*UNITED STATES*
*DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR*
*GEOLOGICAL SURVEY*
TEMPORARY RECRUITMENT BULLETIN
VACANCY NO: SRFS-14-007
POSITION: Biological Science Technician, GG-404-5
DATE OPENED: 02/10/2014
SALARY: $15.15 per hour
DATE CLOSED: 02/21/2014
TYPE OF APPOINTMENT: Temporary 180 day appointment STARTING
DATE: 05/12/2014
LENGTH OF POSITION*: *2-3 months, contingent on budget
TOUR OF DUTY: Full Time, with possible periods of part-time and
intermittent work
AREA OF CONSIDERATION: All U.S. citizens
LOCATION: Boise, ID
DUTIES: The work is part of a Joint Fire Science Program-funded project
that seeks to assess regional fuel loads and species composition in
sagebrush ecosystems across successional and invasion gradient, as well as
the efficacy of restoration treatments in reducing fuel loads. The
biological science technicians will collect data to quantify fuel loads
throughout a wide range of sagebrush conditions, including undisturbed
stands, burned and invaded by non-native plant species (but untreated), and
burned and treated (for post-fire rehabilitation). The project will also
examine ongoing experimental restoration treatments that utilize mowing,
grazing, seeding and herbicide applications. Field work will take place in
the Snake River Birds of Prey National Conservation Area in southern Idaho.
Major duties of the position include identifying Great Basin plants to
species, collecting vegetation and fuel load sampling data, collection of
GPS and photo points, driving on poor and sometimes muddy roads, collection
of plant and/or soil samples, accurately recording ecological data, and
data entry. The technicians may also assist with site selection protocols
to identify suitable study site and plot locations. Field trips will often
require extensive driving.
The biological science technicians will work in 2-person teams in
conjunction with two field crew coordinators. Field work will involve
exposure to extreme temperature and weather conditions. Crews will work
independently and field trips will be single day excursions out of Boise,
but may include extended periods of backcountry camping. Candidates will
be chosen based on their combination of experience and education. The
ideal candidate will have extensive experience in identifying Great Basin
grasses, forbs, and shrubs to the species level.
*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 7:00 am - 5:30 pm.
QUALIFICATIONS: To qualify for a GG-5 you need 9 months of field experience
OR 3 years of sub-professional 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. Sub-professional
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. *In addition, incumbents
must have at least 1 month experience in sampling plant communities, and
preferred candidate will be familiar with plant species in the Great Basin
ecoregion. Candidates without 1 month experience sampling and identifying
plant species will not be considered. *Good organizational skills,
proficiency with technical equipment (including GPS, personal computer, and
digital camera), map reading, and field collection protocols are
required. Incumbent
should have had or be willing to take First Aid and CPR prior to
employment.
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 veteran's preference who have a compensable service-connected
disability of 10 percent or more. All other qualified applicants entitled
to veteran's preference will be given preference over qualified applicants
not entitled to veteran's 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, 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 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. Cover letter is optional, but
recommended.*
*2) **Must also submit a copy of you college transcripts (unofficial
acceptable)* *to document all education used for position qualification.*
*To claim 5 point Veteran's Preference, a D D-214 showing character of
discharge is required. If claiming 10 point Veteran's Preference, a 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
This agency provides reasonable accommodations to applicants with
disabilities. Selection for this position will be based solely on merit,
fitness, and qualifications without regard to race, sex, color, religion,
age, marital status, national origin, non-disqualifying handicap
conditions, sexual orientation, or any other non-merit factors.
--
Susan McIlroy, Ecologist
USGS Forest and Rangeland Ecosystem Science Center
Snake River Field Station, 970 Lusk St., Boise, ID 83706
Phone: (208) 426.5218
Fax: (208) 426.5210
