What are the responsibilities and job description for the Biological Science Tech (Wildlife) position at U.S. Department of the Interior?
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Duties
Requirements
Conditions of Employment
In order to be rated as qualified for this position, we must be able to determine that you meet the qualification requirements - please be sure to include this information in your resume. No assumptions will be made about your experience.
Gs-5
One (1) year of specialized experience equivalent to at least GS-4 level. Examples of specialized experience may include banding, tagging, and releasing wildlife; inventorying rare and endangered species habitat based on guidelines;
One (1) year of specialized experience equivalent to GS-5 level. Examples of specialized experience may include surveying, mapping and documenting a variety of wildlife species and habitat conditions; compiling occurrence and distribution data, cover maps, and herbarium study mounts; assisting in performing wildlife studies and in constructing wildlife habitat improvement structures; and compiling data obtained through survey/study and assembling the data into a logical sequence for review;
One (1) year of specialized work experience equivalent to GS-6 level. Examples of specialized experience may include researching, compiling and tabulating a full range of wildlife inventory data; leading or conducting field inventories of wildlife species to develop scientific information; and collecting ecological site information for sensitive, threatened or endangered wildlife;
You must meet all qualification requirements by the closing date of the announcement.
Physical Demands/Work Environments: Work requires some physical exertion such as bending and walking/hiking in terrain that is rough, rocky, mountainous and densely vegetated that may also be steep, wet and muddy. Required to lift and carry equipment necessary to perform the work of the position, this includes tools, personal protective equipment, food and water for extended periods away from a vehicle. Work while in the office is performed in adequately lighted, ventilated, cooled and heated area. Fieldwork is subject to cuts and bruises, extreme and adverse weather conditions and injuries and discomforts from pests and animals.
Education
If qualifying based on education, you will need to clearly state your undergraduate/graduate degree(s) and you must submit copies of all transcripts or a list of college courses that include hours and grades from an accredited U.S. college/university. If your degree is from a Foreign Institution See Foreign Education.
Graduate education or an internship meets the specialized experience required above GS-5 only in those instances where it is directly related to the work of the position. One full year of graduate education meets the requirements for GS-6 and 7.
Additional information
DOI uses E-Verify to confirm employment eligibility of all newly hired employees. To learn more about E-Verify, including your rights and responsibilities, please visit E-Verify.
Career Transition Assistance Plan (CTAP)/lnteragency Career Transition Assistance Program (ICTAP): These programs apply to employees who have been involuntarily separated from a Federal service position within the competitive service or Federal service employees whose positions have been deemed surplus or no longer needed. To receive selection priority, you must: 1) meet CTAP or ICTAP eligibility criteria; 2) be rated well qualified for the position with a score of 90 or above; and 3) submit the appropriate documentation to support your CTAP or ICTAP eligibility. For more information: CTAP or ICTAP
Males born after 12/31/59 must be registered for Selective Service
Travel and relocation expenses will not be paid by the Department of the Interior. Any travel, transportation and relocation expenses associated with reporting for duty in this position will be the responsibility of the selected employee.
This position is not eligible for Telework.
Government facilities are required to provide a smoke free environment for their employees.
This position may require you to wear an officially-approved uniform while in a duty status.
At some duty locations this position may require you to have a current valid driver's license.
At some duty locations you may need the ability to lift and move objects weighing over 50 pounds.
All positions may not be filled or they may be filled at different times depending on budget, hiring needs, and requirements. These positions are temporary and are expected to last for up to 6 months. These positions have no promotion potential, if you want to be considered for a higher grade you must apply for the higher grade.
If selected from this announcement you may be rehired for identical positions without further competition based on work needs, funding, or any other condition of employment.
If selected from this or a similar competitive, seasonal announcement, your appointment may be creditable for consideration under PL-114-47, Land Management Workforce Flexibility Act (LMWFA). The Act allows certain individuals, who have or had time-limited appointments at land management agencies, to compete for any permanent position in the competitive service under "internal" merit promotion procedures. For more information, see the section under Eligibility, which starts with Question #15 (Q15. Who is eligible for appointment under these provisions?).
