- Position Title
- Supervisory Ecologist
- Agency
- National Park Service
- Announcement Number
- MW-1543-NGPN-24-12552905-ST Opens in new window
- Open Period
- Tuesday, September 24, 2024 to Thursday, October 3, 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 veteran who separated from active duty under honorable conditions AND you:
For more information, review USAJOBS Veterans resources.
To verify your eligibility, you must submit a copy of your latest Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty, DD-214 (copy indicating character of service) or other proof of your service which includes character of service. You must also submit the disability letter from the Department of Veterans Affairs or Armed Service and the Application for 10-Point Veteran Preference, Standard Form 15.
- have a rating by the Department of Veterans Affairs showing a compensable service-connected disability of 30% or more; OR,
- are retired from active military service with a service-connected disability rating of 30% or more?
For more information, review USAJOBS Veterans resources.
To verify your eligibility, you must submit a copy of your latest Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty, DD-214 (copy indicating character of service) or other proof of your service which includes character of service. You must also submit the disability letter from the Department of Veterans Affairs or Armed Service and the Application for 10-Point Veteran Preference, Standard Form 15.
3.
1. Are you the spouse of a member of the armed forces serving on active duty?
-OR-
2. Are you a spouse of a 100 percent disabled service member injured while on active duty?
-OR-
3. Are you the un-remarried widow or widower of a member of the Armed Forces killed while in active duty status?
For more information, review USAJOBS Veterans resources.
To verify your eligibility for option 1 identified above, you must submit documentation verifying active duty status; and documentation verifying marriage to the member of the armed forces (i.e., a marriage certificate or other legal documentation verifying marriage).
To verify your eligibility for options 2 and 3 identified above, you must submit the Application for 10-Point Veteran Preference, Standard Form 15 and all supporting documentation identified on that document (e.g., Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty, DD-214 (copy indicating character of service) or other proof of service which includes character of service; death certificate and documentation identifying marital status at the time of death; disability letter from the Department of Veterans Affairs or Armed Service, etc..
-OR-
2. Are you a spouse of a 100 percent disabled service member injured while on active duty?
-OR-
3. Are you the un-remarried widow or widower of a member of the Armed Forces killed while in active duty status?
For more information, review USAJOBS Veterans resources.
To verify your eligibility for option 1 identified above, you must submit documentation verifying active duty status; and documentation verifying marriage to the member of the armed forces (i.e., a marriage certificate or other legal documentation verifying marriage).
To verify your eligibility for options 2 and 3 identified above, you must submit the Application for 10-Point Veteran Preference, Standard Form 15 and all supporting documentation identified on that document (e.g., Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty, DD-214 (copy indicating character of service) or other proof of service which includes character of service; death certificate and documentation identifying marital status at the time of death; disability letter from the Department of Veterans Affairs or Armed Service, etc..
4.
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.
5.
Are you a current career/career-conditional Department of the Interior Federal employee and meet the following Competitive Merit Promotion Eligibility:
Current Department of the Interior Federal employee with a career or career- conditional appointment in the competitive service that holds, or have held a career or career-conditional position at a lower grade level as the position being announced.
To verify your eligibility as a current Department of the Interior Federal employee, you must provide a copy of your current Notification of Personnel Action, Standard Form 50 (SF-50) reflecting your competitive status showing that you are a current Department of The Interior employee. All required documentation will be outlined in the Job Opportunity Announcement.
Current Department of the Interior Federal employee with a career or career- conditional appointment in the competitive service that holds, or have held a career or career-conditional position at a lower grade level as the position being announced.
To verify your eligibility as a current Department of the Interior Federal employee, you must provide a copy of your current Notification of Personnel Action, Standard Form 50 (SF-50) reflecting your competitive status showing that you are a current Department of The Interior employee. All required documentation will be outlined in the Job Opportunity Announcement.
6.
Are you a former member of the Public Lands Corps (PLC) who has served the time required for completing a PLC project carried out on Federal land within the preceding 2 years (an individuals eligibility for NCE under this authority shall not exceed 2 years after completion of his/her last PLC project), and:
• Served as a qualified youth on an appropriate conservation project completing a minimum of 640 hours of satisfactory service that included at least 120 hours through the PLC (individuals must provide a copy of the "Certificate of Eligibility for NCE Hiring Based on PLC Service" and the complete PLC Participant Work Hours Verification Form with your application package in order to be considered under this hiring authority), and
• Meet OPM qualification standards and any other qualification requirement(s) stated in this vacancy announcement for the position in which you are applying.
