This position is a Biological Science Technician, GS- 0404-6 working in Rio Grande, Puerto Rico for the R4-Puerto Rican Parrot ES Field Office. This position is also open to the public under announcement R4-23-11991004-GM-DE. You must apply to each announcement separately if you wish to be considered under both recruitment methods.

Duties

As a Biological Science Technician your duties will include but are not limited to the following: Assist in the planning and implementation of wildlife censuses, surveys, and recommends wildlife management practices. Assists in planning multifaceted wildlife studies by contributing ideas, determining research methods, establishing practical procedures for accomplishing and reporting the work and determining other needs, such as costs, equipment and personnel. Assist in the wild population studies and monitoring activities related to the management of the wild Puerto Rican Parrot flock including accurate record keeping and management of computerized databases. Captures, applies visual and radio tags, and gathers physiological and spatial data on wildlife. Develops databases and analyzes data using standard statistical methods and procedures in preparation of wildlife reports. Enters and retrieves data from the Geographic Information System and/or other information management systems. Develop graphs, charts and illustrations for reports and technical publications using computer software, such as Microsoft PowerPoint and Harvard graphics. Participate in other related activities in other sites were wild population are established or future release sites. Assist the wild population studies related to the management of the Puerto Rican Parrot flock including accurate record keeping and management of computerized database. Assists Wildlife Biologists and Senior Technician in the routine maintenance of the captive Puerto Rican Parrot flock. Participate in the preparation of food for captive birds and daily cleaning of bird cages, collects information on behavior, breeding activity and safety and flock health problems. Observes birds on a daily basis and assists implement management actions. Assist in the captive population studies related to the management of the Puerto Rican Parrot flock including accurate record keeping and management of computerized database. Answer miscellaneous inquiries from other Services personnel, other Federal and State agencies, academic institutions, and the public, regarding the Puerto Rican Parrot. Participate in meetings and joint efforts with other agencies, development interests, conservation groups, and individual regarding the Puerto Rican Parrot. Position may include the additional collateral duty or duties: Outreach and/or environmental education. Assists distributing information on the Puerto Rican Parrot recovery program and other endangered species in environmental fairs and schools. Assist in with sending and/or preparing environmental educational posters, brochures material of limited difficulty. Assists in preparing drafts of news releases and gives informational talks to individuals, local organization, and schools. Interagency Recovery Efforts: Assist and supports in interagency recovery efforts including activities related to the establishment of a second and third Puerto Rican Parrot wild population in the Rio Abajo State Forest and Maricao State Forest. Assist technicians and biologist from the Puerto Rico Department of Natural and Environmental Resources in Puerto Rican Parrot recovery activities and population and habitat surveys of other endangered species.

Requirements

• Must be a U.S. Citizen or National.
• Resume (See "Required Documents"). Failure to provide ALL required information on your resume will result in loss of consideration due to an incomplete application package. It is your responsibility to ensure all information is provided on resume.
• Eligibility and Supporting documents - You will ONLY be considered for the eligibilities that you select "yes" to AND submit the required supporting documentation, as listed in the Required Documents section.
• Merit promotion applicants must meet time-in-grade requirement as defined in 5 CFR 300, Subpart F.
• Suitability for employment, as determined by background investigation.
• Special Training: Employee must complete a Wildlife Radio tracking training program.
• Unusual Tour of Duty: Employee will be required to work on weekends and holidays. Employee might be required to work overtime and night shifts.
• Driver's License: Selectees will be required to possess and maintain a valid State driver's license at all times during their tenure.
• Travel: Employee might be required to travel to other sites in Puerto Rico.
• Special Training: Employee will be required to take tree climbing training and climb trees above 50 feet
• Probationary Period: Selectees may be required to successfully complete a probationary period.
• Language Proficiency: Must be fluent in English and Spanish
• Special Training: Employee will be required to take chain saw training.
• Individuals assigned male at birth after 12-31-59 must be registered for the Selective Service. To verify registration visit SSS.gov.

Qualifications

Only experience and education obtained by 11/13/2023 will be considered. In order to qualify for this position you must possess the Minimum Qualification. Minimum Qualification [GS-6] Have at least 1 year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-5 grade level or higher in the Federal service or its non-Federal equivalent. Examples of qualifying specialized experience include conducting field investigations, studies and surveys; radio tagging; collecting field data on wildlife and their habitat; collect, record, and organize biological data, or other work directly related to the duties of the position. OR One full year of progressively higher-level graduate education leading to a master's or equivalent graduate degree, if directly related. Submit a copy of your transcripts to qualify on education. 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. Time In Grade Requirement: Applicants must meet both eligibility and qualification requirements for the position of interest by the closing date of the JOA. Specifically, i. Area of Consideration. ii. Time-in-grade (TIG) requirements as specified in 5 CFR 300, Subpart F. iii. Time after competitive appointment as specified in 5 CFR 330.502. iv. Qualification requirements outlined in OPM's Qualifications Standards for General Schedule Positions or for Federal Wage System (FWS), wage grade positions, applicants are evaluated using the OPM Job Qualification System for Trades and Labor Occupations and the job element examining method Your SF-50 will be used to confirm you meet all requirements

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

Contacts

• Address Division of Human Resources Division of Human Capital Management 1875 Century Blvd Suite 370 Atlanta, GA 30345 US
• Name: Human Resources Staffing Division
• Email: [email protected]