Biological Science Technician (Plants) Job

Vacancy No. AK-1537-AKRO-25-12444440-DE Department National Park Service
Salary $21.42 to $34.50 Grade 5 to 7
Perm/Temp Temporary FT/PT Full-time
Open Date 11/18/2024 Close Date 11/22/2024
Job Link Apply Online Who may apply Public
Locations:
Anchorage, AKDenali Park, AKFairbanks, AKPort Alsworth, AK


Summary

These positions are temporary and may not exceed 1039 hours (six months) in a service year. They may be terminated sooner or extended depending on management needs.

Positions may not be filled at every duty station.

Selectees may be moved between duty stations within park boundaries.

Open to the first 350 applicants or until 11/22/2024 whichever comes first. All applications submitted by 11:59 (EST) on the closing day will receive consideration.

This job is open to

Clarification from the agency

U.S. Citizens, Interagency Career Transition Assistance Program (ICTAP), Career Transition Assistance Program (CTAP), Reemployment Priority List (RPL).

Duties

The typical seasonal entry-on-duty period for each duty station is listed below. These employment periods can be variable during these months due to weather conditions, project needs, or funding.

  • Anchorage: Anticipated employment period is May - October. Anticipated Entrance on Duty: May 2025.
  • Denali Park: Anticipated employment period is April - September. Anticipated Entrance on Duty: April 2025.
  • Fairbanks: Anticipated employment period is May - September. Anticipated Entrance on Duty: May 2025.
  • Port Alsworth: Anticipated employment period is May - October. Anticipated Entrance on Duty: May 2025.
  • Seward: Anticipated employment period is April - September. Anticipated Entrance on Duty: April 2025.
  • Skagway: Anticipated employment period is April - September. Anticipated Entrance on Duty: April 2025.
As a GS-05 Biological Science Technician (Plants), you will work under the direct supervision of experienced staff at all times as a crew member for the vegetation monitoring program. To perform duties effectively, you will need a foundation in botanical sciences. Attention to details is important. Duties typically include:
  • Assisting with collection of vegetation and environmental data in permanent plots in a variety of settings.
  • Taking detailed data on vegetation communities and assist with data entry using multiple software platforms.
  • Measuring tree diameters and heights and using traditional forest mensuration methods.
  • Assisting with photo documentation of long-term monitoring plots using digital cameras and using transect, quadrat and other methodologies to compile field data.
  • Participating with special projects including forest disturbance, fuels inventories, wetland studies, alpine monitoring, and invasive plant management.
As a GS-06 Biological Science Technician (Plants), you will occasionally work under the direct supervision of experienced staff for the vegetation monitoring program, performing certain technical tasks independently with minimal supervision. To perform duties effectively, you will need a strong foundation in the botanical sciences and be able recognize plant species to the species level in the field including some mosses and lichens. Assist less experienced field staff as needed. Attention to detail is important. Duties typically include:
  • Making voucher collections and taking detailed data on vegetation communities and assisting with data entry using multiple software platforms.
  • Working with less experienced staff to collect tree cores from the permanent plots.
  • Independently perform photo documentation of long-term monitoring plots using digital cameras.
  • Using transect, quadrat and other methodologies to compile field data.
  • Measuring tree diameters and heights, using traditional forest mensuration methods.
  • Participating with special projects including forest disturbance, fuels inventories, wetland studies, alpine monitoring, and invasive plant management. The Anchorage duty station will focus on weeds.
As a GS-07 Biological Science Technician (Plants), you will provide leadership for the field vegetation monitoring crew while working under the direct supervision of the program leader in lab and office situations. To perform duties effectively, you will need to be an experienced field botanist, with the ability to recognize most plant species to species-level in the field including many moss and lichen species. Attention to details is important. Duties typically include:
  • Collecting vegetation and environmental data in permanent plots.
  • Preparing reports and summaries of collected field data.
  • Performing detailed data entry and extracting data using multiple software platforms.
  • Working with less experienced staff, providing guidance and leadership for field studies.
  • Training others on how to measure tree diameters, tree heights, and orients staff on traditional forest mensuration methods.
  • Assisting with special projects including forest disturbance, fuels inventories, wetland studies, alpine monitoring, and invasive plant management.
For all grades, GS-05, GS-06, and GS-07:
Performing work in demanding field conditions which include carrying a heavy backpack and field sampling equipment over steep and uneven terrain for including long periods and overnight camping in inclement weather and in areas with brown or black bears.

