UNITED STATES ~ DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR ~ GEOLOGICAL SURVEY TEMPORARY RECRUITMENT BULLETIN VACANCY NO: CRS 17-06 POSITION: Biological Science Aid SALARY: GG-0404-03: $12.53 OPEN PERIOD: 2/17/2016 - 2/22/2016 17:00 MST TYPE OF APPT: Temporary, Not-to-exceed 1039 paid hours. TOUR OF DUTY: Full-Time, with possible periods of part-time and intermittent work LOCATION: Few vacancies, Southwest Biological Science Center, Canyonlands Research Station, Moab, Utah AREA OF CONSIDERATION: All U.S. Citizens
THESE ARE TEMPORARY EXCEPTED SERVICES POSITIONS for which all qualified applicants, with or without Federal status, may apply and be considered. Appointment to these positions, however, will not convey permanent status in the Federal service. Appointment will only be for the duration of the position, in this case 1039 hours or less. Positions may offer rehire eligibility for subsequent appointments, provided the employee has not exceeded 1039 hours of work in a 12-month period and has achieved an acceptable level of performance. Temporary employees are covered by the Social Security Retirement System and annual and sick leave will be accrued; and employees are eligible for health insurance coverage. The U.S. Geological Survey has determined that the duties of this position are not suitable for telework. The USGS is recruiting for a biological technician to assist with field work, lab work, and data entry on a range of dryland ecological investigations. The position will be located in the USGS offices in Moab, UT. Moab is a small town offering a variety of outdoor adventures, and more information about Moab can be found at www.discovermoab.com. Description of Duties: Incumbent will perform laboratory and field work. This position is in the Canyonlands Research Station, Moab, Utah. Work is performed over a wide geographic area requiring overnight trips (15- 20 nights during the busiest seasons usually in April/May and Sep/Oct) and possibility of work in remote areas. Incumbent participates in a research program focusing on the ecology and physiology of plants and biological soil crusts, the effects of experimental drought on desert ecosystems, soil science, plant-soil interactions, invasive plants, and other pressing issues in desert ecosystems. Course work in botany, plant physiology, range science, and soil science is optimal. Incumbent will perform routine laboratory and field work. Duties include long days of collecting field data under extreme conditions, processing vegetation and soil samples for chemical and physical analysis, use of complicated scientific instrumentation, and use of excel and/or access for data entry and summary. KNOWLEDGE REQUIRED BY THE POSITION: Conducts field sampling of vegetation and soils of the Colorado Plateau with accuracy and precision specialized techniques at pre-selected study sites under supervision of field crew leader. Prepares samples and performs laboratory analysis of plant and soil samples to determine specific chemical, physical, and/or biological characteristics under supervision of a project lead. Enters data on a Windows-based computer using spreadsheets. Knowledge of processes, methods & procedures of biological science; knowledge of routine field data collection procedures; skill in operation, maintenance, and servicing of biological recording and measuring instruments; knowledge of procedures utilized in a biological lab. PHYSICAL DEMANDS: Work is physically demanding and may involve moderate or sometimes extreme exposure to discomforts of rain, cold/hot weather, etc. A pre- employment physical is required. QUALIFICATIONS: To qualify for a GG-3 you need three (3) months of field party experience OR one (1) year of sub-professional experience OR six (6) months of college with courses related to the field of employment. Six months of college is equivalent to 15 semester hours in any combination of courses such as biological, physical science, engineering, or math. Sub-professional experience consists of working as a technician or aid in a laboratory or similar environment. Field Survey Party — Experience with a field survey party includes activity associated with making and recording geologic, hydrologic, biologic, or topographic field observations; collecting geologic, biological, or water samples for laboratory analysis; applying accepted data collection techniques and methods in the performance of field work in support of scientific investigations; and using a variety of surveying instruments and electronic or mechanical instrumentation in the making and recording of field measurements and observations designed to collect data for physical/ biological science investigations. Only time actually spent in the field can be credited when qualifying individuals under the field party experience option. Sub-professional Experience — Sub-professional experience is defined as technical work performed in support of field or laboratory investigations relating to the biological sciences, physical sciences, or closely related disciplines which provided basic knowledge or skills in gathering, recording, and assembling scientific or engineering data; using scientific instruments to measure angles, degrees, weights, strengths, intensities, etc.; setting up and operating test apparatus, and manipulating quantitative data. Experience may include assisting professional employees with such duties as calibrating and operating measuring instruments mixing solutions, making chemical analyses, setting up and operating test apparatus, and compiling and processing scientific data. Experience as a laboratory mechanic or in a trade or craft may be credited as experience when the work was performed in close association with physical or biological scientists or other technical personnel and provided a good working knowledge of appropriate scientific principles, methods, and techniques. Professional Experience — Professional work experience in the physical and biological sciences may be credited in lieu of or in conjunction with sub-professional experience as defined above. EDUCATION If you are qualifying based in whole or part on education, you are required to provide all unofficial transcripts (undergraduate, graduate, etc) or list of course work, which includes semester hours earned and grade received, by the closing date of this announcement or you will be disqualified from further consideration. This proof may be faxed, emailed or hand delivered to the point of contact listed in the "How to Apply" section of this announcement. Please ensure that all documentation is legible. If you are currently employed by the Federal government in the same occupational series as the advertised position, you are not required to submit transcripts at this time. Education completed in colleges or universities outside the United States may be used to meet the above requirements. You must provide acceptable documentation that the foreign education is comparable to that received in an accredited educational institution in the United States. For more information on how foreign education is evaluated, visit: