Biological Science Technician (Plants)

Company: Department Of Agriculture
Location: Boulder
Posted on: November 19, 2023

Job Description:

SummaryThis position is located within a National Forest. The primary purpose of this position is responsible for performing a variety of complex and recurring technical duties in support of the unit's plant program as it relates to native and non-native botanical species, plant habitats, and/or noxious weed control.Learn more about this agencyHelpOverview* Accepting applications* Open & closing dates10/26/2023 to 11/08/2023* Salary$22.37 - $22.37 per hour* Pay scale & gradeGS 7* HelpLocationsMany vacancies in the following locations:* Boulder, CO* Eagle, CO* Fort Collins, CO* Walden, CO* Show more locations (3)* Woodland Park, CO* Laramie, WY* Location Negotiable After Selection,* Remote jobNo* Telework eligibleNo* Travel RequiredOccasional travel - You may be expected to travel for this position.* Relocation expenses reimbursedNo* Appointment typeTemporary -* Work scheduleFull-time -* ServiceCompetitive* Promotion potentialNone* Job family (Series)0404 Biological Science Technician* Supervisory statusNo* Security clearanceOther* Drug testNo* Announcement number24-TEMP3-R2-0028-7DT-EW* Control number756886100HelpThis job is open to* The publicU.S. Citizens, Nationals or those who owe allegiance to the U.S.VideosHelpDuties* Independently, or as a crew leader, plans, participates, and conducts a variety of field studies of native and non-native botanical species and their habitats. Coordinates with resource specialist in planning work.* Develops plans to collect data for use in habitat and species condition analyses. Keeps records of all data and produces maps of survey areas. Schedules, organizes, and executes botanical projects involving native and/or non-native species.* Collects survey and inventory data to determine species identity, population characteristics, environmental conditions, and factors affecting the vigor and extent of the species and their habitat.* Resolves common administrative and safety concerns related to the projects. Improves, adapts, and develops techniques, methods, and equipment based on experience, practical knowledge, and prescribed procedures.* Determines need and recommends equipment requirements for botanical projects and assures equipment is operational and available when needed. Provides detailed reports on work methods, data collected, and project monitoring.* Compiles and summarizes the data obtained from surveys, inventories, biological evaluations, and monitoring. Uses computer systems and associated software for recording, organizing, storing, and analyzing data.* Evaluates data and makes recommendations for?improvement of habitat. Provides data to resource specialist after checking for discrepancies and inconsistencies. prepares written and graphical reports of findings in a variety of formats.* Assists with analysis, interpretation, and refinement of botanical data, and development of reports. Participates in the development of the overall plant project plans and programs for the unit.* Arranges for and lays out study sites for plant habitats and populations. Develops data required for the study by collecting and checking samples obtained by self or others and prepares data for processing.* Organizes collections, and records and verifies plant habitats and populations data. Researches background material. Maintains a variety of equipment. Assembles information for development of noxious weeds control project plans.* Prepares reports summarizing data processed, prepares charts, graphs, and cross references facts, dates, and other data to determine past management history.* Compiles and summarizes the vegetation types obtained from aerial and ground surveys including forest health monitoring, biological evaluations, and pilot tests conducted as part of the project.* Assist in the training and awareness program ensuring that employees, volunteers, partners and others can identify infestation of plants. Compiles, manages, analyzes, and interprets data collected by the incumbent and others.* Performs a variety of routine and complex technical tasks to prevent and control noxious weeds in the Forest involving a full range of integrated weed management techniques, e.g., biological, cultural, mechanical, chemical, and prevention.* Schedules, organizes, and conducts field surveys to identify, document, and map noxious weed infestations. Collects data and enters data into databases; generates reports from databases.* Prepares written and graphical reports of findings in a variety of formats; and assembles information for development of noxious weeds control project plans. Collects data and enters data into databases; generates reports from databases.* Provides noxious weed information for project analysis which may include written reports and/or summaries; makes recommendations based upon analysis of data and research on the best methods for control and eradication of noxious weeds.* Links tabular data to locational parameters using Geographical Information Systems (GIS) database technologies and Geographical Positioning Systems (GPS) location technology.