Biological Science Technician (Wildlife) Job

Vacancy No. AK-1537-AKRO-25-12576558-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:
Bartlett Cove, AKDenali Park, AKFairbanks, AKJuneau, AK


Summary

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.

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.

Selectees may be moved between duty stations within park boundaries. Positions/grades may not be filled at every duty station.

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 parks and duty stations hiring for these positions are below, as is each park's anticipated seasonal period. The typical seasonal period may vary during these months due to weather conditions, project needs, or funding. Anticipated Entry on Duty: April/May 2025.

  • Denali National Park & Preserve (Denali Park): April/May - September
  • Glacier Bay National Park & Preserve (Bartlett Cove & Juneau): April/May - October
  • Katmai National Park & Preserve (King Salmon & Lake & Peninsula County. Applicants that apply to and are selected for Lake & Peninsula County will be duty stationed at Brooks Camp): May - October
  • Kenai Fjords National Park (Seward): April - September
  • Klondike Gold Rush National Historical Park (Skagway): April - September
  • Lake Clark National Park & Preserve (Port Alsworth): May - October
  • Yukon-Charley Rivers National Preserve & Gates of the Arctic National Park & Preserve (Fairbanks): May - August/September/October
Work includes, but is not limited to the following:
Assists professional staff in implementing wildlife inventory and monitoring programs for a variety of possible species including seabirds, water birds, passerine birds, amphibians, small mammals, ungulates, bears, raptors, etc. in the front country and the remote backcountry areas of Alaskan National Parks. (For bird positions, must identify all birds in the study areas by sight and sound (calls and songs)). Assists in planning, logistical arrangements, field work, data entry and result summarization. Selectee(s) will typically be stationed in the front country, but may be expected to live in primitive, remote backcountry camps in remote portions of the park for up to two weeks at a time, collecting natural resource data. Work includes field surveys to document and assess animal presence, abundance, reproduction, management issues, and population dynamics in various areas of the park using established protocols and standard equipment (including GPS).

Selectee(s) will be required to: 1) safely hike long distances through mountainous terrain (on and off trail) in adverse weather conditions with a heavy backpack; 2) work and communicate closely with team members on extended field trips; and 3) navigate to plots off trail over rugged terrain, snowfields, dense vegetation, and streams. Work may be performed in areas frequented by bears (training on how to handle bear encounters will be given). Incumbents will use computer software applications (e.g., Microsoft Access, Excel, Word, ArcGIS, Pathfinder Office, etc.) to store, retrieve, manage and analyze data, generate maps, and assist with creating reports and recommendations for natural resources projects.

Additional clarification/duties for the GS-06 and GS-07 levels:
  • Assists in analysis of data and completing reports or other documents related to the project.
  • GPS mapping, GIS data management, map production, managing and manipulating digital images and web or journal-based research.
  • Assists with other natural resource management projects, maintains and repairs field equipment, prepares for field trips, communicates resource management topics to park staff and visitors, implements bear-human interaction, including conducting/leading aversive conditioning on black or brown bears.
Additional clarification/duties for the GS-07 level:
  • Participates in planning, managing, conducting, analyzing data and writing reports on a variety of wildlife oriented biological surveys, monitoring and research activities.
  • Weather data collection, water quality data collection, and web or journal-based research and training other employees and volunteers to efficiently conduct these tasks.
At least one position at Bartlett Cove may be filled with the following additional duties:
This is primarily an office-based position to assist professional staff with data management for a humpback whale research and monitoring program in a remote backcountry setting. Keeping up with incoming data during a busy field season will require that you: 1) download, label and manage photographs and observation data daily, 2) use fluke identification photographs to identify individual whales, and 3) assist once per week on whale surveys which involve long hours out on the water in a small boat in rain, sun, cold, and wind. During weekly fieldwork you will 1) assist with documenting whale observations under standardized protocols and 2) assist with driving the research vessel after initial training.

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.

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.
  • The following duties require drug testing for certain positions as described below:
    • Carrying a firearm in the back-country, or other locations, for non-law enforcement reasons such as protection from animals for positions at King Salmon, Lake and Peninsula County (Brooks Camp), Seward, Port Alsworth, and Fairbanks. Some positions at Denali Park require this duty.
    • Operation of small watercraft less than 26 feet in length (transporting of personnel (including visitors), tools, and materials/supplies to job/work sites) for positions at King Salmon, Lake and Peninsula County (Brooks Camp), Seward, and Port Alsworth. Some positions at Bartlett Cove and Fairbanks require this duty.
    • In the positions described above, you will be required to submit a drug test and receive negative drug test results prior to appointment and are subject to random testing for illegal drug use. You must be free of any domestic violence convictions.
  • 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 may be required to complete training and operate a four-wheel drive vehicle.
  • You may 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 on-call, evenings, weekends, holidays, and overtime.
  • You may be required to travel overnight away from home up to 25 nights per month.
  • You may be required to complete training and obtain/maintain a government charge card with travel and/or purchase authority.
  • Selectees for Skagway are required to obtain and maintain a valid US Passport or US Passport Card to enter Canada.
  • Selectees for Bartlett Cove may be required to board cruise ships via a cruise ship ladder for marine mammal surveys depending on the position selected for.

