National Park Service Logo
Position Title
ECOLOGIST
Agency
National Park Service
Announcement Number
MW-1542-VOYA-24-12200164-DE Opens in new window
Open Period
Thursday, November 9, 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? (limit characters)
2. Are you a United States Citizen?

For more information, review Employment of U.S Citizens.
(limit characters)
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.
(limit characters)
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:
  • 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.
(limit characters)
Preferences
1. Would you accept a term appointment? (limit characters)
Assessment 1
Thank you for your interest in the Ecologist, GS-0408-11position with the Federal government. Note: Your application materials must support your responses to the following questionnaire. Your responses to the Individual Occupational Requirements and Minimum Qualification questions, as well as the other questions in the questionnaire, in conjunction with the information provided in your completed application, will be evaluated to determine your qualifications for this position. Please note: It is your responsibility to show how you satisfy the course requirements for the series(s) you are applying for. If you do not provide information that clearly shows how your completed college course work meets all the requirements, you will be rated ineligible. Your rating will be based solely on the information you submit with your application. You MUST submit a copy of all your transcripts that identifies for each course the college or university, semester or quarter hours earned, grade received, and date completed. If you do not submit specific course work information as described previously, your application will be rated not qualified for consideration. (A copy of your official transcripts will be required before entrance on duty, if selected). YOUR RESUME OR APPLICATION MATERIALS YOU SUBMIT FOR THIS ANNOUNCEMENT MUST SUPPORT THE ANSWERS YOU CLAIM UNDER THIS AND OTHER QUESTIONS. IF NOT, YOU WILL BE FOUND NOT QUALIFIED OR YOUR SCORE WILL BE LOWERED. Basic Requirement: (limit characters)
1. Select the one statement that best describes how you meet the basic requirement for this Ecologist, GS-0408 series. You MUST submit transcripts.
(limit characters)
In addition to meeting the basic requirement, you must also possess experience and/or directly related education in the amounts listed below. (limit characters)
2. Select the one statement that best describes the experience and/or education you possess that demonstrates your ability to perform Ecologist work at the GS-11 level.
(limit characters)
ECOLOGY - Knowledge of the concepts, principles, and theories of the interrelationships among organisms and their environment, including competition and predation, evolution and natural selection, population dynamics, and the impact of natural phenomena or human actions on natural systems, processes, and biota. (limit characters)
Select the one statement that most accurately describes your training and experience carrying out each task using the scale provided. (limit characters)
3. Apply theories and principles of plant ecology to studies of vegetation communities, sensitive plant species, and ecological restoration, with special emphasis on vegetation of the southern boreal forest region.
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4. Design and conduct complex ecological restoration, revegetation, and interdisciplinary scientific research and/or management projects across broad elevation gradient and vegetation communities.
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5. Identify invasive exotic plant species that occur in vegetative communities in the Midwestern United States and develop strategies for controlling invasive exotic plant populations based on available data, and in relation to the local environment/vegetation type.
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6. Apply theories and principles of wetland ecology in the midwestern United States.
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7. Set goals and objectives for long term ecological restoration and vegetation monitoring programs.
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8. Analyze and interpret scientific results from ecological restoration and vegetation studies.
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9. Plan and implement technical evaluations and field assessments involving the collection, analysis, and interpretation of information to resolve ecological issues and problems.
(limit characters)
10. Serve as a resource advisor in wildland fire or other types of incidents requiring knowledge of Wilderness minimum requirements analysis.
(limit characters)
RESEARCH - Knowledge of the scientific principles, methods, and processes used to conduct a systematic and objective inquiry; including study design, collection, analysis, and interpretation of data; and the reporting of results. (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. Identify research needs and prepare requests for proposals.
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12. Collect field data and perform data entry.
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13. Provide oversite for scientific research projects.
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14. Ensure technical adequacy and quality assurance of studies and work performed by others.
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15. Provide guidance to others on protection, mitigation, and restoration projects to prevent resource damage and minimize human impacts.
