- Position Title
- Physical Science Technician
- Agency
- National Park Service
- Announcement Number
- PW-1548-SR-25-12589885-DE Opens in new window
- Open Period
- Monday, November 25, 2024 to Friday, December 6, 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 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
Your responses to this questionnaire, in conjunction with the other portions of your completed application, will be evaluated to determine your qualifications for this position. Please carefully follow all instructions before submitting your responses. Once you have submitted your application, items that are left blank will not receive credit.
1.
From the descriptions below, select the one response that best describes how your background meets the minimum qualifications requirements for the Physical Science Technician at the GS-05 level. If you do not meet the requirements, you will be rated ineligible. You must support the level of experience you claim in your resume.
2.
From the descriptions below, select the one response that best describes how your background meets the minimum qualifications requirements for the Physical Science Technician at the GS-06 level. If you do not meet the requirements, you will be rated ineligible. You must support the level of experience you claim in your resume.
3.
From the descriptions below, select the one response that best describes how your background meets the minimum qualifications requirements for the Physical Science Technician at the GS-07 level. If you do not meet the requirements, you will be rated ineligible. You must support the level of experience you claim in your resume.
Attention to Detail
Select the one statement that most accurately describes your training and experience carrying out each task using the scale provided.
4.
Plan logistics of field sampling and handling of air, water, and/or soil samples.
5.
Perform data collection at pre-determined sites on air, water, or soil.
6.
Collect water samples or climate dataloggers following protocol.
7.
Process air, water, and soil samples, as well as climate data, in preparation for analysis.
8.
Prepare data sheets accompanying air, water, and/or soil samples.
9.
Provide documentation of analyses to support validity of findings.
10.
Maintain laboratory or field records of sample logs, instrument calibration, and acquisition of standards.
11.
Maintain laboratory or field safety requirements (e.g., inventories of chemicals or personal protective equipment).
Technology Application
Select the one statement that most accurately describes your training and experience carrying out each task using the scale provided.
12.
Conduct monitoring of the physical environment following standard protocols (e.g., hydrologic monitoring, water quality testing, cave microclimate monitoring, or acoustic monitoring).
13.
Operate environmental sampling equipment using sensors that measure various parameters (e.g., dissolved oxygen, turbidity, conductivity, pH, temperature, relative humidity, or human visitation rates).
14.
Operate and maintain air or climate sampling equipment such as climate dataloggers, gaseous pollutant analyzers, or particulate monitors.
15.
Calibrate scientific instruments relative to air, water, and soil sampling.
16.
Install automated environmental monitoring equipment for weather, stream, water quality, soil, seismic, or similar purposes at remote backcountry sites.
17.
Configure and install power supplies (e.g., rechargeable batteries, solar panels, wind generators or hydrogen fuel cells) for use with remote backcountry environmental monitoring equipment.
18.
Troubleshoot electronic environmental monitoring equipment (e.g., remote weather stations, stream gauges, acoustic monitors, and associated power systems and satellite transmitters).
19.
Program data loggers to work with a variety of environmental sensors (such as meteorological sensors) and data transmitters (satellite transmitters or modems).
20.
Use ArcGIS or other Geographical Information Systems (GIS) to manage spatial data and produce maps.
Writing
Select the one statement that most accurately describes your training and experience carrying out each task using the scale provided.
21.
Give clear, concise, well-organized presentations to internal and external staff and scientists.
22.
Develop maps from multiple data layers in ArcGIS or other GIS software.
23.
Create wiring or schematic diagrams for site-specific aspects of environmental monitoring equipment that is not covered in equipment manuals.
Manages and Organizes Information (GS-6 and GS-7)
Select the one statement that most accurately describes your training and experience carrying out each task using the scale provided.
24.
Maintain and organize computer databases.
25.
Enter data into computer programs to store, review, retrieve, and report data, correcting errors to ensure quality control.
26.
Provide logistical support to physical science professionals or researchers.
27.
Conduct field monitoring and surveys off-trail in mountainous, steep, rocky, or underground terrain.
28.
Plan logistics of field sampling and handling of air, water, and/or soil samples.
29.
Use orienteering skills to read maps or use GPS to navigate to specific locations to install and manage scientific monitoring equipment.
Technical Competence (GS-7 only)
Select the one statement that most accurately describes your training and experience carrying out each task using the scale provided.
30.
Recommend procedures or methodological changes needed to ensure data collection is valid and scientifically defensible.
31.
Use statistical software S, R, Matlab or SAS or similar software to summarize and analyze natural resources data for patterns and trends.
32.
Prepare written project reports including descriptions of data collection methods, analyses, and summary findings.
33.
Use scientific knowledge to determine best sites for data collection.
34.
Ensure data is collected according to established protocols, providing guidance and training as necessary.
35.
Summarize and interpret data in reports for use by managers and staff.
36.
Conduct glacier mass balance monitoring or cave microclimate monitoring.
37.
Provide information to the public about technical resource-related topics, (e.g., landscape or geologic history, climate, hydrology, soils, or etc.) to answer questions or educate them.
38.
Plan work of field crews, exercising judgment to collect the best data possible without compromising safety.
39.
Interpret stereo aerial photographs, topographic maps, digital elevation maps, or cave maps in order to identify surficial and subsurface geologic landforms.
40.
Provide preliminary analysis of landform or cave mapping data.
41.
Conduct surficial or subsurface geology (landform or cave) mapping field surveys.