- Position Title
- Biological Scientist/ Horticulturist
- Agency
- Forest Service
- Announcement Number
- 25-CHI-R1-12664523-F Opens in new window
- Open Period
- Tuesday, January 14, 2025 to Monday, January 20, 2025
For preview purposes only. To apply, please return to the USAJOBS announcement and click the Apply button.
Eligibilities
1.
Are you a current Forest Service employee who currently holds a career or career conditional appointment?
2.
Are you a Forest Service employee who currently holds a career or career conditional appointment AND you have held or currently hold a position on a permanent basis in the competitive service with the same or higher promotion potential of the position being advertised?
3.
Are you a current USDA employee who meets the definition of a "surplus" or "displaced" employee, in which received official notice that your job is no longer needed or that you will lose your job by Reduction-in-Force (RIF)? If yes, confirm:
• you are located in the same local commuting area as the vacancy; AND,
• you are applying to a position that is at or below the grade level of the position from which you will be separated; AND,
• you are applying to a position that does not have greater promotion potential than the position from which you 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.
• you are located in the same local commuting area as the vacancy; AND,
• you are applying to a position that is at or below the grade level of the position from which you will be separated; AND,
• you are applying to a position that does not have greater promotion potential than the position from which you 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.
4.
Are you a current or former employee of the US Forest Service who is claiming eligibility under the Land Management Workforce Flexibility Act and:
- 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,
- most recent period of qualifying service was with the US Forest Service; and,
- performed at an acceptable level of service during each period of service; and,if you are no longer employed by the US Forest Service, have been separated for no more than two years, and whose most recent separation was for reasons other than misconduct or performance?
5.
Have you registered for reemployment consideration AND meet one of the below:
• Are you a current or former competitive service USDA employee who will be or was separated by Reduction-In-Force (RIF) and received a rating of satisfactory or above as your last annual performance rating?
OR
• Are you a former USDA competitive service employee who separated due to a compensable injury or disability?
• Are you a current or former competitive service USDA employee who will be or was separated by Reduction-In-Force (RIF) and received a rating of satisfactory or above as your last annual performance rating?
OR
• Are you a former USDA competitive service employee who separated due to a compensable injury or disability?
Preferences
1.
Select the series you want to be considered for. You must choose at least one series.
2.
Are you a current or former Political appointee, Presidential appointee, and/or non-career Senior Executive Service (SES) appointee?
Assessment 1
Thank you for your interest in this Biological Scientist/Horticulturist, GS-401-0437-11/12 position with the USDA Forest Service. Your resume and the responses you provide to this assessment questionnaire will be used to determine if you are among the best qualified for this position. IMPORTANT - PLEASE NOTE: If you are using education to qualify you must document your course work and/or degree completed in your resume or other application materials you submit. You must submit a copy of your transcripts that identifies for each course the college or university, semester or quarter hours earned, grade received, and date completed. If you are qualifying based on education and you do not submit specific course work information described below, your application will be rated not qualified for consideration. A copy of your official transcripts will be required before entrance on duty, if selected. Your responses are subject to verification.
This interdisciplinary position may be filled in any of the following series: Biological Scientist, GS-0401 or a Botanist GS-04037. Your responses to the Basic Requirements and Specialized Experience questions, as well as the other questions in the questionnaire, in conjunction with the information provided in your completed application, will be evaluated to determine your qualifications for this position. Read all responses before making your selection. If you do not meet one of the interdisciplinary basic requirements, you will be considered not qualified and will not receive consideration for this position. IMPORTANT - PLEASE NOTE: You must submit a copy of your transcripts that identifies for each course the college or university, semester or quarter hours earned, grade received, and date completed. If your transcripts do not show the specific course work information described below, your application will be rated not qualified for consideration. You may need to submit transcripts for multiple degrees earned or schools attended. (A copy of your official transcripts will be required before entrance on duty, if selected). THE RESUME OR APPLICATION MATERIALS YOU SUBMIT FOR THIS ANNOUNCEMENT MUST SUPPORT THE ANSWERS YOU CLAIM UNDER THIS AND OTHER QUESTIONS. Please review your responses for accuracy before you submit your application.
This section will be used to determine if you possess the education and experience needed to qualify for this position.
Basic requirement for 0401 series.
1.
