Biological Scientist (Environmental) Job

Vacancy No. CE-CSAPAQ-12534371-PB Department Air Force Civilian Career Training
Salary $41,966.00 to $104,217.00 Grade 7 to 9
Perm/Temp Temporary FT/PT Full-time
Open Date 10/28/2024 Close Date 10/1/2025
Job Link Apply Online Who may apply Public
Locations:
Eielson AFB, AKMaxwell AFB, ALLittle Rock AFB, ARLuke AFB, AZ


Summary

Click on "Learn more about this agency" button below for IMPORTANT additional information.

The primary purpose of this position is: Under the direct guidance of a higher grade environmental professional, to serve in a developmental capacity in biological science, performing management, execution, and operations for an assigned program element(s). This is a formal Air Force intern position, established under the PALACE Acquire (PAQ) program.

Duties

GS-07

- Uses prescribed methods to perform specific, and limited work assignments that are normally minor phases of a broader assignment of a higher-grade environmental professional.

- Performs assignments meant to familiarize incumbent with execution of typically assigned projects, in-house and by contract, and with all applicable federal, state, and local environmental laws and policies.

- Assists with the coordination of curricula and training for assigned program areas on the installation.

- Assists in providing advisory services on questions, issues, and projects in assigned program areas.

- Complies with health, safety, and environmental rules and procedures, and performs work that enhances the safety of the work environment.

GS-09

- Performs work assignments that are moderately difficult and complex including phases of a broader assignment of a higher-grade environmental professional.

- Responsible for executing moderately difficult assigned projects, in-house and by contract, to comply with all applicable federal, state, and local environmental laws and policies.

- Assists with the coordination of curricula and training for assigned program areas on the installation.

- Provides advisory services on questions, issues, and projects in assigned program areas.

- Complies with health, safety, and environmental rules and procedures, and performs work that enhances the safety of the work environment.

Requirements

Conditions of Employment

  • Please read this Public Notice in its entirety prior to submitting your application for consideration.
  • U.S. Citizenship is required.
  • Males must be registered for Selective Service, see www.sss.gov. Selective Service: Males born after 12-31-59 must be registered or exempt from Selective Service. For additional information, click here.
  • If authorized, PCS will be paid IAW JTR and AF Regulations. If receiving an authorized PCS, you may be subject to completing/signing a CONUS agreement. More information on PCS requirements, may be found at: https://afciviliancareers.com/regulatory/
  • Mobility - you may be required to relocate during or after completion of your training. Recruitment incentives may be authorized.
  • This posn is subject to provisions of the DoD Priority Placement Program. Disclosure of Political Appointments.
  • Employee may be required to work other than normal duty hours, to include evenings, weekends and/or holidays. Shift work and emergency overtime may be required.
  • Direct Deposit: All federal employees are required to have direct deposit. The salary range indicated in this announcement will be adjusted to include locality payment for selected duty location and/or series.
  • Work may occasionally require travel away from the normal duty station on military or commercial aircraft.
  • The work may require the employee to drive a motor vehicle. An appropriate driver’s license may be required for the position.
  • May be required to serve as a member of the Emergency Response Force during exercises or in the event of an actual emergency.
  • Successful completion of all training and regulatory requirements as identified in the applicable training plan. Employee must maintain current certifications. May be required to obtain job-related certifications.
  • Minimum GPA of 2.95 on a 4.0 grading scale..
  • Certain positions and/or rotations require a top-secret clearance, therefore; individuals selected for these positions will be required to obtain and maintain a top-secret clearance... (continue below)
  • ...as part of the clearance individuals may be required to undergo polygraph and/or drug testing as a condition of employment. Position may be subject to random drug testing.
  • The salary range indicated in this announcement will be adjusted to include locality payment for selected duty location and/or series.
  • Must meet suitability for Federal employment. Required to obtain and maintain the appropriate security clearance. Required to serve a one year probationary period.
  • The employee must meet the Defense Acquisition Workforce Improvement Act (DAWIA) requirements applicable to the duties of the position. Meeting these requirements is a condition of employment and necessary to perform the duties of the position.

Qualifications

In order to qualify, you must meet the specialized experience requirements described in the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) Qualification Standards for General Schedule Positions, Professional and Scientific Positions.

INDIVIDUAL OCCUPATIONAL REQUIREMENT:

A. Degree: biological sciences, agriculture, natural resource management, chemistry, or related disciplines appropriate to the position.

OR

B. Combination of education and experience: Courses equivalent to a major, as shown in A above, plus appropriate experience or additional education.

In addition to meeting the basic requirement above, to qualify for this position you must also meet the qualification requirements listed below:

GS-07 SPECIALIZED EXPERIENCE: Applicants must have at least one (1) year of specialized experience at the next lower grade GS-05, or equivalent in other pay systems.

OR

EDUCATION: 1 year of graduate-level education or superior academic achievement

GS-09 - SPECIALIZED EXPERIENCE: Applicants must have at least one (1) year of specialized experience at the next lower grade GS-07, or equivalent in other pay systems.