• Served as a qualified youth on an appropriate conservation project completing a minimum of 640 hours of satisfactory service that included at least 120 hours through the PLC (individuals must provide a copy of the "Certificate of Eligibility for NCE Hiring Based on PLC Service" and the complete PLC Participant Work Hours Verification Form with your application package in order to be considered under this hiring authority), and
• Meet OPM qualification standards and any other qualification requirement(s) stated in this vacancy announcement for the position in which you are applying.
7.
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.
8.
Are you a current or former employee of a land management agency (Forest Service; Bureau of Land Management; National Park Service; Fish and Wildlife Service; Bureau of Indian Affairs; or Bureau of Reclamation) who:
To verify your eligibility, you must provide documentation for the Land Management Workforce Flexibility Act (LMWFA) eligibility, which includes ALL Appointment AND Termination SF-50s for EACH appointment as well as ALL performance evaluations, for each qualifying period of temporary employment claimed.
For more information, review Land Management Workforce Flexibility Act (LMWFA).
- was originally hired to a time-limited position under a competitive appointment; and,
- served one or more time-limited appointments at a land management agency for a period totaling more than 24 months without a break in service of two or more years; and,
- performed at an acceptable level of service during each period of service; and,
- if no longer employed by the land management agency, have been separated for no more than two years, and departed that position in good standing.
To verify your eligibility, you must provide documentation for the Land Management Workforce Flexibility Act (LMWFA) eligibility, which includes ALL Appointment AND Termination SF-50s for EACH appointment as well as ALL performance evaluations, for each qualifying period of temporary employment claimed.
For more information, review Land Management Workforce Flexibility Act (LMWFA).
9.
Are you a former Peace Corps volunteer or VISTA member who has completed your service within the past twelve months?
-OR-
Are you a former Peace Corps volunteer or VISTA member who has completed your service within the past 36 months and are requesting an extension of your non-competitive eligibility due to your military service, status as a full-time student or other experience related to this position?
-OR-
Are you a current or former Peace Corps employee who has completed at least 36 months of continuous service and has been separated from the Peace Corps for less than three years?
To verify your eligibility, you must submit a copy of your description of service or other proof of non-competitive eligibility. If you are a former Peace Corps volunteer or VISTA member who is requesting an extension of your non-competitive eligibility, please also provide the necessary documentation to support your request.
-OR-
Are you a former Peace Corps volunteer or VISTA member who has completed your service within the past 36 months and are requesting an extension of your non-competitive eligibility due to your military service, status as a full-time student or other experience related to this position?
-OR-
Are you a current or former Peace Corps employee who has completed at least 36 months of continuous service and has been separated from the Peace Corps for less than three years?
To verify your eligibility, you must submit a copy of your description of service or other proof of non-competitive eligibility. If you are a former Peace Corps volunteer or VISTA member who is requesting an extension of your non-competitive eligibility, please also provide the necessary documentation to support your request.
10.
Do you meet one of the following Non-Competitive Merit Promotion Eligibilities:
To verify your eligibility, you must submit supporting documentation. For example, a copy of your latest Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty, DD-214 (copy indicating character of service) or other proof of your service which includes character of service; a copy of your Notification of Personnel Action, Standard Form 50 (SF-50); etc. All required documentation will be outlined in the Job Opportunity Announcement.
- Disabled veteran receiving 30% or more disability compensation from the VA;
- Transfer, reassignment or reinstatement eligible: current Federal or former employee with career or career-conditional appointment in the competitive service that hold, or have previously held a career or career-conditional position at the same or higher grade level with the same or higher promotion potential as the position being announced; or,
- Individual eligible under other non-competitive appointment authorities such as: Veterans Recruitment Authority; Military spouses under E.O. 13473; Certain former overseas employees; Present and former Peace Corps, Vista or Action volunteers; Former White House staff; Present and former Foreign Service officers and employees; Certain National Guard technicians; Schedule A; OPM Interchange Agreement and Other Miscellaneous Authorities.
To verify your eligibility, you must submit supporting documentation. For example, a copy of your latest Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty, DD-214 (copy indicating character of service) or other proof of your service which includes character of service; a copy of your Notification of Personnel Action, Standard Form 50 (SF-50); etc. All required documentation will be outlined in the Job Opportunity Announcement.
11.
Are you a current Excepted Service employee of a Federal Agency that has a valid interchange agreement with the Office of Personnel Management?
For more information, review Interchange Agreements with Other Merit Systems.
