Biological Science Tech

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 for the GS-06:

Performs daily collection of fire ecology plot data, may provide input on project level monitoring plans, enters data into a centralized database. Collects and identifies grasses, herbs, shrubs, and trees to species. Collects, organizes, manages, and ensures quality control of field data using standardized data collection procedures. Collects geospatial data, creates project maps, navigates to predetermined field points, and records field locations using a variety of GPS devices. Establishes monitoring plots in a variety of vegetation/fuel types in accordance with established guidelines. Measures a variety of ecological attributes in monitoring plots including vegetation structure, plant species composition, soil properties, and wildfire metrics (i.e., burn severity). Enters natural resource field data into a computer using customized software. Routinely performs data error checking, quality-control, and performs simple to complex statistical analyses. Composes summaries of collected field data and field activities in annual and other written reports. Communicates ecological information to a variety of audiences. May perform duties of prescribed fire operations, wildland fire assignments and/or additional projects if qualified and as needed. Establishes monitoring plots in a variety of vegetation/fuel types in accordance with established guidelines.

Additional Duties for the GS-07:

Leads employees in the collection, inventory, processing, and reporting of data for one or several parks' fire ecology programs. Implements and supervises remote field projects, including the use of helicopters, fixed-wing aircraft, and boats. May monitor flame length and rate-of-spread by being in close proximity to wildland fires in order to prepare fire behavior monitoring documentation forms. Duties will be developmental in nature when filled below the full performance level.

This Biological Science Technician (Fire Effects Monitor) position performs wildland firefighter collateral duties, and an Incident Qualification Card (Red Card) for an arduous duty position is required within one year of entry on duty. You will be required to submit to a drug test and receive a negative drug test result prior to collateral fire fighting duties. In addition, this position is subject to random testing for illegal drug use. Collateral duties: You will be required to meet the National Interagency Incident Management System Wildland Fire Qualification System Guide (PMS 310-1) requirements for any arduous duty position. Collateral duties: You will be required to meet the Federal lnteragency Wildland Firefighter Medical Qualification Standards for arduous duty wildland firefighting. Collateral duties: You will be required to attain and maintain the prerequisite physical stamina and strength needed to perform rigorous duties and must pass the Work Capacity Test at the arduous level annually.

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 work on-call, evenings, weekends, holidays, overtime and/or shift work. You may be required to travel overnight away from home occasionally. You may be required to complete training and obtain/maintain a government charge card with travel and/or purchase authority. You may be required to complete training and operate a four-wheel drive vehicle. If selected for a position/location 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. Must be 18 years of age at time of close date of announcement. You may be required to submit to a drug test and receive a negative drug test result prior to appointment. In addition, this position may be subject to random testing for illegal drug use if arduous duties are assigned. You will be required to wear a uniform and comply with the National Park Service fire uniform standards. If you are a new employee or supervisor in the Federal government, you will be required to complete a one-year probationary period.

Qualifications

In order to qualify, you must meet the and requirements as defined below by the closing date of the announcement. For more information on the qualifications for this position, visit the

All qualifications must be met by the closing date of this announcement unless otherwise stated in this vacancy announcement.

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 with 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 qualified specialized experience.

EXPERIENCE AND/OR EDUCATION REQUIREMENTS: For the GS-06: Applicants must have one year of specialized experience equivalent to the next lower grade level (GS-05); Examples of specialized experience include but are not limited to: Installation of fire vegetation monitoring plots; collection of vegetation, weather, or ecological field data; collection of wildland fuels data; observation and reporting of fire behavior.
OR
One full year (18 semester/27 quarter hours) of successfully completed graduate level coursework that is directly related to the work of the position (such as forestry, range management, agriculture)
OR
Combinations of graduate level education that is directly related to the position and specialized experience. The education must have been obtained in an accredited college or university.

For the GS-07 level: Applicants must have one year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade level (GS-06); Examples of specialized experience include but are not limited to: Reading vegetation and woody fuels monitoring plots by identifying trees, shrubs, and herbaceous plants to species; Making and documenting field observations of fuel loading and plant species height, cover, and density; Collecting and reporting fire behavior and weather data relating to spread rate, flame length, fuel consumption, smoke dispersion, and other fire prescription elements.
OR
One full year (18 semester/27 quarter hours) of successfully completed graduate level coursework that is directly related to the work of the position such as plant sciences, ecology, botany, natural resource monitoring/management, agriculture, forestry, fire science, fisheries and/or wildlife ecology, fisheries and/or wildlife management, ichthyology, herpetology, entomology, ornithology, mammalogy, biostatistics or other directly related subject matter.
OR
Combinations of graduate level education that is directly related to the position and specialized experience. The education must have been obtained in an accredited college or university.

IMPORTANT - PLEASE NOTE: If you are using education to qualify you must submit a legible copy of your transcripts (A copy of your official transcripts will be required before entrance on duty, if selected).

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.

To receive consideration for this position, you must provide updated required documents and meet all qualification requirements by the closing date of this announcement.

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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