USGS Biological Science Tech (Botany) Corvallis, OR
VACANCY NO: SRFS-18-001
DATE OPENED: 12/12/2017
DATE CLOSED: 12/26/2017
POSITION: Biological Science Technician, GG-404-5
SALARY: $16.68 per hour
TYPE OF APPOINTMENT: Temporary position not to exceed 180 work days in a year.
NUMBER OF POSITIONS: Up to 5
WORK DATES: 4/02/2018 to 8/31/2018; Starting and ending dates will be dependent on field conditions and accessibility to the field location(s). An extension is possible.
TOUR OF DUTY: Full Time, with extended periods of part-time and intermittent work.
AREA OF CONSIDERATION: All U.S. citizens
LOCATION: Corvallis, OR with travel throughout Pacific Northwest & Intermountain West
DUTY STATION: Corvallis, Oregon
THESE ARE TEMPORARILY EXCEPTED SERVICE POSITIONS for which all qualified applicants, with or without Federal status may apply and be considered.
Appointment to these positions, however, will not convey permanent status in the Federal service. Appointment will only be for the duration of the position, normally 6-9 months. The Social Security Retirement
System covers temporary employees. Working for the U. S. Geological
Survey offers a benefits package including paid vacation, sick leave, and holidays. Annual and sick leave will be accrued only for
appointments lasting more than 90 days (except in intermittent status).
In addition, temporary appointees expected to work at least 130 hours per month for at least 90 days will be eligible to enroll in a Federal Employee Health Benefits (FEHB) plan. Individuals eligible under this rule receive the full government contribution to their premiums regardless of work schedule and will also be eligible to participate in the Flexible Spending Accounts and Federal Long Term Care Insurance Program. Temporary appointees are NOT covered by the Federal Employee Retirement System and are ineligible for Federal life, dental, or vision insurance.
DUTIES (specific): Technicians will work on a project to investigate the ecological impacts of fuel reduction treatments in the intermountain sagebrush steppe and western juniper woodlands. To find out more about the project go to (www.sagestep.org). Technicians will also work on a project quantifying the above ground and below ground carbon levels within the Great Basin. As well as a project looking at the effectiveness of the weed suppressive bacteria Pseudomonas fluorescens, strain D7 (P.f. D7) in controlling cheatgrass. Technician may also work on several other USGS-BRD projects identifying strategies to control the dominance of cheatgrass and other weeds on Great Basin rangelands, restoring native species, and increasing biodiversity.
Major Duties Include:
. Identifying plants to species (up to 250 different species)
. Monitoring native grasses, forbs, and shrub germination and
density
. Performing various vegetation cover and fuel load sampling
techniques
. Collection of GPS and photo points
. Driving on poor and sometime muddy roads
. Collection of soil cores and plant samples
. Accurately recording data
. Processing plant samples and soil cores in the laboratory
. Data entry
Field work will take place throughout eastern Oregon including Hart Mountain National Antelope Refuge, eastern Washington, northern California, southwestern Idaho, northern Nevada, and lab/computer work will be conducted in Corvallis, Oregon. Technicians will be part a five to six person team working in the field together. Field work will involve exposure to extreme temperatures and weather conditions, and extended stays (up to 9 days) in remote locations (backcountry camping or staying at Fish and Wildlife Service Fire bunkhouses). Candidates will be chosen based on their combination of experience and education.
Preferred candidates will have experience in plant identification, especially within the Great Basin. Travel expenses will be covered by the projects using either standard federal per diem or a camp rate per diem.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION: The work involves long hours spent standing, bending, walking, and a great amount of physical exertion. The incumbent may be required to lift containers weighing up to 35 pounds in the performance of the assignment. Work could possibly be done in 10
-12 hours per day; hours can include all times of day and night, and will vary during the employment term with weather and field conditions.
Core hours will typically be 8am – 5pm. Must have a valid driver’s license. A background investigation will be required for this position.
QUALIFICATIONS: To qualify for a GG-5 you need 9 months of field experience OR 3 years of subprofessional work experience OR 3 years of college with courses related to the work of the position to be filled (equivalent to 90 semester/135 quarter hrs) plus 3 months of lab or field work experience. Subprofessional experience consists of working as a technician or aid in the field or in a laboratory or similar environment. Must have at least 3 months of experience identifying plants in the field.
EQUIVALENT COMBINATIONS OF SUCCESSFULLY COMPLETED EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE ARE QUALIFYING. Must have at least 3 months of experience identifying plants in the field.
Taking and passing a pre-employment medical examination at Federal expense is a required due to the physical demands of this job.
BASIS OF EVALUATION: All applicants will be evaluated on the basis of education and experience (including unpaid or volunteer experience).
Applicants must meet all qualifications and eligibility requirements by the closing date of this announcement.
First preference in referral will be given to eligible applicants entitled to 10 point veterans preference who have a compensable service- connected disability of 10 percent or more. All other qualified applicants entitled to veterans preference will be given preference over qualified applicants not entitled to veterans preference.
