Biological Science Technician (Aquatic Nuisance Species) Job

Vacancy No. IM-1541-GLCA-24-12437432-DE Department National Park Service
Salary $39,576.00 to $51,446.00 Grade 5 to 5
Perm/Temp Permanent FT/PT Full-time
Open Date 6/12/2024 Close Date 6/26/2024
Job Link Apply Online Who may apply Public
Locations:
Lees Ferry, AZPage, AZKane County, UTSan Juan County, UT


Job Description (Please follow all instructions carefully)

Summary

This position is located in Glen Canyon National Recreation Area, in the Division of Science and Resource Management.

Career-Seasonal appointments are permanent positions and include the same benefits as Career appointments, but do not provide work on a year-round basis. You will work from approximately January to November, and you will be in a non-pay status for the remainder of the year.

Duties

  • Performs systematic work inspecting and decontaminating boats of all types and sizes with varying internal operating systems and water intake functions.
  • Facilitates visitor understanding of park resources and aquatic invasive species.
  • Collects and organizes field data using standardized data collection procedures and equipment.
  • Evaluates observed conditions and problems and interprets variables, trends, correlations, and interrelationships among data and conditions. Provides results to higher-level employees or the supervisor for analysis.

Requirements

Conditions of Employment

  • U.S. Citizenship required.
  • Appointment subject to background investigation and favorable adjudication.
  • Meet Selective Service Registration Act requirement for males.
  • Complete the initial online assessment and USAHire Assessment, if required.
  • Selectee will be required to participate in the Direct Deposit Electronics Funds Transfer Program.
  • You will be required to operate a government (or private) motor vehicle as part of your official duties; a valid driver's license is required. You will be required to submit a Motor Vehicle Operator's License and Driving Record. You must also submit (within a State sealed envelope or submitted directly by the State authorities), and at your own expense, all certified driving records from all States that disclose all valid driver's licenses, whether current or past, possessed by you.
  • You will be required to wear a uniform and comply with the National Park Service uniform standards. A uniform allowance will be provided.
  • You may be required to work evenings, weekends, holidays, and overtime.
  • You will be required to complete a one-year probationary period.
  • You may be required to travel overnight away from home up to 2 nights per month. You must obtain a government charge card for travel purposes.
  • You may be required to complete training and obtain/maintain a government charge card with travel and/or purchase authority.
  • Applicants must be at least 18 years old.

Qualifications

All qualifications must be met by the closing date of this announcement-06/26/2024-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-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-4 grade level in the Federal service (obtained in either the public or private sectors). Specialized experience is experience that equipped the applicant with the particular knowledge, skills, and abilities needed to successfully perform the duties of this position. Examples of specialized experience include: (1) providing technical support in an integrated pest management field environment; (2) computing, compiling, and inputting data to help create reports for a biological or scientific program; (3) participating in aquatic nuisance species assignments, (4) performing such tasks as collecting, organizing data; (5) keeping detailed records of findings or results of biological science tests and procedures, or similar work. You must include hours per week worked.
-OR-
EDUCATION: 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 scientific or technical courses in biology, chemistry, statistics, entomology, animal husbandry, botany, physics, agriculture, or mathematics. At least 6 semester hours of courses must have been directly related to biology. You must include transcripts.
-OR-
Successful completion of a combination of education and experience as described above. To combine education and experience, first take education in excess of the first 60 semester hours of a course of study leading to a bachelor's degree. Then divide by four full academic years of study, or 120 semester hours (60 semester hours beyond the second year is equivalent to l year of specialized experience. For example, 90 semester credits is equivalent to 6 monnths of specialized experience). 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. At least 24 semester hours in a combination of scientific or technical courses as listed as above and at least 6 semester hours directly related to biology is required. You must include 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.

Area Information:

Bullfrog - Kane County, Utah
is a small, remote, in-park community of approximately 300 residents during the summer and about 100 residents in the winter. Amenities include a marina, marina store and gas docks, seasonal lodge and restaurant, gas station/convenience store and garage, urgent care clinic, and a K-12 school. Teacher/student ratio is one teacher per 2-5 students. Full-service communities are in Blanding, Utah (90 miles) and Monticello, Utah (115 miles) which has dentists and a small hospital. Major services are available in Cortez, Durango, and Grand Junction, Colorado, or Page, Arizona, all 3 to 5 hours away via all-weather highways. Summer temperatures run to the low 100's and winter temperatures are in the 30's with sunshine most days of the year.

