- Position Title
- Physical Science Technician
- Agency
- U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
- Announcement Number
- R3-23-12122787-CU-MP Opens in new window
- Open Period
- Monday, September 18, 2023 to Friday, September 29, 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.
You are eligible for this hiring category if you:
(1) The spouse of a member of the Armed Forces serving on active duty for more than 180 days other than for training
-OR-
(2) The spouse of a 100 percent disabled service member injured while on active duty
-OR-
(3) The un-remarried widow or widower of a service member who was killed while performing active duty
Supporting documentation: You are required to submit acceptable documentation of your eligibility for E.O. 13473 which includes:
All military spouses must submit documentation verifying marriage to the service member (i.e., a marriage license or other legal documentation verifying marriage)
AND
If you are married to an active-duty service member, documentation verifying active-duty status
OR
If you are a spouse of a 100% disabled service member, documentation showing the member of the armed forces retired, or was released or discharged from active duty, with a disability rating of 100 percent.
OR
If you are an un-remarried widow or widower of a service member killed while on active duty, documentation showing the member was released or discharged from active duty due to his or her death while on active duty; documentation verifying the member of the armed forces was killed while serving on active duty; documentation verifying the widow or widower's marriage to the member of the armed forces (i.e., a marriage license or other legal documentation verifying marriage); and a statement certifying that the individual seeking to use the authority is the un-remarried widow or widower of the service member.
For more information please see OPM's Questions and Answers for Noncompetitive Appointment of Certain Military Spouses.
(1) The spouse of a member of the Armed Forces serving on active duty for more than 180 days other than for training
-OR-
(2) The spouse of a 100 percent disabled service member injured while on active duty
-OR-
(3) The un-remarried widow or widower of a service member who was killed while performing active duty
Supporting documentation: You are required to submit acceptable documentation of your eligibility for E.O. 13473 which includes:
All military spouses must submit documentation verifying marriage to the service member (i.e., a marriage license or other legal documentation verifying marriage)
AND
If you are married to an active-duty service member, documentation verifying active-duty status
OR
If you are a spouse of a 100% disabled service member, documentation showing the member of the armed forces retired, or was released or discharged from active duty, with a disability rating of 100 percent.
OR
If you are an un-remarried widow or widower of a service member killed while on active duty, documentation showing the member was released or discharged from active duty due to his or her death while on active duty; documentation verifying the member of the armed forces was killed while serving on active duty; documentation verifying the widow or widower's marriage to the member of the armed forces (i.e., a marriage license or other legal documentation verifying marriage); and a statement certifying that the individual seeking to use the authority is the un-remarried widow or widower of the service member.
For more information please see OPM's Questions and Answers for Noncompetitive Appointment of Certain Military Spouses.
3.
Are you a current or former federal employee displaced from the agency hiring for this position?
If yes, confirm:
• 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.
If yes, confirm:
• 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.
Please select YES to this eligibility if you are ANY of the options below:
- A Current or Former Federal Employee who has held or currently holds a career or career conditional appointment in the competitive service and has never held the full performance level of the position being announced. OR
- Veterans Employment Opportunity Act (VEOA) Eligible
5.
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:
• 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.
• 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.
6.
Are you a current or former employee of a Land Management Agency and are serving or served under a time-limited competitive service appointment? You may be eligible to compete under the Land Management Workforce Flexibility Act, P.L. 114-47.
Current land management agency appointees must have initially been hired under competitive procedures for a time-limited appointment; must have served under one or more time-limited appointments by a land management agency for a period totaling more than 24 months without a break in service of two or more years; and must have performed at an acceptable level during each period of service.
Former land management agency employees must have initially been hired under competitive procedures for a time-limited appointment; must have served under one or more time-limited appointments by a land management agency for a period totaling more than 24 months without a break in service of two or more years; and must have performed at an acceptable level during each period of service; must have been separated (with respect to their most recent separation) for reasons other than misconduct or performance, and must apply for a position covered by these provisions within two years of their most recent date of separation.
You must provide documentation showing all required periods of service (All SF-50s) and acceptable performance (performance appraisal ratings or references from supervisors if employed for periods of time too short to require an appraisal.)
