Announcement Number: WERC-74-06-01 Date Opened: 06/01/06 Date Closed: 06/16/06
Temporary Position: Biological Science Technician, GG-0404-05 Salary: $28,349 yearly, hourly $ 13.58 actual salary based on hours worked Type of Appt: Temporary, Not-to-Exceed 180 working days Work Schedule: Full Time Field Station: USGS, Biological Resources Division, Las Vegas Field Station Duty Station: Henderson, Nevada Approximate start date and duration of employment: June 25 - December 2006. We are hiring Biological Technicians to join our research group and work on a variety of ecological field studies. Research projects include monitoring recovery of burned desert tortoise habitat after reseeding, monitoring natural recovery and active restoration of roads removed from public use, determining the distribution and habitat requirements of the endangered endemic plant Amargosa niterwort, establishing long-term plots to understand the demography of Joshua trees in the Mojave Desert National Parks, using remote sensing to map southern Nevada vegetation, and monitoring vegetation and soil characteristics of the threatened Mojave desert tortoise. The technician positions primarily involve data collection and processing of desert plants and soils. Individuals with knowledge of plants native to the Colorado Plateau, Mojave and Great Basin Deserts and ability to efficiently and effectively use a taxonomic key are preferred. Specific duties include: establish sampling sites, assist in data collection (vegetation inventory and monitoring, soil sampling, biomass collection, species identification, preparation of herbarium specimens), data management, maintenance of field, laboratory and computer equipment, and occasional library research. The incumbent will collect and organize field data, ensuring adequate quality control of data collected. The incumbent will also assist in the application of experimental treatments in the field including competition treatments, reseeding burned habitat, and ecological restoration treatments. Generally, the work may be arduous including carrying equipment up steep slopes and setting up plots or transporting soil samples (20-50 lbs) from the collection sites to vehicles. The work involves large amounts of time outside under a variety of conditions including extreme heat and high winds. Periods of several days (7-14) will be spent camping at remote locations (approx travel/camping time June-October 85 %). The use of global positioning systems (GPS units), computers, cameras, and on- and off-road vehicles are an essential part of the job. THIS IS A TEMPORARY EXCEPTED SERVICE POSITION for which all qualified applicants, with or without Federal status may apply and be considered. Appointment to this position will not convey permanent status in the Federal service. Appointment will only be for the duration of the position, approximately 180 days. Temporary employees are covered by the Social Security Retirement system; annual and sick leave will be accrued; employees are ineligible for health and life insurance coverage. Qualifications: 9 months specialized experience in a field survey party, or 3 years sub professional experience, or 3 years college study (equivalent 90 semester/135 quarter hours) plus 3 months of lab or field work experience. Basis of Evaluation: All applicants will be evaluated on the basis of education and experience (including unpaid or volunteer experience). Applicants must meet all qualifications and eligibility requirements by the closing date of this announcement. Note: Applicants will receive a basic eligible or ineligible rating based upon the qualification requirements. First preference in referral will be given to eligible applicants entitled to 10 point veteran?s preference who have a compensable service-connected disability of 10 percent or more. All other qualified applicants entitled to veteran?s preference will be given preference over qualified applicants not entitled to veteran?s preference. All applicants must be United States citizens. Under regulations contained in the Immigration Reform and Control Act of 1986, employment in this position is limited to those persons who are authorized to work in the United States. Verification of employment eligibility will be required at the time of appointment. As a condition of employment, all new employees reporting for duty will be paid through direct deposit to a financial institution of their choice. Applicants selected for Federal employment will be required to complete a Declaration of Federal Employment, OF-306, prior to being appointed to determine their suitability for Federal employment and to authorize a background investigation. Failure to answer all questions truthfully and completely or providing false statements on the application may be grounds for not hiring the applicant, or for firing the applicant after he/she begins work. Also, he/she may be punished by fine or imprisonment (U.S. code, Title 18, section 1001). Prior to or at the time of appointment, male applicants born after December 31, 1959 will have to certify that they have registered with the Selective Service system in order to be appointed to a position with the USGS, unless legally qualified for an exception. Employees or the USGS are subject to the provisions of Title 43, U.S. code, Section 31 (a) and may not according to this legislation and related regulation: (A) have any personal or private interest, direct or indirect, in lands or mineral wealth of such lands or a region under survey and whose title is in the U.S.; (B) execute surveys or examination for private parties or corporations; or (C) have personal or private interest, direct or indirect, in any private mining or mineral enterprise doing business in the U.S. except where specifically authorized by the director of the USGS. How to Apply Carefully read all information and instructions. It is the responsibility of the applicant to insure the application is completed. The personnel office will not be responsible for soliciting additional information from applicants or from official personnel records, but will consider individuals based on their applications as submitted. Applications must be received by the closing date of the announcement to be considered. Submit one of the following forms of application: (a) resume or (b) OF-612, Optional Application for Federal employments, or (c) other written format. Also, please submit college transcript or list of college courses, specifying title of course work, completion date, semester or quarter hours earned by course title, and grade earned. If claiming 5 point veterans preference, a DD-214 showing character of discharge is required. If claiming 10 point veterans preference, a SF-15 with proof of claim is required. The USGS is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Selection for this position will be based solely on merit, fitness, and qualifications without regard to race, sex, color, religion, age, marital status, national origin, non-disqualifying handicap conditions, sexual orientation, or any other non-merit factors. APPLY TO: Peggy Hamilton, USGS/BRD, 3020 State University Dr East, Modoc Hall, Suite 3006, Sacramento, CA 95819 Fax # (916) 278-9475 *************************************************** Lesley DeFalco, Research Plant Ecologist USGS, Las Vegas Field Station 160 N. Stephanie St. Henderson, NV 89074 (702) 564-4507 Voice mail (702) 564-4600 FAX http://www.werc.usgs.gov/lasvegas/
