Pest Control Worker Helper

Clarification from the agency

Accepting applications from 1. all United States citizens (Under Executive Order 11935, only United States citizens and nationals (residents of American Samoa and Swains Island) may compete for civil service jobs) 2. CTAP/ICTAP Eligibles.

Duties

Major Duties:

Identify common native and non-native plants of Hawaiian ecosystems. Perform invasive plant control techniques such as cutting or brushing using hand tools (i.e. handsaws, machetes) and power tools (i.e., chainsaws and weedwhackers), following treatments prescribed by supervisor or higher-graded pest controller. Perform invasive plant control work such as spraying and cutting on uneven terrain while working in coordination with a team of other pest control worker helpers and pest controllers following GPS and/or compass directions. Assist higher-graded workers with building, inspecting and maintaining ungulate control fences in rugged terrain. Record data from invasive species control treatments and fence inspections, including GPS information, repairs made, amount of pesticide used, hours worked, and number of plants, in digital or paper forms as directed by supervisor or higher-graded pest controller. Physical Demands: The work requires moderate to heavy/arduous physical effort such as lifting and carrying loads of fence materials and chemical solutions often weighing 50 lbs or more, up to 14 miles a day. The job involves working mostly outdoors, where constructing and inspecting fences, searching for non-native plants and applying pesticides while walking and hiking cross-country in all kinds of weather is required. Camping in the remote backcountry will be required up to one week at a time, sometimes for consecutive weeks. The duties require considerable and often strenuous physical exertion such as bending, stretching, and pulling stooping, kneeling, climbing, standing, walking and hiking in difficult terrain. While working in certain situations incumbent may be required to wear protective clothing that is hot, uncomfortable and burdensome. The risk of heat-related illness is significant.

Driving or riding in a vehicle for up to 8 hours over rough 4x4 roads may be required for some
assignments. Occasional indoor work may require extended periods (up to 10 hours at a time) of
sitting, typing or standing.

Working Conditions: The work is 90% outdoors. Occasional indoor work is sedentary and requires sitting or standing for long periods of time. When working outside, work is performed in a variety of vegetation
types, elevations and conditions. Terrain ranges from flat to steep, rocky, possibly slippery, muddy, covered in cinders, lava rock, or where vegetation is sparse or dense. Work is occasionally performed in cold, rainy, weather and often in extreme heat or cold. On a daily basis, the worker applies pesticides while wearing appropriate PPE, which may include respirators, gloves, Tyvek suits, and other personal protective equipment designed to reduce the risk of exposure to toxic dusts and sprays which might damage their health. Wearing PPE may be hot, uncomfortable, and occlusive to ventilation and movement. Power tools required for work assignments may have sharp and fast-moving parts with loud motors. When responsibilities require using cutting tools such as chainsaws, machetes, or handsaws, appropriate PPE including chaps, gloves, eye, ear and head protection may be required. The worker may be exposed to
poisonous insects, wild disease-carrying animals, or plants. Work assignments sometimes require
flying in and working around helicopters.

The Park is in an area of active volcanism and seismic activity. Frequent earthquakes, volcanic activity in visitor use areas and a tropical environment with 20-150 inches of rain a year. Caustic fumes are present in varying concentrations and are known to be hazardous to persons with respiratory or heart conditions, infants and pregnant females. The long term effects to healthy person are unknown. When responsibilities require working in an environment where such gases cannot be avoided the incumbent may be required to use a respirator in compliance with the park's Respirator Use Program.

Requirements

Conditions of Employment

U.S. Citizenship required. Appointment subject to background investigation and favorable adjudication. Meet Selective Service Registration Act requirement for males Selectee will be required to participate in the Direct Deposit Electronics Funds Transfer Program. You will be required to operate a government (or private) motor vehicle as part of your official duties; a valid driver's license is required. You will be required to submit a Motor Vehicle Operator's License and Driving Record. You must also submit (within a State sealed envelope or submitted directly by the State authorities), and at your own expense, all certified driving records from all States that disclose all valid driver's licenses, whether current or past, possessed by you. You may be required to complete training and operate a four-wheel drive vehicle. You will be required to wear a uniform and comply with the National Park Service uniform standards. A uniform allowance will be provided. You may be required to work overtime. You will be required to complete a one-year trial period. You may be required to travel overnight away from home up to 10 nights per month. You must obtain a government charge card for travel purposes. Government Charge Card: You may be required to complete training and obtain/maintain a government charge card with travel and/or purchase authority. Travel, transportation & relocation expenses will not be paid. Relocation expenses will be the employee's responsibility. Applicants must be at least (1)18 years old or (2) at least 16 years old and: (a) Have graduated from high school or been awarded a certificate equivalent to graduating from high school; or (b) Have completed a formal vocational training program; or (c) Have received a statement from school authorities agreeing with their preference for employment rather than continuing their education; or (d) Be currently enrolled in a secondary school and either work only during school vacation periods or work part-time during the school year under a formal student employment program. Must be able to lift 50 lbs.

Qualifications

All qualifications must be met by 11:59 EST when the applicant cut-off is reached (which may be sooner than 06/19/2024).

To qualify for this position, you must have sufficient knowledge and ability in the following job-related factors: Ability to do the work of Pest Control Worker Helper without more than supervision (SCREEN OUT) Ability To Interpret Instructions, Specifications, etc. (other than blueprints) Ability To Use and Maintain Tools and Equipment Dexterity and Safety Knowledge of materials Technical Practices (theoretical precise, artistic) Use of Measuring Instructions If your knowledge and ability in the SCREEN OUT factor above is not sufficient, you will receive no further consideration. In preparing your application, describe in detail the experience and training which you have had that specifically prepared you for this job and to perform the duties described for this job. Experience should be clearly described and documented in your resume. The qualifications reviewer will not assume performance of such duties by Job Titles alone. Address your knowledge, skills and/or abilities in the areas shown in the job-related factors.

Volunteer Experience : 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.

This is a term position (more than 1 year) with an initial appointment expecting to last at least 13 months but may be extended up to a total of four years, or more based on any changes to regulations governing the number of years term appointments may last, without further competition. Term positions do not convey permanent status in the Federal service.

The National Park Service retains the right to extend the duration of this appointment after selection and/or appointment, based on changes to the regulation governing the number of years term appointments may last. This change, which may be made at the agency's sole discretion and without further competition, shall not be construed or interpreted as the granting of a right to a selectee or employee to such an extension. No extension to a term appointment shall be granted to a selectee/employee to an amount of time that exceeds the maximum number of years authorized under any present or current regulation, unless such regulation expressly allows such action.

Education

There is no substitution of education for experience for Wage Grade (WG) positions.

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