From the description below, select the response that best describes how your background meets the basic requirements for a Biological Scientist, GS-0401. If you do not meet the basic education requirements, you will not receive consideration for this position. NOTE: You must document your course work and/or degree completed in your resume or other application materials you submit. You must submit a copy of your transcripts that identifies for each course the college or university, semester or quarter hours earned, grade received, and date completed. If you are qualifying based on education and you do not submit specific course work information described below, your application will be rated not qualified for consideration.
Basic requirement for 0437 series.
2.
From the description below, select the response that best describes how your background meets the basic requirements for a Horticulturist, GS-0437. If you do not meet the basic education requirements, you will not receive consideration for this position. NOTE: You must document your course work and/or degree completed in your resume or other application materials you submit. You must submit a copy of your transcripts that identifies for each course the college or university, semester or quarter hours earned, grade received, and date completed. If you are qualifying based on education and you do not submit specific course work information described below, your application will be rated not qualified for consideration.
Specialized Qualifications
This section will be used to determine if you possess the education and/or experience that demonstrates your ability to perform the work of a Biological Scientist/Horticulturist, GS-401-0437-11. Please note that your answers will be verified against the information you provide in your resume or application and information provided by your references. FAILURE TO RESPOND TO THESE QUESTIONS WILL RESULT IN AN INELIGIBLE RATING. PLEASE PROVIDE A COPY OF YOUR OFFICIAL TRANSCRIPTS.
3.
Select the one statement below that best describes the education and/or experience that you possess that demonstrates your ability to perform the work of a Biological Scientist/Horticulturist, GS-401-0437-11.
For each of the following tasks, choose the statement from the list below that best describe your experience and/or training. Please select only one letter for each item. Do not overstate or understate your level of experience and demonstrated capability. Your ratings are subject to evaluation and verification based on the resume and other relevant documents you submit.
Select the one statement that most accurately describes your training and experience carrying out each task using the scale provided.
4.
Provide administrative oversight of all work performed at a nursery facility to ensure quality and quantity are maintained.
5.
Formulate annual and long-range plans that identify objectives, production goals, and priorities for nursery operations.
6.
Develop and manage the annual nursery budget.
7.
Assist with managing the operation of a regional seed extractory and seed bank to develop relevant program goals and best management practices.
8.
Oversee administrative studies in the fields of bare-root stock production, container stock production, seed production, seed handling and storage, and stock quality monitoring.
9.
Maintain an awareness of new technological developments in seed processing, storage and inventory management.
10.
Appraise and revise program goals and operations in light of changing factors such as client demand, economics, staffing, and technological developments.
11.
Perform as a Contracting Officers Representative (COR) or equivalent, for services and materials provided in support of the nursery program of work.
12.
Make recommendations and take steps to ensure that the nursery complies with the mandates of regulatory agencies such as the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA).
13.
Determine seed processing and analytical equipment needs for implementing the program of work.
14.
Produce written reports of administrative study results.
15.
Assist the regional office in formulating reports and plans to obtain funding for future seed collection and extraction activities.
16.
Compile inventory results and prepare reports for clients.
17.
Foster an inclusive workplace where diversity and individual differences are leveraged to achieve the vision and mission of the organization.
18.
Promote an inclusive work environment that is free from all types of discrimination.
Select the one statement that most accurately describes your training and experience carrying out each task using the scale provided.
19.
I certify that I have read the Required Documents (and all associated links) section of the vacancy announcement and I understand which documents are required to be attached and which documents should not be attached to my application. I understand that I will not be able to submit additional documents and/or information once the vacancy announcement has closed.
20.
Education is required for the job series advertised. You must submit a copy of your transcripts showing the basic education required for the series advertised. It may be necessary to attach transcripts from multiple institutions and/or to attach both undergraduate and graduate transcripts.
21.
If any of your education was completed at a foreign institute, you must submit with your application evidence that the institute was appropriately accredited by an accrediting body recognized by the U.S. Department of Education as equivalent to U.S. education standards. Contacts for private organizations that specialize in this evaluation is located here: http://www.naces.org/members. A fee is normally associated with this service. All transcripts must be in English or include an English translation.
22.
Your responses to the Announcement and Assessment Questionnaires, along with your resume and all supporting documentation are subject to evaluation and verification to ensure accuracy. Submitting false information or attempts to falsify information may be grounds for disqualifying you or for terminating you after you have been hired. Please take this opportunity to review your responses to ensure their accuracy.