Biological Science Technician, USDA
Chicago, IL (Relocation expenses will not be paid)
Opens: 3/11/19
Closes: 3/17/19
Salary: $36,896 per year to $59,412
Who May Apply:
- Must be a U.S. Citizen
- Must be 18 years old
- If you are a male born after December 31, 1959 and are at least 18 years of
age, civil service employment law (5 U.S.C. 3328) requires that you must be
registered with the Selective Service System, unless you meet certain
exemptions (proof of registration and/or exemption required). Website:
http://www.sss.gov
Required Documents:
- Resume
- Transcripts (if qualifying on education)
- DD-214 (Member 4 copy) and/or VA letter required for applicable Veteran
preference. Current active duty members must submit a certification that they are
expected to be discharged or released from active duty under honorable conditions
not later than 120 days after the date the certification is submitted.
How to Apply:
Additional materials not listed above (i.e. position descriptions, training certificates, etc.) may not be considered. Applicants who do not submit the required items listed above may not be considered. Applications with all supporting documents must be submitted to the contact office and must be RECEIVED by the CLOSING DATE of this announcement.
Interested individuals should send a resume, transcripts, and veteran documentation (if applicable) to:
Craig Pullins, District Supervisor – Northern IL
3430 Constitution Dr., Suite 121
Springfield, IL 62711
Craig.K.Pullins@aphis.usda.gov (preferred method)
(773) 686-6955
Duties:
- Incumbent is responsible for organizing, planning, conducting, and implementing direct control operations to reduce wildlife damage within a geographical area or technical/subject area of program involvement.
- Inspects and surveys areas and, as necessary, will prepare or revise existing programs. Assigned areas may be ranches, farms, and urban/rural communities within the county, geographic areas, or sites which are covered by agreements relating to the conduct of approved management methods.
- Must be highly skilled in the use of various available control devices (including firearms) in accordance with laws, policies, regulations and written/verbal instructions. Conducts integrated program of wildlife damage management activities where there is a demonstrated need consistent with the planned use of any given area and to the extent necessary to prevent or reduce economic loss to property, agriculture or to protect human health and safety.
- Modifies or adapts established damage control techniques as necessary to meet local conditions and address specific environmental, economic or political considerations.
- Incumbent works in close cooperation with Federal, State and other government agencies and organizations and assures to the extent possible that control methods are efficient, selective and based on sound biological and ecological principles.
- Awareness of the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) and ability to promote compliance for program operations and services within NEPA parameters. Prepares and submits routine and special reports as necessary for NEPA. Ability to interpret and apply all provisions of pertinent NEPA documents within area of assignment.
- Instructs employees and private individuals with the most current wildlife damage management techniques. Instructs in the maintenance, repair and safekeeping of tools, firearms, supplies and equipment. This includes the preliminary instructions and training of new personnel on the use of damage management equipment, field responsibilities and other technical aspects of the program.
- Assists in the negotiation of cooperative agreements with landowners, lessees or administrators to accomplish the goals outlined for the WS program.
- May participate in aerial operations as a crewmember or ground crew member.
- Enters data into MIS systems and uses data to prepare and submit routine and special reports regarding daily, weekly or monthly activities, observations, events and other relevant data collected.
- Recommends, through supervisor, areas for potential research or developmental study. May assist the WS research effort by participating in field tests of proposed damage control materials, devices or methods.
- Supports Wildlife Services safety program and procedures through participation in meetings, inspections, and implementation of safety requirements and protocols. Identifies safety-related opportunities and challenges to the supervisor.
- Obtains and maintains pesticide applicator licenses, permits, or other authorizations, and may be required to assist with pesticide use/certification training in cooperation with State agencies and land grant universities.
Minimum Eligibility Requirements:
To qualify, applicants MUST meet all minimum qualification requirements, except Medical Requirements, by the closing date of the announcement.
Qualifications Required:
GS-0404-05 LEVEL - SPECIALIZED EXPERIENCE IN:
• Identifying North American wildlife Species
• The principles of wildlife ecology and management
• Conducting basic computer operations for record keeping, data analysis, report writing and correspondence
Education Substitution at the GS-5 Level:
GS-5: A full four-year course of study leading to a bachelor’s degree with major study or at least 24 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 have been in wildlife.
OR
Combination of Education & Experience at the GS-05 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.
GS-0404-06 LEVEL - SPECIALIZED EXPERIENCE IN:
• Dealing with human-wildlife conflicts and principles of wildlife damage management
• The requirements of the Migratory Bird Treaty Act (MBTA), Endangered Species Act, and the National Environmental Policy Act
• Conducting wildlife counts and abundance surveys
• The use of firearms, traps, snares, pesticides, immobilizing drugs, pyrotechnics, electronic harassment devices, and other non-lethal control tools GS-0404-07 LEVEL – ALL REQUIREMENTS OF THE GS 0404-06 LEVEL AND SPECIALIZED EXPERIENCE IN:
• Selecting appropriate wildlife damage management strategies, techniques, and tools and apply them to specific situations
• Interpreting and applying policies, regulations, laws, and ordinances that affect wildlife damage management operations and working within those guidelines
• Using computers for word processing, spreadsheets, GIS and database applications
• Assessing the abundance, behavior, and habitats of North American wildlife species
Education Substitution at the GS-6/7 Level:
Graduate education that included at least 18 semester hours with an emphasis in Wildlife. Equivalent combinations of education and experience are qualifying for this grade level.
OR
Combination of Education & Experience at the GS-6/7 Grade Level:
Equivalent combinations of successful completed education and experience may be used to meet the total qualification requirements. The total percentage must equal at least 100 percent to qualify.
How You Will Be Evaluated:
Applicants who meet basic minimum qualifications may be referred to the hiring manager for selection. Qualified candidates eligible for veterans’ preference will receive referral and selection priority over non-veterans.
OTHER REQUIREMENTS: (if applicable to your position)
- Must obtain or have a valid Illinois driver’s license. Operation of Government-owned or leased vehicles is required. (if this applies)
- As a condition of employment, appropriate security clearance is required for this position.
- Position is subject to random and applicant drug testing.
- Must demonstrate a respect for safety in all operations, including the operation of motor vehicles, firearms, control devices, and equipment.
- 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).
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.
See this link: https://www.usajobs.gov//Help/working-in-government/fair-and-transparent/signature-false-statements/
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.
The United States Government does not discriminate in employment on the basis of race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy and gender identity), national origin, political affiliation, sexual orientation, marital status, disability, genetic information, age, membership in an employee organization, retaliation, parental status, military service, or other non-merit factor.
Reasonable Accomodation Policy:
Federal agencies must provide reasonable accommodation to applicants with disabilities where appropriate. Applicants requiring reasonable accommodation for any part of the application and hiring process should contact the hiring agency directly. Determinations on requests for reasonable accommodation will be made on a Case-by-Case basis.
A reasonable accommodation is any change in the workplace or the way things are customarily done that provides an equal employment opportunity to an individual with a disability. Under the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) must provide reasonable accommodations:
- An applicant with a disability needs an accommodation to have an equal opportunity to apply for a job.
- An employee with a disability needs an accommodation to perform the essential job duties or to gain access to the workplace.
- An employee with a disability needs an accommodation to receive equal access to benefits, such as details, training, and office-sponsored events.
*Relocation costs will not be paid for this position.
*More than one position may be selected from this announcement.