Halls Crossing, Utah is a small, remote, in-park community of 80 residents in summer and about 30 in winter. Amenities include a small convenience store, gas station, marina, housekeeping trailers, and a ferry with connections to Bullfrog, 3 miles across the lake on Bullfrog Bay. Across the lake in Bullfrog, there is an urgent care clinic, a seasonal lodge and restaurant and a K-12 school. Teacher/student ratio is one teacher per 2-5 students. There are no school facilities at this time at Halls Crossing. All school children are bussed/boated across the bay to Bullfrog. Full-service communities are in Blanding, Utah, (90 miles) and Monticello, Utah (115 miles) which has dentists and a small hospital. Major services are available in Cortez, Durango, and Grand Junction, Colorado, or Page, Arizona, all 3 to 5 hours away via all-weather highways.

Lees Ferry, Arizona is a small, remote, in-park community of approximately 10 residents. Amenities include a small convenience store/gas station, seasonal lodging and restaurant. Full-service communities are in Page and Flagstaff, Arizona, both within 2 hours via all-weather highways.

Page, Arizona is located on the Arizona-Utah border, 135 miles north of Flagstaff, Arizona, the nearest larger community. Page looks out on beautiful Lake Powell which offers boating, associated water sports recreation and fishing. The surrounding land of the Glen Canyon National Recreation Area offers beautiful red rock country for hiking and backcountry recreational activity. Page is centrally located to many other National Parks, such as the Grand Canyon, Zion, Arches and Canyonlands to name a few. Page offers normal community amenities such as shopping, medical and dental facilities, schools K-12 and college courses available through local Coconino Community College. The area enjoys typical high desert climate with temperatures ranging from 100+ in summer to mid-teens in winter with low humidity and sunshine most days of the year. Elevation in Page is 4300 feet above sea level. Home purchases and rentals are available in the area. http://www.pagelakepowelltourism.com


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.

Additional information

A selectee receiving a first appointment to the Federal Government (Civil Service) is entitled only to the lowest step of the grade for which selected. The display of a salary range on this vacancy shall not be construed as granting an entitlement to a higher rate of pay.

This announcement may be used to fill additional positions if identical vacancies occur within 90 days of the issue date of the referral certificate.

Career-Seasonal positions are subject to release and recall procedures. A permanent career-seasonal position includes all the benefits of permanent employment but does not provide employment on a full year-round basis. As such, selectees will be in a non-pay/non-duty status for at least 2 weeks to 6 months per year based on project requirements or weather conditions. Selectees are guaranteed to work at least 6 months per year but not more than 50 weeks per year, with the work schedule to be determined upon appointment. The typical season is January to November but can be variable during these months due to project requirements or weather conditions.

Physical Demands: The work of this position is partially sedentary with prolonged periods of standing, walking, lifting, and bending. The incumbent is required to crawl under and in tight spaces in watercraft and decontamination equipment, as well as operate specialized equipment which includes applications of pressurized heated water. Mental stress and physical fatigue may occur due to high volume of public contacts.


Working Conditions: Work is primarily performed outdoors which results in exposure to extremes of temperature, precipitation, wind, and direct sunlight. High levels of vehicle noise and emissions may exist during heavy visitation periods. Use of specialized equipment utilizing pressurized heated water in all weather conditions also impacts work environment. Duties may be performed alone in isolated locations.

The National Park Service has determined that the duties of this position are suitable for telework and the selectee may be allowed to telework with supervisor approval.

