Perform a wide variety of complex biological science technical support functions. Technician work is typically associated with and supportive of a professional field; work may involve substantial elements of the work of the professional field, but requires less than full knowledge of the field involved. This position is intended to report to a specialist or resources manager in the same or a related field.

Duties

Buffalo National River (BUFF) Supervising plant data collection using established network monitoring protocols in including accurately identifying Ozark Plateau vegetation to the species level. Supervising fieldwork in remote backcountry settings and under difficult conditions in a safe and efficient manner. Training crew members in appropriate data collection, entry and verification methods. Supervising data entry and following quality assurance procedures to ensure accurate data transcription into established databases Write reports and interpret monitoring results by analyzing data and creating graphs using R Software for natural resource managers. Midwest Invasive Plant Management Teams (IPMTs) (Wilson's Creek NB, Republic, MO and Rapid City, SD) Serves as technician and field project lead for Invasive Plant Management Team projects. Under the direction of the IPMT liaison, implements invasive plant control, restoration, and seed collection projects through logistical/supply planning, implementation, and assessment phases. Leads and/or collaborates with partners on projects to manage invasive plants and restore habitat in national parks. Spends majority of time working on projects in the field. Applies herbicides and other invasive plant controls using light to heavy equipment. Uses chainsaws, brush-cutters, and other mechanical equipment to control invasive plants and restore plant communities. Works on multi-day deployments over an extensive field season, at times in extreme weather conditions and in the face of a variety of natural hazards. Northern Great Plains Inventory & Monitoring Network (NGPN) The Lead Biological Technician, vegetation field lead will help implement a long-term ecological monitoring program for vegetation in 13 park units. The position will involve a combination of office work, field time, and travel to the parks. During the summer field season, this position works 10-hour days and requires constant travel to parks within Nebraska, Wyoming, South and North Dakota. The incumbent visits field sites to implement and supervise data collection and will be required to hike off trail with heavy packs, sometimes in extremely hot weather or through thick vegetation. They work involves identifying hundreds of plants to species level. During the winter season, the incumbent will oversee data entry and quality assurance processes, revise protocols, and analyze and report on natural resource data sets. They will also be responsible for planning field logistics and training. The incumbent is supervised by the NGPN Vegetation Ecologist. The incumbent will assist in the supervision of 4 permanent career seasonal positions, summer seasonals, interns and volunteer staff. This position will act as a Lead for plant monitoring. 1. Supervising plant data collection using established network monitoring protocols. 2. Accurately identifying Northern Great Plains vegetation to the species level in the field or in the office using standard floras. 3. Training crew members in appropriate data collection, entry, and verification methods. 4. Supervising fieldwork in remote backcountry settings and under difficult conditions in a safe and efficient manner. 5. Supervising data entry and following quality assurance procedures to ensure accurate data transcription into established databases. 6. Analyze data and create graphs using R software. 7. Write reports and interpret monitoring results for natural resource managers. Physical Demands: The work is partially sedentary with prolonged standing, walking, and bending often required. Heavy items (e.g., equipment and packs up to 50 pounds) must be lifted and carried on a routine basis. Working Conditions: The work is performed in an office, laboratory, and in the field. Field work includes exposure to extreme weather conditions and terrain, pesticides, poisonous plants, biting insects, and wild animals. Laboratory work may involve exposure to hazardous chemicals. Duties will be developmental in nature when filled below the full performance level.

Requirements

Qualifications

All qualifications must be met by the closing date of this announcement-07/17/2024-unless otherwise stated in this vacancy announcement. Credit will be given for all appropriate qualifying experience. For current Federal employees, if hours worked per week are not included on your resume, you must submit a non-award SF-50 as part of your application to be used to validate your work schedule and determine the amount of specialized experience that you will be granted. An award SF-50 will not be acceptable documentation for which to consider your amount of qualifying experience. For all other applicants who are not current federal employees, your resume must state either "full-time" (or "40 hours a week") or "part-time" with the number of hours worked per week to ensure proper crediting of specialized experience. For periods of time that reflect military service, the DD-214 or Statement of Service is sufficient to meet the full and/or part-time hours requirement as the service dates will be reflected. To qualify for this position 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 full 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). Examples of qualifying specialized experience include work involving biological science support such as: collecting, analyzing and processing samples, performing laboratory work, assisting in the management of field projects, collecting, processing and managing field data, and performing habitat restoration through management of exotics and/or native planting. Use statistical methods and procedures to perform testing of field data collected. Installs, operates, and maintains resource management equipment (tools, sampling and monitoring, photographic, and laboratory equipment) prepares graphs, charts, and illustrations for reports and technical publications relating to plant management activities. Assist in the development of improved methods of controlling weeds and plant diseases or other related work etc. You must include hours per week worked. -OR- EDUCATION: Successful completion of at least one (1) full year of graduate education that is directly related to the work of the position. NOTE: Graduate education meets the specialized experience required above GS-05 only in those instances where it is directly related to the work of the position. One (1) year of full-time graduate education is considered to be the number of credit hours that the school attended has determined to represent one (1) year of full-time study. If that information cannot be obtained from the school, 18 semester hours should be considered as satisfying the one (1) year of full-time study requirement. Part-time graduate education is creditable in accordance with its relationship to a year of full-time study at the school attended. You must include transcripts. -OR- Successful completion of a combination of education and experience as described above. Completion of a percentage of the specialized experience and education listed above and when combined totals 100%. The total must equal at least 100 percent to qualify. You must include transcripts. To qualify for this position 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 full 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). Examples of qualifying specialized experience for this position is work involving one or more aspects of biological field work such as: planning and coordinating field work for vegetation surveys / invasive plant management using established protocols; systematically and correctly identifying native, exotic and invasive plants to species level within survey plots or transects in the geological/physiographical region of their duty station (i.e., Northern Great Plains parks); managing the data collection and assisting with reporting of plant survey data for other plant related Inventory and Monitoring efforts; and reviewing park vegetation management plans and/or providing suggestions for proper methods of invasive species control. You must include hours per week worked. -OR- EDUCATION: Successful completion of at least one (1) full year of graduate education that is directly related to the work of the position. NOTE: Graduate education meets the specialized experience required above GS-06 only in those instances where it is directly related to the work of the position. One (1) year of full-time graduate education is considered to be the number of credit hours that the school attended has determined to represent one (1) year of full-time study. If that information cannot be obtained from the school, 18 semester hours should be considered as satisfying the one (1) year of full-time study requirement. Part-time graduate education is creditable in accordance with its relationship to a year of full-time study at the school attended. You must include transcripts. -OR- Successful completion of a combination of education and experience as described above. Completion of a percentage of the specialized experience and education listed above and when combined totals 100%. The total must equal at least 100 percent to qualify. You 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.

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 Midwest-West Regional Human Resources Office 246 S Chicago Street Hot Springs, SD 57747 US
• Name: MWR HR West Team
• Phone: 402 661 1986
• Email: [email protected]