NPS Biological Science Technician

OPENING DATE: 1/13/2017

CLOSING DATE: 1/27/2017

DEPARTMENT: National Park Service

JOB TYPE: Full-time – TERM NTE 4 Years

SALARY: $40,896-$53,169 / Per Year

POSITION OVERVIEW:

This position will serve primarily as an assistant to the Organ Pipe Cactus NM Wildlife Biologist. Work involves extensive physical activity outdoors, in the front and back-country, in rugged terrain and harsh environmental conditions of extreme heat, aridity, with occasional humidity and cold.

Major focus areas include:

· Assisting with a variety of conservation, research, and recovery actions for threatened and endangered species including the Sonoran pronghorn, lesser long-nosed bat and Quitobaquito pupfish.

· Visual surveys, radio-telemetry surveys, motion-triggered cameras, acoustic monitoring, data management, and assisting with operation of a semi-captive breeding facility.

· Assisting with the monument’s Ecological Monitoring Program. Tasks include identifying plant and animal species of the Sonoran Desert, maintaining habitat features, surveying rare plants, and sampling small animals using live traps.

· Assisting with documenting plant communities and mapping native plants.

· Assisting with the restoration of soils and vegetation.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS: The work requires regular physical exertion such as walking or climbing over wet, rough, uneven and/or rocky surfaces; bending, crouching, stooping, or reaching to observe/collect or record field data. Lift or carry heavy items, such as equipment packs weighing up to 50 pounds. Maybe required to hike several miles in a day.]

WORK ENVIRONMENT: The work environment varies from office/laboratory settings to field sites. The work performed in the field involves regular and recurring exposure to extreme weather conditions and terrain, poisonous plants, biting insects and wild animals.

AREA / HOUSING INFORMATION:

Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument is located in the Sonoran desert in Southwestern Arizona. Park headquarters is located 34 miles from Ajo, Arizona and 5 miles from the international boundary with Mexico. Organ Pipe is a winter paradise and a surprisingly lush and green environment. Daytime temperatures range from 110+ degrees in the summer to 50-60 degrees in the winter. However, the local towns and communities provide multiple amenities that allow families and individuals to easily adjust to living in the desert. In Ajo (population 3500) you will find:

– A medical clinic

– Multiple churches

– A vibrant library

-A county park with playground, swimming pool, ball parks and community center, and an active park and recs department.

-Several national-chain stores for household goods and electronics

-A K-12 school system

-Several active community organizations who sponsor events and festivals on a regular basis

The major city of Phoenix, AZ is only 1.5 hours away, and offer a greater selection of amenities. Most employees plan trips to Phoenix once or twice a month.

More information is available from the Ajo Chamber of Commerce, http://www.ajochamber.com/

Park Housing is NOT available.

QUALIFICATIONS:

QUALIFICATIONS: To be eligible for this position, you must possess the qualifying specialized experience and/or education as well as selective factors as described in the occupational/assessment questionnaire and as outlined below.

To qualify for this position at the GS-07 grade level, you must have at least 1 year of specialized experience at the GS-06 grade level in the Federal service that is directly related to the position to be filled and that has equipped me with the particular knowledge, skills, and abilities to successfully perform the duties of the GS-07. Examples of qualifying specialized experience include: establishing vegetation monitoring plots; monitoring plots and making field observations of resource conditions; documenting tree defects and health, planning tree removal and monitoring programs. Collects and organizes field data using standardized data collection procedures and equipment. OR

You must have successfully completed one year of graduate study (18 semester hours or 28 quarter hours) concentrated in a field that is directly related to the work of this position. OR

You must have a combination of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-07 level in or related to the work of the work of this position and graduate level education that provided the specific knowledge, skills and abilities to perform successfully the duties of this position. You must submit a copy of your school transcript(s) with your application/resume. Note: Transcripts do not need to be official.

All qualifications must be met by the closing date of this announcement, Friday, January 27, 2017. Qualifying experience may be obtained in the private or public sectors.

EDUCATION
To qualify based on education, you must submit a legible copy of transcripts from an accredited institution with your name, school name, credit hours, course level, major(s), and grade-point average or class ranking or other equivalent documentation. Applicants can verify accreditation HERE .

Transcripts do not need to be official but if you are selected for this position and you used your education to qualify then you will need to provide official transcripts before you enter on duty.

You can receive credit for education received outside the United States if you provide evidence that it is comparable to an accredited education institution in the United States when you apply. For further information click HERE.

Requirements
1. If new to Federal Civil Service, you will be required to serve a probationary period of 1 year.
2. National Park Service (NPS) uniformed position. Employee will be required to wear a uniform and comply with NPS uniform standards. A uniform allowance will be provided to defray the cost of the uniform.
3. Applicants must possess a valid state drivers license. This position requires that you operate a government (or private) motor vehicle as part of your official duties. A valid state drivers license is required.

To apply visit: https://www.usajobs.gov/GetJob/ViewDetails/461644500/