Biological Science Technician (Wildlife)

MINIMUM ELIGIBLITY REQUIREMENTS:

 

To qualify, applicants MUST meet all minimum qualification requirements, except Medical Requirements, by the closing date of the announcement.

 

QUALIFICATIONS REQUIRED: Applicants must meet all qualifications and eligibility requirements by the closing date of the announcement including the following specialized experience and/or education, as identified by grade level.

 

FOR THE GS-03 LEVEL: Six months of general experience that demonstrates the applicant's ability to perform the work of the position, or experience that provided a familiarity with the subject matter or processes of the broad subject area of the occupation.

 

OR

Education Substitution at the GS-3 Grade Level Successful completion of l year of study that included at least 6 semester hours in any combination of scientific or technical courses such as biology, chemistry, statistics, entomology, animal husbandry, botany, physics, agriculture, or mathematics.

 

OR

Combination of Education and Experience at the GS-3 Grade Level:

Applicants may have combinations of successfully completed education and specialized experience to meet total qualification requirements. The total percentages must equal at least 100 percent to qualify for that grade level.

 

QUALIFICATION REQUIREMENTS AT THE GS-4 GRADE LEVEL: Applicants must have 6 months of general experience and 6 months of specialized experience (equivalent to the AD-03 level) that may have been obtained in the private or public (local, county, state, Federal) sectors which demonstrates:

 

· The ability to recognize and accurately identify damage caused by various

wildlife species and selects appropriate species-selective management actions.

· Knowledge of wildlife damage management techniques and methods including, but not limited to foot-hold, body-grip and live traps and cable restraint devices and related equipment utilized in damage management operations.

· Familiar with various hand tools, 4X4 trucks, ATVs, small gasoline engine operation, hauling and backing trailers.

 

OR

 

EDUCATION SUBSTITUTION AT THE GS-4 GRADE LEVEL: Successful completion of 2 years of study above high school that included at least 12 semester hours in any combination of 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 wildlife.

 

 

OR

 

COMBINATION OF EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE AT THE GS-4 GRADE LEVEL: Applicants may have combinations of successfully completed education and specialized experience to meet total qualification requirements. The total percentages must equal at least 100 percent to qualify for that grade level.

OTHER REQUIREMENTS:

 

· Must obtain or have a valid driver’s license. Operation of Government-owned or leased vehicles is required.

· Direct Deposit: Per Public Law 104-134 all Federal employees are required to have federal payments made by direct deposit to their financial institution.

· Successfully pass the E-Verify employment verification check. To learn more about E- Verify, including your rights and responsibilities, visit https://www.e-verify.gov/.

· As a condition of employment, appropriate security clearance is required for this position.

· Position is subject to random and applicant drug testing.

· Must have a knowledge of and be capable of using:

o Working with the public and other cooperating agencies

o Communication skills

o Electronic equipment (GPS, Trimble, computer)

· Must demonstrate a respect for safety in all operations, including the operation of motor vehicles, firearms, control devices, and equipment.

· Must have the ability to use computers, GPS units, and associated software to effectively communicate through e-mail and official correspondence, record data in web based systems, and conduct basic analyses using spreadsheets and databases.

· In order to perform the essential duties of this position, you must have the legal and physical ability to possess and discharge firearms. You must be able to pass a government background check and meet any additional requirements to carry and use firearms. A background check will include answering questions about where you’ve lived, worked, went to school, and any military history or police records. Selection and retention in this position is contingent on a successfully adjudicated FBI National Criminal History Check (fingerprint check).

· Work requires physical exertion such as walking over rough, uneven or rocky surfaces, bending, crouching, stooping and stretching. Agility and dexterity are required.

· Incumbent spends a considerable amount of time outdoors. The terrain may be uneven, rocky or in vegetation. There may be exposure to extremes of weather and temperature. The incumbent is also exposed to toxic chemicals.

 

 

Emergency Response – APHIS is an emergency response agency. This means that all Agency employees may be asked or assigned to participate in rotating temporary duty assignments to support emergency programs at some time during their careers with APHIS. It is difficult to predict the frequency with which such emergency situations may occur – and could range from several emergencies in a year to none over the course of many years. In the event that you are called upon to support an emergency program, this may require irregular working hours, including overtime, and may include duties other than those specified in your official position description. While some emergency program support assignments may be able to be performed at the employee’s current duty station, in other cases employees may be asked to go on-site to a temporary duty state location. In addition, it may be necessary for employees to participate in multiple rotations to an emergency program assignment. Attempts will be made to keep disruption to the employee to a minimum.

 

Failure to follow application instructions regarding filing appropriate forms and answering questions may result in loss of employment considerations for this position. All applications must be signed, dated, and received by the closing date of this announcement.

 

NOTE: APPLICANTS FOR THIS POSITION WILL BE REQUIRED TO SUBMIT TO URINALYSIS TO SCREEN FOR ILLEGAL DRUG USE PRIOR TO APPOINTMENT. APPOINTMENT TO THE POSITION WILL BE CONTINGENT UPON A NEGATIVE DRUG TEST RESULT. INCUMBENTS OF THIS POSITION WILL BE REQUIRED TO SUBMIT TO URINALYSIS TO SCREEN FOR ILLEGAL DRUG USE ON AN ONGOING BASIS AFTER APPOINTMENT, AS DIRECTED.

 

Carrying a firearm is a condition of employment – In the passing of the Lautenberg Amendment, Congress passed legislation which prohibits anyone who has been convicted of a misdemeanor crime of domestic violence from possessing a firearm or ammunition. If selected you will be required to sign the form, “Inquiry for Positions Requiring Possession of Firearms,” certifying that you meet this criteria.

 

All candidates will be considered without regarding to race, creed, color, sex, age, national origin, political affiliation, or any other non-merit factor.

 

Relocation costs will not be paid for this position.