This is a Public Notice for positions being filled under the Direct Hiring Authority (DHA) for Wildland Fire. Under this recruitment procedure applications will be accepted for each location identified in this Public Notice. Veterans' Preference is not applicable to this announcement. To learn more about Direct-Hire Authority, go to: OPM.GOV Hiring Information - DHA.

Duties

The National Park Service (NPS) is looking for temporary employees to work as a Fire Effects Monitor (Biological Science Technician) in Luray, VA (Shenandoah NP). For more information on Types of Crews, click here. A Fire Effects Monitor (GS-04 Biological Science Technician) follows instructions and standardized procedures to collect and organize field data. Ensures adequate quality control of data collected and performs routine and recurring testing of collected samples. Makes field observations of natural resource conditions. Provides results to higher-level specialists for analysis. Provides logistical support and area orientation for contract or cooperating scientists. Installs, operates, maintains, inventories, and calibrates resource management equipment. Orders replacement parts, new equipment, and supplies. Utilizes a variety of computer programs to compile, reduce, store, retrieve, and report data and other resource management information, including natural science research and long-term monitoring projects. Prepares a wide variety of recurring correspondence, internal reports, and other documents from information obtained from office staff, files and other sources and reviews and finalizes documents prepared by others. A Fire Effects Monitor (GS-05 Biological Science Technician)establishes monitoring plots in a variety of vegetation/fuel types in accordance with established guidelines and directions. Monitors plots and makes field observation of resource conditions. May prepare fire behavior monitoring documentation on forms for prescribed burns. Identifies grasses, herbs, shrubs and trees to species. Catalogs, labels and stores plant materials collected during the season. Prepares field maps and photographs from the ground. Enters natural resource field data into a personal computer. May be required to operate light vehicles and 4X4s. For contacts and information regarding housing availability visit Fire Contacts on the DOI FIRES Jobs website and select Virginia. For more information about temporary fire positions with DOI, go to the following link: https://www.firejobs.doi.gov/.

Requirements

Qualifications

Hours worked per week must be stated for each season and position held in your resume. ***Experience listed will need to include specific duties about the work being performed and should not be only the general language stated below in the examples. To qualify for a GS-04 You must meet at least one of the following: 1). Six months of general work experience, which can be any work experience AND 6 months of specialized work experience equivalent to the GS-03 level duties. Examples of specialized work experience may include the following: Recorded, updated, and maintained collected data; assisted with the collection of vegetation monitoring data; utilized a variety of computer programs to maintain field data entry, and prepare simple summary reports. Your resume must reflect how you have this experience. -OR- 2). Two years of education above the high school level which included at least 12 semester hours in any combination of the following courses: biology, chemistry, statistics, entomology, animal husbandry, botany, physics, agriculture, or mathematics. At least 6 semester hours of courses must be directly related to the position to be filled. -OR- 3). A combination of the education and work experience described above. To qualify for a GS-05 You must meet at least one of the following: 1). One year of specialized work experience equivalent to the GS-04 level duties. Examples of specialized experience may include the following: Collected vegetation, weather, or ecological field data in support of monitoring or research programs; assisted in establishing vegetation and/or fuel loading measurement plots; collected data to assess burn severity or fire effects after prescribed or wildland fire; input and retrieved vegetation data using computers and global positioning systems (GPS). Your resume must reflect how you have this experience. -OR- 2). Successful completion of a full 4-year course of study leading to a bachelor's degree with major study or at least 24 semester hours in any combination of courses such as biology, chemistry, statistics, entomology, animal husbandry, botany, physics, agriculture, or mathematics. At least 6 semester hours of courses must have been directly related to the position to be filled. The level of the course work must have been equivalent to at least the junior- or senior-year levels of a baccalaureate program. The successful completion of a full course of study of at least 12 months in a school for clinical laboratory technicians may be substituted for the 1 year of specialized experience required at the GS-5 level for positions involving microbiology and biochemistry technician work - transcripts must be attached to receive credit for education. OR 3). A combination of the education and work experience described above. For more information regarding basic qualifications and combining education and experience click here. You must meet all qualification requirements by the closing date of the announcement. Physical Demands: In addition to working in an office/laboratory setting, the work involves walking, running, climbing, and backpacking with a load over rough terrain, sometimes for extended periods; lifting moderately heavy items; bending and stooping for long periods; and working under occasionally inclement (i.e., cold, hot, snow, wind) weather conditions. Work Environment: Work is performed in an office, laboratory, and in the field. Fieldwork includes exposure to extreme weather conditions and terrain, biting insects, wild animals, high pollen levels, dermatitis causing plants, and poisonous snakes. Incumbent may be required to fly in helicopters and fixed wing aircraft and may be required to work in actual fire situations, which can be hazardous.

Education

Proof of 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.

Foreign Education:
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 National Park Service call toll free number for address information Boise, ID 83705 US
• Name: DOI FIRES Program Office
• Phone: 888-364-6432
• Email: [email protected]