-OR-
Are you a current:
For more information, review Miscellaneous Authorities Not Regulated By U.S. Office of Personnel Management.
To verify your eligibility, you must submit a copy of your Notification of Personnel Action, Standard Form (SF-50) reflecting your status.
For more information, review Interchange Agreements with Other Merit Systems.
-OR-
Are you a current:
- Postal Career Service Employee;
- Postal Rate Commission Employee;
- Government Accountability Office (GAO) Employee; or,
- Administrative Office of the U.S. Courts Employee?
For more information, review Miscellaneous Authorities Not Regulated By U.S. Office of Personnel Management.
To verify your eligibility, you must submit a copy of your Notification of Personnel Action, Standard Form (SF-50) reflecting your status.
12.
Do you have a severe physical, psychiatric or mental disability that qualifies you for a Schedule A Disability appointment?
For more information, review USAJOBS Individuals with Disabilities resources.
To verify your eligibility, you must provide appropriate medical documentation, i.e., a letter signed by a licensed medical professional or licensed vocational rehabilitation specialist stating your condition and restriction
For more information, review USAJOBS Individuals with Disabilities resources.
To verify your eligibility, you must provide appropriate medical documentation, i.e., a letter signed by a licensed medical professional or licensed vocational rehabilitation specialist stating your condition and restriction
13.
Are you a veteran whose latest discharge was under honorable conditions AND you:
For more information, review USAJOBS Veterans resources.
To verify your eligibility, you must submit a copy of your latest Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty, DD-214 (copy indicating character of service) or other proof of service which includes character of service.
- served three or more years of continuous active duty service in the military (Note: if released shortly before completing a 3-year tour, you are considered to meet the eligibility); OR,
- are entitled to veterans' preference?
For more information, review USAJOBS Veterans resources.
To verify your eligibility, you must submit a copy of your latest Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty, DD-214 (copy indicating character of service) or other proof of service which includes character of service.
Performance
Attention: Please submit 1) a copy of your most recent performance appraisal/evaluation and 2) a list of any awards (e.g. superior performance awards, special act or achievement awards, quality step increase, etc.) you received in the last 5 years. Any performance appraisal/evaluation and award documentation you provide will be forwarded to the selecting official. The selecting official will review this documentation and give it due weight consideration during the overall selection process.
1.
My performance is at an acceptable level and I am not serving under a formal Performance Improvement Plan (PIP).
If you do not have your most recent performance appraisal/evaluation, please submit a statement as to why it is not available. Please indicate if any prior performance appraisals/evaluations were at an acceptable level.
2.
If you do not have a current performance appraisal/evaluation, please submit a statement as to why it is not available.
Assessment 1
Basic Requirement for Ecologist GS-0408
Thank you for your interest in the Ecologist position. This position may be filled in the following series: Ecologist, GS-0408. Your responses to this questionnaire in conjunction with other portions of your completed application will be evaluated to determine your qualifications. All of the information you provide may be verified by a review of the work experience and/or education presented on your resume, by checking references, and through other means such as the interview process. Please carefully follow all instructions before submitting your responses. You must select only ONE response for each item. If you change a response, be certain to erase (unclick) the incorrect response before you submit the application. Once you have submitted your application, items with more than one response or that are left blank will not receive credit.
YOUR RESUME AND THE OTHER APPLICATION MATERIALS THAT YOU SUBMIT MUST SUPPORT YOUR ANSWERS UNDER THIS AND OTHER QUESTIONS. IF NOT, YOU WILL BE FOUND UNQUALIFIED OR YOUR SCORE WILL BE LOWERED.
1.
From the descriptions below, select the one response that best describes how your background meets the basic requirements for Ecologist, GS-408. IMPORTANT - Please note: It is your responsibility to show how you satisfy the course requirements. If you do not provide information that clearly shows how your completed college course work meets all of the requirements above, you will be rated ineligible. Your rating will be based solely on the information you submit with your application. No attempts will be made to verify with you, or the school you attended, whether or not your course work meets all of the requirements above. YOU MUST SUBMIT YOUR COLLEGE TRANSCRIPTS.
2.
Select the one response below that best describes how your background meets the specialized experience or education requirements for the Supervisory Ecologist, GS-12 position. If you leave this question blank, you may be rated ineligible at the GS-12 level.
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.
Select the one statement that most accurately describes your training and experience carrying out each task using the scale provided.
3.
Design, develop and implement inventory and monitoring programs and/or program's complex plant studies/projects that demonstrate knowledge of principles of plant ecology, such as plant community studies, ecological restoration studies/projects, fire effects studies, and studies of exotic plant invasions, which aim to maintain the integrity of native plant communities and habitat.