For additional information about the BLM, please visit Our website.
Read more
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 your application materials reflect the qualification requirements of this position.
Once the application process is complete, we will review your application to ensure you meet the job requirements. To determine if you are qualified for this job, a review of your resume, supporting documentation and responses to the online questionnaire will be made. Your responses to the online questionnaire will be used to measure the degree to which your background matches the requirements for this position. Qualified applicants will be placed in one of three predefined categories: Best Qualified, Well Qualified and Qualified. However, your resume must support your responses to the scored occupational questionnaire, or your score may be lowered. Within these categories, applicants eligible for veteran's preference will receive selection priority over non-veterans. Candidates placed in the Best Qualified category will be identified for referral to the hiring manager and may be contacted for an interview.
Your answers to the online questionnaire will be used to evaluate your competencies in the following areas:
Duties
- Biological Science Technicians (Wildlife) perform any or all of the following or similar duties: research, compile and tabulate wildlife inventory data i.e., population counts, reproductive performance, food habits, prey densities.
- May conduct monitoring of known sites to ascertain site occupation and reproductive success; conduct habitat/vegetation monitoring; conduct inventories for specific species in potential habitat areas.
- Document locations using maps and GIS/GPS technology, enter data into databases and study files; interpret aerial photos, landsat imagery and topographic maps to determine land use and vegetation distribution and to plot nest/herd breeding sites.
- Biological Science Technicians (Wildlife) actively monitor the wildlife species in specific locations to clear timber sales and provide baseline to assess management actions.
- In some Oregon locations there are special conditions: In these locations your primary duty will be to inventory and monitor marbled murrelets and spotted owls.
- As well as habitat distribution, conduct field surveys on proposed actions (timber sales, road construction proposals, land exchanges, etc.) for federally listed and sensitive wildlife species.
Requirements
Conditions of Employment
- U.S. Citizenship is required.
- Be sure to read the 'How to Apply' and 'Required Documents' Sections.
- You cannot hold an active real estate license: nor can you have an interest or hold stocks in firms with interest in Federal Lands.
- Direct Deposit Required.
- Appointment will be subject to a favorably adjudicated background/suitability investigation/determination.
- Your resume must contain enough information to show that you meet the qualification requirements as defined in the announcement. In addition, your responses to the questions must adequately reflect in your resume.
- Some locations may require that you possess (or obtain within 30 days of entrance on duty) and maintain a valid state driver's license while employed in this position.
In order to be rated as qualified for this position, we must be able to determine that you meet the qualification requirements - please be sure to include this information in your resume. No assumptions will be made about your experience.
Gs-5
One (1) year of specialized experience equivalent to at least GS-4 level. Examples of specialized experience may include banding, tagging, and releasing wildlife; inventorying rare and endangered species habitat based on guidelines;
- OR- Successful completion of a full 4 year course of study leading to a bachelor's degree that included at least 24 semester hours in any combination of scientific or technical courses such as biology, chemistry, statistics, entomology, animal husbandry, botany, physics, agriculture or mathematics. At least 6 semester hours of courses must be directly related to this position;
- OR- A combination of experience and education to meet total experience
One (1) year of specialized experience equivalent to GS-5 level. Examples of specialized experience may include surveying, mapping and documenting a variety of wildlife species and habitat conditions; compiling occurrence and distribution data, cover maps, and herbarium study mounts; assisting in performing wildlife studies and in constructing wildlife habitat improvement structures; and compiling data obtained through survey/study and assembling the data into a logical sequence for review;
- OR- Successful completion of one full year of graduate education directly related to the work of the position;
- OR- A combination of experience and education to meet total experience.
One (1) year of specialized work experience equivalent to GS-6 level. Examples of specialized experience may include researching, compiling and tabulating a full range of wildlife inventory data; leading or conducting field inventories of wildlife species to develop scientific information; and collecting ecological site information for sensitive, threatened or endangered wildlife;
- OR- Successful completion of one full year of graduate education directly related to the work of the position;
- OR- A combination of experience and education to meet total experience.
