- Position Title
- Biological Science Technician (Plants)
- Agency
- National Park Service
- Announcement Number
- MW-1544-SLBE-23-12128363-DE Opens in new window
- Open Period
- Wednesday, September 20, 2023 to Tuesday, September 26, 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.
Would you accept a term appointment?
Assessment 1
BASIC EXPERIENCE AND EDUCATION SECTION: THE RESUME OR APPLICATION MATERIALS YOU SUBMIT FOR THIS ANNOUNCEMENT MUST SUPPORT ALL RESPONSES. IF NOT, YOUR SCORE WILL BE LOWERED AND/OR YOU WILL NOT BE CONSIDERED.
Minimum Qualification Requirements for the GS-0404-06 Biological Science Technician (PLANTS) position
1.
Select the one statement that best describes the education and/or experience that you possess that demonstrates your ability to perform Biological Science Technician (Plants)work at the GS-05 level or equivalent. Read all responses before making your selection. MARK ONLY ONE RESPONSE. If you select more than one response, or leave this question blank you will be rated ineligible. If you do not meet these minimum qualifications, you will be considered not qualified and will not receive consideration for this position.
Your resume must include month/year to month/year and hours per week worked to receive credit for your work and/or volunteer experience. One year of general or specialized experience is equivalent to 12 months at 40 hours per week. Part-time hours are prorated. You will not receive any credit for experience that does not indicate exact hours per week or is listed as "varies" and you could be found not qualified.
2.
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 date 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.
For the questions below please select from A through E to indicate the skill level that you possess for each task listed. The questions were developed based on the competencies needed to perform the work of this position. The hiring official requests you specifically describe your experience to the questions in your resume.
BOTANY - Knowledge of the concepts, principles, and theories of plants, including structures and functions, classification, taxonomy, plant communities, distribution, habitat requirements, life histories, reproduction, conservation, and care of plant species.
Select the one statement that most accurately describes your training and experience carrying out each task using the scale provided.
3.
Develop and implement site restoration or re-vegetation plans.
4.
Collect data using established vegetation sampling protocols such as transect sampling, plot sampling, GPS and GIS, etc. to measure diversity or quantity of plant species.
5.
Collect and press plant specimens in the field according to standard practices for later identification.
6.
Control non-native species in critical habitat of federally- or state-listed species.
7.
Identify common native plants (grasses, forbs, shrubs and trees) of the Northern Great Lakes.
8.
Identify common non-native plants of the Northern Great Lakes such as spotted knapweed, garlic mustard, Japanese honeysuckle, baby's breath, etc.
9.
Use taxonomic keys, field guides, or specimen samples to identify plants.
Forest Management - Uses knowledge that is acquired through formal training or extensive on the job experience to perform one's job; works with, understands, and evaluates technical information related to the job; advises others on technical issues.
Select the one statement that most accurately describes your training and experience carrying out each task using the scale provided.
10.
Identify common non-native forest pests including emerald ash borer, oak wilt disease, hemlock woolly adelgid, and beech bark disease.
11.
Identify individual trees potentially resistant to common forest pests of the Northern Great Lakes.
12.
Execute tree planting projects with successful outcomes minimizing browse and environmental impacts.
13.
Collect samples of infected trees for identification of forest pests in the lab or for shipment to partners with subject matter expertise.
14.
Determine and assemble appropriate herbicide mixes and concentrations for treatment of target species given habitat and environmental conditions. (Be sure to specifically describe this experience in your resume.)
15.
Use and maintain hand tools such as axes, saws, shovels, machete, weed wrench, etc. (Be sure to specifically describe this experience in your resume.)
16.
Use and maintain power tools such as brush cutters and chainsaws.
TECHNICAL DOCUMENTATION - Knowledge of procedures for developing technical and operational support documentation
Select the one statement that most accurately describes your training and experience carrying out each task using the scale provided.
17.
Collect field data for documentation, monitoring and reporting purposes ensuring data integrity.
18.
Follow standard operating procedures for collecting and managing data, including quality control and quality assurance procedures.
19.
Collect, download, and organize field data involving Global Positioning System (GPS) units (Trimble, Garmin) and related software (ArcGIS).
20.
Use applications such as Microsoft Access, ArcGIS, and other relational databases to enter, maintain, and summarize data (tabular and spatial) collected in the field.
21.
Analyze project data to be used to develop summary information, make recommendations, or use for future planning purposes.
22.
Use Microsoft Excel, including creation of tables, charts, graphs, and figures based on data as well as to develop spreadsheets to record data.
LEADERSHIP - Influences, motivates, and challenges others; adapts leadership styles to a variety of situation.
Select the one statement that most accurately describes your training and experience carrying out each task using the scale provided.
23.
Lead a crew completing natural resource field projects. (Be sure to specifically describe this experience in your resume.)
24.
Train others in natural resource field techniques. (Be sure to specifically describe this experience in your resume.)
25.
Coordinate and direct tasks of others and ensure quality and timeliness of work.
26.
Organize logistics for field project, such as obtaining supplies, equipment, transportation of crews, timing of project, etc. (Be sure to specifically describe this experience in your resume).
27.
Select courses of action throughout different stages of project, such as selecting site locations, exotic plant control techniques, adapting to unexpected conditions, method of data collection, method of analysis, etc. (Be sure to specifically describe this experience in your resume.
28.
Prepare general correspondence, annual project plans and reports, monthly project status reports, as well as documents to persuade or request cooperation or funding.
29.
Maintain crew morale and a positive attitude during challenging or stressful times.
30.
Promote a culture of safety within crew in day-to day-activities by maintaining safe work practices and a safe working environment for self, co-workers, volunteers, and others.
For each task in the following group, choose A or B to describe if you have experience and/or training in the task. You may select only one letter for each item.
PHYSICAL STRENGTH AND AGILITY - Ability to bend, lift, climb, stand, and walk for long periods of time; ability to perform moderately heavy laboring work.
Select “Yes” or “No” to the following question(s).
31.
Safely work, camp and hike in arduous and remote conditions (hot and humid weather greater than 90 degrees F, cold or windy weather approaching freezing point, inclement weather, steep and/or remote terrain, risk of exertion/heat stress, and with plant and insect pests.
32.
Navigate to remote, off-trail settings using a compass, topographic maps, and GPS (Global Positioning System) units.
33.
Camp for extended periods of time, generally up to 4 nights, in a wilderness backcountry setting.