Current land management agency appointees must have initially been hired under competitive procedures for a time-limited appointment; must have served under one or more time-limited appointments by a land management agency for a period totaling more than 24 months without a break in service of two or more years; and must have performed at an acceptable level during each period of service.
Former land management agency employees must have initially been hired under competitive procedures for a time-limited appointment; must have served under one or more time-limited appointments by a land management agency for a period totaling more than 24 months without a break in service of two or more years; and must have performed at an acceptable level during each period of service; must have been separated (with respect to their most recent separation) for reasons other than misconduct or performance, and must apply for a position covered by these provisions within two years of their most recent date of separation.
You must provide documentation showing all required periods of service (All SF-50s) and acceptable performance (performance appraisal ratings or references from supervisors if employed for periods of time too short to require an appraisal.)
7.
Please select YES to this eligibility if you meet ANY of the eligibilities listed below:
- A Current or Former Federal Employee who has held or currently holds a career or career conditional appointment in the competitive service and has held a permanent (non-temporary) position in the competitive service at the same or higher full performance level as the position being announced
- A Veteran who has a service connected disability of 30% or more
- Certain Overseas Family Members (A family member of a federal employee, or uniformed service member, who has completed 52 weeks of service in a federal position overseas.)
- Peace Corps/VISTA Eligible
- A Foreign Service Employee
- Miscellaneous Authorities not regulated by OPM (Postal Career Service Employee; Postal Rate Commission Employee; Government Accountability Office (GAO) Employee; Administrative Office of the U.S. Courts Employee)
- DOI or FWS Authorities not regulated by OPM (e.g. Directorate Fellowship Program)
- Interchange agreement with other merit systems Eligible
8.
Do you have a severe physical, psychiatric or mental disability that qualifies you for a Schedule A Disability appointment? For more information, review USAJOBS Individuals with Disabilities resources.
To verify your eligibility, you must provide appropriate medical documentation, i.e., a letter signed by a licensed medical professional or licensed vocational rehabilitation specialist stating your condition and restrictions.
To verify your eligibility, you must provide appropriate medical documentation, i.e., a letter signed by a licensed medical professional or licensed vocational rehabilitation specialist stating your condition and restrictions.
9.
Please select YES to this eligibility if you are a former Public Land Corps (PLC) Member who meets all the requirements below for non-competitive eligibility:
- Served as a qualified youth, ages 16 to 30 years inclusive, or a veteran age 35 or younger, on an appropriate conservation project completing a minimum of 640 hours of satisfactory service that included at least 120 hours on a PLC project as defined in 16 USC 1723(d); and
- Completed the PLC service within the last two (2) years, and
- Possess a copy of the "Certificate of Eligibility for Non-Competitive Hiring Status (PLC)" signed by a bureau PLC Coordinator.
10.
Reasonable Accommodations for taking the online assessments are provided on a case-by-case basis only to qualified individuals with a disability covered by the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, as amended.
Do you have a disability (physical or mental) that you believe will interfere with completing the online assessments and require a Reasonable Accommodation?
11.
Are you a veteran who separated from active duty under honorable conditions AND you:
• recently separated (within the past 3 years); OR
• are a disabled veteran; OR
• served on active duty during a war, campaign or expedition; OR,
• received an Armed Forces Service Medal?
NOTE: Eligible veterans may be appointed without competition to positions at any grade level through General Schedule (GS) 11 or equivalent. (The promotion potential of the position is not a factor.)
For more information, review USAJOBS Veterans resources.
To verify your eligibility, you must submit a copy of your latest Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty, DD-214 (copy indicating character of service) or other proof of your service which includes character of service. If claiming disability preference, you must also submit the disability letter from the Department of Veterans Affairs or Armed Service and the Application for 10-Point Veteran Preference, Standard Form 15.
• recently separated (within the past 3 years); OR
• are a disabled veteran; OR
• served on active duty during a war, campaign or expedition; OR,
• received an Armed Forces Service Medal?
NOTE: Eligible veterans may be appointed without competition to positions at any grade level through General Schedule (GS) 11 or equivalent. (The promotion potential of the position is not a factor.)