4.
Integrate studies, whenever possible, with those of other specialists in developing a more comprehensive understanding of ecosystem structure, function and the processes acting upon them.
5.
Synthesize and report on diverse data sets to draw inferences on status and trends of natural resources.
6.
Identify research needs, develops, and conducts scientifically credible studies to maintain the integrity of native plant communities and habitat.
7.
Analyze data and reports information from studies, which results in better knowledge of plant and soil resources and actual or potential threats to them.
8.
Provide guidance and expertise in all aspects of vegetation management.
Research
Select the one statement that most accurately describes your training and experience carrying out each task using the scale provided.
9.
Use R software for statistical data analyses in ecology.
10.
Use Geographic Information Systems (GIS) to analyze and interpret spatial data.
11.
Collect and manage tabular and spatial data following quality assurance/quality control requirements.
12.
Perform appropriate statistical analysis on complex data sets using statistical software for scientific data analysis and graphical display.
13.
Interpret statistical results for application to plant ecology projects and vegetation management.
14.
Develop and follow technical protocols for collection of vegetation data.
Written Communication
Select the one statement that most accurately describes your training and experience carrying out each task using the scale provided.
15.
Publish technical reports on biological topics for natural resources managers.
16.
Write articles, newsletters, and/or project updates and/or briefing documents on monitoring or research projects for the purpose of communicating complex scientific information to a variety of non-scientist audiences (i.e., natural resource managers, interpreters, and the general public).
17.
Author agency technical reports on ecological monitoring or research projects.
18.
Publish monitoring or research results in refereed professional journals or agency technical reports.
19.
Write briefing statements for use by land managers on sensitive topics.
20.
Lead staff meetings and interdisciplinary team meetings related to planning or operating complex natural resource projects or studies.
Project Management
Select the one statement that most accurately describes your training and experience carrying out each task using the scale provided.
21.
Develop and implement multi-year project plans and annual work plans for ecological monitoring or research projects.
22.
Communicate with and coordinate between park natural resource staff, park managers, and principal investigators to facilitate travel to and from field locations for extended independent operations (one day to two weeks).
23.
Hire and supervise permanent career seasonal and seasonal employees.
24.
Evaluate the work performance of subordinates and temporary crews in day-to-day field activities.
25.
Explore creative solutions to problem solving and challenge subordinate staff to participate in decision making processes.
26.
Delegate tasks to appropriate staff to carry out day-to-day operations, to ensure priorities are accomplished, and to ensure accountability.
Botany
Select the one statement that most accurately describes your training and experience carrying out each task using the scale provided.
27.
Identify 10 or more species of grasses using field identification or taxonomic keys and floras.
28.
Identify 4 or more species of sedges and rushes using field identification or taxonomic keys and floras.
29.
Use dichotomous plant keys to identify plants.
30.
Identify 50 or more native plant species of the Black Hills and Northern Great Plains by scientific name on sight.
31.
Identify native and nonnative plant species using plant keys and a knowledge of plant taxa of the Midwestern Prairies and Forests.
32.
Identify native and non-native plants in a field setting.
The second assessment questions below will be used to meet Executive Order 13932 and PB 20-21 2nd level review for permanent GS positions. This questionnaire will measure applicants' technical expertise and was developed in collaboration with Subject Matter Experts (SMEs) to assess applicants' knowledge in a human resources field.
Please answer each of the following questions. Read all responses before making your selection and mark only one response. Do not leave any blank.
Technical Competence - Understands and appropriately applies procedures, requirements, regulations, and policies related to specialized expertise (for example, engineering, physical science, law, or accounting); maintains credibility with others on technical matters.
33.
TRUE or FALSE: Impacts of long-term climate change in grasslands are not relevant to the Northern Great Plains because the region is so dry.
34.
Ecological trends through time…
35.
Which statement best applies to Northern Great Plains grassland ecology:
36.
Post-field season involves a number of tasks to complete in the lifecycle of the data. What order of operations is the best fit to get from field data to information to inform land management decisions?
37.
A protocol for a monitoring project is
38.
Your team is preparing for a week-long trip to one of the parks. You have a few plots that are in areas that are difficult to access due to their remoteness and terrain changes. What is the appropriate way to approach this?
39.
When seeking funding for a new monitoring project, you should….
40.
Community Types: What kinds of evergreen trees are common throughout the Northern Great Plains?
41.
What are some of the features used to identify grasses?