- Position Title
- Engineering Technician
- Agency
- Forest Service
- Announcement Number
- 23-RES-OCR-12071164-DP-BVB Opens in new window
- Open Period
- Friday, August 4, 2023 to Monday, February 5, 2024
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 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.
• 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.
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.
• 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.
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?
• 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?
Preferences
1.
Select the lowest grade you are willing to accept for this position.
2.
Are you a current or former Political appointee, Presidential appointee, and/or non-career Senior Executive Service (SES) appointee?
Assessment 1
Thank you for your interest in this Engineering Technician GS-0802-7/8/9 position with the USDA Forest Service. Your responses to the questions in the questionnaire and the information provided in your completed application will be evaluated to determine your qualifications for this position. TO QUALIFY: attach all transcripts that document the required coursework and/or degree completed. Transcripts must show the college or university, semester or quarter hours earned, grade received, and date completed. Attach university course descriptions if transcripts do not clearly indicate course content. Your resume or application materials must support the answers you select.
Minimum Qualification Requirements for the GS-7 level
1.
From the descriptions below, select one response that best describes how your background meets the specialized experience requirements for the GS-7 grade level of this Engineering Technician position.
Minimum Qualification Requirements for the GS-8 level
2.
From the descriptions below, select one response that best describes how your background meets the specialized experience requirements for the GS-8 grade level of this Engineering Technician position.
Minimum Qualification Requirements for the GS-9 level
3.
From the descriptions below, select one response that best describes how your background meets the specialized experience requirements for the GS-9 grade level of this Engineering Technician position.
Select the one statement that most accurately describes your training and experience carrying out each task using the scale provided.
4.
Identify and correct operational malfunctions in chemical laboratory equipment.
5.
Maintain and calibrate standard chemical laboratory equipment.
6.
Train others in the operation and maintenance of standard and specialized chemical laboratory equipment.
7.
Maintain an up-to-date inventory of standard laboratory chemicals.
8.
Perform chemical reactions and wet chemical tests including laboratory operations like weighing, dilution, and adjusting pH.
9.
Process wood and biomass samples including traditional pulping and bleaching, making handsheets, advanced biorefining, and/or producing nanocellulose and processing lignin.
10.
Perform a variety of chemical and physical techniques, including rheology, spectroscopy, thermal analysis, mechanical testing or product specific performance, specimen preparation and testing.
11.
Conduct analytical chemistry techniques, such as titration, chemical and physical analyses of samples, and operate specialized instruments and interpret the results of these analyses.
12.
Develop and modify chemical, physical, analytical, and spectral techniques to meet the needs of research objectives.
13.
Plan steps needed to complete chemical and/or physical science related assignments, select among alternative procedures to produce requested results; and solve common technical or procedural problems.
14.
Prepare progress reports related to laboratory work that are presented orally and/or in writing.
15.
Prepare study plans, proposals for funding, presentations, posters, and publications for internal and/or external distribution.
16.
Analyze data related to engineering technician work, organize information, and interpret results.
17.
Describe, detail, and summarize laboratory operations using a laboratory notebook.
18.
Use guidelines that have gaps in specificity and are not applicable to all work situations.
19.
Select the most appropriate guidelines and decides how to complete the work.
20.
Develop new or improved techniques and methods related to the processing of biomass based on existing methods and practices.
21.
Recommend improved safety practices related to engineering technician work.
22.
If any of your education was completed at a foreign institute, you must submit with your application evidence that the institute was appropriately accredited by an accrediting body recognized by the U.S. Department of Education as equivalent to U.S. education standards. Contacts for private organizations that specialize in this evaluation are located here: http://www.naces.org/members.htm. A fee is normally associated with this service. All transcripts must be in English or include an English translation.
23.
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, degree, and/or completion of trade or vocational school program.
24.
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.