Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service Logo
Position Title
Ecologist
Agency
Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service
Announcement Number
DE-12145117-24-BR Opens in new window
Open Period
Tuesday, October 3, 2023 to Friday, October 13, 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? (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. Would you accept a term appointment? (limit characters)
2. Are you a retiree receiving a civilian Federal or FSA County Annuity? (limit characters)
3. Have you ever received a voluntary separation incentive payment (VSIP or buyout) to leave the Federal civilian service or FSA County position? (limit characters)
4. Are you a current or former: Political appointee, Presidential appointee, and/or non-career Senior Executive Service (SES) appointee? (limit characters)
Core Questions
1. Has your work schedule been full-time, i.e., 35-40 hours per week, for every position listed on your resume or OF-612?

If yes, please type Yes.
If no, please type No and include the following in your response for all positions held: position title, employer, dates employed (MM/DD/YY), work schedule (i.e., Full-Time (FT), Part-Time (PT), etc.), and hours/week. Please list in order with current/most recent position first.
Failure to provide all requested information may prevent us from giving credit for experience.
(limit characters)
2. I understand for information on the status of my application and the outcome of the application process, I (the applicant) must inquire through USAJOBS. No separate notification will be sent to me. To view the status of my application and the outcome of the application process, I must go to the USAJOBS website and log into My Account. Once in My Account, I must enter the "Application Status" section of the website. (limit characters)
3. I understand submission of supporting documentation, e.g., transcripts, DD 214, 50B, performance appraisal may be required for this position. I also understand that my application will not be considered if the required supporting documentation is not submitted or is not submitted in accordance with the time frames indicated in the announcement. (limit characters)
4. I understand that any correspondence necessary will be conducted via e-mail and sent to the e-mail address I provided in this application process. I must keep this e-mail address current. (limit characters)
Assessment 1
1. 0408 Basic Requirement - Choose the one answer that best describes your education and experience.
(limit characters)
2. GS-9 - In addition to the basic requirement, choose the one answer that best describes your education and experience. (limit characters)
3. Participate in projects in diverse areas of plant biology, including: (limit characters)
4. If you responded that you have experience in the previous question, please indicate in the box below where this training and/or experience is represented on your resume. Please list only the relevant position title(s), organization(s), and dates held. (limit characters)
Select the one statement that most accurately describes your training and experience carrying out each task using the scale provided. (limit characters)
5. Advise others on row crop production, horticulture, and agricultural production.
(limit characters)
6. Advise others on agroforestry, silviculture, and tree science. (limit characters)
7. Utilize ecological principles, concepts, and practices to formulate and recommend policies, programs, and plans for ecosystem management.
(limit characters)
8. I have direct experience and am proficient at performing the following functions in the analysis of scientific data/information in order to identify issues/problems and draw logical conclusions to assist in the formulation of either short-term or longer-term improvement actions, processes, or policies for a business or organization. (limit characters)
9. Please identify those areas in which you have experience providing scientific, technical and analytic support to management and staff within the organization: 
(limit characters)
10. If you responded that you have experience in the previous question, please indicate in the box below where this training and/or experience is represented on your resume. Please list only the relevant position title(s), organization(s), and dates held. (limit characters)
Select the one statement that most accurately describes your training and experience carrying out each task using the scale provided. (limit characters)
11. Use databases to develop applications for the access and dissemination of biological information.
(limit characters)
12. Develop predictive models for estimating species occurrence.
(limit characters)
13. Prepare reference and technical documents related to plant biology, ecology, and biotechnology.
(limit characters)
14. Prepare written technical materials, training materials, and technical guidance on scientific-related issues. (limit characters)
15. Produce outreach and educational products for distribution to the public on scientific-related issues. (limit characters)
16. 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)