USA Staffing

1. Select the one statement that best describes meeting the Individual Occupational Requirement for the General Natural Resources Management and Biological Sciences Series, 0401:

A. Degree: biological sciences, agriculture, natural resource management, chemistry, or related disciplines appropriate to the position.

B. A combination of education and experience--Courses equivalent to a major, as shown in A above, plus appropriate experience or additional education.

C. I do not meet the Individual Occupational Requirement for the General Natural Resources Management and Biological Sciences Series, 401.

2. Select the one statement that best describes meeting the selective placement factor for the Phsycial Scientist, ZP-0401-02 position.

A. I have experience in collecting and processing data and biological information from fisheries, as a fisheries observer at-sea aboard commercial fishing vessels for at least 120 sea days.

B. I do not meet the selective placement factor as described.

3. Select the one statement that best describes the education and/or experience that you possess that demonstrates your ability to perform the work of a Marine Biologist at the ZP-2 pay band or equivalent grade level (GS-07) in the Federal service.

A. I have one year of specialized experience equivalent to the ZP-1 or GS-05 grade level in the Federal service, which includes assisting observers in, or independently executing biological data collection and marine species identification (e.g., protected species, seabirds, fish, or marine mammals) and verifying the accuracy of collected data; supporting, or participating in, training sessions on fishery-dependent sampling protocols, fish species identification, and marine safety, AND evaluating observer data to ensure data quality integrity for fisheries management and producing detailed reports on data collection methods.

B. One full year of graduate-level education, if related.

C. Superior academic achievement: Demonstrated by a bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university with one of the following. NOTE: It is your responsibility to ensure your application clearly states how you meet one of the provisions below: A grade point average (GPA) of 2.9 or higher based on a 4.0 scale for all completed undergraduate courses, or those completed in the last 2 full years of undergraduate study; OR a GPA of 3.5 or higher based on a 4.0 scale for required courses completed in a major field of study, or those courses completed in a major field of study during the last two years of undergraduate study; OR class standing of upper third of the graduating class in the college, university, or major subdivision of the college; OR membership in a National Scholastic Honor Society certified by the Association of College Honor Societies, excluding freshman honor societies.

D. A combination of graduate level education and specialized experience.

E. I do not meet any of the requirements as described above.

4. Provide quality control functions on fisheries data collected by you or other at-sea fisheries biologists (observers) working on commercial fishing vessels.

A. I have not had education, training, or experience in performing this task.

B. I have had education or training in how to perform this task but have not yet performed it on the job.

C. I have performed this task on the job. My work on this task was monitored closely by a supervisor or senior employee to ensure compliance with proper procedures.

D. I have performed this task as a regular part of a job. I have performed it independently and normally without review by a supervisor or senior employee.

E. I am considered an expert in performing this task. I have supervised performance of this task or am normally the person who is consulted by other workers to assist or train them in doing this task because of my expertise.

5. What best describes your experience working with computers and computer applications such as Microsoft Word, Excel, Video, and Adobe PDF files?

A. I have little or no experience using computers or computer programs.

B. I have some experience with computers, but not with computer applications such as Microsoft Word, Excel, Video, and Adobe PDF files and use them as a regular part of my job.

C. I have some experience or education using computers and computer applications such as Microsoft Word, Excel, Video, and Adobe PDF files but have not used them as a regular part of my job.

D. I have extensive experience using computers and computer applications such as Microsoft Word, Excel, Video, and Adobe PDF files and use them as a regular part of my job.

6. Support a scientific fishery-dependent data collection program whose data is used in stock assessments, fisheries research, and management.

A. I have not had education, training, or experience in performing this task.

B. I have had education or training in how to perform this task but have not yet performed it on the job.

C. I have performed this task on the job. My work on this task was monitored closely by a supervisor or senior employee to ensure compliance with proper procedures.

D. I have performed this task as a regular part of a job. I have performed it independently and normally without review by a supervisor or senior employee.

7. Identify west coast groundfish and other marine species and estimate or quantify amounts of catch by commercial fishing vessels per program protocols.

A. I have not had education, training, or experience in performing this task.

B. I have had education or training in how to perform this task but have not yet performed it on the job.

C. I have performed this task on the job. My work on this task was monitored closely by a supervisor or senior employee to ensure compliance with proper procedures.

D. I have performed this task as a regular part of a job. I have performed it independently and normally without review by a supervisor or senior employee.

8. Serve as a productive member of a team to meet program goals.

A. I have not had education, training, or experience in performing this task.

B. I have had education or training in how to perform this task but have not yet performed it on the job.

C. I have performed this task on the job. My work on this task was monitored closely by a supervisor or senior employee to ensure compliance with proper procedures.

D. I have performed this task as a regular part of a job. I have performed it independently and normally without review by a supervisor or senior employee.

9. Conduct fishery biologist duties at sea aboard fishing or research vessels.

A. I have not had education, training, or experience in performing this task.

B. I have had education or training in how to perform this task but have not yet performed it on the job.

C. I have performed this task on the job. My work on this task was monitored closely by a supervisor or senior employee to ensure compliance with proper procedures.

D. I have performed this task as a regular part of a job. I have performed it independently and normally without review by a supervisor or senior employee.

10. What best describes your work experience/knowledge and interest in working as a mentor where you assist/train and work in partnership with less experienced biologists?

A. I have not had education, training, or experience in performing this task.

B. I have attended a mentoring course and/or participated in a mentoring program.

C. I have some work experience and knowledge of working as a mentor where I trained and provided assistance to less experienced biologists.

D. I have extensive work experience and knowledge of working as a mentor where I trained and provided assistance to less experienced biologists.

E. I have extensive work experience and knowledge of working as a mentor where I trained and provided assistance to fisheries observers.

11. Advise (in-person and through email/phone/text) with fishery observers on a range of topics, such as: proper sampling protocols, data issues, sampling advice, species identification, safety, and data entry.

A. I have not had education, training, or experience in performing this task.

B. I have had education or training in how to perform this task but have not yet performed it on the job.

C. I have performed this task on the job. My work on this task was monitored closely by a supervisor or senior employee to ensure compliance with proper procedures.

D. I have performed this task as a regular part of a job. I have performed it independently and normally without review by a supervisor or senior employee.

12. Do you have experience evaluating another person's work performance?

A. I have never supervised or evaluated another's work.

B. I have not conducted evaluations as part of my employment but have received formal training in evaluation or feedback techniques.

C. As a part of my employment, I have participated in formal work performance evaluations of others’ work.

D. As a part of my employment, I have conducted written and oral evaluations of others’ work (i.e., observer debriefings), independently and unsupervised.

Select “Yes” or “No” to the following question(s).

13. I certify, to the best of my knowledge, that all the information in my application is true, and that I have truthfully and accurately represented my work experience, knowledge, skills, abilities and education. I understand that providing false or fraudulent information may be grounds for not hiring me or for firing me after I begin work. I also certify that I have read the entire vacancy announcement; that I have reviewed my answers to the eligibility questions for accuracy; and that I understand what supporting documentation, if any, is required for submission and when it's due.

A. Yes

B. No

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