The purpose of the position is to perform routine biological science tasks. The typical seasonal entry-on-duty period is April to November but can be variable due to weather conditions, project needs, or funding. Open to the first 180 applicants or until 01/13/2025 whichever comes first. All applications submitted by 11:59 (EST) on the closing day will receive consideration.

Duties

Duties: GS-04 Major Duties: you will assist in implementing established natural resource management projects including the following: monitoring and controlling exotic plants; conducting natural resource monitoring programs for rare plants; conducting extensive beach and dune surveys for plant species in deep, moving sand. GS-5 Major Duties: you will participate and may lead a small field crew to implement established natural resource management projects including the following: monitoring and controlling exotic plants; conducting natural resource monitoring programs for rare plants; conducting extensive beach and dune fieldwork in deep, moving sand; working at restoration sites and collecting native plants seeds; and assessing forest health and treating for forest pests. May occasionally lead larger groups of volunteers in projects. Duties of both grades may include identifying plants; surveying for target invasive plants; collecting data and recording the data into established or new databases; GPS and GIS data on infestation locations and status; and controlling invasive plants using hand-pulling, hand tools, power tools, and chemical herbicides. Teams may include interns, volunteers and other agency staff. Herbicide use and some overnight backcountry camping can be expected. Weekend work is possible. Global positioning systems, aerial photographs, topographic maps, and compass may be used in navigation. A portion of time may be dedicated to data entry and other duties in a laboratory/office setting. 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. Hiking 8 miles daily. Maintaining license and applying herbicide and pesticide. 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. Some work will be conducted in the backcountry with camping and travel via boat ferry up to 8 nights per month.

Requirements

Qualifications

All qualifications must be met by the closing date of this announcement-01/13/2025-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-04 grade level, you must possess one of the following minimum qualifications by close of the announcement: EXPERIENCE: At least six months of general experience and 6 months of specialized experience comparable in scope and responsibility to the GS-03 grade level in the Federal service (obtained in either the public or private sectors). General experience is work that demonstrates your ability to perform the work of the position or experience that familiarizes you with the subject matter or processes of the biological or natural sciences. Specialized experience is that experience which demonstrates that you have the knowledge, skills, and abilities to perform the duties of this position. Examples of specialized experience include research or controlled program work; or nursery/greenhouse work that required the growing and maintenance of plants in a controlled environment. You must include hours per week worked. -OR- EDUCATION: Successful completion of at least two (2) full years of college level study that includes at least 12 semester hours in any combination of courses such as biology, chemistry, statistics, entomology, animal husbandry, botany, physics, agriculture, mathematics, etc. At least six (6) semester hours were directly related to this position (i.e. plant taxonomy, botany, forestry, plant ecology, etc.) You MUST submit a copy of your transcripts indicating credit hours in order to qualify based on education). 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 submit a copy of your transcripts indicating credit hours in order to qualify based on education). A copy of your official transcripts will be required before entrance on duty, if selected. To qualify for this position at the GS-05 grade level, you must possess 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: applying/performing a variety of manual, mechanical chemical and/or bio-control methods to manage exotic (non-native) species; performing basic vegetation inventories, studies and surveys; participating in site rehabilitation through soil preparation, planting, propagating, and weeding. You must include hours per week worked. -OR- EDUCATION: Successful completion of a full four (4) year course of study (120 semester hours or 180 quarter hours) leading to a bachelor's degree with major study or at least twenty-four (24) semester hours in any combination of courses such as biology, chemistry, statistics, entomology, animal husbandry, botany, physics, agriculture, mathematics, etc. At least six (6) semester hours were directly related to this position (i.e., plant taxonomy, botany, forestry, plant ecology, etc.). You MUST submit a copy of your transcripts indicating credit hours in order to qualify based on education). 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. 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 the specialized experience requirements. Two full academic years of study, or 60 semester hours, beyond the second year is equivalent to l year of specialized experience. Determine the total qualifying experience as a percentage of the year of specialized experience required at the GS-5 level. Then determine education as a percentage of the education that meets the requirements for GS-5. Add the two percentages. The total percentage must equal at least 100 percent to qualify an applicant for GS-5. For example, 6 month of specialized experience (50% of the specialized experience requirement) and 3 years of education above high school with at least 12 semester hours related to the position and 3 hours directly related to the position (50 percent of the education requirement) would be considered qualifying. If you are qualifying based in part, upon education, you MUST submit a copy of your transcripts. A copy of your official transcripts will be required before entrance on duty, if selected. 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. I/CTAP: CTAP/ICTAP provides placement assistance to permanent Federal employees who are surplus, displaced, or involuntarily separated. Applicants claiming CTAP/ICTAP eligibility must submit a copy of their most recent performance appraisal, proof of eligibility, and most current SF-50 noting position, grade level, and duty location with their application. To be considered under CTAP/ICTAP, applicants must be well-qualified (i.e., meet the minimum qualification requirements, including any selective placement factors; education, and experience requirements), score at least 85 on the assessment questionnaire, and be able to perform the duties of the position upon entry. If you are applying under CTAP or ICTAP, you MUST submit proof of eligibility under 5 CFR 330.602(a) for CTAP and 5 CFR 330.704 for ICTAP. This includes a copy of the agency notice, a copy of your most recent performance rating, and a copy of your most recent SF-50 (Notification of Personnel Action) showing your position, grade level, and duty location. Please annotate your application to reflect that you are applying as a CTAP or ICTAP eligible. For information on CTAP and ICTAP visit: USAJOBS Help Center | Career Transition Programs (CTAP, ICTAP, RPL)

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 Central Team
• Phone: 000-000-0000
• Email: [email protected]