* Produces accurate maps of noxious weed infestations using GIS database technology and GPS location technology. Participates in weed control activities including the physical removal of invasive weeds.* Provides work direction and guidance to seasonal employees and volunteers in the accomplishment of similar projects including safe handling of tools and operation of motorized vehicles.HelpRequirementsConditions of Employment* You must be a US Citizen or US National.* Males born after 12-31-59 must be registered for Selective Service.* Subject to satisfactory adjudication of background investigation and/or fingerprint check* Direct Deposit Per Public Law 104-134 all Federal employees are required to have federal payments made by direct deposit to a financial institution of your choosing.* Must be 18 years of age* Successfully pass the E-Verify employment verification check. To learn more about E-Verify, including your rights and responsibilities, visit e-Verify* The duties of this position may require the incumbent to obtain and maintain a State Herbicide Applicator's License. The incumbent must obtain the license within 120 days of the initial appointment to the position.QualificationsIn order to qualify, you must meet the eligibility and qualifications requirements as defined below by the closing date of the announcement. For more information on the qualifications for this position, visit the Office of Personnel Management's General Schedule Qualification Standards.Your application and resume must clearly show that you possess the experience requirements. Transcripts must be provided for qualifications based on education. Provide course descriptions as necessary.GS-07: Applicants must have one year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade level (GS-6); OR one full year (18 semester/27 quarter hours) of successfully completed graduate level coursework that is directly related to the work of the position such as biology, chemistry, statistics, entomology, animal husbandry, botany, physics, agriculture, or mathematics; OR combinations of graduate level education that is directly related to the position and specialized experience. The education must have been obtained in an accredited college or university.Examples of specialized experience include: Performing the full range of standardized technical assignments consisting of routine invasive non-native plant treatment, management, inventory, and monitoring of invasive non-native plants commonly found in the work area. OR Accurately collecting and entering weed treatment and inventory data into databases, queries data, creates maps, and generates reports. OR Assisted with scheduling, organizing, and executing botanical projects involving native and/or non-native plant species utilizing the fundamentals of integrated pest management. OR Applying herbicides using backpack sprayers or other equipment on a regular basis according to specific guidelines and performing basic mathematical calculations related to herbicide mixing and applications.Selective Placement Factors* The duties of this position may require the incumbent to obtain and maintain a State Herbicide Applicator's License. The incumbent must obtain the license within 120 days of the initial appointment to the position.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.To receive consideration for this position, you must provide updated required documents and meet all qualification requirements by the closing date of this announcement.Additional informationPLEASE NOTE: This vacancy is being used to fill positions for FY2024 Temporary Employment Hiring season. The expected start date for this position will be between April 21, 2024 to June 16, 2024.By selecting the "Location Negotiable" option during the application process, implies your willingness to be considered for any official duty location listed on this announcement and/or those duty locations not listed for this Regional announcement. Pay rates vary depending on location. The salary shown is for the Rest of the U.S. See OPM.gov for additional information on pay rates.This position is temporary, has a Not-to-Exceed date and will be filled for up to 6 months or as a not to exceed (NTE) 1 year, however an extension of the appointment may be possible without further competition. The appointment may also end early due to lack of work or lack of funds.Applicants who apply under this job opportunity announcement agree to have their application, associated documents and applicable personal information shared with other groups within the Region who have vacancies within the same occupational series, grade, full performance level and in any of the geographic location(s) listed on the announcement. Applying to this announcement does not replace the need to apply to other job opportunity announcements for which you wish to receive consideration.The duty station for this position will be at one of the duty locations listed in this announcement. Salary range as shown is the locality pay Rest of U.S. (RUS). Pay rates vary by location. Please visit the Office of Personnel Management's website for additional information on pay rates.The USDA Forest Service has legislative authority to recruit and