For more information, review USAJOBS Veterans resources.
To verify your eligibility, you must submit a copy of your latest Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty, DD-214 (copy indicating character of service) or other proof of your service which includes character of service. If claiming disability preference, you must also submit the disability letter from the Department of Veterans Affairs or Armed Service and the Application for 10-Point Veteran Preference, Standard Form 15.
Preferences
1.
Select the lowest grade you are willing to accept for this position.
Assessment 1
For each question, 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 provided in your resume or application and information provided by your references.
MQR GS6
1.
Select the response that most accurately describes how you satisfy the minimum qualification requirement for the position of Physical Science Technician at the GS-06 grade level.
MQR GS7
2.
Select the response that most accurately describes how you satisfy the minimum qualification requirement for the position of Physical Science Technician at the GS-07 grade level.
Knowledge of sea lamprey management, sea lamprey life history, and the interrelation of sea lamprey control to the resotration of the Great Lakes fish and aquatic resources.
Select the one statement that most accurately describes your training and experience carrying out each task using the scale provided.
3.
Provide technical support for the control of sea lampreys in tributaries of the Great Lakes through the application of lampricides.
4.
Help review work in progress to ensure proper standards are followed.
5.
Identify lampreys, fishes, and other aquatic organisms in field and laboratory settings.
6.
Handle sea lampreys and non-target organisms responsibly and in compliance with protocols and apply methods to preserve fish health.
Skill in use of physical and biological science equipment and laboratory instruments to measure key parameters critical to conducting lampricide treatment (e.g., stream discharge, flow rate, temperature, pH, dissolved oxygen, alkalinity, and total hardness).
Select the one statement that most accurately describes your training and experience carrying out each task using the scale provided.
7.
Collect, measure, and record biological, physical, environmental, and geographical data.
8.
Help measure and document chemicals and physical parameters of streams prior to, during, and following lampricide treatments (e.g., discharge, flow rate, temperature, pH, and water chemistry).
9.
Monitor and adjust lampricide concentrations during treatments to maintain pre-established targets.
10.
Design, fabricate, repair, maintain, and operate highly specialized lampricide application equipment (e.g., equipment for mixing and delivering concentrations of liquid and powder forms of lampricides).
11.
Assist other technical staff and representatives in the proper use of application equipment and methods.
12.
Monitor and measure processes for quality assurance.
13.
Use and dispose of hazardous materials in a safe and legal manner.
Ability to incorporate understanding of organizational policies and practices to develop, implement, and evaluate new tools and technologies.
Select the one statement that most accurately describes your training and experience carrying out each task using the scale provided.
14.
Evaluate novel physical science technologies, in consultation with supervisory or team lead personnel, to meet work plan objectives.
15.
Help assess use patterns and effectiveness of current technologies and tools.
16.
Work with other technical staff to plan and execute upgrades to application equipment.
Ability to use computers and various software to manage, record, summarize, and extract technical data.
Select the one statement that most accurately describes your training and experience carrying out each task using the scale provided.
17.
Use software (word processors, spreadsheets, databases, etc.) to write reports, track equipment, input data, and/or review, proof, and analyze technical data.
18.
Develop and generate maps and other illustrative materials with computer software (e.g., ArcGIS, Adobe, Word, PowerPoint, etc.) to aid in chemical treatment, survey, or evaluation activities.
19.
Enter data into electronic databases in the field or post-collection for use by other staff.
20.
Check and assess quality of field data prior to entry.
Ability to operate, maintain, and repair equipment (e.g., watercraft, ATVs, trailered vehicles, GPS/GIS, etc.) used in program activities.
Select the one statement that most accurately describes your training and experience carrying out each task using the scale provided.
21.
Operate, maintain, and repair motorized and non-motorized watercraft up to 26 feet.
22.
Operate, maintain, and repair vehicles with trailers up to 40 feet.
23.
Operate, maintain, and repair ATVs.
24.
Use a variety of equipment/tools (e.g., maps, compasses, GPS, computers, and other resources) to navigate in both populated and remote areas.
CRT
25.
I certify that, to the best of my knowledge and belief, all of 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 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 me not being considered for this position.