Job Title: Biological Science Technician Department: United States Department of Agriculture Agency: Agricultural Research Service Job Announcement Number: 14-GBRR-001 (Re-advertisement) SALARY RANGE: $31,315/per year OPEN PERIOD: Thursday, March 20, 2014 through Wednesday, April 2, 2014 SERIES AND GRADE: Biological Science Technician POSITION INFORMATION: One position - Full-time/Seasonal excepted service temporary position not- to-exceed 130 working days within a 1-year period DUTY LOCATION: Reno, NV WHO MAY APPLY: Applications will be accepted from U.S. citizens and foreign nationals who meet appropriations and immigration laws and Agency requirements KEY REQUIREMENTS • Applicants must be at least 16 years of age • Males born after 12-31-59 must be registered with Selective Service • Successful adjudication of fingerprint check DUTIES Duties include assisting in field monitoring and data collection in an instrumented watershed in central Nevada. This includes: collecting data on plant composition, soil moisture monitoring, measurement of sap-flow in pinyon and juniper trees, assisting with the isotopic extraction of plant and soil material; data entry, data management and record keeping; performing routine, repetitive, and standardized laboratory tests as directed by professional staff. WORKING CONDITIONS AND OTHER CONSIDERATIONS • Field work may necessitate working in adverse weather conditions including extremes of hot and cold temperatures, and hiking in rugged and steep terrain. • Ability to lift objects that weigh up to 50 pounds including a backpack. • Must have a valid state motor vehicle operator's license and be able to operate motor vehicles to drive to remote sites in Central Nevada. • Field work includes camping two to three nights a week when necessary. QUALIFICATIONS REQUIRED Your education and/or experience will be evaluated against all qualification requirements listed below: GS-5: Successful completion of a full 4-year course of study leading to a bachelor's degree with major study or at least 24 semester hours in any combination of courses such as biology, chemistry, statistics, entomology, animal husbandry, botany, physics, agriculture, or mathematics . At least 6 semester hours of courses must have been directly related to the position to be filled as forestry, agriculture, crop or plant science, range management or conservation, wildlife management, watershed management, soil science, natural resources. The successful completion of a full course of study of at least 12 months in a school for clinical laboratory technicians may be substituted for the 1 year of specialized experience required at the GS-5 level for positions involving microbiology and biochemistry technician work. If qualifying all or in part based on your education, you must submit a copy of your academic transcripts OR a list of college courses with credit hours, dates completed, and grade point average or class ranking to verify education when applying for this position. If this information is not provided, your education may not be appropriately evaluated and you may lose consideration for this position. If you are selected for this position, you will have to provide an official copy of your transcripts prior to entering on duty. Education completed outside of the United States must be deemed equivalent to that gained in conventional/accredited U.S. education programs to be acceptable for Federal employment. It is your responsibility to provide such evidence when applying. HOW YOU WILL BE EVALUATED Your application package will be reviewed to determine if you meet eligibility and minimum qualification requirements. OTHER INFORMATION If you are a veteran with preference eligibility and you are claiming 5- point veterans' preference, you must submit member 4 copy of your DD-214 or other proof of eligibility. If you are claiming 10-point veterans' preference, you must submit an SF-15, Application for 10-Point Veterans' Preference plus the proof required by that form. Reasonable Accommodation: If you need a reasonable accommodation for any part of the application and hiring process, or have questions regarding reasonable accommodation and/or accessibility for any part of the application and hiring process, please contact the Disability Program Manager on 202-720-6161 or through the DC Relay Service on 202-855-1234 (TDD). HOW TO APPLY Your complete application package must be received by the closing date of the vacancy announcement. Applications may be mailed, faxed, or e-mailed to the appropriate address, but they must be received by 11:59 p.m. (PST) on Wednesday, April 2, 2014. Hand-delivered will be accepted. Your application package must include: • A resume, curriculum vitae, or other document outlining your qualifications • Announcement number, title, and grade(s) of the position • Full name, mailing address and day and evening phone number • Your country of citizenship • Copy of college transcripts or list of college courses (if qualifying based on education) – unofficial transcripts will be accepted. We will request an official transcript when you accept a job offer. • Paid and nonpaid work experience related to the position • Job related training courses, skills, certificates/licenses (current), honors, awards and special accomplishments • DD-214, Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty (if claiming veteran's preference) • SF-15, Application for 10-point Veterans’ Preference and supporting documentation as required by the form (if claiming 10-point veterans’ preference) Applications must be sent to: USDA/ARS Great Basin Rangelands Research Unit 920 Valley Road Reno, NV 89512 Attn: Eiko Adkisson Email: [email protected] Telephone: (775)784-5067, Ext. 223 Fax: (775)784-1712 Applications mailed using government postage and/or internal federal government mail systems will not be accepted. For technical questions, please contact Dr. Keirith Snyder (775)784-6057, Ext 245, [email protected] or Tim Jones (775)784-6057, Ext. 243, [email protected]. 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