- Position Title
- Biological Science Technician (Plants)
- Agency
- National Park Service
- Announcement Number
- PWR-1548-SR-24-12201040-CB Opens in new window
- Open Period
- Monday, November 27, 2023 to Monday, December 4, 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 location(s) you want to be considered for. You must choose at least one location.
2.
Select the lowest grade you are willing to accept for this position.
3.
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.
4.
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 (MUST include beginning and ending month/year e.g., 5/2019-10/2019 or 5/10/2019-10/20/2019), 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 exact hours must be annotated to be able to pro-rate the amount of qualified specialized experience.
5.
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
Backcountry Experience (Selective Factor)
These positions require regular and recurring work and camping in rugged mountainous backcountry areas above 7,000 feet elevation for extended periods of time. You must be able to hike by foot in the backcountry, at high altitude, for extended periods of time while carrying backpacks, tools and supplies weighing up to 50 pounds, and be able to camp for several days at a time. Such wilderness travel skills require experience to develop and, given the short duration of the summer season and immediacy of need, such skills cannot be acquired on-the-job in a reasonable amount of time.
1.
Please choose the response that best describes your backcountry experience.
Minimum Qualifications Requirements
2.
From the descriptions below, select one response that best describes how your background meets the basic experience or education requirements for the Biological Science Technician (Plants), GS-0404-06 positions. 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.
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.
3.
From the descriptions below, select one response that best describes how your background meets the basic experience or education requirements for the Biological Science Technician (Plants), GS-0404-07 positions. 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.
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.
For each task in the following group, choose the statement from the list below that best describes your experience and/or training.
Botany
Select the one statement that most accurately describes your training and experience carrying out each task using the scale provided.
4.
Identify plant taxa to the species level using dichotomous keys and other reference materials.
5.
Identify common native and nonnative plants of the Sierra Nevada by sight.
6.
Survey vegetation and canopy cover using ocular or intercept techniques.
7.
Collect and prepare plant vouchers for preservation in a herbarium.
Research
Select the one statement that most accurately describes your training and experience carrying out each task using the scale provided.
8.
Collect vegetation data for monitoring purposes or to document treatment results using common field techniques.
9.
Monitor invasive plant control, re-vegetation, or restoration projects to determine the success or failure of the effort.
10.
Collect geospatial data using GPS units and survey equipment for mapping and monitoring purposes.
11.
Collect data related to forest health and structure (e.g., basal area, tree height, and measures of fire damage).
12.
Use word processing software, spreadsheets and databases to enter data and perform quality control/quality assurance.
Technical Competence
Select the one statement that most accurately describes your training and experience carrying out each task using the scale provided.
13.
Navigate with global positioning systems (GPS) to locate predetermined points.
14.
Enter data in electronic databases and perform quality control/quality assurance to insure data validity
15.
Implement habitat restoration and revegetation techniques (e.g., site preparation and planting) per established protocols.
16.
Collect, clean, and store native plant materials for subsequent propagation and transplanting.
Reasoning
Select the one statement that most accurately describes your training and experience carrying out each task using the scale provided.
17.
Use database management software to enter and analyze data.
18.
Use database management software to edit and summarize and report data.
19.
Use GIS software to develop and print maps, explore natural resource data and examine spatial patterns.
20.
Use GIS software to explore natural resource data and examine spatial patterns.
21.
Utilize mobile field mapping and data collection software (e.g., ArcPad, TerraSync or ArcCollector) to conduct vegetation studies.
22.
Assist in preparation of project reports (e.g., literature research, description of methods, graphs, charts, results) and recommendations for planning.
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.
Lead crew members, interns, and volunteers performing ecological field studies and surveys, vegetation, or restoration projects.
24.
Establish daily itineraries for crew members, interns, and volunteers conducting scientific field work.
25.
Develop schedules and coordinate logistics for fieldwork.
26.
Communicate with crew members and supervisors regarding logistics and work assignments while faced with conflicting priorities and demands.
27.
Prepare project reports that include literature research, description of methods, graphs and charts, results and recommendations summarizing technical information.
28.
Compile and present educational programs to staff, volunteers and the public.