Pacific West Region is recruiting for summer seasonal for Biological Science Technician (Wildlife), 0404-5. The typical seasonal period for Whiskeytown National Recreation Area is April-October but can be variable during these months due to weather conditions, project needs, or funding. Open to the first 50 applicants or until 12/30/2024 whichever comes first. All applications submitted by 11:59 (EST) on the closing day will receive consideration.

Duties

This position supports the Resource Management and Fire Management divisions at Whiskeytown National Recreation Area by conducting bird surveys in advance of planned fuels projects to meet park management goals and comply with federal regulations. The Park has an active fuels management program and is located within the Klamath Mountains of northern California and supports a diverse assemblage of wildlife, including around 200 species of birds. Whiskeytown Lake's crystal-clear water is perhaps the most recognized feature, however there are also opportunities to visit waterfalls, hike through rugged mountains, explore California Gold Rush history, and observe post-fire ecology in action. Major Duties: The technician may work independently or in pairs and will be assigned to work on bird projects that involve area searches, point counts, nest searches, and spot mapping, surveying using a variety of survey techniques in wilderness and front country settings, surveying for long periods of time using binoculars, navigating using GPS technology, entering, proofing, and summarizing data, interacting with the public regarding sensitive avian wildlife management issues; and presenting scientific information to peers and the public. The technician must be able to identify species by sight and sound and have work experience surveying birds. Physical Demands -- The work is partially sedentary with prolonged standing, walking, and bending often required. Heavy items (e.g., packs and equipment up to 50 pounds) must be lifted and carried on a routine basis. Work Environment -- The work is performed in an office and in the field. Field work includes exposure to extreme weather conditions and terrain, poisonous plants, biting insects, and wild animals.

Requirements

Qualifications

All qualifications must be met by 11:59 PM (EST) when the application limit is reached which may be sooner than the closing date of this announcement-12/30/2024-. 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. 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: assisting biologists with research, conducting surveys using standardized methods, data collection on age, gender, reproductive status, behavior, and habitat uses, recording field notes in a well-organized fashion, recording observations, entering data, and using a GPS unit, assisting with writing reports using data collected, navigating using a topographic map and compass. You must include hours per week worked. -OR- EDUCATION: Successful completion of at least four years of education above high school (120 semester hours or 180 quarter hours) leading to a bachelor's degree with major study OR 24 semester hours of course work in a related field of scientific or technical study, such as in 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. IMPORTANT - PLEASE NOTE: If you are using education to qualify, 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 course work information as described previously, your application will be rated not qualified for consideration. A copy of your official transcripts will be required before entrance on duty, if selected. You must include transcripts. -OR- Successful completion of a combination of education and experience as described above. NOTE: Only education in excess of the first 60 semester hours of a course of study leading to a bachelor's degree is creditable toward meeting this requirement. Two full academic years of study, or 60 semester hours, beyond the second year is equivalent to 1 year of specialized experience. For example, six months of the specialized experience (50% of the experience requirement), and 3 years of college study from an accredited institution which included at least 12 semester hours of related coursework as specified above, and at least 3 semester hours in wildlife biology (50% of the qualifying education). The total percentage must equal at least 100 percent to qualify. You must submit transcripts and hours worked per week. 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. 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 Whiskeytown National Recreation Area 14412 Kennedy Memorial Drive Whiskeytown, CA 96095 US
• Name: Patricia Gerhardt
• Email: [email protected]