*Announcement number SBSC-2018-014*
The Southwest Biological Science Center’s Canyonlands Research Station
in Moab, UT, is recruiting for a seasonal biological science aid
(GG-0404-03). This is a seasonal,*6 to 9 month, *full-time position.
*Number of positions:*3
*Work schedule:*Full-Time
*Salary:*$12.74/hr
This announcement closes at 5 p.m. (MT) on Tuesday, Aug. 7.
*Description of Duties*
Incumbent will perform laboratory and field work. This position is in
the Canyonlands Research Station, Moab, Utah. Work is performed over a
wide geographic area requiring overnight trips (15-20 nights during the
busiest seasons usually in April/May and Sep/Oct) and possibility of
work in remote areas. Incumbent participates in a research program
focusing on the ecology and physiology of plants and biological soil
crusts, soil ecology, biogeochemistry, physical soil science, plant-soil
interactions, and invasive plants. Course work in botany, plant
physiology, chemistry, and soil science is optimal. Incumbent will
perform routine laboratory and field work. Duties include long days of
collecting field data under extreme conditions, processing vegetation
and soil samples for chemical analysis or archiving, use of complicated
scientific instrumentation, and use of excel and/or access for data
entry and summary.
May operate government motor vehicle as an incidental driver.
*Knowledge Required by the Position*
* Knowledge of processes, methods & procedures of biological science;
knowledge of routine field data collection procedures; skill in
operation, maintenance, and servicing of biological recording and
measuring instruments; knowledge of procedures utilized in a
biological lab.
* Experience with field sampling preferably with knowledge of
biological soil crusts, vegetation, and soils of the Colorado Plateau
* Experience preparing samples and performing laboratory analysis of
crust, plant, and soil samples to determine specific chemical,
physical, and/or biological characteristics.
* Experience working as part of a team and following instruction of a
project lead.
* Experience entering data on a Windows-based computer using spreadsheets.
*
*Physical Demands*
Work is physically demanding and may involve moderate or sometimes
extreme exposure to discomforts of rain, cold/hot weather, etc.*A
pre-employment physical is required.*
*Qualifications*
To qualify at the GG-03 level you must have at least 3 months of field
party experience OR 1 year of subprofessional experience OR 6 months of
college study.
*Definitions of Experience*
*Field Survey Party —*Experience with a field survey party includes
activity associated with making and recording geologic, hydrologic,
biologic, 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 physical/ biological 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 with 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.
*Professional Experience —*Professional work experience in the physical
and biological sciences may be credited in lieu of or in conjunction
with sub-professional experience as defined above.
*About this Position*
* 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 will not convey
permanent status in the Federal service. Appointment will only be
for the duration of the position, in this case, up to 180 days or
1,039 hours whichever comes first.
* Positions may offer rehire eligibility for subsequent appointments,
provided the employee has not exceeded 180 days of or 1,039 hours
work in a 12-month period and has achieved acceptable level of
performance.
* Temporary employees are covered by the Social Security Retirement
system; annual and sick leave will be accrued.
*Education*
If you are qualifying based in whole or part on education, you must
provide all unofficial transcripts (undergraduate, graduate, etc) or
list of course work, including semester hours and grades earned, by the
closing date of this announcement or you will be disqualified from
further consideration. This proof may be faxed, emailed or hand
delivered to the point of contact listed in the "How to Apply" section.
Please ensure that all documentation is legible. If you are currently
employed by the Federal government in the same occupational series, you
are not required to submit transcripts at this time.
Education completed in colleges or universities outside the US may be
used to meet the above requirements. You must provide acceptable
documentation that the foreign education is comparable to that received
in an accredited educational institution in the US. For more information
on how foreign education is evaluated, see:http://www
<http://www/>.usgs.gov/ohr/oars/quals/foreign.html
<http://usgs.gov/ohr/oars/quals/foreign.html>
*Basis of Evaluation*
Applicants will not be rated or ranked. All applicants that meet the
basic eligibility and qualification requirements of the position will be
referred to the selecting official in preference eligible order.
Applicants must meet all qualifications and eligibility requirements by
the closing date of this announcement.
*Requirements*
A background investigation will be required for this position. Continued
employment is subject to the applicant's successful completion of a
background security investigation and favorable adjudication. Failure to
meet these requirements will be grounds for termination.
The selectee will be required to submit proof of valid driver's license
and driving record covering at least three years before receiving a
final offer.
*Benefits*
Temporary appointees expected to work at least 130 hours per month for
at least 90 days will be eligible to enroll in a Federal Employee Health
Benefits (FEHB) plan. Individuals eligible under this rule receive full
government contribution to their premiums regardless of work schedule
and will also be eligible to participate in the Flexible Spending
Accounts and Federal Long Term Care Insurance Program. Temporary
appointees are not covered by the Federal Employee Retirement System and
are ineligible for Federal life, dental, or vision insurance.
