VACANCY ANNOUNCEMENT
OPEN DATE: February 13, 2019
CLOSING DATE: February 20, 2019
POSITION TITLE: Biological Science Technician (Wildlife)
TYPE OF POSITION: Term Appointment with possibility for Benefits, Excepted Service
Not to Exceed 13 months (may be extended up to 4 years)
WORK SCHEDULE: Full-Time
SERIES/GRADE: GS-0404-5/6
FULL PERFORMANCE
LEVEL: GS-0404-6
NUMBER OF
POSITIONS: 1
LOCATIONS: Punta Gorda, FL
(Relocation expenses will not be paid)
SALARY: $33,394 - $48,385 per year (RUS Pay Table)
Salary may vary depending on Locality Pay
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, veteran documentation (if applicable) to the address listed here:
CONTACT OFFICE: Robert C. Alexander
District Supervisor
1408 24th St SE
Ruskin, FL 33570
Email: R.C.Alexander@aphis.usda.gov
DUTIES:
The incumbent will perform duties relating to wildlife management and the use of control techniques aimed at controlling native and invasive wildlife damage to property, human safety, natural resources and agriculture.
The incumbent is responsible for organizing, conducting, and implementing direct control operations within a large geographical area as assigned by supervisor to control damage caused by avian or mammalian species.
The incumbent inspects and surveys areas and, as necessary, will prepare or revise existing program. Assigned areas are farms, industrial sites and urban communities within area of responsibility which are covered by agreements relating to the conduct of approved control methods.
Incumbent maintains public contacts; providing technical assistance and formulating proper species selective wildlife damage management control strategies.
Incumbent prepares and assists others in preparing and submitting routine and special reports regarding daily, weekly or monthly activities, observations, events and other relevant data.
Incumbent meets with private landowners, lessees, citizen groups or associations which seek wildlife damage management and negotiates local cooperative agreements.
Incumbent serves as an expert instructor and conducts demonstrations and training for others, including other cooperators or interested groups, on damage control methods, procedures, and program objectives. This may include preliminary instructions and training of new personnel on WS equipment, devices, chemicals, firearms, etc., reporting procedures, field responsibilities and other technical aspects of the program.
The incumbent is responsible for reporting accomplishments, problems encountered, work locations, etc. to supervisor. They are entrusted with Government-owned control equipment for which an inventory must be maintained and reported, including locations, acquisitions, returns and losses.
The incumbent must demonstrate a respect for safety in all operations, including the operation of motor vehicles, firearms, control devices, and equipment.
Incumbent participates in group meetings and discussion. Represents the WS program at public outreach events.
MINIMUM ELIGIBLITY REQUIREMENTS:
To qualify, applicants MUST meet all minimum qualification requirements, except Medical Requirements, by the closing date of the announcement.
QUALIFICATIONS REQUIRED:
For the GS-5 Grade Level:
Applicants must have one year of specialized experience (equivalent to the GS-4 level) that may have been obtained in the private or public (local, county, state, federal) sectors which demonstrate 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.
Experience in wildlife damage mitigation methods and techniques.
OR
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, entomology, animal husbandry, botany, physics, agriculture, or mathematics, with at least 6 semester hours in wildlife management.
OR
Combination of Education and Experience at the GS-5 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.
For the GS-6 Grade Level:
Applicants must have one year of specialized experience (equivalent to the GS-5 level) that may have been obtained in the private or public (local, county, state, federal) sectors which demonstrates 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 National Environment Policy Act.
Conducting wildlife damage assessments, counts and abundance surveys.
The use of firearms, traps, snares, pesticides, immobilizing drugs, pyrotechnics, electronic harassment devices, and other non-lethal control tools.
Public contacts to formulate assistance strategies that incorporate technical assistance and operational control techniques.
OR
Successfully completed 1 year of graduate education (18 semester hours) in wildlife.
OR
Combination of Education and Experience at the GS-6 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.
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 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 Accommodation 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.