- Position Title
- Biological Science Technician - Fisheries (Aquatic Wildlife)
- Agency
- National Park Service
- Announcement Number
- PWR-1548-SR-23-11716753-DE Opens in new window
- Open Period
- Tuesday, December 20, 2022 to Friday, January 6, 2023
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 lowest grade you are willing to accept for this position.
2.
Would you accept a temporary appointment?
3.
As part of the official duties of this position, the incumbent is required to operate a Government vehicle. As such, applicants are required to have a valid State-issued Driver's License prior to the closing date of the job announcement.
Please note: you will be required to submit a Motor Vehicle Operator's License and Driving Record. You must also submit (within a State sealed envelope or submitted directly by the State authorities), and at your own expense, all certified driving records from all States that disclose all valid driver's licenses, whether current or past, possessed by you.
Please chose the best response option regarding your license status.
Please note: you will be required to submit a Motor Vehicle Operator's License and Driving Record. You must also submit (within a State sealed envelope or submitted directly by the State authorities), and at your own expense, all certified driving records from all States that disclose all valid driver's licenses, whether current or past, possessed by you.
Please chose the best response option regarding your license status.
4.
Credit will be given for all appropriate qualifying experience. To receive credit for experience, your resume MUST clearly indicate the nature of the duties and responsibilities for each position, starting and ending dates of employment (month/year), and the resume must reflect full and/or part-time or total number of hours worked (i.e., work 40+ hours a week, rather than indicating full-time). If part-time, the hours must be annotated to be able to pro-rate the amount of qualified specialized experience.
5.
To qualify based on education, you must submit a legible copy of transcripts from an accredited institution with your name, school name, credit hours, course level, major(s), and grade-point average or class ranking. Transcripts do not need to be official, but if you are selected for this position and you used your education to qualify, you must provide official transcripts before you begin work.
If you are using education completed in foreign colleges or universities to meet qualification requirements, you must show that your education credentials have been evaluated by a private organization that specializes in interpretation of foreign education programs and such education has been deemed equivalent to that gained in an accredited U.S. education program; or full credit has been given for the courses at a U.S. accredited college or university.
If you are using education completed in foreign colleges or universities to meet qualification requirements, you must show that your education credentials have been evaluated by a private organization that specializes in interpretation of foreign education programs and such education has been deemed equivalent to that gained in an accredited U.S. education program; or full credit has been given for the courses at a U.S. accredited college or university.
A review of your resume and supporting documentation will be made and compared against your responses to the Assessment Questionnaire to determine if you are qualified for this job. If your resume is incomplete or does not support the responses provided in the Assessment Questionnaire, or if you fail to submit all required documentation, you will be rated 'ineligible', 'not qualified', or your score will be adjusted accordingly. If a determination is made that you have inflated your qualifications or experience, you can lose consideration for this position. Please follow all instructions carefully; errors or omissions can affect your rating.
Assessment 1
Your responses to this questionnaire, in conjunction with the other portions of your completed application, will be evaluated to determine your qualifications for this position. Please carefully follow all instructions before submitting your responses. Once you have submitted your application, items that are left blank will not receive credit.
Minimum Qualifications
1.
From the descriptions below, select the one response that best describes how your background meets the minimum qualifications for a Biological Science Technician (Fisheries) - Aquatic Wildlife, GS-0404-06 position(s). Read all responses before making your selection. If you leave this question blank, you will be rated ineligible. If you do not meet one of these minimum qualifications, you will be considered not qualified and will not receive further consideration for this position.
2.
From the descriptions below, select the one response that best describes how your background meets the minimum qualifications for a Biological Science Technician (Fisheries) - Aquatic Wildlife, GS-0404-07 position(s). Read all responses before making your selection. If you leave this question blank, you will be rated ineligible. If you do not meet one of these minimum qualifications, you will be considered not qualified and will not receive further consideration for this position.
Ability to identify specific aquatic species (Selective Placement Factor)
Select “Yes” or “No” to the following question(s).
3.
Yosemite National Park is home to the following aquatic species which are listed under the Federal Endangered Species Act: Sierra Nevada yellow legged frog, Yosemite toad, and California red-legged frog. Crews also survey for special status species such as the Northwestern Pond turtle and Foothill yellow-legged frog. You must be able to identify competing invasive species (bullfrogs, various trout species) in order to survey and eradicate them. In order to effectively meet regulatory requirements, incumbents must have the ability to identify all above species.
