Biological Science Technician (Aquatic Ecosystems)
The typical seasonal entry-on-duty period is May through October with some positions starting in May, the remaining in July and all ending in October. The National Park Service, Sierra Nevada Network (SIEN) is seeking field technicians for SIENs long-term lake monitoring project. Work will take place in Sequoia, Kings Canyon and Yosemite National Parks (California). The majority of work is collecting field data in remote, backcountry locations with overnight backpacking and travel required. A smaller component of the work will be in the office transferring data, organizing gear and samples, and debriefing with project leads. These positions are temporary with full-time work schedules.The emphasis of these positions is on field work in both team and individual settings. Primary duties include:
Backpacking to lake basins in high elevation park wilderness, following monitoring protocol procedures, and adhering to SIEN communication and safety policies. Lake monitoring duties include collecting and filtering water samples, measuring water quality parameters, collecting samples and surveying for algal blooms, and surveying amphibian populations. This requires an understanding of Sierra Nevada lake ecosystems. Office duties include entering field data into databases, organizing and cleaning gear, planning for sampling trips, and meeting with project leads. Topographic maps, compass, and global positioning systems will be used to aid in navigation and document sample site locations. Hiking and sampling work may occur in inclement weather. Positions may also support other aquatic and monitoring projects in the parks, as needed. Duties specific to the GS-06 crew lead position:
Serves as the field crew lead to implement SIENs long-term monitoring protocol for high-elevation lakes. Carries out water, algal, and amphibian sampling at lakes throughout Sequoia, Kings Canyon, and Yosemite per SIEN protocols. Has an understanding of aquatic resources and associated sampling methodology. Responsible for helping the crew understand and adhere to SIEN safety policies. Meets with the network physical scientist and provides feedback on the protocol's implementation. All qualifications must be met by 11:
59 EST when the 'applicant cut-off' is reached (which may be sooner than 12/20/2019). SELECTIVE FACTOR:
These positions require regular and recurring work and camping in rugged mountainous backcountry above 7000 ft elevation for extended periods of time. Selectee(s) must be able to hike by foot in the backcountry at high altitude for extended periods of time while carrying backpacks, tools and supplies of at least 50 lbs, and be able to camp for several days at a time. Such wilderness travel skills require extensive experience to develop, and given the short duration of the summer season and immediacy of need, such skills cannot be acquired on-the-job in a reasonable amount of time. Indicate experience in your resume. - AND - To qualify for this position at the GS-05 grade level, you must possess at least one of the following minimum
Qualifications:
Experience:
One year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the GS-04 grade level in the Federal service. Examples of specialized experience include but are not limited to:
conducting biological aquatic surveys on fish, amphibians, macro invertebrates and aquatic ecosystems; conducting resource monitoring programs for evaluating rare, threatened and endangered aquatic species; and assisting in measurements of physical attributes of lakes and streams including water chemistry and temperature. You must include hours per week worked. -OR- EDUCATION:
Successful completion of a 4-year course of study above high school leading to a bachelor's degree with major study or at least 24 semester hours or 36 quarter hours in any combination of scientific or technical courses such as wildlife management, ecology, zoology, biology, chemistry, statistics, entomology, animal husbandry, botany, physics, agriculture, or mathematics. This MUST include at least 6 semester hours or 9 quarter hours in wildlife management, ecology, herpetology, ichthyology, and/or fisheries courses. You must submit a copy of your transcripts. You must include transcripts. -OR- Successful completion of a COMBINATION of education and experience as described above. To compute, first determine your total qualifying experience as a percentage of the experience required; then determine your total qualifying education as a percentage of the education required. Add the two percentages. The total percentage must equal to at least 100 percent to qualify. You must include transcripts and hours per week worked. To qualify for this position at the GS-06 grade level, you must possess at least one of the following minimum
Qualifications:
Experience:
One year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the GS-05 grade level in the Federal service. Examples of specialized experience include but are not limited to:
conducting surveillance to help detect invasion and colonization of non-native fish species, and the control of those species; operating a variety of field equipment commonly used in fish studies, including fish sampling gear, trawls, nets and electrofishing equipment; conducting biological aquatic surveys on fish, amphibians, macro invertebrates and aquatic ecosystems; conducting resource monitoring programs for evaluating rare, threatened and endangered aquatic species, and assisting in measurements of physical attributes of lakes and streams including water chemistry and temperature. You must include hours per week worked. -OR- EDUCATION:
Completed one full year (18 semester hours or 27 quarter hours) of graduate level education leading towards a Master's Degree with a major study in any combination of scientific or technical courses directly related to this position such as wildlife management, ecology, herpetology, ichthyology, and/or fisheries courses. You must include transcripts. -OR- Successful completion of a COMBINATION of education and experience as described above. Experience and education should be computed as a percentage of the overall requirements and must equal 100 percent when combined. You must include transcripts and hours per week worked. 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. You must include months, years and hours per week worked to receive credit for your work and/or volunteer experience. One year of specialized experience is equivalent to 12 months at 40 hours per week. Part-time hours are prorated. You will not receive any credit for experience that does not indicate exact hours per week or is listed as varies. No additional credit is given for overtime. In describing the nature of your duties (your experience), please be clear and concise. We will not make assumptions regarding your experience. The Office of Personnel Management Qualification Standards are available for review at:
https:
//www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/classification-qualifications/general-schedule-qualification-standards/. ICTAP/CTAP Statement:
Current surplus and current or former displaced Federal individuals who have special prior ity selection rights under the Agency Career Transition Assistance Program (CTAP) or the Interagency Career Transition Assistance Program (ICTAP) must be well qualified for the position to receive consideration for special priority selection. Well qualified means that the applicant meets the following:
OPM qualification standards for the position; all selective placement factors, where applicable; special qualifying conditions that OPM has approved for the position, where applicable; is physically qualified with reasonable accommodation, where appropriate to satisfactorily perform the duties of the position upon entry; and is rated by the organization at least at the well qualified level on all competencies.