http://www. usgs.gov/ohr/oars/quals/foreign.html BASIS OF EVALUATION: Applicants will not be rated or ranked. All applicants that meet the basic eligibility and qualification requirements of the position will be referred to the selecting official in preference eligible order. Applicants must meet all qualifications and eligibility requirements by the closing date of this announcement. REQUIREMENTS A background investigation will be required for this position. Continued employment will be subject to the applicant's successful completion of a background security investigation and favorable adjudication. Failure to successfully meet these requirements will be grounds for termination. A pre-employment physical is required. Applicants for this position must meet the following requirements: (I) possession of a valid State driver's license, and (2) possess a safe driving record. If selected, you will be required to provide a proof of a valid State License and a copy of your driving record. Familiarity with 4WD vehicles is desirable. BENEFITS Temporary appointees expected to work at least 130 hours per month for at least 90 days will be eligible to enroll in a Federal Employee Health Benefits (FEHB) plan. Individuals eligible under this rule receive the full government contribution to their premiums regardless of work schedule and will also be eligible to participate in the Flexible Spending Accounts and Federal Long Term Care Insurance Program. Temporary appointees are not covered by the Federal Employee Retirement System and are ineligible for Federal life, dental, or vision insurance. Please visit http://www.usgs.gov/humancapital/pb/index.htrnl for more information. HOW TO APPLY: Carefully read all information and instructions. It is the responsibility of the applicant to ensure 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. If you are e-mailing applications, supporting materials such as transcripts not available electronically, can be faxed separately or mailed under separate cover but must arrive by 5:00p.m. of the day following the closing date of the announcement (not including Saturdays, Sundays, or government holidays), and must include the announcement number of the job for which you are applying. * Personally Identifiable Information (PII) is defined as information which can be used to distinguish or trace an individual's identity, such as their name, social security number, biometric records, etc. alone, or when combined with other personal or identifying information which is linked or linkable to a specific individual, such as date and place of birth, mother's maiden name, etc. Please ensure that yon have removed all Personally Identifiable Information from all documents prior to submitting or uploading your application material. REQUIRED DOCUMENTS If you are claiming veterans' preference you must submit a copy of your DD-214, Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty, by the closing date of this announcement. If you are currently on active military duty, you must provide documentation (e.g., campaign document, award citation, etc.), that verifies entitlement to veterans preference and that your character of military service is honorable. If you are claiming 10-point veterans' preference, in addition to the DD-214, you must submit documentation that supports your claim (e.g., an official statement from the Department of Veterans Affairs or from a branch of the Armed Forces certifying the existence of a service-connected disability; or receipt of a Purple Heart). If you fail to submit any of the required documentation, you will not be granted veterans preference. Additional information on veterans' preference can be found in the Vet Guide: http://www.fedshirevets.gov/hire/hrp/vetguide/indes.aspx APPLY TO: crs_j...@usgs.gov Canyonlands Research Station U.S. Geological Survey Moab, UT 84532 Tele: 435.719.2347 Fax: 435.719.2350 The following must be included in your application form: JOB INFORMATION: • Announcement number, title, and grade(s) of the job for which you are applying. PERSONAL INFORMATION: • Full name, mailing address (with zip code), email, day and evening phone numbers (with area code) • Country of Citizenship • Veterans preference (with supporting documentation, DD-214) • Highest Federal civilian grade held (also give job series and dates held) EDUCATION: • High school (name, address, including zip code if known) • Colleges and universities (address including zip code if known) Majors, Type and year of any degrees received (if no degree, show total credits earned and indicate whether semester or quarter hours) • Send a copy of your college transcripts or list of college courses completed. Specify title of course, semester or quarter hours earned for each course, date completed, grade earned. WORK EXPERIENCE: Give the following information on your paid and non-paid work experience related to the job for which you are applying (do not send job descriptions) • Job Title (include series and grade if Federal job) • Duties and Accomplishments • Employers name and address • Supervisors name and phone number • Starting and ending dates with Month and Year (Example: Feb 2001 thru Jan 2002) • Hours worked per week (e.g., 40 hr/wk, 20 hr/wk, etc.) • Salary • Indicate if we may contact your current supervisor OTHER QUALIFICATIONS: • Job-related training courses (title, length, date taken) • Job-related skills (other languages, computer software/hardware, tools, machinery, typing speed, first aid, etc) • Job related certificates and licenses (current only) • Job-related honors, awards, and special accomplishments (IE, publications, memberships in professional or honor societies, leadership activities, public speaking, and performance awards). Give details but do not send documents unless requested. APPLICATIONS, WITH SUPPORTING DOCUMENTATION, MUST BE RECEIVED BY THE CLOSING DATE AND TIME SHOWN ON THIS ANNOUNCEMENT TO BE CONSIDERED. OTHER INFORMATION Relocation expenses will not be paid. Applicants who include vulgar, offensive, or inappropriate language or information in their application package will be ineligible for further consideration for this position. Under Executive Order 11935, only United States citizens and nationals (residents of American Samoa and Swains Island) may compete for civil service jobs. Agencies are permitted to hire non-citizens only in very limited circumstances where there are no qualified citizens available for the position. USGS employees are subject to Title 43, USC Section 31 (a) have any persona, private, direct or indirect interest in lands or mineral wealth of lands under survey; (b) have any substantial personal, private, direct or indirect interests in any private mining or mineral enterprise doing business with the United States; or (c) execute surveys or examinations for private parties or corporations. The application contains information subject to the Privacy Act (P.L. 93-579, 5 USC 552a). The information is used to determine qualifications for employment, and is authorized under Title 5, USC, Section 3302 and 3361. THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER.
