The USGS Southwest Biological Science Center in Moab, UT is seeking a Biological Science Technician (GG-0404-05) to assist with field work, lab work, and data entry on a range of dryland ecological investigations.

Incumbent participates in a research program focusing on plants, soils and biological soil crusts in dryland ecosystems and the interactions between environmental and land-use drivers, vegetation, soils, and biogeochemistry. Areas of focus include restoration, effects of land-use (grazing, energy, and recreation), plant-soil feedbacks, and carbon and nutrient cycling.

Some primary current research focuses include understanding impacts of drought and warming on Colorado Plateau landscapes, innovative restoration options for drylands, evaluating recovery of oil and gas pads on the Colorado Plateau and opportunities for improved practices and basic research into dryland ecosystem structure and function.

Announcement number: SBSC-2022-002

Number of positions: 1 to 2

Wage Grade/Series: GG-0404-05

Work schedule/Duration of Appointment: Full-Time, 40 hours/week, temporary. There can be periods of a part-time and full-time schedule, depending on work. This is an excepted service position not-to-exceed 1 year but may be extended up to a maximum of 2 years without further competition. Employment may not exceed 180 days/1039 hours of work in a service year. All qualified applicants, with or without Federal status may apply and be considered. Appointment to this position, however, will not convey permanent status in the Federal service.

Travel Required: Travel of 10-20 days per month may be required. There may be need for more time in the field during the field season(April-September) and less in the off-season.

Relocation: Relocation expenses will not be paid.

This announcement opens on 3/06/2023 (MT) and closes at 04:00 PM on 3/10/2023 (MT) . It is required that you submit un-official transcripts along with your resume at the time of application. Supporting documents will not be accepted once the vacancy announcement closes.

Salary (Hourly): GG 5: $18.06(Step 01) to $23.48 (Step 10)

NOTE: First time hires to the Federal Government are typically hired at the Step 01.

Duties and Responsibilities Include:

• Conducts field sampling of biological soil crusts, vegetation and soils of the Colorado Plateau with accuracy and precision specialized techniques at pre-selected study sites under supervision of field crew leader.
• Prepares samples and performs laboratory analysis of crust, plant and soil samples to determine specific chemical, physical, and/or biological characteristics under supervision of a project lead.
• Enters data on a Windows or Mac-based computer using spreadsheets.
• Driver's License preferred.
• Knowledge of processes, methods & procedures of biological science; knowledge of routine field data collection procedures; skill in operation, maintenance, and servicing of biological recording and measuring instruments; knowledge of procedures utilized in a biological lab.

Physical Demands

Work is physically demanding and includes walking, bending, climbing, and lifting of equipment up to 100 pounds when in the field, sometimes during adverse conditions.

Work Environment:

The work is performed in a laboratory or field environment. Field work involves moderate or sometimes extreme exposure to the discomforts of rain, cold/hot weather, and rough terrain. If selected, you will be required to complete a pre-employment physical.

*A pre-employment physical is required.*

--A background investigation will be required for this position. Continued employment will be subject to the applicant's successful completion of a background security investigation and favorable adjudication. Failure to successfully meet these requirements will be grounds for termination.

--Applicants for this position must meet the following requirements: (1) possession of a valid State driver's license, and (2) possess a safe driving record. If selected, you will be required to provide proof of a valid State License and a copy of your driving record.

--The position requires successful completion of a pre-employment medical examination at Federal expense.

Basis of Rating

Applicants will not be rated or ranked. All applicants that meet the basic eligibility and qualification requirements of the position will be referred to the selecting official in preference eligible order.

Qualifications:

Applicants must meet one of the following to qualify for the GG-5 level:

9 months Field Survey Party Experience OR 3 years Sub-Professional Experience OR 3 years college study (equivalent 90 semester/135 quarter hours) plus 3 months of lab or field work experience.

Definitions of Experience:

Field Survey Party – Experience with a field survey party includes activity associated with making and recording geologic, hydrologic, biologic, or topographic field observations; collecting geologic, biological, or water samples for laboratory analysis; applying accepted data collection techniques and methods in the performance of field work in support of scientific investigations; and using a variety of surveying instruments and electronic or mechanical instrumentation in the making and recording of field measurements and observations designed to collect data for physical/ biological science investigations. Only time actually spent in the field can be credited when qualifying individuals under the field party experience option.

Sub-professional Experience – Sub-professional experience is defined as technical work performed in support of field or laboratory investigations relating to the biological sciences, physical sciences, or closely related disciplines which provided basic knowledge or skills in gathering, recording, and assembling scientific or engineering data; using scientific instruments to measure angles, degrees, weights, strengths, intensities, etc.; setting up and operating test apparatus, and manipulating quantitative data. Experience may include assisting professional employees with such duties as calibrating and operating measuring instruments mixing solutions, making chemical analyses, setting up and operating test apparatus, and compiling and processing scientific data. Experience as a laboratory mechanic or in a trade or craft may be credited as experience when the work was performed in close association with physical or biological scientists or other technical personnel and provided a good working knowledge of appropriate scientific principles, methods, and techniques.