Reasonable Accommodation (RA) Requests: If you believe you have a disability (i.e., physical or mental), covered by the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 as amended that would interfere with completing the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments, you will be granted the opportunity to request a RA in your online application. Requests for RA for the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments and appropriate supporting documentation for RA must be received prior to starting the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments. Decisions on requests for RA are made on a case-by-case basis. If you meet the minimum qualifications of the position, after notification of the adjudication of your request, you will receive an email invitation to complete the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments, based on your adjudication decision. You must complete all assessments within 48 hours of receiving the URL to access the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments, if you received the link after the close of the announcement. To determine if you need a RA, please review the Procedures for Requesting a Reasonable Accommodation for Online Assessments here: https://help.usastaffing.gov/Apply/index.php?title=Reasonable_Accommodations_for_USA_Hire

Benefits

A career with the U.S. government provides employees with a comprehensive benefits package. As a federal employee, you and your family will have access to a range of benefits that are designed to make your federal career very rewarding. Opens in a new windowLearn more about federal benefits.

Review our benefits

Eligibility for benefits depends on the type of position you hold and whether your position is full-time, part-time or intermittent. Contact the hiring agency for more information on the specific benefits offered.

How You Will Be Evaluated

You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.

A review of your resume and supporting documentation will be made and compared against your responses to the Occupational Questionnaire to determine if you are qualified for this job. If your resume is incomplete or does not support the responses provided in the Occupational Questionnaire, or if you fail to submit all required documentation, you will be rated 'ineligible', 'not qualified', or your score may be adjusted accordingly. If a determination is made that you have inflated your qualifications or experience, you may lose consideration for this position. Please follow all instructions carefully; errors or omissions may affect your rating.

You will be evaluated based on how well you meet the qualifications listed in this vacancy announcement. Your qualifications will be evaluated based on your application materials (e.g., resume, supporting documents), your responses on the application questionnaire, and your responses to all assessments required for this position. You will be assessed on the following competencies (knowledge, skills, abilities, and other characteristics):

  • Attention to Detail
  • Customer Service
  • Flexibility
  • Influencing/Negotiating
  • Integrity/Honesty
  • Interpersonal Skills
  • Learning
  • Oral Communication
  • Pest Control
  • Reading Comprehension
  • Self-Management
  • Stress Tolerance
  • Teamwork
  • Technical Competence
  • Technology Application
  • Written Communication


To Preview the application questionnaire, click the following link:https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/12437432

Overstating your qualifications and/or experience in your application materials or application questionnaire may result in your removal from consideration. Cheating on an assessment may also result in your removal from consideration.

Candidates will be rated and ranked using Category Rating procedures. These procedures place candidates with veteran's preference above non-preference eligibles within each category. Veterans with a service connected disability of at least 10 percent are listed in the highest quality category, except when the position being filled is scientific or professional at the GS-09 grade level or higher. Under Category Rating, candidates will be rated and ranked into one of three categories:
  • Best Qualified - applicants possessing experience that substantially exceeds the minimum qualifications of the position including all selective factors and are highly proficient in all requirements of the job and can perform effectively in the position
  • Well Qualified - applicants possessing experience that exceeds the minimum qualifications of the position including all selective factors and are proficient in most of the requirements of the job
  • Qualified - applicants possessing experience that meets the minimum qualifications of the position including all selective factors and are proficient in some, but not all of the requirements of the job.

Required Documents

The following documents are required and must be submitted by 11:59 PM (EST) on 06/26/2024:

  1. Resume which includes a list of all significant jobs held and duties performed, with dates specified in month and year format, and, indicate hours worked per week. If military or civilian, please include your rank and/or grade.
  2. A complete Occupational Questionnaire
  3. Other Supporting Documents, if applicable, such as:
    • Veterans Preference Documentation:
      • If you are a Discharged, Non-Disabled Veteran, you must submit a copy of your DD-214 showing character of discharge (Member 4 copy), or other Documentation of Service and Separation under Honorable Conditions, as listed on the SF15. If you don't have your DD-214, you may request it after discharge from the National Archives.
      • If you are a veteran within 120 days of discharge, you must submit signed documentation from the Armed Forces certifying: 1) your expected release/retirement from active duty, 2) under honorable conditions, 3) your pay grade/rank/rate at time of discharge, 4) dates of active duty service, 5) any campaign or expeditionary medals received, & 6) dated within 120 days of your separation.
      • If you are a Disabled Veteran, Purple Heart Recipient, or Mother or Spouse of a Disabled or Deceased Veteran, you must submit all additional proof required by the SF15, and if applicable, a completed SF15. You may request a copy of your Department of Veterans Affairs letter from www.ebenefits.va.gov or call 1-800-827-1000 to establish proof of disability.
    • If you are requesting a reasonable accommodation to the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments, submit documentation to support your request, including the Reasonable Accommodation Request Form found here.
  4. College transcripts, if qualifying based on education.
  5. Documentation for Interagency/Career Transition Assistance Plan consideration if you are a displaced Federal employee within the local commuting area. You must include: 1) Proof you are a displaced Federal employee, e.g., RIF Separation Notice, Notice of Proposed Removal, etc; 2) SF-50s (Notifications of Personnel Action) showing career/conditional tenure competitive status, promotion potential and duty location; and 3) your most recent performance appraisal. To exercise selection priority, displaced or surplus Federal employees must be rated well-qualified or above 80 on the rating criteria for this position.
Do not submit photographs with your application package. Documents with photographs may not be seen by hiring officials - you must remove your image from any badges, licenses, etc.

