New job Biological Science Technician in North Dakota

Biological Science Technician

Company : US Interior, US Fish and Wildlife Service
Salary : $35,265 - $45,847 a year
Location : North Dakota

Full Description

Duties

Summary

These positions will serve as a Biological Science Technician, GS- 0404-5 working in various locations for the R6-National Wildlife Refuges.

This is a term position expected to last 13 months but may be extended up to a total of 4 years.

The salary listed for this position is the Rest of the US pay scale. Locality tables may be found at: https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/pay-leave/salaries-wages/2021/general-schedule/


Responsibilities

As a Biological Science Technician your duties will include, but are not limited to, the following:

  • Provide support to biological programs responsible for conserving wildlife, plants and their habitats
  • Participate in multifaceted wildlife research and studies locating, surveying and protecting wildlife species
  • Survey and observe avian populations
  • Identify and collect plant species for studies
  • Survey location for invasive species populations and work with biologists to outline a plan to minimize or remove invasive species
  • Use a variety of databases and reporting systems to store, compile, and analyze data from monitoring and studies.
  • Collect biological samples ensuring correct documentation, reporting, storage, transport and delivery of samples taken

Travel Required

25% or less - You may be expected to travel for this position.

Supervisory status

No

Promotion Potential

5

  • Job family (Series)

    0404 Biological Science Technician

    Similar jobs

    • Biological Technicians
    • Technicians, Biological
    • Technicians, Wildlife
    • Wildlife Technicians
  • Requirements

    Requirements

    Conditions of Employment

    • Must be a U.S. Citizen or National.
    • Individuals assigned male at birth after 12-31-59 must be registered for Selective Service. To verify registration visit SSS.gov.
    • Resume and supporting documents (See How to Apply).
    • Suitability for employment, as determined by background investigation
    • Driver's License: Selectees must possess and maintain a valid State driver's license at all times during their tenure.
    • Uniform: Official U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service uniform may be required.
    • Trial Period: Selectees may be required to successfully complete a trial period.

    Qualifications

    Only experience and education obtained by 06/24/2021 will be considered.

    In order to qualify for this position you must possess the Minimum Qualification.

    Minimum Qualification [GS-5]
    • One year of specialized experience comparable in scope and responsibility equivalent to grade GS-4 in the Federal service. Experience must include conducting biological surveys related to wildlife and their habitat, collecting biological data on plant and wildlife species, controlling invasive species by mechanical, biological or chemical techniques; taking and recording scientific measurements; and keeping detailed and precise records on habitat conditions in order to report data. OR
    • Successfully completion of a full 4-year course of study leading to a bachelor's degree with major study directly related to the position to be filled or at least 24 semester hours in any combination of courses that included at least 6 semester hours in any combination of scientific or technical courses such as biology, chemistry, statistics, entomology, animal husbandry, botany, physics, agriculture, or mathematics. OR
    • A combination of education and experience as described in 1 and 2 above which together equals 100% of the requirement
    Experience refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service programs (e.g., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizations (e.g., professional; philanthropic; religious; spiritual; community, student, social). Volunteer work helps build critical competencies, knowledge, and skills and can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience.

    Education

    PROOF OF EDUCATION: All applicants who are using education or a combination of education and experience to qualify must submit copies of official or unofficial transcripts which include grades, credit hours earned, major(s), grade point average or class ranking, institution name, and student name. If any required coursework is not easily recognizable on transcripts, or if you believe a portion of a particular course can be credited toward meeting an educational requirement, you must also provide a memorandum on letterhead from the institution's registrar, dean, or other appropriate official stating the percentage of the course that should be considered to meet the requirement and the equivalent number of units. Unofficial transcripts are acceptable; however, if you are selected for the position, you will be required to produce the original official transcripts.

    PASS/FAIL COURSES: If more than 10 percent of your undergraduate course work (credit hours) were taken on a pass/fail basis, your claim of superior academic achievement must be based upon class standing or membership in an honor society.

    GRADUATE EDUCATION: One academic year of graduate education is considered to be the number of credits hours your graduate school has determined to represent one academic year of full-time study. Such study may have been performed on a full-time or part-time basis. If you cannot obtain your graduate school's definition of one year of graduate study, 18 semester hours (or 27 quarter hours) should be considered as satisfying the requirement for one year of full-time graduate study.

    FOREIGN EDUCATION: If you are using education completed in foreign colleges or universities to meet the qualification requirements, you must show the education credentials have been evaluated by a private organization that specializes in interpretation of foreign education. For further information, visit: http://www.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ous/international/usnei/us/edlite-visitus-forrecog.html

    Additional information

    Telework:
    This position is suitable for telework only during an emergency or natural disaster.

    Additional Vacancies: One or more positions may be filled from applications received under this announcement in the advertised office or other U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service offices in the local commuting area.

    Career Transition Assistance Plan (CTAP) or Interagency Career Transition Assistance Plan (ICTAP):Department of Interior (DOI) Career Transition Assistance Plan (CTAP) procedures apply in filling this vacancy. CTAP/ICTAP provides placement assistance to permanent Federal employees who are surplus, displaced, or involuntarily separated. Applicants claiming CTAP/ICTAP eligibility must submit a copy of their most recent performance appraisal, proof of eligibility, and most current SF-50 noting position, grade level, and duty location with their application. To be considered under CTAP/ICTAP, applicants must be well-qualified (i.e., meet the minimum qualification requirements, including any selective placement factors; education, and experience requirements), score at least 85 on the assessment questionnaire, and be able to perform the duties of the position upon entry.
    For information on CTAP and ICTAP click here

    Applicants who apply under this job opportunity announcement agree to have their application, associated documents and applicable personal information shared with other Bureaus/Offices within the Department of the Interior (DOI) who have vacancies within the same occupational series, grade, full performance level and in the same geographic location(s), including within the same metro/commuting area. Applying to this announcement does not replace the need to apply to other job opportunity announcements for which you wish to receive consideration


    How You Will Be Evaluated

    You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.

