NPS Biological Science Technician | North Rim, AZ

NPS Biological Science Technician (Fire Effects Monitor)

OPENING DATE: 12/16/2016

CLOSING DATE: 1/6/2016

DEPARTMENT: National Park Service

JOB TYPE: Full-time

SALARY: $13.84 / Per Hour

POSITION OVERVIEW:

Establish monitoring plots in a variety of vegetation/fuel types according to established guidelines. Make site-specific decisions relating to plot location and vegetation composition.

Independently identify grasses, forbs, shrubs and trees to species. Prepare herbarium specimens correctly, recording microhabitat and plant association data. Catalog, label and store plant materials collected during the season. Accurately read topographic maps and locate predetermined points with GPS anywhere in the park. Prepare field maps and photographs of natural features from the ground.

Enter natural resource field data into personal computers and handheld electronic devices using customized software. Perform error checking and data entry quality control.

Operate four-wheel drive vehicles, often on rough and unmaintained roadways.

Monitor and report live and dead fuel loadings,fuel moistures, fire weather and fire behavior. Select representative locations to observe and record fire behavior and weather at specific intervals. Draft fire maps and report fire progress, smoke dispersal and fire potential.

Serve as a Fire Effects Monitor (FEMO) and participate as a crew member on wildland and prescribed fires locally and outside of the park. Must be able to work in actual fire situations. Actual time spent on fire duties will be no more than 50% and may be much less. Work involves walking, running, frequent bending, climbing and backpacking with a load over rough terrain, sometimes for extended periods or under poor weather conditions.

Operation of some specialized fire equipment can place extended physical stress on incumbent during fire activities.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS: Work is arduous and hazardous, involving emergency fire suppression field work which requires physical performance calling for above average endurance and superior conditioning. The work requires strenuous physical exertion, including carrying heavy objects,running, walking, climbing, jumping, twisting, bending, stooping, hacking through underbrush, lifting more than 50 pounds and using heavy tools for long periods of time. These duties may include occasional demand for extraordinarily strenuous activities in emergencies under adverse environmental conditions and over extended periods of time. The pace of the work is often dictated by the emergency situation.

WORK ENVIRONMENT: Most work is performed outdoors in a forest or rangeland setting where terrain ranges from flat and swampy to steep and rocky. Terrain is often covered with thick, tangled vegetation, or a variety of trees and grasses. Temperature extremes, smoke, and dust are frequently severe. The hazardous nature of the work requires the use of protective gear and clothing (boots, hard hat, nomex clothing, gloves, etc). The work is typically performed in isolated locations which are often away from roads and water sources; camping is necessary for extended periods. Fire suppression involves risk of serious injury or death.

AREA INFORMATION/HOUSING INFORMATION: This position is located at the North Rim of Grand Canyon National Park, which receives, approximately, 400,000visitors between May 15 and October 15. The North Rim Unit of Grand Canyon National Park is 215 miles from Grand Canyon Village (4 hours by car).Elevation is 8000 feet, with temperatures ranging from -5 degrees in the winter to the mid-80’s in the summer. During summer months, concession facilities are available, such as a restaurant, a small market, cabins and gas station. No schools are available near the North Rim. The nearest established community with a full range of services is Kanab, Utah 80 miles to the north.

QUALIFICATIONS:

All qualifications must be met by the closing date of this announcement, Friday, January 06, 2017. Qualifying experience may be obtained in the private or public sectors.
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 you must have one year of specialized experience at the next lower Grade (GS-3). Experience that demonstrated the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to perform successfully the duties of the position to be filled.
6 months of general experience and 6 months of specialized experience equivalent to at least the GS-3 level in the Federal service that provided me with the particular knowledge, skills, and abilities to successfully perform the duties of this position. General experience is (1) work that has demonstrated the ability to perform the duties of this position, or (2) experience that provided a familiarity with biological work. Examples of qualifying specialized experience Examples of qualifying specialized experience include: research activity or control program work; nursery work that required the growing and maintenance of plants in a controlled environment; installation of fire vegetation monitoring plots; collection of vegetation, weather, or ecological field data; collection of wildland fuels data; experience with plant identification or wildland firefighting; and other related work.
OR I have two academic years of study above high school (60 semester hours or 90 quarter hours) that included at least 12 semester/18 quarter hours in any combination of scientific or technical courses such as biology, chemistry, statistics, botany, physics, or mathematics. At least 6 semester/9quarter hours of courses must be directly related to the occupation of Fire Effects Monitor.

OR I have an equivalent combination of undergraduate education as described in B above, and qualifying general or specialized experience at the GS-3 grade level or higher as described in A above. If education is used to meet the specialized experience requirement, 6 semester hours must be directly related to the occupation as described in B above.

In addition to meeting the minimum qualifications you must also have possessed a valid redcard at the arduous duty level in the last 5 years. You must provide proof via a copy of most recent red-card, copy of training certificates, copy of official IQCS experience record, or similar.

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. You may be required to operate a government (or private) motor vehicle as part of your official duties. Prior to your first official motor vehicle operation, and again every year thereafter (or more frequently if management determines such need exists), you will be required to sign an affidavit certifying to your possession of a valid state issued drivers license that is current and has not been revoked, suspended, canceled, or otherwise disqualified in any way to prohibit your operation of a motor vehicle. You will also submit a photocopy of your valid state issued drivers license prior to your first official motor vehicle operation, and again every year, or more frequently if management determines such need exists. Lastly, you may be required to submit (within a state sealed envelope or submitted directly by the state authorities), and at your own expense, all certified driving records from all states that discloses all valid drivers licenses, whether current or past, possessed by you. Please indicate in your application whether you possess a valid state drivers license.

2. Must meet the National Interagency Incident Management System Wildland Fire Qualification System Guide PMS 310-1 requirements for any arduous duty position.

3. Must meet the Federal Interagency Wildland Firefighter Medical Qualification Standards for arduous duty wildland firefighting.

4. Must attain and maintain the prerequisite physical stamina and strength needed to perform rigorous duties and must pass the Work Capacity Test at the arduous level annually.

5. Drug Testing is required.

To apply visit: https://www.usajobs.gov/GetJob/ViewDetails/459785700/