Biological Science Technician (Plants)
Temporary positions not-to-exceed 1039 regular hours in a service year may be terminated sooner or extended depending on management needs. The typical seasonal entry-on-duty period is April through October or early November, but can be variable during these months due to weather conditions, project needs, or funding. Anticipated Entry on Duty:
mid-April to mid-May. As a GS-05 Biological Science Technician (Plants) you will work under the direct supervision of experienced staff at all times as a crew member for the vegetation monitoring program. Your duties will include assisting with collection of vegetation and environmental data in permanent plots in a variety of settings. To perform duties effectively, you will need a strong foundation in the botanical sciences with systematic botany coursework specifically. Under the direction of field staff you will assist in making voucher collections and taking detailed data on vegetation communities and will assist with data entry using multiple software platforms. Attention to detail and the ability to work in demanding field conditions carrying a heavy backpack and other field sampling equipment over steep and uneven terrain, including long periods in inclement weather. You will assist with photo documentation of long term monitoring plots using digital cameras and use transect, quadrant and other methodologies to compile field data. You will be expected to measure tree diameter and heights and should be familiar with traditional forest mensuration methods. You may also assist with special projects including forest disturbance/fuels inventories, wetland studies, alpine monitoring and invasive plant management. Work is partially sedentary with prolonged standing, walking and bending often required. Heavy items (packs and equipment) must be lifted and carried on a routine basis, e.g., overnight backpack trips, 2 - 10 days in duration. You may be required to carry a 50 lb. pack for up to 15 miles per day and to hike in steep, trail-less terrain, often in challenging weather. Camping and hiking is often in country with high densities of brown or black bears. You may be required to complete a firearm safety certification prior to starting field work. All qualifications must be met by the closing date of this announcement-11/20/2020-unless otherwise stated in this vacancy announcement. Credit will be given for all appropriate qualifying experience. To receive credit for experience, your resume MUST clearly indicate the nature of the duties and responsibilities for each position, starting and ending dates of employment (month/year), and the resume must reflect full and/or part-time or total number of hours worked (i.e., work 40
hours a week, rather than indicating full-time). If part-time, the hours must be annotated to be able to pro-rate the amount of qualified specialized experience. To qualify for this position at the GS-05 grade level, you must possess at least one of the following minimum qualifications by close of the announcement:
Experience:
At least one full year of specialized experience comparable in scope and responsibility to the GS-4 grade level in the Federal service (obtained in either the public or private sectors). This experience includes activities such as:
assisting resource specialists in data collection and report preparation; identifying and/or collecting vascular and non-vascular (lichens, bryophytes) plants in the field; using a variety of software to compile, summarize and report information; and communicating the results of field studies through technical reports and/or oral presentations. Note:
You must include hours per week worked. -OR- EDUCATION:
Successful completion of at least a full 4-year course of study leading to a Bachelor's degree with major study or at least 24 semester hours (36 quarter hours) in botany, biology, ecology, chemistry, entomology, statistics, horticulture, mathematics, physics, agriculture, or animal husbandry. Coursework must include at least 6 semester hours in plant or botany-related subjects. Note:
You must include transcripts. -OR- Successful completion of a combination of education and experience as described above. To combine education and experience, first take the number of semester hours (or equivalent) earned towards your degree and divide by 120 semester hours (or equivalent). Then take the number of months of full time experience and divide by 36 months. Add the two percentages. The total must equal at least 100 percent in order to meet this description. Note:
You must include transcripts and you must also include hours worked per week. 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. When describing the nature of your duties (e.g., your paid or unpaid work or volunteer experience), please be extremely clear, thorough, and specific. We will not make assumptions regarding your experience.
Estimated Salary: $20 to $28 per hour based on qualifications.
mid-April to mid-May. As a GS-05 Biological Science Technician (Plants) you will work under the direct supervision of experienced staff at all times as a crew member for the vegetation monitoring program. Your duties will include assisting with collection of vegetation and environmental data in permanent plots in a variety of settings. To perform duties effectively, you will need a strong foundation in the botanical sciences with systematic botany coursework specifically. Under the direction of field staff you will assist in making voucher collections and taking detailed data on vegetation communities and will assist with data entry using multiple software platforms. Attention to detail and the ability to work in demanding field conditions carrying a heavy backpack and other field sampling equipment over steep and uneven terrain, including long periods in inclement weather. You will assist with photo documentation of long term monitoring plots using digital cameras and use transect, quadrant and other methodologies to compile field data. You will be expected to measure tree diameter and heights and should be familiar with traditional forest mensuration methods. You may also assist with special projects including forest disturbance/fuels inventories, wetland studies, alpine monitoring and invasive plant management. Work is partially sedentary with prolonged standing, walking and bending often required. Heavy items (packs and equipment) must be lifted and carried on a routine basis, e.g., overnight backpack trips, 2 - 10 days in duration. You may be required to carry a 50 lb. pack for up to 15 miles per day and to hike in steep, trail-less terrain, often in challenging weather. Camping and hiking is often in country with high densities of brown or black bears. You may be required to complete a firearm safety certification prior to starting field work. All qualifications must be met by the closing date of this announcement-11/20/2020-unless otherwise stated in this vacancy announcement. Credit will be given for all appropriate qualifying experience. To receive credit for experience, your resume MUST clearly indicate the nature of the duties and responsibilities for each position, starting and ending dates of employment (month/year), and the resume must reflect full and/or part-time or total number of hours worked (i.e., work 40
hours a week, rather than indicating full-time). If part-time, the hours must be annotated to be able to pro-rate the amount of qualified specialized experience. To qualify for this position at the GS-05 grade level, you must possess at least one of the following minimum qualifications by close of the announcement:
Experience:
At least one full year of specialized experience comparable in scope and responsibility to the GS-4 grade level in the Federal service (obtained in either the public or private sectors). This experience includes activities such as:
assisting resource specialists in data collection and report preparation; identifying and/or collecting vascular and non-vascular (lichens, bryophytes) plants in the field; using a variety of software to compile, summarize and report information; and communicating the results of field studies through technical reports and/or oral presentations. Note:
You must include hours per week worked. -OR- EDUCATION:
Successful completion of at least a full 4-year course of study leading to a Bachelor's degree with major study or at least 24 semester hours (36 quarter hours) in botany, biology, ecology, chemistry, entomology, statistics, horticulture, mathematics, physics, agriculture, or animal husbandry. Coursework must include at least 6 semester hours in plant or botany-related subjects. Note:
You must include transcripts. -OR- Successful completion of a combination of education and experience as described above. To combine education and experience, first take the number of semester hours (or equivalent) earned towards your degree and divide by 120 semester hours (or equivalent). Then take the number of months of full time experience and divide by 36 months. Add the two percentages. The total must equal at least 100 percent in order to meet this description. Note:
You must include transcripts and you must also include hours worked per week. 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. When describing the nature of your duties (e.g., your paid or unpaid work or volunteer experience), please be extremely clear, thorough, and specific. We will not make assumptions regarding your experience.
- Department:
0404 Biological Science Technician - Salary Range:
$18.71 to $18.71 per hour
Estimated Salary: $20 to $28 per hour based on qualifications.
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