OR

EDUCATION: 2 years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to a master's degree or master's or equivalent graduate degree

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES (KSAs): Your qualifications will be evaluated on the basis of your level of knowledge, skills, abilities and/or competencies in the following areas:

GS-07
  • Professional knowledge of environmental concepts and principles as well as the ability to apply standard environmental professional practices, methods, and techniques to perform relatively routine projects or a portion of a larger and more complex project.
  • Knowledge of relevant software programs and data bases to gather information, prepare reports, and communicate critical information. Familiarity with related engineering disciplines, particularly structural and mechanical.
  • Ability to search technical reports, manufacturers' catalogs, and other guidelines and publications to obtain information, prepare reports, and perform routine assignments.
  • Ability to make selections and adaptations of environmental applications and alternatives and, after approval by the supervisor or higher-grade engineer, carry out the sequence of details.

GS-09
  • Professional knowledge of environmental concepts and principles as well as the ability to apply standard environmental professional practices, methods, and techniques to perform relatively difficult but well precedented assignments.
  • Knowledge of applicable federal, state, and local environmental laws, regulations, or integration principles and practices, and other guidance to make recommendations concerning assigned restoration, compliance, conservation, pollution prevention projects.
  • Ability to search technical reports, manufacturers' catalogs, and other guidelines and publications to obtain information, prepare reports, and perform moderately difficult assignments.
  • Knowledge of environmental disciplines to be aware of ramifications of their findings and actions inherent in assigned environmental projects, studies, and programs.
  • Ability to make selections and adaptations of environmental applications and alternatives and, after review by the supervisor or higher-grade engineer, carry out the assignment.

VOLUNTEER WORK EXPERIENCE: Refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service Programs (i.e., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizations (e.g., professional; philanthropic; religious; spiritual; community; student and social). Volunteer work helps build critical competencies, knowledge and skills that can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience.

Education

IF USING EDUCATION TO QUALIFY: If position has a positive degree requirement or education forms the basis for qualifications, you MUST submit transcriptswith the application. Official transcripts are not required at the time of application; however, if position has a positive degree requirement, qualifying based on education alone or in combination with experience; transcripts must be verified prior to appointment. An accrediting institution recognized by the U.S. Department of Education must accredit education. Click here to check accreditation.

FOREIGN EDUCATION: Education completed in foreign colleges or universities may be used to meet the requirements. You must show proof the education credentials have been deemed to be at least equivalent to that gained in conventional U.S. education program. It is your responsibility to provide such evidence when applying.

Additional information

Interagency Career Transition Assistance Program (ICTAP): For information on how to apply as an ICTAP eligible click here. To be well-qualified and exercise selection priority for this vacancy, displaced Federal employees must be rated in the "Highly Qualified" or "Best Qualified" Category on the rating criteria for this vacancy. You must submit a copy of the agency notice, your most recent performance rating, and your most recent SF-50 noting position, grade level, and duty location.

Employed Annuitants (Reemployed Annuitants): Applicants in receipt of an annuity based on civilian employment in the Federal Service are subject to the DoD Policy on The Employment of Annuitants. Click here for more information.

If you have questions regarding this announcement and have hearing or speech difficulties click here.

Tax Law Impact for PCS: On 22-Dec-2017, Public Law 115-97 - the "Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017" suspended qualified moving expense deductions along with the exclusion for employer reimbursements and payments of moving expenses effective 01-Jan-2018 for tax years 2018 through 2025. When you perform a Civilian Permanent Change of Station (PCS) with the government, the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) considers the majority of your entitlements to be taxable. Visit GSA Bulletin FTR 20-04 here for additional information.

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.

For DHA Positions:
These positions are being filled under Direct-Hire Authority under Extension of Direct Hire Authority for the Department of Defense for Post-Secondary Students and Recent Graduates. The Secretary of the Air Force has delegated authority by the Office of the Secretary of Defense to directly appoint qualified students and recent graduates directly into competitive service positions; positions may be professional or administrative occupations and located Air Force-Wide. Positions may be filled as permanent/term with a full-time/part-time work schedule. Pay will vary by geographic location.

*** The term "Current post-secondary student" means a person who is currently enrolled and in good academic standing at a full-time program at an institution of higher education; and is progressing toward a baccalaureate or graduate degree; and has completed at least 1 year of the program.

*** The term "recent graduate" means a person awarded a degree by an institution of higher education not more than 2 years before the date of the appointment of such person, except in the case of a person who has completed a period of obligated service in a uniform service of more than 4 years.

Your latest resume will be used to determine your qualifications.

Your application package (resume, supporting documents, and responses to the questionnaire) will be used to determine your eligibility, qualifications, and quality ranking for this position. Please follow all instructions carefully. Errors or omissions may affect your rating or consideration for employment.

