UNITED STATES
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
U.S. GEOLOGICAL SURVEY
TEMPORARY RECRUITMENT BULLETIN
Tall grass prairie restoration study
VACANCY NO: NPWRC-DLL-05-TECH-2010
POSITION: Biological Science Technician (Wildlife)
SALARY: GG-0404-05 ($15.90/hour)
TYPE OF APPT: Temporary, Not-to-Exceed 180 working days
WORK SCHEDULE:Full time
LOCATION: Biological Resources Discipline, Northern Prairie Wildlife
Research Center, St. Paul, MN and field sites near Litchfield, Morris, and
Fergus Falls, MN and Prairie City, IA.
DATE OPENED: Monday, March 8, 2010
DATE CLOSED: The announcement will be closed by close of business on
Friday, March 26, 2010.
AREA OF CONSIDERATION: All U.S. Citizens
There are (2) biological science technician (botanist) positions to be hired
from this announcement.
THIS IS A TEMPORARY EXCEPTED SERVICE POSITION for which all qualified
applicants, with or without Federal status, may apply and be considered.
Appointment to this position, however, will not convey permanent status in
the Federal service. Appointment will only be for the duration of the
position. Temporary employees are covered by the Social Security Retirement
system; annual and sick leave will be accrued; and employees are ineligible
for health and life insurance coverage.
DUTIES: Northern Prairie Wildlife Research Center is seeking one biological
science technician for the 2010 spring and summer field season for a
tallgrass prairie restoration study in the northern Great Plains. Vacancies
include up to two GG-05 ($15.90/hour) botanist positions. This is the 5th
year of a long-term study to evaluate the efficacy of various restoration
strategies for tallgrass prairies. The technicians will gather floristic
data to meet the objectives of this long-term study. The incumbent will
organize field equipment; coordinate and track field work and data
collection; collect data according to standard operating procedures; confirm
quality of data collected; and alert the supervisor to procedural,
technical, and logistical problems. Major duties will include identifying
plant species and recording their presence in permanent plots; locating
permanent plots with geographic positioning systems; recording data
accurately on data sheets; entering data into spreadsheet files on a
computer. The incumbent will be expected to use GPS units to locate
permanent plots. Excellent communication and organizational skills,
including ability to accurately and completely collect and record field data
and observations is expected. The ability to work both independently and
with others is essential. The tallgrass prairie restoration study will be
stationed in St. Paul, MN with extensive travel to field sites near Fergus
Falls, Morris, and Litchfield, MN and in Prairie City, IA. The botanist
positions start in June and end in late September.
For questions related to the tallgrass restoration study, contact Jennifer
Larson at [email protected] or Diane Larson at [email protected].
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION: Field work requires excellent physical condition.
During the field season, the incumbent spends considerable time outdoors,
where the incumbent may encounter variable weather conditions and exposure
to insects. Field work is extensive, and may require long hours walking or
driving vehicles over rough terrain to conduct floristic surveys in
grassland habitats. The incumbent may be required to lift containers
weighing up to 35 pounds in the performance of assigned duties. Most office
work (data management, computer use) is performed while seated, although
occasional periods of standing, walking, bending, or carrying light objects
are required.
Normal working days, in the field, are generally 8-10 hours in length, but
may be longer or shorter, when circumstance dictates.
You will be required to operate a government-owned or -leased vehicle in the
performance of your official duties. Applicants for this position must meet
the following requirements:
(1) possess a valid State license, and (2)possess a safe driving record. If
selected, you will be required to provide proof of a valid State license and
a copy of your driving record.
QUALIFICATIONS:
Field Party: Experience with a field party includes activity associated with
making and recording geologic, hydrologic, or topographic field
observations; collecting geologic, biological, or water samples for
laboratory analysis; applying accepted data collection techniques and
methods in the performance of field work in support of scientific
investigations; and using a variety of surveying instruments and electronic
or mechanical instrumentation in the making and recording of field
measurements and observations designed to collect data for geologic physical
science investigations. Only time actually spent in the field can be
credited when qualifying individuals under the field party experience option.
Sub-professional Experience: Sub-professional experience is defined as
technical work performed in support of field or laboratory investigations
relating to the biological sciences, physical sciences, or closely related
disciplines, which provided basic knowledge or skills in gathering,
recording, and assembling scientific or engineering data; using scientific
instruments to measure angles, degrees weights, strengths, intensities,
etc.; setting up and operating test apparatus, and manipulating quantitative
data. Experience may include assisting professional employees in such
duties as calibrating and operating measuring instruments, mixing solutions,
making chemical analyses, setting up and operating test apparatus, and
compiling and processing scientific data. Experience as a laboratory
mechanic or in a trade or craft may be credited as experience when the work
was performed in close association with physical or biological scientists or
other technical personnel and provided a good working knowledge of
appropriate scientific principles, methods, and techniques.