Qualifications

All qualifications must be met by the closing date of this announcement-11/22/2024-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 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.

Your resume must indicate the types of wildlife (birds, mammals, fish, reptiles, and/or amphibians) that you have experience inventorying and monitoring.

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:

SPECIALIZED EXPERIENCE: One year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-04 level in the federal service (obtained in either the public or private sector) participating in wildlife inventory and monitoring activities for birds, mammals, fish, reptiles, and/or amphibians. This experience includes participating in field surveys in remote locations to document and assess animal presence, abundance, reproduction, and population dynamics using established protocols and standard scientific equipment, or similar. You must include hours worked per week in your resume.

-OR-

EDUCATION: Successfully completed at least four years of education above high school (120 semester hours, 180 quarter hours, or equivalent) leading to a bachelor's degree with major study or at least 24 semester hours (36 quarter hours), or equivalent, in any combination of courses such as biology, chemistry, statistics, entomology, animal husbandry, botany, physics, agriculture, mathematics, or other directly related subject matter. At least 6 semester hours (9 quarter hours), or equivalent, must be directly related to Wildlife Biology, Wildlife Management, or similar. You must submit transcripts and include hours worked per week in your resume.

-OR-

A COMBINATION OF EXPERIENCE AND EDUCATION as described above: To combine education and experience, first take the number of semester hours, or equivalent, earned, in excess of the first 60 semester hours (90 quarter hours), or equivalent, and divide by 60 (or 90), or the equivalent. Take the number of months of full-time experience and divide by 12 months. Add the two percentages together. The total must equal at least 100 percent to qualify. You must submit transcripts and include hours worked per week in your resume.

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

SPECIALIZED EXPERIENCE: One year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-05 level in the federal service (obtained in either the public or private sector) participating in wildlife inventory and monitoring activities for birds, mammals, fish, reptiles, and/or amphibians. This experience includes assisting in field surveys in remote locations to document and assess animal presence, abundance, reproduction, and population dynamics using established protocols and standard scientific equipment; collecting and entering wildlife data using computer software (such as Microsoft Access, Excel, Word, ArcGIS, Pathfinder Office, or comparable). You must include hours worked per week in your resume.

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:

SPECIALIZED EXPERIENCE: One year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-06 level in the federal service (obtained in either the public or private sector) conducting wildlife inventory and monitoring activities for birds, mammals, fish, reptiles, and/or amphibians. This experience includes leading field surveys in remote locations to document and assess animal presence, abundance, reproduction, and population dynamics using established protocols and standard scientific equipment; managing, summarizing, or reporting wildlife data using computer software (such as Microsoft Access, Excel, Word, ArcGIS, Pathfinder Office, or comparable) to recommend wildlife management actions. You must include hours worked per week in your resume.

-OR-

EDUCATION: Successfully completed at least one full year (18 semester hours, 27 quarter hours, or equivalent) of graduate level course work that is directly related to the work of the position from an accredited college or university. Examples of directly related studies include Wildlife Biology and Wildlife Management. You must submit transcripts and include hours worked per week in your resume.

-OR-

A COMBINATION OF EXPERIENCE AND EDUCATION as described above: 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 (27 quarter hours), or the 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 submit transcripts and include hours worked per week in your resume.

Volunteer 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.

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.

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. Salary and COLA subject to annual review and adjustment.

Government housing is available at Katmai National Park & Preserve, Kenai Fjords National Park, and Lake Clark National Park & Preserve. It may be available at Denali National Park & Preserve, Glacier Bay National Park & Preserve, Klondike Gold Rush National Historical Park. It is not available at Yukon-Charley Rivers National Preserve & Gates of the Arctic National Park & Preserve.

Please visit find a park for additional park information.

The National Park Service has determined that the duties of this position may be suitable for situational telework during an emergency or natural disaster with prior supervisory approval.

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.

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. 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:
  • Applies Technology to Tasks
  • Technical Competence
  • Technology Application
  • Wildlife Biology
  • Writing (GS-06 and GS-07 only)
  • Project Management (GS-07 only)
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, and 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.

Failure to submit any of the required documents/information will result in loss of consideration due to an incomplete application package. It is your responsibility to ensure all required documents/information has been submitted.

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 below. 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
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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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