UNITED STATES ~ DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR ~ GEOLOGICAL SURVEY TEMPORARY RECRUITMENT BULLETIN VACANCY NO: CRS 15-03
POSITION: Biological Science Aid, GG-0404-03
DATE OPENED:     1/15/2015
SALARY: $12.19
DATE CLOSED:     1/19/2015

TYPE OF APPT: Temporary, Not-to-exceed 180 working days TOUR OF DUTY: Full-Time, with possible periods of part-time and intermittent work AREA OF CONSIDERATION: All U.S. Citizens
LOCATION: USGS Canyonlands Research Station, Moab, Utah

The Canyonlands Research Station in Moab, Utah is recruiting for a seasonal biological science aid (GG-0404-03).  This is a seasonal, 6- month, full-time position with the US Geological Survey, Southwest Biological Science Center.

Description of Duties: Incumbent will perform laboratory and field work.
This position is in the Canyonlands Research Station, Moab, Utah. Work is performed over a wide geographic area requiring overnight trips and possibility of work in remote areas. Incumbent participates in a research program focusing on the ecology and physiology of plants and biological soil crusts, soil ecology, biogeochemistry, physical soil science, plant-soil interactions, and invasive plants. Course work in botany, plant physiology, chemistry, and soil science is optimal.
Incumbent will perform routine laboratory and field work. Duties include long days of collecting field data under extreme conditions, processing vegetation and soil samples for chemical analysis or archiving, use of complicated scientific instrumentation, and use of excel and/or access for data entry and summary.

There are up to 4 positions to be hired from this announcement. Open dates are 1/15/2015 through 1/19/2015. All applications must be received by 5:00 PM MST on 1/19/2015.

THESE ARE TEMPORARY EXCEPTED SERVICES POSITIONS for which all qualified applicants, with or without Federal status, may apply and be considered.
Appointment to these positions, however, will not convey permanent status in the Federal service. Appointment will only be for the duration of the position, normally 3-6 months. Temporary employees are covered by the Social Security Retirement System and annual and sick leave will be accrued except in intermittent status.

KNOWLEDGE REQUIRED BY THE POSITION:
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-based computer using spreadsheets.

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. Work is physically demanding and may involve moderate or sometimes extreme exposure to discomforts of rain, cold/hot weather, etc. A pre- employment physical is required.

QUALIFICATIONS: To qualify for a GG-3 you need three (3) months of field party experience OR one (1) year of sub-professional experience OR six
(6) months of college with courses related to the field of employment.
Six months of college is equivalent to 15 semester hours. Sub- professional experience consists of working as a technician or aid in a laboratory or similar environment.

BASIS OF EVALUATION: All applicants will be evaluated on the basis of education and experience (including unpaid or volunteer experience).
Applicants must meet all qualifications and eligibility requirements by the closing date of this announcement.
First preference in referral will be given to eligible applicants entitled to 10-point veteran’s preference who have a compensable service-connected disability of 10 percent or more. All other qualified applicants entitled to veteran’s preference will be given preference over qualified applicants not entitled to veteran’s preference.

ALL APPLICANTS MUST BE UNITED STATES CITIZENS: Under regulations in the Immigration Reform and Control Act of 1986, employment in this position is limited to those persons who are authorized to work in the United States. Verification of employment eligibility will be required at the time of appointment.

As a condition of employment, all new employees reporting for duty with the Department of the Interior will be paid through direct deposit to a financial institution of their choice.

Applicants selected for Federal employment will be required to complete a Declaration of Federal Employment, OF-306, prior to being appointed to determine their suitability for Federal employment and to authorize a background investigation. Failure to answer all questions truthfully and completely or providing false statements on the application may be grounds for not hiring the applicant, or for firing the applicant after he/she begins work. Also, he/she may be punished by fine or imprisonment (U.S. Code, Title 18, Section 1001).

Prior to or at the time of appointment, male applicants born after December 31, 1959, will have to certify that they have registered with the Selective Service System in order to be appointed to a position with the United States Geological Survey, unless legally qualified for an exception.

Employees of the U.S. Geological Survey are subject to the provisions of Title 43, U.S. Code, Section 31 (a) and may not according to this legislation and related regulation: (a) have any personal or private interest, direct or indirect, in lands or mineral wealth of such lands or a region under survey and whose title is in the U.S.; (b) execute surveys or examination for private parties or corporations; or (c) have personal or private interest, direct or indirect, in any private mining or mineral enterprise doing business in the U.S. except where specifically authorized by the Director of the U.S. Geological Survey.

How to Apply: Read carefully and follow the instructions below. Please submit a cover letter, resume or CV, supporting documentation, and contact information for three references. Each document file name should be labeled with your last name and what it is (e.g., Jones resume, Jones cover letter).

Cover letter should include:
– Announcement number, title, and grade(s) of the job for which you are applying.
– A brief (< 1 page) statement about your interest in the employment

Resume or CV must include:

PERSONAL INFORMATION:
– Full name, mailing address (with zip code) and day and evening phone numbers (with area code)
– Country of Citizenship
– Veteran’s Preference
– Highest Federal civilian grade held (also give job series and dates
held)

EDUCATION:
– High school
– Colleges and Universities
– Majors
– Type and year of any degrees received (if no degree, show total credits earned and indicate whether semester or quarter hours)

WORK EXPERIENCE:
– Give the following information on your paid and nonpaid work experience related to the job for which you are applying (do not send job descriptions)
– Job title (include series and grade if Federal job)
– Duties and accomplishments
– Starting and ending dates (month and year)
– Hours per week
– Salary

OTHER QUALIFICATIONS:- Job-related training courses (title, length, and date taken)
– Job-related skills (i.e., other language, computer software; hardware, tools, machinery, typing speed, etc.)
– Job-related certificates and licenses (current only)
– Job-related honors, awards, and special accomplishments (i.e., publications, memberships in professional or honor societies, leadership activities, public speaking, and performance awards).

Supporting documentation may include:
College transcript or list of college courses, specifying title of course work, completion date, semester or quarter hours earned by course title, and grade earned.

To claim 5-point Veterans Preference, a DD-214 showing character of discharge is required. If claiming 10-point Veteran’s Preference, a SF-
15 with proof of claim is required.

References:
Supply the name and contact information for three professional or academic references (personal references will not be accepted).

Apply to:
CRS_Jobs@usgs.gov
Canyonlands Research Station
U.S. Geological Survey
Moab, UT 84532
Tele: 435.719.2347
Fax: 435.719.2350

APPLICATIONS MUST BE RECEIVED IN THE CANYONLANDS RESEARCH STATION OFFICE BY THE CLOSING DATE OF THE ANNOUNCEMENT TO BE CONSIDERED.
THE U.S. GEOLOGICAL SURVEY IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER THIS AGENCY PROVIDES REASONABLE ACCOMMODATIONS TO APPLICANTS WITH DISABILITIES