- Position Title
- Biological Science Technician (Wildlife) - Avian
- Agency
- National Park Service
- Announcement Number
- PWR-1548-SR-24-12191293-DE Opens in new window
- Open Period
- Monday, November 13, 2023 to Monday, November 20, 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?
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.
3.
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.
4.
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.
Assessment 1
Field work with passerines (Selective Placement Factor)
1.
These positions perform field work with passerines and other avian species native to the Sierra Nevada ecosystem. Applicants must be proficient in ornithology and have experience conducting surveys for passerines native to the Sierra Nevada ecosystem (specifically point counts and area searches). Please select the item below that best describes your experience with this skill.
Arduous field duties (Selective Placement Factor)
2.
This position requires long, arduous days hiking up to 16 miles over rough terrain carrying a backpack weighing up to one third a person's body weight. Applicants must select the response that best describes their ability in this item.
Minimum Qualifications
3.
From the descriptions below, select the one response that best describes how your background meets the minimum qualification requirements for the Biological Science Technician (Wildlife) - Avian GS-0404-05 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 these requirements, you will be considered not qualified and will not receive consideration for this position. THE RESUME OR APPLICATION MATERIALS YOU SUBMIT FOR THIS ANNOUNCEMENT MUST SUPPORT THE ANSWER YOU CLAIM UNDER THIS AND OTHER QUESTIONS. IF NOT, YOU WILL BE FOUND NOT QUALIFIED OR YOUR SCORE WILL BE LOWERED.
4.
From the descriptions below, select the one response that best describes how your background meets the minimum qualification requirements for the Biological Science Technician (Wildlife) - Avian 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 these requirements, you will be considered not qualified and will not receive consideration for this position. THE RESUME OR APPLICATION MATERIALS YOU SUBMIT FOR THIS ANNOUNCEMENT MUST SUPPORT THE ANSWER YOU CLAIM UNDER THIS AND OTHER QUESTIONS. IF NOT, YOU WILL BE FOUND NOT QUALIFIED OR YOUR SCORE WILL BE LOWERED.
5.
From the descriptions below, select the one response that best describes how your background meets the minimum qualification requirements for the Biological Science Technician (Wildlife) - Avian 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 these requirements, you will be considered not qualified and will not receive consideration for this position. THE RESUME OR APPLICATION MATERIALS YOU SUBMIT FOR THIS ANNOUNCEMENT MUST SUPPORT THE ANSWER YOU CLAIM UNDER THIS AND OTHER QUESTIONS. IF NOT, YOU WILL BE FOUND NOT QUALIFIED OR YOUR SCORE WILL BE LOWERED.
Wildlife Biology
Select the one statement that most accurately describes your training and experience carrying out each task using the scale provided.
6.
Proficient in identifying over 50 Sierra Nevada bird species by sight and sound.
7.
Knowledge of Ornithology, including basic bird ecology, behavior, and survey techniques.
8.
Distinguish bird nesting behavior in various Sierra Nevada bird species.
Technical Competence
Select the one statement that most accurately describes your training and experience carrying out each task using the scale provided.
9.
Demonstrated experience in conducting passerine field surveys in riparian habitat.
10.
Conduct passerine area searches, point counts, and nest searches following standardized survey protocols while maintaining proper quality control/quality assurance practices.
11.
Survey for birds using binoculars.
12.
Conduct passerine nest searching and/or spot mapping surveys following standardized survey protocols while maintaining proper quality control/quality assurance practices.
Data Management
Select the one statement that most accurately describes your training and experience carrying out each task using the scale provided.
13.
Collect data on numbers, distribution, reproductive success, territory use, and behavior of birds using standardized survey methods.
14.
Input passerine field data into Microsoft Excel spreadsheets and Access databases.
15.
Draft reports using passerine data collected from the field.
Reasoning (GS-06/07 Only)
Select the one statement that most accurately describes your training and experience carrying out each task using the scale provided.
16.
Use GIS as a tool to analyze and present data.
17.
Analyze passerine data using a statistical software package.
18.
Proof and manage passerine data in Microsoft Excel spreadsheets and Access databases.
19.
Prepare correspondence regarding bird projects.
20.
Interact with the public regarding issues pertaining to bird conservation.
21.
Develop written reports using passerine data collected from surveys for peers, management, and the public.
22.
Develop and present PowerPoint presentations on project findings to scientific and lay person audiences.
Leadership (GS-07 Only)
Select the one statement that most accurately describes your training and experience carrying out each task using the scale provided.
23.
Conduct and lead research projects that include passerine area searches, point counts, and nest searches following standardized survey protocols.
24.
Ensure that proper quality control/quality assurance practices are maintained.
25.
Conduct and lead multiple research projects, collecting data on numbers, distribution, reproductive success, and behavior of passerines occurring in the Sierra Nevada using standardized survey methods.
26.
Develop work schedules to ensure completion of all passerine data collection on multiple projects.
27.
Brief supervisor on status of reaching avian project goals and progress made on survey visits.
28.
Train, oversee, and/or coordinate other technicians, interns, volunteers, and/or field observers.