These are temporary, Not to Exceed 1039 hours, positions are located in Indiana Dunes National Park. Anticipated employment period is April to October with potential to be extended through mid-December (pending funding, project needs and weather conditions). Open to the first 75 applicants or until 12/20/2023 whichever comes first. All applications submitted by 11:59 (EST) on the closing day will receive consideration. For more information about job or area, contact: [email protected].

Duties

The Biological Science Technician (Plants) position will work under the supervision of experienced staff as part of a dynamic team conducting ecological restoration fieldwork in one of Americas most botanically diverse national parks. To perform duties effectively, you will need a foundation in botanical sciences. Attention to details and ability to work outdoors as part of a team is important. Fieldwork will be conducted in a variety of habitats including wetlands, prairie, open dune complex and/or black oak savanna. Field work will include chemical and mechanical treatment of invasive plants, seed collection, native plant installation, and field data collection. Incumbent will use tools and operate equipment such as chainsaws, brush cutters/clearing saws, hand saws, loppers, pruners, backpack sprayers and apply herbicide to control target invasive plant species. Incumbent may be required to work from amphibious vehicles such as a Marshmaster, Landtamer, Argo, and/or operate an ATV or UTV. Incumbent will use GIS technology to document project work. Work will be adaptive with other tasks assigned as necessary to achieve the parks restoration goals.

Requirements

Qualifications

All qualifications must be met by the closing date of this announcement-12/20/2023-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. To qualify for this position at the GS-05 grade level, you must possess at least one of the following minimum qualifications by close of the announcement: EXPERIENCE: At least one full year of specialized experience comparable in scope and responsibility to the GS-04 grade level in the Federal service (obtained in either the public or private sectors). This experience includes activities such as: conducting plant censuses and surveys and assembling the information. Following standardized procedures to collect data on the condition of range, grazing or forage. Using statistical methods and procedures to perform testing of field data collected. Installing, operating, and maintaining resource management equipment (tools, sampling, and monitoring, photographic, and laboratory equipment) preparing graphs, charts, and illustrations for reports and technical publications relating to plant management activities. Doing research activity or control program work, nursery work that required the growing and maintenance of plants in a controlled environment. You must include start/end dates and hours per week worked. -OR- EDUCATION: Successful completion of at least a full four-year course of study leading to a bachelor's degree with major study or at least 24 semester hours in any combination of scientific or technical courses such as biology, chemistry, statistics, entomology, animal husbandry, botany, physics, agriculture, or mathematics. At least 6 semester hours are directly related to the position such as botany, forest ecology, silviculture, plant ecology, etc. NOTE: If you are using education to qualify you must document your coursework and/or degree completed in your resume or other application materials you submit. You must submit a copy of your transcripts, or a complete list of college courses taken that identifies for each course the college or university, semester or quarter hours earned, grade received, and date completed. If you are qualifying based on education and you do not submit specific coursework information as described previously, your application may be rated not qualified for consideration. (A copy of your official transcripts will be required before entrance on duty, if selected). -OR- Successful completion of a combination of education and experience as described above. The total must equal at least 100 percent to qualify. You must include transcripts. You must include start/end dates and hours per week worked. 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.

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 Indiana Dunes National Park 1100 N Mineral Springs Rd Porter, IN 46304 US
• Name: Abigail Minnick
• Email: [email protected]