Visithttp://www.usgs.gov/humancapital/pb/index.htrnl
<http://www.usgs.gov/humancapital/pb/index.htrnl>for more information.
*How to Apply*
Carefully read all instructions. Applicants are responsible to ensure
the application is complete. The personnel office will not solicit
additional information from applicants or official records, but will
consider individuals based on applications as submitted. Applications
must be received by closing date of the announcement. If you are
e-mailing applications, supporting materials such as transcripts not
available electronically, can be faxed separately or mailed under
separate cover but must arrive by 5 p.m. of the first work day following
announcement closing date, and must include announcement number of the
job for which you are applying.
**Apply by sending your application materials via email
[email protected] <mailto:[email protected]>or mailing them to
Canyonlands Research Station, ATTN: Erika Geiger,2290 Resource Blvd,
Moab, UT 84532
<https://maps.google.com/?q=2290+Resource+Blvd,+Moab,+UT+84532&entry=gmail&source=g>.*
*
This agency provides reasonable accommodations for applicants with
disabilities.
Personally Identifiable Information (PII) is defined as information
which can be used to distinguish or trace an individual’s identity, such
as name, social security number, biometric records, etc. alone, or when
combined with other personal or identifying information which is linked
or linkable to a specific individual, such as date and place of birth,
mother's maiden name, etc. Please ensure that you have removed all
Personally Identifiable Information from all documents prior to
submitting your application material.
*Required Documents*
If you are claiming veterans' preference you must submit a copy of your
DD-214, Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty, by closing
date of this announcement. If you are currently on active military duty,
you must provide documentation (e.g., campaign document, award citation,
etc.), that verifies entitlement to veterans preference and that your
character of military service is honorable. If you are claiming 10-point
veterans' preference, in addition to the DD-214, you must submit
documentation that supports your claim (e.g., official statement from
the Department of Veterans Affairs or a branch of the Armed Forces
certifying existence of a service-connected disability; or receipt of
Purple Heart). If you fail to submit the required documentation, you
will not be granted veterans preference. See additional information on
veterans' preference in the Vet
Guide:http://www.fedshirevets.gov/hire/hrp/vetguide/indes.aspx
<http://www.fedshirevets.gov/hire/hrp/vetguide/indes.aspx>
The following must be included in your application:
*Job Information:*
Announcement number, title, grade(s) of the job for which you are applying.
*Personal Information:*
* Full name, mailing address (with zip code), email, day and evening
phone numbers (with area code)
* Country of Citizenship
* Veterans preference (with supporting documentation, DD-214)
* Highest Federal civilian grade held (also give job series and dates)
*Education:*
* High school (name, address, 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 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 non-paid work experience
related to the job for which you are applying (do not send job descriptions)
* Job Title (include series and grade if Federal)
* Duties and Accomplishments
*Employers name and address:*
* Supervisors name and phone number
* Starting and ending dates with Month and Year (Example: Feb 2001
thru Jan 2002)
* Hours worked per week (e.g., 40 hr/wk, 20 hr/wk, etc.)
* Salary
* Indicate if we may contact your current supervisor
*Other Qualifications:*
* Job-related training courses (title, length, date taken)
* Job-related skills (IE., other languages, computer
software/hardware, tools, machinery, typing speed, first aid, etc)
* Job related certificates and licenses (current only)
* Job-related honors, awards, and special accomplishments (IE,
publications, memberships in professional or honor societies,
leadership activities, public speaking, and performance awards).
Give details but do not send documents unless requested.
APPLICATIONS, WITH SUPPORTING DOCUMENTATION, MUST BE RECEIVED BY THE
CLOSING DATE AND TIME SHOWN ON THIS ANNOUNCEMENT TO BE CONSIDERED.
*Other Information*
Relocation expenses will not be paid.
Applicants who include vulgar, offensive, or inappropriate language or
information in their application package will be ineligible for further
consideration for this position.
Under Executive Order 11935, only United States citizens and nationals
(residents of American Samoa and Swains Island) may compete for civil
service jobs. Agencies are permitted to hire non-citizens only in very
limited circumstances where there are no qualified citizens available
for the position.
USGS employees are subject to Title 43, USC Section 31 (a) have any
personal, private, direct or indirect interest in lands or mineral
wealth or lands under survey; (b) have any substantial personal,
private, direct or indirect interests in any private mining or mineral
enterprise doing business with the United States; or (c) execute surveys
or examinations for private parties or corporations.
The application contains information subject to the Privacy Act (P.L.
93-579, 5 USC 552a). The information is used to determine qualifications
for employment, and is authorized under Title 5, USC, Section 3302 and 3361.