Your responses to the questionnaire may be compared to the documents you submit. The documents you submit must support your responses to the online questionnaire. If your application contradicts or does not support your questionnaire responses, you will receive a rating of "not qualified" or "insufficient information" and you will not receive further consideration for this job.

Applicants who disqualify themselves will not be evaluated further.

Required Documents

The following documents are required and must be provided with your application for this Public Notice. Applicants who do not submit required documentation to determine eligibility and qualifications will be eliminated from consideration. Other documents may be required based on the eligibility/eligibilities you are claiming. Click here to view the AF Civilian Employment Eligibility Guide and the required documents you must submit to substantiate the eligibilities you are claiming.

  1. Online Application - Questionnaire
  2. Resume - For qualification determinations your resume must contain hours worked per week (if part-time) and dates of employment (i.e., month/year to month/year or month/year to present). If your resume does not contain this information, your application may be marked as insufficient and you will not receive consideration for this position. If you are a current Federal employee or previous Federal employee, provide your pay plan, series and grade, i.e. GS-0301-09. Current Federal Civilian Employees should list any relevant performance related rating (given within the last three years) and/or incentive awards in your resume. Do NOT include photographs (or links to social media such as LinkedIn), inappropriate material, inappropriate content, nor personal information such as age, gender, religion, social security number, etc., on your resume.
  3. Transcripts/Registration/License: If qualifying on education/position requires education, you must submit copies of your transcripts and if required for the position, submit an active, current registration/license.
  4. Veterans: If claiming VEOA, VRA or 30% Disabled Veteran - Submit VOW certification memo or copy of the official DD Form 214, which must include the character of service (i.e., with an honorable or general discharge). This will be annotated in block 24 on member copy 2, 4, or 7 of the DD Form 214. If claiming 30% Disabled Veteran, you must also submit a VA Letter or a disability determination from a branch of the Armed Forces. NOTE: All veterans claiming 10-point preference must also submit a SF-15 form.
ACTIVE DUTY SERVICE MEMBERS: The VOW Act requires federal agencies to treat an eligible active duty service member as a veteran, disabled veteran, and preference eligible (as applicable) when applying for civil service positions before the effective release or discharge date. Appointment of military members before the release or discharge date is permissible if the member is on terminal leave. At the time the active duty member applies for a civil position, he or she must submit a "certification" memo in lieu of a DD Form 214, Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty. Active duty members applying for a civil service position without submitting a valid certification memo or DD Form 214 with their application will render the member ineligible for the position. The certification memo must originate from the member's military service branch on official letterhead and contain the following:
  • Name/Rank/Grade of Service Member
  • Branch of Armed Forces
  • Dates of Active Service (Start and End Date(s)
  • Expected Date of Discharge/Release from Active Duty
  • Terminal leave start date (if applicable)
  • Expected character of service/discharge and type of separation (i.e. separation or retirement)
  • Must be certified within 120 days of anticipated discharge
  • Signature by, or by direction of the adjutant, personnel office, unit commander, or higher headquarters commander.
Note: The VOW Act provides tentative preference. If appointed, a DD Form 214 must be submitted upon receipt.

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

The complete Application Package must be submitted by 11:59 PM (ET) on 10/01/2025.

To preview the Application Questionnaire, please click the following link: https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/12534371

To begin the process, click the Apply Online button to create an account or log in to your existing USAJOBS account. Follow the prompts to complete the application questionnaire. Please ensure you click the Submit My Application button at the end of the process.

To apply for this position, you must provide a complete Application Package which includes:

1. Your Resume (your latest resume will be used to determine your qualifications). If you submit more than one copy of your resume, only the most recent (latest) version will be reviewed. The latest timestamp will be used to determine which version of your resume is "most recent."

  • It is your responsibility to check the status and timestamp of all documents you submit as part of your application.
  • If your resume includes a photograph or other inappropriate material or content, you will not be considered for this vacancy.
  • For qualification determinations your resume must contain hours worked per week (if part-time) and dates of employment (i.e., hours per week and month/year to month/year or month/year to present). If your resume does not contain this information, your application may be marked as insufficient and you will not receive consideration for this position.
2. A complete Application Questionnaire

3. Additional Required Documents (see Required Documents section). Ensure all submitted documents contain your full name.

PLEASE NOTE: It is the applicant's responsibility to verify that information entered and/or uploaded, (i.e., resume) is received, accurate, and submitted by the closing date. You may verify your documents have been processed with your application package successfully. You can access your USAJOBS account to do so by clicking here. Uploaded documents may take up to one hour to clear the virus scan.

Human Resources WILL NOT modify or change any answers submitted by an applicant.

Agency contact information

Total Force Service Center
Address
AF Force Renewal
550 C Street W
JBSA Randolph AFB, TX 78150
US
Learn more about this agency

Next steps

After you submit your application, you will be contacted if further evaluation or interviews are required.

Your application will remain active through the open period of this Public Notice. Once this Public Notice closes, you must reapply.


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


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