    You will be evaluated based on how well you meet the qualifications listed in this vacancy announcement. Your qualifications will be evaluated based on your application materials (e.g., resume, supporting documents), the responses you provide on the application questionnaire, and the result of the online assessments required for this position. You will be assessed on the following competencies (knowledge, skills, abilities, and other characteristics): 1. Practical knowledge of the biological sciences. 2. Ability to identify wildlife species. 3. Ability to identify avian species. 4. Ability to identify plant species. 5. Knowledge of invasive species mitigation processes. 6. Knowledge of database systems. 7. Skill in oral communication. 8. Skill in using common hand tools and simple power equipment.

    Additional Competencies Included in USA Hire Standard Assessments for 0404 Biological Science Technician Series, GS - 05:
    Attention to Detail
    Customer Service
    Flexibility
    Influencing/Negotiating
    Integrity/Honesty
    Interpersonal Skills
    Learning
    Reading
    Self-Management
    Stress Tolerance
    Teamwork

    In order to be considered for this position, you must complete all required steps in the process. In addition to the application and application questionnaire, this position requires an online assessment. The online assessment measures critical general competencies required to perform the job.

    Overstating your qualifications and/or experience in your application materials or application questionnaire may result in your removal from consideration. Cheating on the online assessment may also result in your removal from consideration. Please follow all instructions carefully when applying, errors or omissions may affect your eligibility.

    All qualified candidates will be assigned to a quality category. The category assignment is a measure of the degree in which your background matches the competencies required for this position. The category ratings for this position are: Best Qualified, Well Qualified, and Qualified

    The category rating process protects the rights of veterans by placing them ahead of non-preference eligibles within each quality category. Veterans' preference eligibles who meet the qualification requirements and who have a compensable service-connected disability of at least 10 percent will be listed in the highest quality category (except in the case of scientific or professional positions at the GS-09 level or higher).

    Background checks and security clearance

    Security clearance

    Other

    Drug test required

    No

    Position sensitivity and risk

    Non-sensitive (NS)/Low Risk

    Trust determination process

    Suitability/Fitness

  • Required Documents

    Required Documents

    You must submit a complete application package. We will not make assumptions about your experience and/or education.

    Required Documents:

    1. Resume: You are highly encouraged to use USAJOBS Resume Builder to ensure all required information is included in your Resume. If you use your own resume, curriculum vitae, or any other written form you choose then you must describe your job-related qualifications that includes beginning and ending dates for paid and non-paid work experience, hours worked per week, month and year of employment for each job title listed, annual salary, and description of job duties. Include name and address of employer; supervisor name and telephone number. Additional information on what to include can be found here. Your experience needs to address every required qualification.

    Additional Documentation, if applicable:
    1. Cover Letter

    2. Veterans' Preference Documentation: If you are a veteran with preference eligibility and you are claiming 5-point veterans' preference, you must attach a copy of your DD-214 Member Copy 2 or 4 showing you were honorably discharged. If you are claiming 10-point veterans' preference, attach an SF-15, Application for 10-Point Veterans' Preference in addition to the proof required by that form (i.e. VA letter). You may not be awarded preference if you do not attach the correct Veteran Documentation as specified above.

    3. CTAP/ICTAP Documentation: If you are applying under CTAP or ICTAP, you MUST submit proof of eligibility under 5 CFR 330.602(a) for CTAP and 5 CFR 330.704 for ICTAP. This includes a copy of the agency notice, a copy of your most recent performance rating, and a copy of your most recent SF-50 (Notification of Personnel Action) showing your position, grade level, and duty location. Please annotate your application to reflect that you are applying as a CTAP or ICTAP eligible.

    4. College Transcripts: Please refer to the education section above for additional information. Unofficial transcripts are acceptable. A copy of your official transcripts may be required if you are selected.

    If you are requesting a reasonable accommodation to the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments, submit documentation to support your request, including the Reasonable Accommodation Request Form found here

    Failure to submit any of the above-mentioned required documents may result in loss of consideration due to an incomplete application package. It is your responsibility to ensure all required documents have been submitted

    If you are relying on your education to meet qualification requirements:

    Education must be accredited by an accrediting institution recognized by the U.S. Department of Education in order for it to be credited towards qualifications. Therefore, provide only the attendance and/or degrees from schools accredited by accrediting institutions recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.

    Failure to provide all of the required information as stated in this vacancy announcement may result in an ineligible rating or may affect the overall rating.

  • Benefits

    Benefits

    A career with the U.S. Government provides employees with a comprehensive benefits package. As a federal employee, you and your family will have access to a range of benefits that are designed to make your federal career very rewarding. Opens in a new windowLearn more about federal benefits.

    Review our benefits

    Eligibility for benefits depends on the type of position you hold and whether your position is full-time, part-time, or intermittent. Contact the hiring agency for more information on the specific benefits offered.


Help

This job is open to

  • Career transition (CTAP, ICTAP, RPL)

    Federal employees who meet the definition of a "surplus" or "displaced" employee.

  • The public

    U.S. citizens, nationals or those who owe allegiance to the U.S.

Clarification from the agency

U.S. Citizens, CTAP


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