Do not upload Adobe portfolio documents. Adobe portfolio documents are not viewable by our agency's staffing offices.

If you are relying on your education to meet qualification requirements:

Education must be accredited by an accrediting institution recognized by the U.S. Department of Education in order for it to be credited towards qualifications. Therefore, provide only the attendance and/or degrees from schools accredited by accrediting institutions recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.

Failure to provide all of the required information as stated in this vacancy announcement may result in an ineligible rating or may affect the overall rating.

How to Apply

Please read the entire announcement and all the instructions before you begin an application. To apply and be considered for this position, you must complete all required questionnaires, assessments, and required documentation as specified in the How to Apply and Required Documents section. The complete application package must be submitted by 11:59 PM (ET) on the closing date of the announcement to receive consideration. You must provide documentation to support your claim for each eligibility selected. Please review the required documentation listed in the eligibilities language to ensure you submit the appropriate information. Note: You will only be marked eligible for those eligibilities that you selected and provided the appropriate supporting documentation. The application process is as follows:

  1. Click the Apply Online button.
  2. Answer the questions presented in the application and attach all necessary supporting documentation. To PREVIEW the application questionnaire, select the following link: https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/12437432
  3. Click the Submit Application button prior to 11:59 PM (ET) on the announcement closing date.
  4. If you are required to complete any USA Hire Assessments, you will be notified after submitting your application. The notification will be provided in your application submission screen and via email. The notification will include your unique assessment access link to the USA Hire system and the completion deadline. Additionally, in USAJOBS you can click "track this application" to return to your assessment completion notice.
  5. Access USA Hire using your unique assessment link. Access is granted through your USAJOBS login credentials.
  6. Review all instructions prior to beginning your assessments. You will have the opportunity to request a testing accommodation before beginning the assessments should you have a disability covered under the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 as amended.
  7. Set aside at least 3 hours to take the USA Hire assessments; however, most applicants complete the assessments in less time. If you need to stop the assessments and continue later, you can re-use your unique assessment link.
  8. Your responses to the USA Hire Assessments will be reused for one year (in most cases) from the date you complete an assessment. If future applications you submit require completion of the same assessments, your responses will be automatically reused.
For more general information, system requirements, reasonable accommodation information, and to request assistance regarding the USA Hire Assessments, review the following resources: https://help.usastaffing.gov/Apply/index.php?title=USA_Hire_Assessments.

To update your application, including supporting documentation: During the announcement open period, return to your USAJOBS account, find your application record, and click Edit my application. This option will no longer be available once the announcement has closed.

To view the announcement status or your application status: Click on this: https://www.usajobs.gov/Help/how-to/application/status/. Your application status page is where you can view your application status, USA Hire assessment completion status, and review your notifications sent by the hiring agency regarding your application.

Agency contact information

Carina Nicholas
Address
Glen Canyon National Recreation Area
PO Box 1507
Page, AZ 86040-1507
US
Learn more about this agency

Next steps

Once the Occupational Questionnaire is received you will receive acknowledgement that your submission was successful. If you are among the most qualified candidates and your name is referred to the hiring official, you may be contacted directly for a possible interview. You will be notified of the status of your Application Package at the time candidates are referred for consideration, and when the selection process is complete.


Note: We cannot accept applications on behalf of Federal Agencies. Application instructions are listed within the Job Description.