fill Permanent (Career/Career-Conditional), Temporary, and Term Appointments under the USDA Demonstration Project. Under this authority, any U.S. citizen may apply.Career Transition Assistance Plan (CTAP) or Interagency Career Transition Assistance Plan (ICTAP): To exercise selection priority for this vacancy, CTAP/ICTAP candidates must meet the basic eligibility requirements and all selective factors. CTAP/ICTAP eligible must meet the agency's definition for a quality candidate as provided in the How You Will Be Evaluated section of this announcement to be considered.If you are retired from the Federal Government and are selected for this vacancy, your retirement annuity may be offset from your pay.This position is not eligible for telework.Availability of government housing and federal day care facilities will vary by location.Positions filled from this announcement may be a bargaining or a non-bargaining unit position represented by either NFFE, AFGE or NAGE.Read more* BenefitsHelpA 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 benefitsEligibility 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 EvaluatedYou will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.You will be evaluated in accordance with the category rating procedure as defined in the USDA Demonstration Project Plan. Applicants who meet the basic minimum qualification requirements established for the position will be placed in the Eligible category. Eligible applicants will be further evaluated against criteria for placement in the Quality category. This evaluation is based on the level of your experience, education, and/or training as determined by your responses to the Assessment Questionnaire. Applicants with veterans' preference are listed ahead of applicants who do not have veterans' preference within each category.Applicants who meet the minimum qualification requirements established for the position will be referred to the selecting official.Note: If, after reviewing your resume and/or supporting documentation, a determination is made that you have inflated your qualifications and or experience, your score may be adjusted to more accurately reflect your abilities, or you may be found ineligible. Please follow all instructions carefully. Errors or omissions may affect your rating. Providing inaccurate information on Federal documents could be grounds for non-selection or disciplinary action up to including removal from the Federal service.* BenefitsHelpA 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 benefitsEligibility 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.* Required DocumentsAs a new or existing federal employee, you and your family may have access to a range of benefits. Your benefits depend on the type of position you have - whether you're a permanent, part-time, temporary or an intermittent employee. You may be eligible for the following benefits, however, check with your agency to make sure you're eligible under their policies.The following documents are required for your applicant package to be complete. Our office cannot be responsible for incompatible software, illegible fax transmissions, delays in the mail service, your system failure, etc. Encrypted documents will not be accepted. Failure to submit required, legible documents may result in loss of consideration.Resume that includes: 1) personal information such as name, address, contact information; 2) education; 3) detailed work experience related to this position as described in the responsibilities section including work schedule, hours worked per week, dates of employment (day/month/year); title, series, grade (if applicable); 4) supervisor's phone number and whether or not the supervisor may be contacted for a reference check; 5) other qualifications.If education is required or you are using education to qualify, you must submit a copy of your college transcripts that include your name along with the name of the Institution. An unofficial copy is sufficient with the application; however, if you are selected, you will be required to submit official transcripts prior to entering on duty. Education must have been successfully obtained from an accredited school, college or university. If any education was completed at a foreign institute, you must submit with your application evidence that the institute was appropriately accredited by an accrediting body recognized by the U.S. Department of Education as equivalent to U.S. education standards. There are private organizations that specialize in this evaluation and a fee is normally associated with this service. All transcripts must be in English or include an English translation.Surplus or displaced employees eligible for CTAP or ICTAP priority must provide: proof of eligibility (RIF separation notice, notice of proposed removal for declining a transfer of function or directed reassignment to another commuting area, notice of disability annuity termination), SF-50 documenting separation (as applicable), and your most recent SF-50 noting position, grade level, and duty location with your application per 5 CFR 330.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.