National Park Service Logo
Position Title
Biological Science Technician (Plants)
Agency
National Park Service
Announcement Number
PWR-1548-SR-24-12203951-CB Opens in new window
Open Period
Wednesday, November 29, 2023 to Wednesday, December 6, 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. Select the location(s) you want to be considered for. You must choose at least one location. (limit characters)
2. Select the lowest grade you are willing to accept for this position. (limit characters)
3. Would you accept a temporary appointment? (limit characters)
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. (limit characters)
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. (limit characters)
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.
(limit characters)
Assessment 1
Use chemical control methods to manage exotic plants and noxious weeds (Selective Factor) (limit characters)
1. To successfully accomplish exotic plant management work, you will mix, load, and apply herbicides for the purpose of vegetation control. If you are unwilling to handle herbicides, you cannot successfully complete the work of these positions. Are you willing to use herbicides to control invasive plants?
(limit characters)
Minimum Qualifications (limit characters)
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-0404-04 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.
(limit characters)
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-0404-05 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.
(limit characters)
For each task in the following group, choose the statement from the list below that best describes your experience and/or training. Please select only one letter for each item. (limit characters)
Botany (limit characters)
Select the one statement that most accurately describes your training and experience carrying out each task using the scale provided. (limit characters)
4. Identify native plants at various growth stages using dichotomous plant keys and a knowledge of plant taxa.
(limit characters)
5. Identify invasive or exotic plants at various growth stages using dichotomous plant keys and a knowledge of plant taxa.
(limit characters)
6. Collect, clean, and store native plant materials for subsequent propagation, seeding and transplanting.
(limit characters)
7. Propagate native plants for habitat restoration or re-vegetation projects.
(limit characters)
Research (limit characters)
Select the one statement that most accurately describes your training and experience carrying out each task using the scale provided. (limit characters)
8. Survey vegetation and canopy cover using ocular or intercept techniques.
(limit characters)
9. Implement habitat restoration and re-vegetation techniques (e.g., preparing areas for planting and planting) per established protocols.
(limit characters)
10. Implement Integrated Pest Management techniques in the control of invasive exotic plants.
(limit characters)
11. Monitor invasive plant control, re-vegetation, and restoration projects to determine the success or failure of the effort.
(limit characters)
Technical Competence (limit characters)
Select the one statement that most accurately describes your training and experience carrying out each task using the scale provided. (limit characters)
12. Mix herbicide, calibrate and utilize tank sprayers for large scale treatment of exotic plants.
(limit characters)
13. Determine appropriate terrestrial herbicide and application rates for target species and site requirements.
(limit characters)
14. Calibrate backpack herbicide sprayers to tailor individuals' output to herbicide label rate recommendations.
(limit characters)
15. Implement mechanical treatment techniques to control invasive plants (e.g., hand tools, chainsaws, brush cutters, or brush chippers).
(limit characters)
Teamwork (limit characters)
Select the one statement that most accurately describes your training and experience carrying out each task using the scale provided. (limit characters)
16. Work in a small group setting under isolated conditions and weather extremes (e.g., high or low temperatures, inclement weather (rain, snow, and sleet), steep slopes, uneven terrain, plant and insect pest presence).
(limit characters)
17. Provide information to visitors explaining restoration field work to foster cooperation and support for project goals.
(limit characters)
18. Communicate with supervisors and colleagues regarding logistics and work assignments.
(limit characters)
19. Follow appropriate health and safety protocols and procedures in the performance of job duties.
(limit characters)
20. Hike several miles in a day carrying heavy items (e.g., backpacks weighing up to 50 pounds, bulky tools and equipment, etc.) on a regular basis.
(limit characters)
Technology Application (GS-05 Only) (limit characters)
Select the one statement that most accurately describes your training and experience carrying out each task using the scale provided. (limit characters)
21. Navigate with global positioning systems (GPS) to locate predetermined points
(limit characters)
22. Enter data in electronic databases and perform quality control/quality assurance to ensure data validity.
(limit characters)
23. Collect geospatial data using GPS units for mapping and monitoring purposes.
(limit characters)
24. Download geospatial data from an electronic field data recorder into a Geographic Information System (GIS).
(limit characters)
Currently or Previously Held Pesticide Applicators Certificate/License (Information Only) (limit characters)
25. The purpose of this question is to identify a specialized skill set to assist hiring officials from the various parks that are recruiting via this job announcement. There are no points assigned to this question and it is not a screen-out factor. You will not lose consideration if you do not possess this skill set.

Please indicate below whether or not you currently, or have in the past, possessed a Pesticide Applicators Certificate/License. If you answer yes to this question, please provide your license number and the location where you obtained your license in your resume.
(limit characters)