VACANCY NO: CRG-13-002 POSITION: Biological Science Technician (Botany), GG-404-5 DATE OPENED: 12/31/2012 DATE CLOSED: 01/25/2013 TYPE OF APPOINTMENT: Temporary 180 day appointment SALARY: $15.00 per hour STARTING DATE: 04/08/2013 NUMBER OF POSITIONS: 3-4 LENGTH OF POSITION: 6 months, contingent on budget. Not to exceed 09/30/12, 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 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 and Western Juniper woodlands. To find out more about the project go to (www.sagestep.org). Technician may also work on several other USGS-BRD projects identifying strategies to control the dominance of cheatgrass and other weeds on Great Basin rangelands, restoring native species, and increasing biodiversity. Major Duties Include: • Identifying plants to species (up to 250 different species) • Monitoring native grass, forb, and shrub germination and density • Performing various vegetation cover and fuel load sampling techniques • Collection of GPS and photo points • Driving on poor and sometime muddy roads • Collection of soil and plant samples • Accurately recording data • Processing plant and soil samples in the laboratory • Data entry Field work will take place throughout eastern Oregon including Hart Mountain National Antelope Refuge, eastern Washington, California, SW Idaho, and lab/computer work will be done in Corvallis, Oregon. Technicians will be part a four to five 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 or staying at FWS Fire bunkhouses). 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. Must have at least 3 months of experience identifying plants in the field. EQUIVALENT COMBINATIONS OF SUCCESSFULLY COMPLETED EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE ARE QUALIFYING. Must have at least 3 months of experience identifying plants in the field. 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. 1) 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) - Must include beginning and ending dates and hours worked per week for each position listed on your resume 2) Must also submit a copy of you college transcripts (unofficial acceptable) to document all education used for position qualification. 3) Cover letter is optional, but recommended 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: Michelle L. Schatz, AOA - Human Resources/Facilities USGS - Forest & Rangeland Ecosystem Science Center 777 NW 9th Street, Suite 400, Corvallis, Oregon 97330-6169 Phone: (541) 750-1040 Fax: (541) 750-1066 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. For detailed questions about the position, contact: Scott Shaff Ecologist [email protected] 541-750-0942
