues and management.
(limit characters)
12. Communicate with partners on current or proposed management activities that affect plant species and related resource activities.
(limit characters)
13. Prepare informational responses to internal directives or agency, public group, and individual inquiries.
(limit characters)
14. Provide verbal reports and informational responses.
(limit characters)
15. Implement management plans for the protection and enhancement of habitat for special status plants and control of noxious weeds or other invasive species.
(limit characters)
16. Plan surveys and lead monitoring crews to accomplish survey protocols.
(limit characters)
17. Participate on interdisciplinary teams to coordinate the effective management of threatened, endangered and sensitive plant species.
(limit characters)
18. Assist with evaluating, developing, implementing, and monitoring invasive species and native plant community restoration projects.
(limit characters)
19. Work with partners to provide the documentation and coordination necessary for the effective management of invasive plants and threatened, endangered and sensitive plant species.
(limit characters)
20. Manage invasive species and native plant community restoration projects by evaluating, developing, implementing, and monitoring projects.
(limit characters)
21. Develop or assist with developing sensitive plant lists and species management guidelines.
(limit characters)
22. Assist in preparing assessments and management plans for the protection and enhancement of habitat for special status plants.
(limit characters)
23. Analyze, interpret, and prepare reports on population trend and community composition monitoring data for use in plant projects.
(limit characters)
24. Prepare and administer contracts and agreements for the treatment of invasive plants and/or restoration of native plant communities.
(limit characters)
25. Please select the statement(s) that reflect your educational achievement(s). Transcripts, certificates, or other appropriate documentation must be included with this application to verify GPA, coursework, and degree. (limit characters)
26. Your responses to the Announcement and Assessment Questionnaires, along with your resume and all supporting documentation are subject to evaluation and verification to ensure accuracy. Submitting false information or attempts to falsify information may be grounds for disqualifying you or for terminating you after you have been hired. Please take this opportunity to review your responses to ensure their accuracy. (limit characters)