Experience or education beyond high school as described below is required.
GG-5: 9 months field party experience, OR 3 year sub-professional experience
OR college work related to the field of employment which includes successful
completion of at least 3 years (90 semester hours/135 quarter hours) of post
high school education in an accredited college, junior college, or technical
institute which included at least 24 semester/36 quarter hours in any
combination of courses such as biology, physical science, engineering, or
any branch of mathematics. To qualify at this level, individuals must also
have 3 months of field and/or laboratory work experience.
Satisfactory completion of a field course of study may be substituted for
the 3 months of field and/or laboratory experience. The supplemental
standard does not allow for crediting combinations of experience and
education to satisfy minimum grade level requirements.
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.
NOTE: Applicants will receive a basic eligible or ineligible rating based
upon the qualification requirements. 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 employment, 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 of 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 completed. 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 Northern Prairie Wildlife Research Center office by
the staggered closing dates on the announcement to be considered by those
dates. To obtain an OF 612 contact the U.S. Geological Survey, Biological
Resources Discipline office at 701-253-5570 or any Federal Personnel Office.
Submit one of the following forms of application:
A. Resume, OR
B. Form OF 612, Optional Application for Federal Employment, OR
C. Other written format
D. DD-214 if applicable for veterans preference.
Also submit:
College transcript or list of college courses, specifying title of course
work, completion date, semester or quarter hours earned by course title, and
grade earned.
Veterans Preference:
If you are claiming 10-point veterans preference, you must submit a DD-214,
SF-15 and supporting documents (e.g., official statement from the Department
of Veterans Affairs). If you fail to do so, you will only be granted 5-point
tentative preference if appropriate. Required documents must be submitted
with your application.
For more information on veterans preference, visit:
http://www.opm.gov/veterans/html/vetguide.asp
SEND APPLICATIONS TO:
Jennifer Kapp, Human Resources Contact
U.S. Geological Survey, BRD
Northern Prairie Wildlife Research Center
8711 37th St. SE
Jamestown, ND 58401
Fax: 701-253-5553
[email protected] (STATE "Tallgrass prairie restoration study and
NPWRC-DLL-05-TECH-2010 IN THE SUBJECT LINE)
Applications will be accepted by email, fax, or mail. If emailing or
faxing, please include the vacancy number in the subject line.
It is against the law to submit applications for employment using government
franked envelopes or mail services (18 USC 1719). All such applications
will not be considered.
Whichever form of application you choose, the following must be included:
JOB INFORMATION:
- Vacancy number, title, and grade(s) of the job for which you are applying
PERSONAL INFORMATION:
-Full name, mailing address (with zip code) and day and evening phone
numbers (with area code)
-Social Security Number
-Country of Citizenship
-Veterans preference
-Highest Federal civilian grade held (also give job series and dates held)
EDUCATION:
-High school (name, address, including zip code if known)
-Colleges and universities (address including zip code if known)
-Majors
-type and year of any degrees received (if no degree, show total credits
earned and indicate whether semester or quarter hours)
-Send a copy of your college transcripts or list of college courses
completed. Specify title of course, semester or quarter hours earned for
each course, date completed, grade earned.
WORK EXPERIENCE:
-Give the following information on your paid and nonpaid work experience
related to the job for which you are applying (do not send job descriptions)
-Job Title (include series and grade if Federal job)
-Duties and accomplishments
-Employer's name and address
-Supervisor's name and phone number
-Starting and ending dates (month and year)
-Hours per week
-Salary
-Indicate if we may contact your current supervisor
OTHER QUALIFICATIONS:
-Job-related training courses title, length, date taken)
-Job-related skills (e.g. other languages, computer software/hardware,
tools, machinery, typing speed)
-Job-related certificates and licenses (current only)
-Job-related honors, awards, and special accomplishments (e.g. publications,
memberships in professional or honor societies, leadership activities public
speaking, and performance awards). Give details but do not send documents
unless requested.
APPLICATIONS MUST BE RECEIVED IN THE NORTHERN PRAIRIE WILDLIFE RESEARCH
CENTER OFFICE BY THE RESPECTIVE CLOSING DATES OF THE ANNOUNCEMENT TO BE
CONSIDERED BY THOSE DATES.
The U.S. Geological Survey is an Equal Opportunity Employer