You must meet all qualification requirements by the closing date of the announcement.
Physical Demands/Work Environments: Work requires some physical exertion such as bending and walking/hiking in terrain that is rough, rocky, mountainous and densely vegetated that may also be steep, wet and muddy. Required to lift and carry equipment necessary to perform the work of the position, this includes tools, personal protective equipment, food and water for extended periods away from a vehicle. Work while in the office is performed in adequately lighted, ventilated, cooled and heated area. Fieldwork is subject to cuts and bruises, extreme and adverse weather conditions and injuries and discomforts from pests and animals.
Education
If qualifying based on education, you will need to clearly state your undergraduate/graduate degree(s) and you must submit copies of all transcripts or a list of college courses that include hours and grades from an accredited U.S. college/university. If your degree is from a Foreign Institution See Foreign Education.
Graduate education or an internship meets the specialized experience required above GS-5 only in those instances where it is directly related to the work of the position. One full year of graduate education meets the requirements for GS-6 and 7.
Additional information
DOI uses E-Verify to confirm employment eligibility of all newly hired employees. To learn more about E-Verify, including your rights and responsibilities, please visit E-Verify.
Career Transition Assistance Plan (CTAP)/lnteragency Career Transition Assistance Program (ICTAP): These programs apply to employees who have been involuntarily separated from a Federal service position within the competitive service or Federal service employees whose positions have been deemed surplus or no longer needed. To receive selection priority, you must: 1) meet CTAP or ICTAP eligibility criteria; 2) be rated well qualified for the position with a score of 90 or above; and 3) submit the appropriate documentation to support your CTAP or ICTAP eligibility. For more information: CTAP or ICTAP
Males born after 12/31/59 must be registered for Selective Service
Travel and relocation expenses will not be paid by the Department of the Interior. Any travel, transportation and relocation expenses associated with reporting for duty in this position will be the responsibility of the selected employee.
This position is not eligible for Telework.
Government facilities are required to provide a smoke free environment for their employees.
This position may require you to wear an officially-approved uniform while in a duty status.
At some duty locations this position may require you to have a current valid driver's license.
At some duty locations you may need the ability to lift and move objects weighing over 50 pounds.
All positions may not be filled or they may be filled at different times depending on budget, hiring needs, and requirements. These positions are temporary and are expected to last for up to 6 months. These positions have no promotion potential, if you want to be considered for a higher grade you must apply for the higher grade.
If selected from this announcement you may be rehired for identical positions without further competition based on work needs, funding, or any other condition of employment.
If selected from this or a similar competitive, seasonal announcement, your appointment may be creditable for consideration under PL-114-47, Land Management Workforce Flexibility Act (LMWFA). The Act allows certain individuals, who have or had time-limited appointments at land management agencies, to compete for any permanent position in the competitive service under "internal" merit promotion procedures. For more information, see the section under Eligibility, which starts with Question #15 (Q15. Who is eligible for appointment under these provisions?).
For additional information about the BLM, please visit Our website.
Read more
- Help Help 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.
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 your application materials reflect the qualification requirements of this position.
Once the application process is complete, we will review your application to ensure you meet the job requirements. To determine if you are qualified for this job, a review of your resume, supporting documentation and responses to the online questionnaire will be made. Your responses to the online questionnaire will be used to measure the degree to which your background matches the requirements for this position. Qualified applicants will be placed in one of three predefined categories: Best Qualified, Well Qualified and Qualified. However, your resume must support your responses to the scored occupational questionnaire, or your score may be lowered. Within these categories, applicants eligible for veteran's preference will receive selection priority over non-veterans. Candidates placed in the Best Qualified category will be identified for referral to the hiring manager and may be contacted for an interview.
Your answers to the online questionnaire will be used to evaluate your competencies in the following areas:
- Applies Technology to Tasks
- Field Data Collection
- Interpersonal Skills
- Project Management
- Technical Competence
