Biological Science Technician (Wildlife)

UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
ANIMAL AND PLANT HEALTH INSPRECTION SERVICE
WILDLIFE SERVICES
VACANCY ANNOUNCEMENT
OPEN DATE: 6/23/17
CLOSING DATE: 6/30/17
POSITION TITLE: Biological Science Technician (Wildlife)
TYPE OF POSITION: Term Appointment with Benefits, Excepted Service
Not to Exceed 13 months (may be extended up to 4 years)
WORK SCHEDULE: 40 hours per week, Fulltime
SERIES/GRADE: GS-0404-5/6/7
FULL PERFORMANCE
LEVEL: GS-0404-7
LOCATION: MacDill Air Force Base, Tampa, FL
(Relocation expenses will not be paid)
SALARY: $32,844.00 per year
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.
OF-306. The OF-306 form may be obtained from Contact Office or downloaded from http://www.opm.gov/forms/html/of.asp.
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, OF-306 form, transcripts, veteran documentation (if applicable) to the address listed here:
CONTACT OFFICE:
Robert Alexander
1408 24th Street SE
Ruskin, FL 33570
R.C.Alexander@aphis.usda.gov
DUTIES:
The incumbent provides technical assistance and conducts wildlife damage management activities in an integrated pest management (IPM) approach to prevent or reduce economic loss to property and agriculture or to protect human health and safety. Management techniques and/or tools include the use of pesticides, pyrotechnics, firearms, binary explosives, aversive agents, auditory devices, exclusion, and cultural methods. IPM strategies will include non-lethal and lethal techniques.
Incumbent monitors wildlife behavior and abundance on airports and surrounding properties and may collect data for formal Wildlife Hazard Assessments at the airport and surrounding environment.
Incumbent will be required to be familiar with and to use various devices, tools, firearms, toxicants, and related equipment used in wildlife damage management.
Incumbent will be expected to be able to identify damage from wildlife species as it pertains to airports, and the incumbent will be expected to assist in the implementation of appropriate corrective action, if warranted.
The incumbent complies with federal, state, and local regulations and assists airports with compliance with the Migratory Bird Treaty Act (MBTA), Endangered Species Act, Federal Air Regulations, and Department of Defense Regulations. The incumbent assists airports and other customers with obtaining migratory bird depredation permits.
Incumbent will keep accurate written records of their activities for the cooperator and Wildlife Services program using prescribed formats and procedures.
Incumbent prepares and submits routine and special reports regarding daily, weekly, or monthly activities, observations, and events.
The incumbent participates in required training sessions, on-the-job developmental activities and temporary details.
Incumbent presents program information and conducts training for various groups, including airport organizations, educational institutions, industry groups, and state extension programs.
May be required to pass Certified Applicator examination, as required of persons who use restricted-use pesticides.
Must demonstrate a respect for safety in all operations, including the operation of motor vehicles, firearms, control devices, and equipment.
The incumbent completes other duties as assigned.
Work is performed in both office and field locations. There is regular and recurring exposure to moderate risks and discomfort, such as adverse weather conditions, noisy environments and extensive vehicle travel. The incumbent is expected to conduct all duties in a safe orderly manner so as not to injure self, fellow workers, or property with which entrusted. The incumbent will be exposed to hazardous situations, including aircraft ground movements, the use of pyrotechnics and firearms, and the application of toxicants, and will require the use of personal protective equipment. Duties may routinely be conducted on narrow elevated walkways and rooftops. Operation of Government-owned or leased vehicles is required.
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 can qualify by meeting the experience or education requirements specified below:
SPECIALIZED EXPERIENCE AT THE GS-5 GRADE LEVEL:
Applicants must have one year of specialized experience (equivalent to the GS-04 level) that may have been obtained in the private or public (local, county, state, Federal) sectors which demonstrates:
• 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
SPECIALIZED EXPERIENCE AT THE GS-6 GRADE LEVEL:
Applicants must have one year of specialized experience (equivalent to the GS-05 level) that may have been obtained in the private or public (local, county, state, Federal) sectors which demonstrates:
• Dealing with human-wildlife conflicts and principles of wildlife damage management
• The requirements of the Migratory Bird Treaty Act (MBTA), Endangered Species Act, National Environmental Policy Act, and Federal Air Regulations
• Conducting wildlife counts and abundance surveys
• The use of firearms, traps, snares, pesticides, pyrotechnics, electronic harassment devices, and other non-lethal control tools
SPECIALIZED EXPERIENCE AT THE GS-7 GRADE LEVEL:
Applicants must have one year of specialized experience (equivalent to the GS-06 level) that may have been obtained in the private or public (local, county, state, Federal) sectors which demonstrates:
• Airport wildlife hazard management
• 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
OR
EDUCATION SUBSTITUTION AT THE GS-5/
Successful completion of a full 4-year course of study leading to a bachelor's degree with major study, or at least 24 semester hours, in any combination of scientific or technical courses such as biology, chemistry, statistics, entomology, animal husbandry, botany, physics, agriculture, or mathematics, with at least 6 semester hours in wildlife.
EDUCATION SUBSTITUTION AT THE GS-6/7
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 AND EXPERIENCE AT THE GS-5/6/7 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.
OTHER REQUIREMENTS:
• Must obtain or have a valid Florida driver’s license. Operation of Government-owned or leased vehicles is required.
• 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.
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.