Requirements

Conditions of Employment

  • U.S. Citizenship required.
  • Appointment subject to background investigation and favorable adjudication.
  • Meet Selective Service Registration Act requirement for males.
  • Selectee will be required to participate in the Direct Deposit Electronics Funds Transfer Program.
  • Positions in Port Alsworth and some (not all) positions in Fairbanks are subject to drug testing based on the collateral duty requiring firearms in the back-country or other locations for non-law enforcement reasons such as protection from animals.
  • Positions in Port Alsworth are required to operate motorboats. Selectees will receive appropriate training in motorboat operations and will be subject to pre-employment and random drug testing.
  • Special requirement for Skagway: Must be able to obtain and maintain a valid U.S. Passport or Passport Card for entry into Canada which is essential to this position.
  • 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. Important: Please, do not provide a copy of your driver's license at this time. 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 may be required to wear a uniform and comply with the National Park Service uniform standards. A uniform allowance will be provided.
  • Government housing may be available in Denali Park, Port Alsworth, Seward, and Skagway. Government housing is not available in Fairbanks or Anchorage.
  • You may be required to travel overnight away from home from 5 to 25 nights per month. You must obtain a government charge card for travel purposes.
  • You may be required to work on-call, evenings, weekends, holidays, overtime and shift work.

Qualifications

All qualifications must be met by the closing date of this announcement-11/22/2024-unless otherwise stated in this vacancy announcement.

Resume - 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 number of hours worked per week, full-time, or part-time. If you indicate part-time, you MUST indicate the number of hours worked per week so that your qualifying experience can be prorated for credit.

GS-05: To qualify for this position at the GS-5 grade level, you must possess at least one of the following minimum qualifications by close of the announcement:

EXPERIENCE: At least one year of full-time specialized experience comparable in difficulty and responsibility to the next lower level (GS-04) in the Federal service performing duties such as assisting resource specialists in data collection and report preparation; identifying and/or collecting vascular and non-vascular (lichens, bryophytes) plants in the field; using a variety of software to compile, summarize and report information; and communicating the results of field studies through technical reports and/or oral presentations. (You must include the number of hours worked per week within your resume.)

-OR-

EDUCATION: Successful completion of at least four years of education above high school (120 semester hour or 180 quarter hours) leading to a bachelor's degree with a major study in a related field of scientific or technical study, such as in biology, chemistry, statistics, entomology, animal husbandry, botany, physics, agriculture, mathematics, or other directly-related subject matter; or at least 24 semester hours in any combination of courses such as those shown above. At least 6 semester hours must be directly related to Botany. (You must include a copy of your transcripts, and the number of hours worked per week within your resume.)

-OR-

Equivalent combination of education and experience.To combine education and experience, first take the number of semester hours, in excess of the first 60 semester hours earned towards your degree and divide by 60. Take the number of months of full-time experience and divide by 12. Add the two percentages. The total must equal at least 100 percent. (You must include a copy of your transcripts, and the number of hours worked per week within your resume.)

GS-06: To qualify for this position at the GS-6 grade level, you must possess the following minimum qualifications by close of the announcement:

EXPERIENCE: At least year of full-time specialized experience comparable in difficulty and responsibility to the next lower level (GS-05) in the Federal service performing duties such as planning field projects and collecting and summarizing field data; using taxonomic keys to identify vascular and non-vascular plants in the field; using compound and dissecting microscopes and taxonomic keys to identify vascular and non-vascular species in the lab; collecting and preparing herbarium-quality specimens of vascular and non-vascular plants; operating and maintaining equipment (e.g., data loggers, dendrometers) used in vegetation monitoring; using a variety of software to compile, summarize and report information; and providing information to other employees and visitors about the natural resources programs. (You must include the number of hours worked per week within your resume.)

GS-07: To qualify for this position at the GS-07 grade level, you must possess at least one of the following minimum qualifications by close of the announcement:

EXPERIENCE: At least one year of full-time specialized comparable in difficulty and responsibility to the next lower level (GS-06) in the Federal service performing duties such as planning field projects and collecting and summarizing field data; using taxonomic keys to identify vascular and non-vascular (lichens, bryophytes) in the field; using compound and dissecting microscopes and taxonomic keys to identify vascular and non-vascular species in the lab; collecting and preparing large numbers of herbarium-quality specimens of vascular and non-vascular plants; preparing draft project reports; installing, operating, and maintaining equipment (e.g., data loggers, dendrometers) used in vegetation monitoring; using a variety of software to compile, summarize and report information; and providing information to other employees and visitors about the natural resources programs. (You must include the number of hours worked per week within your resume.)

-OR-

EDUCATION: Successfully completed one full year (18 semester hours or 27 quarter hours) of graduate level course work, from an accredited college or university, leading to a master's degree with a major study directly related to the position to be filled. Graduate study must have been in a field of study that is directly related to the work of this position, i.e., scientific or technical study, such as botany, plant physiology, plant anatomy, plant taxonomy or related courses in the field of plant biology. (You must include a copy of your transcripts, and the number of hours worked per week within your resume.)

