Biologist

All qualifications must be met by the closing date of this announcement-10/04/2024-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.

BASIC EDUCATION REQUIREMENT: (All applicants must possess)

• Must have successfully completed a full four year course of study in an accredited college or university leading to a bachelor's or higher degree that included a major field of study in biological sciences, agriculture, natural resource management, chemistry, or related disciplines appropriate to this position. You must include transcripts with your application. Unofficial copies are acceptable; you will be asked to provide official if you are selected for the position.

-OR-

• Have a combination of education and experience that included course work equivalent to a major (i.e., 24 semester hours) in biological sciences, agriculture, natural resource management, chemistry, or a discipline closely related to biology; PLUS appropriate experience or additional course work. The quality of the combination demonstrates that I possess the knowledge, skills, and abilities required to perform the work of the position and is comparable to that normally acquired through the completion of a full four-year course of study with a major as described above.

Additionally, to qualify for this position at the GS-9 grade level, you must possess the following minimum qualifications by close of the announcement:

SPECIALIZED EXPERIENCE REQUIREMENT:

• At least one year of full-time specialized experience comparable in difficulty and responsibility to the next lower level (comparable to GS-07) in the Federal government. Examples of GS-07 level work may include: 1) assisting with planning, organizing, and implementing natural resource management projects; 2) gathering geospatial data (GPS, GNSS or mobile device) and conducting surveys/assessments of effects for sensitive species, wetlands, water quality, and other natural resources of concern, analyze data, and/or preparing maps and related cartographic products (GIS, ArcGIS, or other cartographic software); 3) developing and implementing site-specific prevention and control programs for plant and animal invasive, non-native, and pest species; 4) completing compliance documentation and actions associated with laws, policies, and guidelines including NEPA and NHPA; 5) developing and implementing plans to manage biological resources and adaptive management strategies; 6) leading groups and individuals in the management of biological resources.

-OR-

• Have successfully completed at least 2 years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to a master's degree or master's or equivalent graduate degree from an accredited college or university in a field directly related to biological science, agriculture, natural resource management, chemistry or related disciplines.

-OR-

• Have a combination of education and experience. For example, I have six months of specialized experience (50% of the experience requirement), and 45 semester hours or 68 quarter hours of directly-related graduate level education in an accredited educational institution (50% of the qualifying education).

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.

Current surplus and current or former displaced Federal individuals who have special priority selection rights under the Agency Career Transition Assistance Program (CTAP) or the Interagency Career Transition Assistance Program (ICTAP) must be well qualified for the position to receive consideration for special priority selection. Well qualified means that the applicant meets the following: OPM qualification standards for the position; all selective placement factors, where applicable; special qualifying conditions that OPM has approved for the position, where applicable; is physically qualified with reasonable accommodation, where appropriate to satisfactorily perform the duties of the position upon entry; and is rated by the organization at least at the well qualified level on all competencies. Federal employees seeking CTAP/ICTAP eligibility must submit proof that they meet the requirements of 5 CFR 330.605(2) for CTAP and 5 CFR 330.704 for ICTAP. This includes a copy of the agency notice, a copy of their most recent Performance Rating, and a copy of their most recent SF-50 noting current position, grade level, and duty location. Please annotate your application to reflect that you are applying as a CTAP/ICTAP eligible. If you are selected for Federal employment, you will be required to fill out a Declaration of Federal Employment, OF-306, prior to being appointed to determine your suitability for Federal employment and to authorize a background investigation. Failing to answer all questions truthfully and completely or providing false statements on your application may be grounds for not hiring you, or for firing you after you begin work. Also, you may be punished by fine or imprisonment (U.S. Code, Title 18, section 1001).