Pacific West Region is recruiting for summer seasonal Biological Science Technician (Fisheries), GS-0404-4/5 positions intended to assist permanent staff. There is an applicant limit of 250 for this announcement. These positions are located in Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks, in the Division of Resource Management and Science.

Duties

Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks represent an extraordinary continuum of ecosystems (96% designated wilderness) arrayed along the greatest vertical relief (1,370 to 14,505 feet elevation) of any protected area in the lower 48 states. These parks provide a wealth of recreational opportunities via 835 miles of trails, wild and scenic rivers, alpine lakes, and caves, along with a full range of overnight lodging prospects to choose from that include 14 campgrounds. For detailed area information visit: https://www.nps.gov/seki/getinvolved/workwithus.htm. GS-04 level: removes nonnative fish from alpine lakes; completes visual encounter surveys for amphibians and reptiles; sets, cleans, and repairs gill nets; electro-fishes in streams; conducts fish, amphibian, and reptile surveys; collects field data; kills nonnative fish; handles dead fish; follows detailed protocols; records environmental parameters: using topographic maps, compass, and/or global positioning systems (GPS) for navigation; provides an overview of the project to park visitors. occasionally assists with research projects. Additional Duties at the GS-05 level: interacts with the public regarding sensitive amphibian, reptile, or fisheries management issues; discusses scientific information with peers and public; trains other technicians, interns, volunteers, and field observers. Physical Demands: The work requires physical exertion such as regular and recurring walking, hiking, or climbing over wet, rough, uneven, or rocky surfaces; bending; crouching, stooping, lifting or reaching to observe, collect, or record field data; or in some situations the work may require physical exertion to scuba dive or operate a boat. 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 or outdoors. The work performed involves regular and recurring exposure to extreme weather conditions and terrain, poisonous plants, biting insects, and wild animals. The typical seasonal entry-on-duty period for Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks is May-November but can be variable during these months due to weather conditions, project needs, or funding. Air Quality: Poor air quality afflicts Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks, especially during summer months - generally May to October. High ozone levels may be the most harmful pollutant here. In summer months, concentrations often exceed the federal ozone health standards. For more information: http://www.nps.gov/seki/learn/nature/airqualityinfo.htm.

Requirements

Qualifications

All qualifications must be met by 11:59 PM (EST) when the applicant limit is reached which may be sooner than the closing date of this announcement-11/20/2024-. 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: These positions require regular and recurring work and camping in rugged mountainous backcountry above 7000 ft. elevation for extended periods of time. Selectee(s) must be able to hike by foot in the backcountry at high altitude for extended periods of time while carrying backpacks, tools and supplies of at least 50 lbs. and be able to camp for several days at a time. Such wilderness travel skills require extensive experience to develop and given the short duration of the summer season and immediacy of need, such skills cannot be acquired on-the-job in a reasonable amount of time. You will be required to provide detailed descriptions of this experience during the application process. - AND - To qualify for this position at the GS-04 grade level, you must possess at least one of the following minimum qualifications by close of the announcement: EXPERIENCE: At least six months of general experience AND six months of specialized experience. General experience is any type of work that demonstrates your ability to perform the work of the position, or experience that provides a familiarity with the subject matter or processes of the broad subject area of the occupation. Specialized experience demonstrates the knowledge, skills, and abilities to successfully perform the duties of a Biological Science Technician. Examples of specialized experience include but are not limited to: 1) assists others conducting aquatic ecology, wildlife or fisheries work; 2) assists with scientific surveys; and 3) records and enters data into databases. You must include hours per week worked. -OR- EDUCATION: Successfully completed 2 years (90 quarter or 60 semester hours) of study above high school, that included at least 12 semester hours (18 quarter hours) in any combination of scientific or technical courses such as biology, ecology, chemistry, statistics, zoology, entomology, animal husbandry, botany, physics, agriculture or mathematics. At least 6 semester hours in any of these courses must be directly related to the position to be filled. You must include transcripts. -OR- Successful completion of a COMBINATION of education and specialized experience as described above that total at least one year. Specialized experience and education should be computed as a percentage of the overall requirements and must equal 100 percent when combined. You must include hours per week worked and transcripts. To qualify for this position at the GS-05 grade level, you must possess at least one of the following minimum qualifications: EXPERIENCE: One year of specialized experience comparable in difficulty and responsibility to the GS-04 grade level in the Federal Service (can be obtained in the public or private sector) that included activities such as: assists in collecting physical, chemical and nutrient sample profiles in lakes; identifies aquatic or marine fauna (amphibians, fish, invertebrates, etc.); surveys fish populations; accurately collects and records biological data in a field setting; assists in setting and cleaning fish from gill nets; and follows instructions and standardized procedures when gathering aquatic species data. You must include hours per week worked. -OR- EDUCATION: Successfully completed four (4) full years of study above high school leading to a bachelor's degree with major study or at least 24 semester hours (36 quarter hours) in any combination of scientific or technical courses such as wildlife management, ecology, zoology, biology, chemistry, statistics, entomology, animal husbandry, botany, physics, agriculture, or mathematics. At least 6 semester hours (9 quarter hours) in any of these courses must be directly related to the position to be filled. You must include 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 bachelor's degree, in excess of 60 semester hours, and divide by 60 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 Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks 47050 Generals Highway Three Rivers, CA 93271 US
• Name: Patricia Gerhardt
• Email: [email protected]