The Pacific West Region is recruiting for summer seasonal Biological Science Technician (Plants), GS-0404-6/7 positions intended to assist permanent staff with vegetation monitoring and/or invasive plant management field work. Open to the first 250 applicants or until 12/06/2023 whichever comes first. All applications submitted by 11:59 (EST) on the closing day will receive consideration.

Duties

Multiple positions will be filled at multiple locations. Pay rates, start dates and amount of travel required will vary based on duty location. Lassen Volcanic NP: Mineral, CA Point Reyes NS: Point Reyes Station, CA (GS-06 Only) Redwood NP: Orick, CA Whiskeytown NRA: Whiskeytown, CA (GS-06 Only) Major duties may include: Make field observations of natural resource conditions. Record all data collected and ensure adequate quality control. Perform routine and recurring testing of collected samples. Utilize a variety of computer programs to compile, reduce, store, retrieve, and report data and other resource management information. Conduct routine resource monitoring programs for evaluating rare, threatened and endangered plant species, vegetation communities, population dynamics, ecosystem relationships, and public health/safety issues. Carry out a variety of field activities such as the surveys of native and non-native plants and insects, control of non-native and invasive plant or insect species, and enhancement of native plant populations. Utilize databases to enter and organize collected field data and uses standard statistical methods in the preparation of draft reports. Assist in preparing reports, plans, and guidelines. Maintain and organize computer databases. Conduct invasives removal efforts using a variety of removal methods, including manual removal, mechanical removal using potentially chainsaws, and herbicide. Conduct revegetation including installation of container plants, salvaged plants, and divisions, as well as collection and sowing of seeds. Perform data collection, data entry, and spatial mapping and analysis using GIS (ArcGIS) and Global Positioning System (GPS) devices, including use of Trimble and mobile units running GIS software programs such as Field Maps. Install, operate, and maintain resource management equipment. Perform equipment inventories, evaluate quality assurance compliance, order and calibrate parts and equipment/supplies. Provide training to others involved in resource management projects and field research. At the GS-07 level, in addition to duties listed above, you may: Assist staff in planning field research and resource monitoring programs. Schedule, coordinate and carry out a variety of field activities. Develop and using databases to enter, organize and perform preliminary analysis of collected field data using standard statistical methods. Provide work direction and guidance to lower graded technicians, volunteers, or YCC enrollees. Assist in preparing draft news releases and provide information to individuals, local organizations and schools. You may be expected to travel for this position (up to 16 nights/month), depending on duty location.

Requirements

Qualifications

All qualifications must be met by 11:59 EST when the 'applicant cut-off' is reached (which may be sooner than 12/06/2023). 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. SELECTIVE FACTOR: To successfully accomplish exotic plant management work, you will be required to mix, load, and apply herbicides for the purpose of vegetation control. If you are unwilling to handle herbicides, you cannot successfully complete the work of these positions. - AND - To qualify at the GS-06 grade level, you must possess at least one of the following minimum qualifications by close of the announcement: EXPERIENCE: At least one year of specialized experience comparable in scope and responsibility to the GS-05 grade level in the Federal service (obtained in either the public or private sectors). This experience includes activities such as: 1) executing field studies on plants and plant ecology; 2) working with field crews in non-native plant eradication; 3) conducting non-native plant removal using manual, mechanical, and chemical treatment methods; 4) implementing vegetation management and monitoring or ecological restoration; 5) reporting data and other resource management information (e.g., natural science research or long-term monitoring projects); and 6) using standard statistical methods in the preparation of draft reports. You must include hours worked per week in your resume. -OR- EDUCATION: Successful completion of at least one year of progressively higher-level graduate education leading to a master's degree or equivalent graduate degree with a major study in a directly related field such as biology, plant science, ecology, botany, or agriculture. IMPORTANT - PLEASE NOTE: If you are using education to qualify, you must submit a copy of your transcripts. -OR- Successful completion of a COMBINATION of education and experience as described above. To combine education and experience, first take the number of semester hours (or equivalent) earned towards a directly related graduate degree and divide by 18 semester hours (or equivalent). Then take the number of months of full-time experience and divide by 12 months. Add the percentages together. The total must equal at least 100 percent to qualify. You must include hours per week worked and transcripts. To qualify at the GS-07 grade level, you must possess at least one of the following minimum qualifications by close of the announcement: EXPERIENCE: At least one year of specialized experience comparable in scope and responsibility to the GS-06 grade level in the Federal service (obtained in either the public or private sectors). This experience includes activities such as: 1) collecting monitoring data on assorted physical restoration and vegetation management projects using specified sampling techniques and procedures; 2) monitoring rare, threatened or endangered (RTE) plants and sensitive plants and updating RTE and sensitive plant maps and files; 3) developing plans and coordinating a diversity of ecological restoration projects (e.g., scheduling personnel, purchasing supplies, developing action plans, implementing the project and completing written and photographic documentation); 4) monitoring construction projects for compliance with natural resource specifications; and 5) leading field crews in non-native plant control, using mechanical, manual, or chemical treatment, or restoration projects. You must include hours worked per week in your resume. -OR- EDUCATION: Successful completion of at least one year of progressively higher-level graduate education leading to a master's degree or equivalent graduate degree with a major study in a directly related field such as biology, plant science, ecology, botany, or agriculture. IMPORTANT - PLEASE NOTE: If you are using education to qualify, you must submit a copy of your transcripts. -OR- Successful completion of a COMBINATION of education and experience as described above. To combine education and experience, first take the number of semester hours (or equivalent) earned towards a directly related graduate degree and divide by 18 semester hours (or equivalent). Then take the number of months of full-time experience and divide by 12 months. Add the percentages together. The total must equal at least 100 percent to qualify. You must include hours per week worked and 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. ICTAP/CTAP 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.

Education

To qualify based on education, you must submit a legible copy of transcripts from an accredited institution 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 education completed in foreign colleges or universities 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.

Contacts

• Address PWR Seasonal Recruitment 333 Bush Street Suite 500 San Francisco, CA 94104 US
• Name: Alexis Brooks
• Email: [email protected]