ALL APPLICANTS MUST BE UNITED STATES CITIZENS: Under regulations contained in the Immigration Reform and Control Act of 1986, employment in this position is limited to those persons who are authorized to work in the United States. Verification of employment eligibility will be required at the time of appointment.
As a condition of appointment, all new employees reporting for duty with the Department of the Interior will be paid through direct deposit to a financial institution of their choice.
Applicants selected for Federal employment will be required to complete a Declaration for Federal Employment, OF-306, prior to being appointed to determine their suitability for Federal employment and to authorize a background investigation. Failure to answer all questions truthfully and completely or providing false statements on the application may be grounds for not hiring the applicant, or for firing the applicant after he/she begins work. Also he/she may be punished by fine or imprisonment (U.S. Code, Title 18, section 1001).
Prior to or at the time of appointment, male applicants born after December 31, 1959, will have to certify that they have registered with the Selective Service System in order to be appointed to a position with the United States Geological Survey, unless legally qualified for an exception.
Employees of the U.S. Geological Survey are subject to the provisions of Title 43, U.S. Code, Section 31 (a) and may not according to this legislation and related regulation: (a) have any personal or private interest, direct or indirect, in lands or mineral wealth of such lands or a region under survey and whose title is in the U.S.; (b) execute surveys or examination for private parties or corporations; or (c)have personal or private interest, direct or indirect, in any private mining or mineral enterprise doing business in the U.S. except where specifically authorized by the Director of the U.S. Geological Survey.
HOW TO APPLY: Carefully read all information and instructions. It is the responsibility of the applicant to insure the application is complete.
The personnel office will not be responsible for soliciting additional information from applicants or from official personnel records, but will consider individuals based on their applications as submitted.
Applications must be received in the FRESC Headquarters Office by the closing date on the announcement in order to be considered. To obtain an OF 612, contact the U.S. Geological Survey, Biological Resources Discipline, FRESC Center HQ office at (541) 750-1040, or any Federal Personnel Office.
Submit one of the following forms of application: (a) résumé OR (b) OF- 612, Optional Application for Federal Employment, OR (c) other written format. If submitting a resume be sure to include the following:
JOB INFORMATION:
– Vacancy number, title, and grade(s) of the job for which you are applying
PERSONAL INFORMATION:
-Full name, mailing address (with zip code) and day and evening phone numbers (with area code) -Country of Citizenship -Veteran’s preference
EDUCATION:
-High school (name, address, including zip code if known) -Colleges and universities (address including zip code if known)
-Majors
-type and year of any degrees received (if no degree, show total credits earned and indicate whether semester or quarter hours) -Send a copy of your college transcripts or list of college courses
completed. Specify title of course, semester or quarter hours earned
for each course, date completed, grade earned.
WORK EXPERIENCE:
-Give the following information on your paid and nonpaid work experience related to the job for which you are applying (do not send job
descriptions)
-Job Title (include series and grade if Federal job)
-Duties and accomplishments
-Employer’s name and address
-Supervisor’s name and phone number
-Starting and ending dates (month, day and year)
– Hours per week
-Percent (%) of time spent doing field survey work
-Salary
-Indicate if we may contact your current supervisor
OTHER QUALIFICATIONS:
-Job-related training courses title, length, date taken) -Job-related skills (e.g. other languages, computer software/hardware, tools, machinery, typing speed) -Job-related certificates and licenses (current only) -Job-related honors, awards, and special accomplishments (e.g.
publications, memberships in professional or honor societies, leadership activities public speaking, and performance awards). Give details but do not send documents unless requested.
To claim 5 point Veteran’s Preference, a D D-214 showing character of discharge is required. If claiming 10 point Veteran’s Preference, a SF-
15 with proof of claim is required.
SUBMIT APPLICATIONS TO:
FRESC Jobs
USGS-BRD-Forest & Rangeland Ecosystem Science Center
777 NW 9th St, Suite 400
Corvallis, Oregon 97330
e-mail GS_NW_FRESC_Jobs@usgs.gov
Fax: 541-750-1066
It is against the law to submit applications for employment using
government franked envelopes or mail services (18 U.S.C. 1719). All such
applications will not be considered.
APPLICATIONS MUST BE RECEIVED BY THE CLOSING DATE OF THE ANNOUNCEMENT TO
BE CONSIDERED
INCOMPLETE APPLICATION FORMS MAY RESULT IN YOUR MISSING CONSIDERATION
FOR THIS VACANCY
The U.S. Geological Survey is an Equal Opportunity Employer
This agency provides reasonable accommodations to applicants with
disability.
EEO Policy Statement:
https://help.usajobs.gov/index.php/EEO_Policy_Statement
Reasonable Accommodation Policy Statement:
https://help.usajobs.gov/index.php/Reasonable_Accommodation_Policy_State
ment
Veterans Information
https://help.usajobs.gov/index.php/Veterans_Information
Legal and Regulatory Guidance:
https://help.usajobs.gov/index.php/Legal_and_Regulatory_Guidance