Estimated Salary: $20 to $28 per hour based on qualifications.
Backpacking to lake basins in high elevation park wilderness, following monitoring protocol procedures, and adhering to SIEN communication and safety policies. Lake monitoring duties include collecting and filtering water samples, measuring water quality parameters, collecting samples and surveying for algal blooms, and surveying amphibian populations. This requires an understanding of Sierra Nevada lake ecosystems. Office duties include entering field data into databases, organizing and cleaning gear, planning for sampling trips, and meeting with project leads. Topographic maps, compass, and global positioning systems will be used to aid in navigation and document sample site locations. Hiking and sampling work may occur in inclement weather. Positions may also support other aquatic and monitoring projects in the parks, as needed. Duties specific to the GS-06 crew lead position:
Serves as the field crew lead to implement SIENs long-term monitoring protocol for high-elevation lakes. Carries out water, algal, and amphibian sampling at lakes throughout Sequoia, Kings Canyon, and Yosemite per SIEN protocols. Has an understanding of aquatic resources and associated sampling methodology. Responsible for helping the crew understand and adhere to SIEN safety policies. Meets with the network physical scientist and provides feedback on the protocol's implementation. All qualifications must be met by 11:
59 EST when the 'applicant cut-off' is reached (which may be sooner than 12/20/2019). SELECTIVE FACTOR:
These positions require regular and recurring work and camping in rugged mountainous backcountry above 7000 ft elevation for extended periods of time. Selectee(s) must be able to hike by foot in the backcountry at high altitude for extended periods of time while carrying backpacks, tools and supplies of at least 50 lbs, and be able to camp for several days at a time. Such wilderness travel skills require extensive experience to develop, and given the short duration of the summer season and immediacy of need, such skills cannot be acquired on-the-job in a reasonable amount of time. Indicate experience in your resume. - AND - To qualify for this position at the GS-05 grade level, you must possess at least one of the following minimum
Qualifications:
Experience:
One year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the GS-04 grade level in the Federal service. Examples of specialized experience include but are not limited to:
conducting biological aquatic surveys on fish, amphibians, macro invertebrates and aquatic ecosystems; conducting resource monitoring programs for evaluating rare, threatened and endangered aquatic species; and assisting in measurements of physical attributes of lakes and streams including water chemistry and temperature. You must include hours per week worked. -OR- EDUCATION:
Successful completion of a 4-year course of study above high school leading to a bachelor's degree with major study or at least 24 semester hours or 36 quarter hours in any combination of scientific or technical courses such as wildlife management, ecology, zoology, biology, chemistry, statistics, entomology, animal husbandry, botany, physics, agriculture, or mathematics. This MUST include at least 6 semester hours or 9 quarter hours in wildlife management, ecology, herpetology, ichthyology, and/or fisheries courses. You must submit a copy of your transcripts. You must include transcripts. -OR- Successful completion of a COMBINATION of education and experience as described above. To compute, first determine your total qualifying experience as a percentage of the experience required; then determine your total qualifying education as a percentage of the education required. Add the two percentages. The total percentage must equal to at least 100 percent to qualify. You must include transcripts and hours per week worked. To qualify for this position at the GS-06 grade level, you must possess at least one of the following minimum
Qualifications:
Experience:
One year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the GS-05 grade level in the Federal service. Examples of specialized experience include but are not limited to:
conducting surveillance to help detect invasion and colonization of non-native fish species, and the control of those species; operating a variety of field equipment commonly used in fish studies, including fish sampling gear, trawls, nets and electrofishing equipment; conducting biological aquatic surveys on fish, amphibians, macro invertebrates and aquatic ecosystems; conducting resource monitoring programs for evaluating rare, threatened and endangered aquatic species, and assisting in measurements of physical attributes of lakes and streams including water chemistry and temperature. You must include hours per week worked. -OR- EDUCATION:
Completed one full year (18 semester hours or 27 quarter hours) of graduate level education leading towards a Master's Degree with a major study in any combination of scientific or technical courses directly related to this position such as wildlife management, ecology, herpetology, ichthyology, and/or fisheries courses. You must include transcripts. -OR- Successful completion of a COMBINATION of education and experience as described above. Experience and education should be computed as a percentage of the overall requirements and must equal 100 percent when combined. You must include transcripts and hours per week worked. 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. You must include months, years and hours per week worked to receive credit for your work and/or volunteer experience. One year of specialized experience is equivalent to 12 months at 40 hours per week. Part-time hours are prorated. You will not receive any credit for experience that does not indicate exact hours per week or is listed as varies. No additional credit is given for overtime. In describing the nature of your duties (your experience), please be clear and concise. We will not make assumptions regarding your experience. The Office of Personnel Management Qualification Standards are available for review at:
https:
//www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/classification-qualifications/general-schedule-qualification-standards/. ICTAP/CTAP Statement:
Current surplus and current or former displaced Federal individuals who have special prior ity selection rights under the Agency Career Transition Assistance Program (CTAP) or the Interagency Career Transition Assistance Program (ICTAP) must be well qualified for the position to receive consideration for special priority selection. Well qualified means that the applicant meets the following:
OPM qualification standards for the position; all selective placement factors, where applicable; special qualifying conditions that OPM has approved for the position, where applicable; is physically qualified with reasonable accommodation, where appropriate to satisfactorily perform the duties of the position upon entry; and is rated by the organization at least at the well qualified level on all competencies.
- Department:
0404 Biological Science Technician - Salary Range:
$16.27 to $18.13 per hour
Estimated Salary: $20 to $28 per hour based on qualifications.
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