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 ApplyPlease view Tips for Applicants - a guide to the Forest Service application process.Read the entire announcement and all instructions before you begin. You must complete this application process and submit all required documents electronically by 11:59p.m. Eastern Time (ET) on the closing date of this announcement.Applying online is highly encouraged. We are available to assist you during business hours (8:00a.m. - 4:00p.m. (MST), Monday - Friday. If applying online poses a hardship, contact the Agency Contact listed below well before the closing date for an alternate method. All hardship application packages must be returned to Human Resources no later than noon ET on the closing date of the announcement in order for it to be entered into the system prior to the closing date.This agency provides reasonable accommodation to applicants with disabilities on a case-by-case basis. Contact the Agency Contact to request this.To begin, in USAJOBS click "Apply" and follow the instructions to attach your resume and supporting documents, complete the assessment questionnaire, and submit your application.NOTE: If a document is resubmitted, it replaces the previous submission, which means the previous document is no longer available to the Human Resources Office. If you are adding to, rather than replacing a previous submission, you must upload both the old document and the new document. You must verify that uploaded documents from USAJOBs transfer into the Agency's staffing system as there is a limitation to the number of documents that can be transferred. However, once in the Agency's staffing system, you will have the opportunity to upload additional documents. Applicants may combine all like required documents (e.g. SF-50s or veteran docs) into one or more files and scan for uploading into the application. Each file must not exceed 3MB. Grouping like documents into files will simplify the application process. Documents must be in one of the following formats: GIF, JPEG, JPG, PDF, PNG, RTF, or Word (DOC or DOCX). Uploaded documents may not require a password, digital signature, or other encryption to open.Agency contact informationHRM Contact CenterPhone1-877-372-7248 X2EmailHRM_Contact_Center@usda.govAddressUSDA Forest Service HRM Contact CenterDO NOT MAIL IN APPLICATIONS, SEE INSTRUCTIONS IN THE ANNOUNCEMENTAlbuquerque, NM 87109USLearn more about this agencyNext stepsYour application will be reviewed to verify that you meet the eligibility and qualification requirements for the position prior to issuing referral lists to the selecting official. If further evaluation or interviews are required, you will be contacted. Log in to your USAJOBS account to check your application status.You must choose to turn on email notifications in your USAJOBS profile if you want to receive important email notifications that may impact your applicant experience (e.g. If you start an application and do not submit it prior to the closing date, USAJOBS will send an email reminder that the closing date is approaching and your application is in an incomplete status).Multiple positions may be filled from this announcement.* Fair and TransparentThe Federal hiring process is set up to be fair and transparent. Please read the following guidance.* Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) Policy* Reasonable accommodation policy* Financial suitability* Selective Service* New employee probationary period* Signature and false statements* Privacy Act* Social security number requestHelpRequired DocumentsThe following documents are required for your applicant package to be complete. Our office cannot be responsible for incompatible software, illegible fax transmissions, delays in the mail service, your system failure, etc. Encrypted documents will not be accepted. Failure to submit required, legible documents may result in loss of consideration.Resume that includes: 1) personal information such as name, address, contact information; 2) education; 3) detailed work experience related to this position as described in the responsibilities section including work schedule, hours worked per week, dates of employment (day/month/year); title, series, grade (if applicable); 4) supervisor's phone number and whether or not the supervisor may be contacted for a reference check; 5) other qualifications.If education is required or you are using education to qualify, you must submit a copy of your college transcripts that include your name along with the name of the Institution. An unofficial copy is sufficient with the application; however, if you are selected, you will be required to submit official transcripts prior to entering on duty. Education must have been successfully obtained from an accredited school, college or university. If any education was completed at a foreign institute, you must submit with your application evidence that the institute was appropriately accredited by an accrediting body recognized by the U.S. Department of Education as equivalent to U.S. education standards. There are private organizations that specialize in this evaluation and a fee is normally associated with this service. All transcripts must be in English or include an English translation.Surplus or displaced employees eligible for CTAP or ICTAP priority must provide: proof of eligibility (RIF separation notice, notice of proposed removal for declining a transfer of function or directed reassignment to another commuting area, notice of disability annuity termination), SF-50 documenting separation (as applicable), and your most recent SF-50 noting position, grade level, and duty location with your application per 5 CFR 330.