-OR-

Combination of experience and graduate level education. To combine education and experience, first take the number of semester hours or equivalent earned towards a graduate degree that are directly related to the work of the position and divide by 18 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 a copy of your transcripts, and the number of hours worked per week within your resume.)

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

For GS-5 and GS-7 only:
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.

For GS-6 only:
There is no substitution of education for experience at the GS-6 grade level for this announcement.

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.

Non-Competitive Rehire Eligibility: Temporary seasonal employees can only maintain their non-competitive rehire eligibility if they work no more than a combined total of Temporary NTE less than 1040 hours anywhere in the National Park Service (NPS) within their established service year. Accordingly, non-competitive rehire eligibility allows for re-appointment to the same position or another position appropriate for temporary appointment with the same qualification requirements (5 CFR 316.402[b][7]), based on series and grade, anywhere in the major subdivision (NPS).

If you have held a temporary seasonal appointment in the past 12 months and have already worked the maximum temporary appointment less than 1040 hours during that period, you are still welcome to apply. However, please be aware that exceeding the limit of 1039 hours in your established service year will result in the loss of your non-competitive rehire eligibility.

The limit can be exceeded by working multiple temporary seasonal positions that result in a combined total greater than 1039 hours. The limit also can be exceeded by working a single temporary seasonal appointment that exceeds 1039 hours, unless granted an exception by OPM.

Employment may be terminated at any time due to fluctuations in funding levels, project needs, employee performance, or other considerations.

Travel, transportation, and relocation expenses will not be paid. All travel, transportation, and relocation expenses associated with reporting for duty in this position will be the sole responsibility of the selected employee.

Alaska currently does not have a state income tax.

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

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.

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.

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.

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

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.
You will be evaluated on the following competencies:
  • Botany
  • Research
  • Technical Competence
  • Technology Application
  • Writing


In order to be considered for this position, you must complete all required steps in the process.

Required Documents

The following documents are required and must be submitted by 11:59 PM (EST) on 11/22/2024:

  1. Resume - 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 number of hours worked per week, full-time, or part-time. If you indicate part-time, you MUST indicate the number of hours worked per week so that your qualifying experience can be prorated for credit. If military or civilian, please include your rank and/or grade.
  2. Complete All Required Assessments.
  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.
  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 85 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

To apply for this position: You must complete the occupational questionnaire and submit the documentation specified in the Required Documents section. To receive consideration, the complete application package must be submitted by 11:59 PM (EST) on 11/22/2024. 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.

WE DO NOT ACCEPT HARD-COPY OR E-MAIL APPLICATION PACKAGES.

  1. Select Apply. If you are not logged in, you will be prompted to login or create an account.
  2. Prompted to Start the Application Process by selecting "Start Application."
  3. Select or add the resume you want to use for this application. Click here on how to build a resume in USAJOBS.
  4. Select documents you want included in this application.
  5. Review package to acknowledge your documents were reviewed.
  6. Select if you want to include your demographic information.
  7. After reading and certifying the application is true and submitted in good faith, select "Continue to Agency Site."
  8. Follow onscreen prompts and instructions to complete your application.
  9. Add the supporting documents by indexing your documents with the dropdown.
    • Upload any missing required documents or optional documents.
  10. Review and Submit Application.
  11. While logged in, you can check the status of your application by selecting "+" next to the job title for this position.
  12. You can review or revise your application at any point during the open period of the announcement.
    • To update an application, you should log into your USAJOBS account and select "+" next to the job title for this position. Select "Update Application" for this job.
    • Note: When you click Update Application, you will be prompted to re-select your documents from USAJOBS. Documents submitted with the first application will no longer be associated with the applicant record. So it is important that you select all documents you want to use in the re-application.

Agency contact information

HR Assistant
Address
Alaska Regional Office
240 W 5th Avenue
Anchorage, AK 99501
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.

A Recruitment Incentive May Be Authorized for a newly selected employee when appointed to a permanent, temporary, or term position. A Federal employee who is transferring to the National Park Service from another component, bureau or Federal agency and who does not meet the conditions under 5 CFR §575.102 is not eligible for a recruitment incentive.

A Relocation Incentive May Be Authorized for a Federal employee when the employee must move, as directed by the National Park Service (NPS) either through a management directed reassignment or selection for employment, to a different location at least 50 miles away from the one where his/her position of record held at time of selection is currently located, due to a need of the NPS. A relocation incentive is not the same as a Permanent Change of Station (PCS) move and, as such, may be granted in conjunction with one another.


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


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