Are you able to accurately identify each of the above species?
Are you able to accurately identify each of the above species?
Ability to backpack and camp (Selective Placement Factor)
4.
Qualified applicant must possess the experience and ability to backpack and camp for at least 6 consecutive days, carrying up to 40 pounds of gear in mountainous terrain and traveling up to 15 miles per day. Qualifying trips may be work related or may be for recreation. Experience must be reflected in resume or application materials, or you will no longer be considered for this position.
Ability to swim (Selective Placement Factor)
Select “Yes” or “No” to the following question(s).
5.
These positions work in an aquatic environment and the incumbent must be able to swim well and be comfortable in and around rivers and large bodies of water. Are you skilled in swimming as outlined and would you be able to demonstrate your ability to swim well in and around rivers and large bodies of water?
Fishery Biology
Select the one statement that most accurately describes your training and experience carrying out each task using the scale provided.
6.
Conduct aquatic wildlife surveys for amphibians, turtles and/or fish by visual encounter or by snorkel survey in the Sierra Nevada Mountains of California.
7.
Conduct fish surveys or habitat restoration using gill nets, traps and electro-fishing equipment and/or experience trapping turtles and/or experience using radio telemetry equipment.
8.
Monitor special status amphibian and reptile species (e.g., yellow-legged frogs, red-legged frogs, Yosemite toads, and Western pond turtles).
9.
Capture and handle sensitive aquatic wildlife to collect morphometric data and mark for recapture.
Interpersonal Skills
Select the one statement that most accurately describes your training and experience carrying out each task using the scale provided.
10.
Considers and responds appropriately to the needs, feelings, and capabilities of others in remote field settings.
11.
Works collaboratively with others to resolve issues as they arise in a safe and effective manner while traveling to and from, and while in, remote field locations.
12.
Interact with the public regarding sensitive aquatic wildlife management issues.
13.
Practices effective and clear communication regarding issues, questions, and/or recommendations to co-workers and/or supervisors.
Technical Competence
Select the one statement that most accurately describes your training and experience carrying out each task using the scale provided.
14.
Collect scientific data on aquatic wildlife species using smart tablets and GPS technology.
15.
Operate and troubleshoot expensive field equipment for fish, reptile, or amphibian wildlife work (e.g. electro-fishing equipment, or GPS units, or radio telemetry equipment)
16.
Conduct snorkel surveys to quantify turtle populations in large, swift water rivers.
17.
Collect data on abundance, life stage, sex, condition, disease monitoring (chytrid swabbing, blood sampling), and habitat characteristics of aquatic wildlife (e.g., fish, amphibians, and turtles).
Stamina
Select the one statement that most accurately describes your training and experience carrying out each task using the scale provided.
18.
Navigate and backpack over long distances in wilderness locations carrying a heavy pack over rugged, high elevation terrain.
19.
Conduct aquatic ecosystem restoration and camp in remote field settings for prolonged periods with small groups of people.
20.
Conduct scientific research and collect data following standardized protocols, while maintaining proper quality control/quality assurance practices.
Leadership
Select the one statement that most accurately describes your training and experience carrying out each task using the scale provided.
21.
Oversee aquatic wildlife or fisheries science in a leadership/crew lead role.
22.
Oversee nonnative aquatic species (e.g., fish and bullfrogs) eradication crews.
23.
Communicate with supervisors and colleagues regarding logistics and work assignments.
24.
Instruct others in the setting and cleaning fish from gill nets or site selection and trap placement
25.
Train others in the use of GPS and tablet data collection technology.
26.
Identify safety hazards encountered in remote mountainous terrain especially in-and-around aquatic habitats.
Managing Human Resources (GS-07 Only)
Select the one statement that most accurately describes your training and experience carrying out each task using the scale provided.
27.
Organize, plan, and schedule field crews for remote backcounty work.
28.
Supervise a staff comprised of employees, interns and volunteers performing aquatic ecological field studies.
29.
Provide guidance, orientation and on-the-job training for new employees conducting aquatic field research.
30.
Facilitate safety dialogues and discussions to ensure safe work practices in remote field locations.
31.
Attend to administrative duties in timely fashion including timekeeping, per diem and backcountry travel plans.