VACANCY NO: CRG-08-001
POSITION: Biological Science Technician (Botany), GG-404-5
STARTING DATE: 04/14/08
DATE OPENED: 01/11/08
DATE CLOSED: 02/04/08
SALARY: $14.24 per hour
TYPE OF APPOINTMENT: Temporary 180 day
appointment
NUMBER OF POSITIONS: 3-4
LENGTH OF POSITION: 6-9 months, contingent on budget. Not to exceed
09/30/08, but extension possible
TOUR OF DUTY: Full Time, with possible periods of part-time and
intermittent work.
AREA OF CONSIDERATION: All U.S. citizens
LOCATION: US Geological Survey, Forest & Rangeland Ecosystem Science
Center, Corvallis Research Group, Corvallis, Oregon
THESE ARE TEMPORARILY EXCEPTED SERVICE POSITIONS for which all qualified
applicants, with or without Federal status may apply and be considered.
Appointment to these positions, however, will not convey permanent status
in the Federal service. Appointment will only be for the duration of the
position, normally 6-9 months. The Social Security Retirement System
covers temporary employees and annual and sick leave will be accrued
except in intermittent status. Employees are ineligible for health and
life insurance coverage.
DUTIES (specific): Technicians will work on a Joint Fire Science funded
project to investigate the ecological impacts of fuel reduction treatments
in the intermountain sagebrush steppe. To find out more about the project
go to (www.sagestep.org). Technician may also work on several USGS-BRD
projects identifying strategies to control the dominance of cheatgrass and
other weeds on Great Basin rangelands, restoring native species, and
increasing biodiversity. Duties include identifying plants to species,
performing various vegetation sampling techniques, soil sampling,
monitoring native grass, forb, and shrub germination, accurately recording
data, driving on poor and sometimes muddy roads, collection of GPS and
photo points, and processing plant and soil samples in the laboratory.
Field work will take place in Eastern Oregon (Hart Mountain National
Antelope Refuge), Eastern Washington, SW Idaho, and lab work will be done
in Corvallis, Oregon. Technicians will be part a five to six person team
working in the field together. Field work will involve exposure to
extreme temperature and weather conditions, and extended stays (up to 10
days) in remote locations (backcountry camping). Candidates will be
chosen based on their combination of experience and education. Preferred
candidates will have experience in plant identification, especially within
the Great Basin. Travel expenses will be covered by the projects using
either standard federal per diem or a camp rate per diem.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION: The work involves long hours spent standing,
bending, walking, and a great amount of physical exertion. The incumbent
may be required to lift containers weighing up to 35 pounds in the
performance of the assignment. Work could possibly be done in 10 -12
hours per day; hours can include all times of day and night, and will vary
during the employment term with weather and field conditions. Core hours
will typically be 8am 5pm.
QUALIFICATIONS: To qualify for a GG-5 you need 1 year and 9 months of
field experience OR 3 years of subprofessional work experience OR 3 years
of college with courses related to the work of the position to be filled
(equivalent to 90 semester/135 quarter hrs) plus 3 months of lab or field
work experience. Subprofessional experience consists of working as a
technician or aid in the field or in a laboratory or similar environment.
EQUIVALENT COMBINATIONS OF SUCCESSFULLY COMPLETED EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE
ARE QUALIFYING.
BASIS OF EVALUATION: All applicants will be evaluated on the basis of
education and experience (including unpaid or volunteer experience).
Applicants must meet all qualifications and eligibility requirements by
the closing date of this announcement.
First preference in referral will be given to eligible applicants entitled
to 10 point veterans preference who have a compensable service-connected
disability of 10 percent or more. All other qualified applicants entitled
to veterans preference will be given preference over qualified applicants
not entitled to veterans preference.
ALL APPLICANTS MUST BE UNITED STATES CITIZENS: Under regulations contained
in the Immigration Reform and Control Act of 1986, employment in this
position is limited to those persons who are authorized to work in the
United States. Verification of employment eligibility will be required at
the time of appointment.
As a condition of appointment, all new employees reporting for duty with
the Department of the Interior will be paid through direct deposit to a
financial institution of their choice.
Applicants selected for Federal employment will be required to complete a
Declaration for Federal Employment, OF-306, prior to being appointed to
determine their suitability for Federal employment and to authorize a
background investigation. Failure to answer all questions truthfully and
completely or providing false statements on the application may be grounds
for not hiring the applicant, or for firing the applicant after he/she
begins work. Also he/she may be punished by fine or imprisonment (U.S.
Code, Title 18, section 1001).
Prior to or at the time of appointment, male applicants born after
December 31, 1959, will have to certify that they have registered with the
Selective Service System in order to be appointed to a position with the
United States Geological Survey, unless legally qualified for an exception.
Employees of the U.S. Geological Survey are subject to the provisions of
Title 43, U.S. Code, Section 31 (a) and may not according to this
legislation and related regulation: (a) have any personal or private
interest, direct or indirect, in lands or mineral wealth of such lands or
a region under survey and whose title is in the U.S.; (b) execute surveys
or examination for private parties or corporations; or (c)have personal or
private interest, direct or indirect, in any private mining or mineral
enterprise doing business in the U.S. except where specifically authorized
by the Director of the U.S. Geological Survey.
HOW TO APPLY: Carefully read all information and instructions. It is the
responsibility of the applicant to insure the application is complete.
The personnel office will not be responsible for soliciting additional
information from applicants or from official personnel records, but will
consider individuals based on their applications as submitted.
Applications must be received in the FRESC, Corvallis Research Group
Office by the closing date on the announcement in order to be considered.
To obtain an OF 612, contact the U.S. Geological Survey, Biological
Resources Discipline, Corvallis Research Group (541) 758-8781, or any
Federal Personnel Office.
Submit one of the following forms of application: (a) résumé OR (b) OF-
612, Optional Application for Federal Employment, OR (c) other written
format. Electronic submissions acceptable. Please also submit transcripts
(unofficial acceptable) to document all education used for position
qualification.
To claim 5 point Veterans Preference, a DD-214 showing character of
discharge is required. If claiming 10 point Veterans Preference, an SF-15
with proof of claim is required.
SUBMIT APPLICATIONS TO:
Scott E. Shaff
Ecologist
USGS, Forest and Rangeland Ecosystem Science Center
3200 SW Jefferson Way
Corvallis, OR 97331
Phone: 541-758-8802
Fax: 541-758-8806
Email: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
It is against the law to submit applications for employment using
government franked envelopes or mail services (18 U.S.C. 1719). All such
applications will not be considered.
APPLICATIONS MUST BE RECEIVED BY THE CLOSING DATE OF
THE ANNOUNCEMENT TO BE CONSIDERED
INCOMPLETE APPLICATION FORMS MAY RESULT IN YOUR MISSING CONSIDERATION FOR
THIS VACANCY
The U.S. Geological Survey is an Equal Opportunity Employer
This agency provides reasonable accommodations to applicants with
disability.