Professional Experience – Professional work experience in the physical and biological sciences may be credited in lieu of or in conjunction with sub-professional experience as defined above.

Please note that if qualifying based on education; unofficial transcripts MUST be submitted as part of the application in order to receive consideration.

You must meet all qualification and eligibility requirements for the position by the closing date of the announcement.

Required Documents

If you are claiming veterans' preference you must submit a copy of your DD-214, Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty, by the closing date of this announcement. If you are currently on active military duty, you must provide documentation (e.g., campaign document, award citation, etc.), that verifies entitlement to veterans preference and that your character of military service is honorable. If you are claiming 10-point veterans' preference, in addition to the DD-214, you must submit documentation that supports your claim (e.g., an official statement from the Department of Veterans Affairs or from a branch of the Armed Forces certifying the existence of a service-connected disability; or receipt of a Purple Heart). If you fail to submit any of the required documentation, you will not be granted veterans preference. Additional information on veterans' preference can be found in the VetGuide.

--If this position requires specific educational course work to qualify, or if you are qualifying based in whole or part on education, you are required to provide all unofficial transcripts (undergraduate and graduate) course work, which includes semester hours earned and grade received, by the closing date of this announcement or you will be disqualified from further consideration.

--Cover Letter

-- Resume (You must show how your skills and experiences meet the qualification and requirements listed in the recruitment bulletin to be considered for the position.

--Required documents may be faxed or emailed to the point of contact listed above.

Education

If this position requires specific educational course work to qualify, or you are qualifying based in whole or part on education, you are required to provide all unofficial transcripts (undergraduate, graduate, etc.) or list of course work, which includes semester hours earned and grade received, by the closing date of this announcement or you will be disqualified from further consideration. This proof may be faxed or emailed to the point of contact listed in this bulletin. Please ensure that all documentation is legible.

Education completed in colleges or universities outside the United States may be used to meet the above requirements. You must provide acceptable documentation that the foreign education is comparable to that received in an accredited educational institution in the United States. For more information on how foreign education is evaluated, visit: http://www.usgs.gov/ohr/oars/quals/foreign.html.

How to Apply

Applications for this vacancy must be submitted to the point of contact listed above via email BEFORE 04:00 PM Mountain Time on the closing date of this announcement. If you fail to submit a complete application, you will not be considered for this position. Requests for extensions will not be granted.

Benefits

Temporary appointees expected to work at least 130 hours per month for at least 90 days will be eligible to enroll in a Federal Employee Health Benefits (FEHB) plan. Individuals eligible under this rule receive the full government contribution to their premiums regardless of work schedule and will also be eligible to participate in the Flexible Spending Accounts and Federal Long TermCare Insurance Program. Temporary appointees are not covered by the Federal Employee Retirement System and are ineligible for Federal life, dental, or vision insurance.

Other Information

--Under Executive Order 11935, only United States citizens and nationals (residents of American Samoa and Swains Island) may compete for civil service jobs. Agencies are permitted to hire non-citizens only in very limited circumstances where there are no qualified citizens available for the position.

--USGS employees are subject to Title 43, USC Section 31(a) and may not: (a) have any personal, private, direct or indirect interest in lands or mineral wealth of lands under survey; (b) have any substantial personal, private, direct or indirect interests in any private mining or mineral enterprise doing business with the United States; or (c) execute surveys or examinations for private parties or corporations.

--DOI uses E-Verify to confirm the employment eligibility of all newly hired employees. To learn more about E-Verify, including your rights and responsibilities, please visit www.dhs.gov/E-Verify.

--The application contains information subject to the Privacy Act (P.L. 93-579, 5 USC 552a). The information is used to determine qualifications for employment, and is authorized under Title 5, USC, Section 3302 and 3361.

--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.

-- 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.

--If you misrepresent your experience or education, or provide false or fraudulent information in or with your application, it may be grounds for not hiring you or for firing you after you begin work. Making false or fraudulent statements also may be punishable by fine or imprisonment.

-- If you are a male applicant born after December 31, 1959, you must certify that you have registered with the Selective Service Law.

• As required by Executive Order 14043, Federal employees are required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 regardless of the employee’s duty location or work arrangement (e.g., telework, remote work, etc.), subject to such exceptions as required by law. If selected, you will be required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 and provide documentation of your vaccination status before your entry on duty date with the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS). The Department of the Interior (DOI) will provide additional information regarding what information or documentation will be needed and how you can request of the USGS a legally required exception from this requirement.
• Due to COVID-19, the USGS is currently in an expanded telework posture. If selected, you may be expected to temporarily telework, even if your home is located outside the local commuting area. Once employees are permitted to return to the office, you will be expected to report to the duty station listed on this announcement in accordance with the DOI’s reentry procedures provided by your Servicing Human Resources Office. At that time, you may be eligible to request to continue to telework one or more days per pay period depending upon the terms of the DOI’s telework policy.

Job Types: Full-time, Part-time, Temporary

Pay: $18.06 - $23.48 per hour

Benefits:

• Flexible schedule
• Health insurance
• Paid time off

Schedule:

• 8 hour shift
• Day shift
• Monday to Friday

License/Certification:

• Driver's License (Preferred)

Work Location: Multiple Locations

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