- Position Title
- Biological Science Technician (Plants)
- Agency
- National Park Service
- Announcement Number
- NE-1611-ACAD-24-12263151-DE Opens in new window
- Open Period
- Friday, January 5, 2024 to Thursday, January 11, 2024
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?
3.
Have you reviewed the How to Apply and Required Documents section of this announcement for guidance on selecting appropriate eligibilities and providing supporting documentation in order to be considered for this position?
Assessment 1
1.
MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS-GS-05: From the descriptions below, select one response that best describes how your background meets the specialized experience requirement for the Biological Science Technician (Plants), GS-0404-05 position. Read all responses before making your selection. MARK ONLY ONE RESPONSE. If you select more than one response, or leave this question blank you will be rated ineligible. If you do not meet these minimum qualifications, 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.
2.
MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS-GS-06: From the descriptions below, select one response that best describes how your background meets the specialized experience requirement for the Biological Science Technician (Plants), GS-0404-06 position. Read all responses before making your selection. MARK ONLY ONE RESPONSE. If you select more than one response, or leave this question blank you will be rated ineligible. If you do not meet these minimum qualifications, 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.
3.
MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS-GS-07: From the descriptions below, select one response that best describes how your background meets the specialized experience requirement for the Biological Science Technician (Plants), GS-0404-07 position. Read all responses before making your selection. MARK ONLY ONE RESPONSE. If you select more than one response, or leave this question blank you will be rated ineligible. If you do not meet these minimum qualifications, 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.
For the statements below, please select from A through E to indicate the skill level that you possess for each task listed. Be sure to describe the experience that supports your answers to the questions below in your resume. Each of your responses must be clearly supported by the specific work experience you describe in your application packet. If not, you will be found not qualified. The information you provide will be verified. Any exaggeration of your experience, false statements, or attempts to conceal information may be grounds for rating you ineligible, not hiring you, or for firing you after you begin work. YOUR RESUME MUST INCLUDE MONTHS, YEARS, AND HOURS WORKED PER WEEK FOR ALL OF YOUR WORK EXPERIENCE. YOU WILL NOT RECEIVE ANY CREDIT FOR EXPERIENCE THAT DOES NOT INCLUDE HOURS WORKED PER WEEK OR IS LISTED AS "VARIES".
Select the one statement that most accurately describes your training and experience carrying out each task using the scale provided.
4.
Identify and categorize native and non- native plants in the Northeastern and/or Mid-Atlantic United States by sight or with a dichotomous key.
5.
Assess conditions and implement treatments for New England and/or Mid-Atlantic natural and cultural landscapes (wetlands, forests, gardens, and meadows).
6.
Diagnose specific plant problems and care methods to improve plant health.
7.
Identify vascular plants of the Eastern US to species level in the field at all stages (vegetative, flowering, fruiting, and dormant (leaf-off)).
8.
Monitor invasive exotic plant treatment sites using quantitative (plot sampling) and qualitative (photography) methods.
9.
Conduct field inventories for invasive exotic plants.
10.
Collect geo-referenced data on vegetation outdoors using GPS, GNSS, and mobile devices for download into ArcGIS or other GIS software.
11.
Create maps with ArcGIS and/or equivalent GIS software that include base layers (such as satellite images), field-collected data, symbology, and scale bars.
12.
Knowledge and experience with for the control and management of exotic plant species, including use of appropriate herbicide.
13.
Use digital cameras to capture natural resource imagery.
14.
Use MS Office (Word, Excel, Access) computer software to write reports and manage data.
15.
Identify and control of invasive, non-native plants, pests, and pathogens using integrated pest management protocols.
16.
Knowledge and experience using a variety of methods to improve ecological health of natural habitat areas.
17.
Implement natural resource treatments using population dynamics, host-insect interactions, and control measures for pest-related problems.
18.
Transport and mix pesticides for controlling invasive exotic plants.
19.
Read and understand pesticide labels and safety data sheets (SDS/MSDS).
20.
Control invasive exotic plants using manual (hand pulling) and mechanical (cutting) methods.
21.
Ability to carry out a wide variety of field activities with safety protocols in an outdoor setting.
22.
Ability to lift, push, and pull objects as part of conducting vegetation management operations.
23.
Ability to navigate over or around obstacles while conducting field work in an outdoor environment.
24.
Use, maintain, and store hand and power tools used in invasive exotic plant management (including backpack and power sprayers, hand and power saws, hatchets, and string trimmers).
25.
Assist with implementation of natural resource management projects and gather feedback from project team.
26.
Implement work plan that incorporates safety, occupational health, and job hazard analyses.
27.
Assist with schedules and identification of goals and objectives for natural resource management projects.
28.
Provide regular field leadership to lower graded employees, interns and/or volunteers involved in invasive plant management or vegetation restoration.
29.
Guide interns and volunteers using oral communication in care of biological resources (plants), including data collection, field work, and record-keeping.
30.
Evaluate, mitigate, and communicate risk and challenges prior to conducting operations such as field work.
31.
Communicates effectively with supervisors, co-workers, park staff, volunteers, and members of the public through oral communications.
32.
Determine daily work tasks and assignments for a crew involved in invasive plant management or vegetation restoration.
33.
Please take this opportunity to review your ratings to ensure their accuracy. By agreeing to the statement below, you are confirming that you: 1) understand this warning, 2) have reviewed your responses to this questionnaire for accuracy, and, 3) verify that your responses accurately describe your current level of experience and capability. Failure to agree to this statement will disqualify you from further consideration for the position.