Biologist/Physical Scientist

Clarification from the agency

Applications will be accepted from any U.S. Citizen. DIRECT HIRING AUTHORITY will be used to fill this position.

Duties

Major Duties include:

Oversees preparation, internal review and the public involvement and review process for all environmental compliance documents. Ensures projects comply with the National Historic Preservation Act, Endangered Species Act and other environmental laws and policies that factor into the NEPA analysis. Drafts thorough consultation documentation for other agencies (e.g., State Historic Preservation Office, Fish and Wildlife Service, Army Corps of Engineers) describing proposed actions and their impacts. Advises and leads the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) environmental compliance process for complex and/or controversial projects or plans, writing quality documentation that meets all environmental laws, policies and guidance. Guides an interdisciplinary team of subject matter specialists in the analysis and minimization of potential environmental impacts of proposed actions. Leads the compilation and maintenance of a well-organized, legally defensible decision file. Develops and maintains positive and effective working relationships (orally and in writing) with park staff, the public, key stakeholders, agencies and tribes. Prepares and manages contracts for compliance-related work, and develops contract specifications, including scope of work and government cost estimates for projects. Yosemite National Park, California, known worldwide for its spectacular natural beauty is the backdrop for this position. Sitting astride the Sierra Nevada Mountains, the park covers 1,182 square miles of varied wilderness ecosystems, from river valleys to alpine meadows to lofty 13,000-foot-high peaks. Yosemite Valley is located 208 miles from San Francisco, 81 miles from Merced, and 94 miles from Fresno. Shopping, medical, postal and laundry services are available in the park. Elevation at the Valley floor is approximately 4,000 feet and 2,200 feet in El Portal. The park is open year-round with the majority of activities occurring during the busy season March through October. For more information, visit: .

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 may be required to operate a government (or private) motor vehicle as part of your official duties. Prior to your first official motor vehicle operation, and again every year thereafter (or more frequently if management determines such need exists), you will be required to sign an affidavit certifying to your possession of a valid State issued driver's license that is current and has not been revoked, suspended, canceled, or otherwise disqualified in any way to prohibit your operation of a motor vehicle. You will also submit a photocopy of your valid State issued driver's license prior to your first official motor vehicle operation, and again every year, or more frequently if management determines such need exists. Lastly, you may be required to 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 discloses all valid driver's licenses, whether current or past, possessed by you. Please indicate in your application whether you possess a valid State driver's license. You will be required to wear a uniform and comply with the National Park Service uniform standards. A uniform allowance will be provided You will be required to complete a one-year trial period. You may be required to travel overnight away from home. You must obtain a government charge card for travel purposes. You may be required to complete training and obtain/maintain a government charge card with travel and/or purchase authority.

Qualifications

All qualifications must be met by the closing date of this announcement-05/20/2024-unless otherwise stated in this vacancy announcement.

Credit will be given for all appropriate qualifying experience. To receive credit for experience, your resume MUST clearly indicate the nature of the duties and responsibilities for each position, starting and ending dates of employment (month/year), and the resume must reflect full and/or part-time or total number of hours worked (i.e., work 40+ hours a week, rather than indicating full-time). If part-time, the hours must be annotated to be able to pro-rate the amount of qualified specialized experience.

In order to qualify for this position, you must meet at least one of the Basic Educational Requirements *AND* meet one of the M inimum Qualification Requirement(s) stated below.

BASIC EDUCATION FOR BIOLOGIST, 0401 SERIES:
You must meet one of the following to qualify for the 0401 series: Successfully completed a full four-year course of study in an accredited college or university leading to a bachelor's or higher degree that included a major field of study in biological sciences, agriculture, natural resource management, chemistry or related disciplines appropriate to the position. YOU MUST INCLUDE TRANSCRIPTS. -OR- Successfully completed a combination of education and experience that included course work equivalent to a major (i.e., 24 semester hours) in biological sciences, agriculture, natural resource management, chemistry, or a discipline closely related to biology; PLUS, appropriate experience or additional course work. The quality of the combination must demonstrate that you possess the knowledge, skills, and abilities required to perform the work of the position and is comparable to that normally acquired through the completion of a full four-year course of study with a major as described above. YOU MUST INCLUDE TRANSCRIPTS. BASIC EDUCATION FOR PHYSICAL SCIENTIST, 1301 SERIES:
You must meet one of the following to qualify for the 1301 series: Successfully completed a bachelor's degree or higher degree from an accredited college or university that included a major field of study in physical science, engineering or mathematics that included 24 semester hours in physical science and/or related engineering science such as mechanics, dynamics, properties of materials, and electronics. -OR- Successfully completed a combination of education and experience that included course work equivalent to a major (i.e., 24 semester hours) in physical sciences and/or a related engineering science; plus, appropriate experience or additional education. The quality of the combination must demonstrate that you possess the knowledge, skills, and abilities required to perform the work of this position and is comparable to that normally acquired through the completion of a full four-year course of study with a major as described above.
-AND-

To qualify at the GS-11 grade level, you must possess one of the following minimum qualifications by close of the announcement:

EXPERIENCE: At least one year of professional engineering experience equivalent to at least the GS-11 grade level in the Federal service which required use of professional engineering expertise to perform the following types of duties: serving as a senior staff specialist performing civil engineering work in design and construction programs for utilities, buildings, facilities, structures, roads, etc.; design, preparation and review of project plans, specifications and scopes of work; establish inspection requirements and perform site surveys/inspections; project management and providing engineering expertise and technical guidance on relevant topics. You must include hours per week worked on your resume.
-OR-
EDUCATION: Successfully completed three years of progressively higher-level graduate education leading to a Ph.D. or equivalent graduate degree from an accredited educational institution concentrated in a field that is directly related to the work of this position, such as natural or cultural resource management, public policy, planning, or directly related disciplines appropriate to this position.
-OR-
Successful completion of a combination of education and experience as described above. NOTE: When combining, only graduate education in excess of the 2nd year is creditable. To combine education and experience, first divide your total months of qualifying specialized experience by 12. Then divide your semester hours of graduate education beyond two years (36 semester hours) by 18. Add the two percentages together. The total must equal at least 100 percent to qualify. You must include hours per week worked and must include transcripts.

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.

CTAP/ICTAP Statement: Current surplus and current or former displaced Federal individuals who have special priority selection rights under the Agency Career Transition Assistance Program (CTAP) or the Interagency Career Transition Assistance Program (ICTAP) must be well qualified for the position to receive consideration for special priority selection. Well qualified means that the applicant meets the following: OPM qualification standards for the position; all selective placement factors, where applicable; special qualifying conditions that OPM has approved for the position, where applicable; is physically qualified with reasonable accommodation, where appropriate to satisfactorily perform the duties of the position upon entry; and is rated by the organization at least at the well qualified level on all competencies. Federal employees seeking CTAP/ICTAP eligibility must submit proof that they meet the requirements of 5 CFR 330.605(2) for CTAP and 5 CFR 330.704 for ICTAP. This includes a copy of the agency notice, a copy of their most recent Performance Rating, and a copy of their most recent SF-50 noting current position, grade level, and duty location.

Education

To qualify based on education, you must submit a legible copy of transcripts from an with your name, school name, credit hours, course level, major(s), and grade-point average or class ranking. Transcripts do not need to be official, but if you are selected for this position and you used your education to qualify, you must provide official transcripts before you begin work.

If you are using to meet qualification requirements, you must show that your education credentials have been evaluated by a private organization that specializes in interpretation of foreign education programs and such education has been deemed equivalent to that gained in an accredited U.S. education program; or full credit has been given for the courses at a U.S. accredited college or university.

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