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16. Provide guidance and technical direction to other personnel working on science projects and studies.
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17. Plan, schedule, and direct work of various programs such as wildlife management (terrestrial and aquatic), vegetation management including invasive species, water quality, GIS, and geomorphology.
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18. Maintain cost documentation for cost tracking purposes.
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TECHNOLOGY APPLICATION - Uses machines, tools, instruments, or equipment effectively; uses computers and computer applications to analyze and communicate information in the appropriate format. (limit characters)
Select the one statement that most accurately describes your training and experience carrying out each task using the scale provided. (limit characters)
19. Operate a personal computer utilizing a variety of software programs used for word processing, data analysis, internet, and media displays.
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20. Use statistical software for analysis of univariate and multivariate data.
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21. Use Microsoft Access, ArcGIS database applications, or other database management software.
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22. Design and maintain geospatial and relational databases in Microsoft Access, ArcGIS, or other database management software using quality control standards, protocols, and geographic and cartographic principles.
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23. Conduct spatial modeling and analysis of geo-referenced data to determine resource conditions or trends, model results of management actions, or resolve management issues.
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24. Prepare Federal Geographic Data Committee (FGDC)-compliant and searchable metadata.
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25. Use survey-grade Global Positioning Systems (GPS) equipment and software (such as Trimble RTK GPS, Pathfinder Office, and TerraSync) to collect and post-process field data.
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26. Download GPS data and create GIS layers (with metadata including accuracy assessment) from GPS coordinates.
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27. Integrate ecology, biology, geography, physical science, or cartography in the development, analysis, and use of geographic and relational databases pertinent to park resources.
(limit characters)
ADMINISTRATION AND MANAGEMENT - Knowledge of planning, coordination, and execution of business functions, resource allocation, and production (limit characters)
Select the one statement that most accurately describes your training and experience carrying out each task using the scale provided. (limit characters)
28. Write a letter in response to inquiries.
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29. Develop work plans and schedules, scopes of work, cost estimates, and proposals and/or grants to justify funding requests and accomplish goals.
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30. Write text and/or prepare illustrations as input to projects of higher-graded professionals.
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31. Prepare management and scientific reports regarding the results of protection, mitigation, restoration, inventory, monitoring, and research activities.
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32. Prepare technical scientific documents that describe complex processes.
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33. Demonstrate understanding, courtesy, tact, empathy, concern and relate well to people from varied backgrounds and situations.
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34. Present information as a representative of an organization at meetings, conferences, or symposia, regarding scientific studies such as contaminated lands clean up and mitigation.
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35. Make verbal presentations before varied groups, presenting controversial issues with the goal of persuasion as opposed to informing.
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PLANNING AND EVALUATING -Organizes work, sets priorities, and determines resource requirements; determines short- or long-term goals and strategies to achieve them; coordinates with other organizations or parts of the organization to accomplish goals; monitors progress and evaluates outcomes. (limit characters)
Select the one statement that most accurately describes your training and experience carrying out each task using the scale provided. (limit characters)
36. Develop and maintain positive working relationships among all parties (e.g., NPS staff; contractors; State, county, and local officials; other federal agencies; and others) to plan projects, coordinate work, solve technical problems, and protect resources.
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37. Participate in meetings with state, Federal, tribal, local agencies, or potentially responsible parties on issues of mutual concern.
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38. Maintain courtesy and rapport with others, particularly in tenuous situations where controversial issues arise.
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39. Coordinate and advise regulatory agencies on the status of studies and projects.
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40. Negotiate cooperative or interagency agreements and contracts, or other cooperative instruments needed to effectively carry out resource stewardship goals.
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41. Develop scopes of work and evaluate prospective contractors.
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42. Develop/manage resource projects in compliance with provisions of the National Environmental Protection Act (NEPA).
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43. Work closely with universities or other groups to solicit research that is of mutual benefit to all parties.
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44. Develop and prepare major portions of resource management plans.
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