VACANCY NO: CRG-14-001
POSITION: Biological Science Technician (Botany), GG-404-5
DATE OPENED: 1/17/2014
DATE CLOSED: 01/31/2014
SALARY: $15.15 per hour
TYPE OF APPOINTMENT: Temporary 180 day
appointment
STARTING DATE: 04/01/2014
NUMBER OF POSITIONS: 3-4
LENGTH OF POSITION: 4 - 6 months, contingent on budget. Not to exceed
09/30/14, 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.
