- Position Title
- Biological Science Technician (Plants) (Seasonal)
- Agency
- National Park Service
- Announcement Number
- NE-1612-SHEN-25-12617645-OC Opens in new window
- Open Period
- Monday, December 30, 2024 to Thursday, April 24, 2025
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?
Assessment 1
Thank you for your interest in the temporary 1039 Biological Science Technician positions. For each question, choose the response that best describes your experience and training. Mark only one response for each question. DO NOT overstate or understate your level of experience and capability. You should be aware that your ratings are subject to evaluation and verification of references as appropriate. Later steps in the selection process are specifically designed to verify your stated level of experience and demonstrated capability.
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.
1.
From the descriptions below, select the response that best describes how your background meets the minimum experience or education requirements for a Biological Science Technician (Plants) and/or (Vegetation), GS-0404-05. 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. Your application materials must support the answers you claim in this assessment. If not, you may be found not qualified or your rating may be lowered.
2.
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. 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.
3.
From the descriptions below, select one response that best describes how your background meets the specialized experience requirement for the Biological Science Technician (Plants) and/or (Vegetation), GS-0404-07 position. Read all responses before making your selection. 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.
COMPETENCY ASSESSMENT QUESTIONNAIRE SECTION: THE RESUME OR APPLICATION MATERIALS YOU SUBMIT FOR THIS ANNOUNCEMENT MUST SUPPORT THE ANSWERS YOU CLAIM WITHIN THIS SECTION. IF NOT, YOU WILL BE FOUND NOT QUALIFIED OR YOUR SCORE WILL BE LOWERED.
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.
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 plant monitoring and treatment sites using quantitative (plot sampling) and qualitative (photography) methods.
9.
Conduct field inventories for invasive exotic plants and/or native plants.
10.
Collect geo-referenced data on vegetation 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 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, mix and apply 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 outdoor field activities following safety protocols.
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 steep, uneven, off-trail terrain/environment.
24.
Use, maintain, and store hand and power tools used in native and invasive exotic plant management (including backpack and power sprayers, hand and power saws, loppers, hatchets, and string trimmers).
25.
Ability to layout and move through thickly vegetated field monitoring plots in steep and uneven off-trail terrain.
26.
Assist with implementation of natural resource management projects and gather feedback from project team.
27.
Implement work plan that incorporates safety, occupational health, and job hazard analyses.
28.
Assist with schedules and identification of goals and objectives for natural resource management projects.
29.
Provide regular field leadership to lower graded employees, interns and/or volunteers involved in invasive plant management or vegetation restoration.
30.
Provide plant identification and vegetation sampling field methods expertise to work crews.
31.
Guide interns and volunteers using oral communication in care of biological resources (plants), including data collection, field work, and record-keeping.
32.
Evaluate, mitigate, and communicate risk and challenges prior to conducting operations such as field work.
33.
Communicates effectively with supervisors, co-workers, park staff, volunteers, and members of the public through oral communications.
34.
Determine daily work tasks and assignments for a crew involved in invasive plant management or vegetation restoration.
35.
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.