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.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.HelpHow to ApplyPlease view Tips for Applicants - a guide to the Forest Service application process.Read the entire announcement and all instructions before you begin. You must complete this application process and submit all required documents electronically by 11:59p.m. Eastern Time (ET) on the closing date of this announcement.Applying online is highly encouraged. We are available to assist you during business hours (8:00a.m. - 4:00p.m. (MST), Monday - Friday. If applying online poses a hardship, contact the Agency Contact listed below well before the closing date for an alternate method. All hardship application packages must be returned to Human Resources no later than noon ET on the closing date of the announcement in order for it to be entered into the system prior to the closing date.This agency provides reasonable accommodation to applicants with disabilities on a case-by-case basis. Contact the Agency Contact to request this.To begin, in USAJOBS click "Apply" and follow the instructions to attach your resume and supporting documents, complete the assessment questionnaire, and submit your application.NOTE: If a document is resubmitted, it replaces the previous submission, which means the previous document is no longer available to the Human Resources Office. If you are adding to, rather than replacing a previous submission, you must upload both the old document and the new document. You must verify that uploaded documents from USAJOBs transfer into the Agency's staffing system as there is a limitation to the number of documents that can be transferred. However, once in the Agency's staffing system, you will have the opportunity to upload additional documents. Applicants may combine all like required documents (e.g. SF-50s or veteran docs) into one or more files and scan for uploading into the application. Each file must not exceed 3MB. Grouping like documents into files will simplify the application process. Documents must be in one of the following formats: GIF, JPEG, JPG, PDF, PNG, RTF, or Word (DOC or DOCX). Uploaded documents may not require a password, digital signature, or other encryption to open.Read moreAgency contact informationHRM Contact CenterPhone1-877-372-7248 X2EmailHRM_Contact_Center@usda.govAddressUSDA Forest Service HRM Contact CenterDO NOT MAIL IN APPLICATIONS, SEE INSTRUCTIONS IN THE ANNOUNCEMENTAlbuquerque, NM 87109USLearn more about this agencyNext stepsYour application will be reviewed to verify that you meet the eligibility and qualification requirements for the position prior to issuing referral lists to the selecting official. If further evaluation or interviews are required, you will be contacted. Log in to your USAJOBS account to check your application status.You must choose to turn on email notifications in your USAJOBS profile if you want to receive important email notifications that may impact your applicant experience (e.g. If you start an application and do not submit it prior to the closing date, USAJOBS will send an email reminder that the closing date is approaching and your application is in an incomplete status).Multiple positions may be filled from this announcement.Read moreFair & TransparentThe Federal hiring process is set up to be fair and transparent. Please read the following guidance.* Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) Policy* Reasonable accommodation policy* Financial suitability* Selective Service* New employee probationary period* Signature and false statements* Privacy Act* Social security number requestPrintShare*****HelpOverview* Accepting applications* Open & closing dates10/26/2023 to 11/08/2023* Salary$22.37 - $22.37 per hour* Pay scale & gradeGS 7* LocationsMany vacancies in the following locations:* Boulder, CO* Eagle, CO* Fort Collins, CO* Walden, CO* Show more locations (3)* Woodland Park, CO* Laramie, WY* Location Negotiable After Selection,* Remote jobNo* Telework eligibleNo* Travel RequiredOccasional travel - You may be expected to travel for this position.* Relocation expenses reimbursedNo* Appointment typeTemporary -* Work scheduleFull-time -* ServiceCompetitive* Promotion potentialNone* Job family (Series)0404 Biological Science Technician* Supervisory statusNo* Security clearanceOther* Drug testNo* Announcement number24-TEMP3-R2-0028-7DT-EW* Control number756886100This job originated on www.usajobs.gov. For the full announcement and to apply, visit www.usajobs.gov/job/756886100. Only resumes submitted according to the instructions on the job announcement listed at www.usajobs.gov will be considered.

Keywords: Department Of Agriculture, Boulder , Biological Science Technician (Plants), Engineering , Boulder, Colorado