Biological Science Technician (Soils)
Forest Service
- 1 vacancy – Bend, OR
Work Schedule is Full-Time – Temporary
Opened Thursday 5/25/2017 (1 day(s) ago)
Closes Wednesday 5/31/2017 (5 day(s) away)
-
Salary Range
$15.74 to $15.74 / Per Hour
-
Series & Grade
GS-0404-05/05
-
Promotion Potential
05
-
Supervisory Status
No
-
Who May Apply
US Citizens and Nationals; no prior Federal experience is required.
-
Control Number
470248100
-
Job Announcement Number
17-TEMP-S6-0404-5BSTS-DT
Job Overview
Summary
A career with the Forest Service will challenge you to manage and care for more than 193 million acres of our nation’s most magnificent lands, conduct research through a network of forest and range experiment stations and the Forest Products Laboratory, and provide assistance to State and private forestry agencies.
It’s an awesome responsibility – but the rewards are as limitless as the views.
USDA is a great place to start or continue your career. USDA is ranked as one of the top 10 “Best Places to Work in the Federal Government” by the Partnership for Public Service (http://bestplacestowork.org/BPTW/rankings/overall/large). Rankings are based on employee feedback regarding satisfaction with their work experience.This position is temporary and has a Not-to-Exceed date. However, an extension of the appointment may be possible without further competition. The appointment may also end early due to lack of work or funds.
This position is located on a Forest Service unit and is assigned a variety of moderately complex and recurring technical duties, individually or as a crew member or leader, in support of soil resources.
This position is located in Region 6 on the Deschutes National Forest in Bend OR.
For additional information about the duties of the position, please contact, Andrew Tasler , PH: 541-383-4701, eMail: atasler@fs.fed.us OR Amy Tinderholt, PH: (541)383-4708, eMail: atinderholt@fs.fed.us
Positions will be filled as a temporary appointment up to 6 months.
Hourly wage as shown is Rest of U.S. (RUS). Specific wage rate will vary by location and may be higher or lower than the amount shown on the vacancy announcement. http://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/pay-leave/salaries-wages/
The USDA Forest Service has legislative authority to recruit and fill Permanent (Career/Career- Conditional), Temporary, and Term Appointments under the USDA Demonstration Project. Under this authority, any U.S. citizen may apply.
Duties
Performs a variety of routine and moderately complex tasks involving techniques and practices relating to the soil resource. Assignments support field projects and program planning activities.
Evaluates soil physical and chemical conditions in the field based on established protocols. Conducts routine laboratory procedures in the processing of soil samples. Organizes and tracks field data and equipment. Drafts data summaries, and ensures quality control of entered data. Provides leadership to subordinate crew members and may assist with development of soil survey mapping.
Assists in layout of field experiments, pilot projects, and specific soils projects. Assists in determining validity of survey or evaluation techniques. Suggests improvements of methods and techniques.
Is fully responsible for compliance with safety rules and regulations.
Travel Required
- Not Required
Job Requirements
Key Requirements
- You must be a U.S. Citizen or U.S. National
- Males born after 12/31/59 must be Selective Service registered or exempt
- Satisfactory background investigation and/or fingerprint check
Qualifications
You must possess the Basic Requirements identified below to be considered eligible for this position. Transcripts must be provided for qualifications based on education. Your application or resume must clearly show that you possess the appropriate experience requirements.
GS-05: (1) one year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-04 level.
Specialized Experience is defined as: Participated in soil related projects using established methods, techniques, and procedures. identified and used basic principles of soil resources to assess readings and measurements taken, tests executed, observations made, work completed, samples collected, etc. to understand and relate the significance of the results to the resource program objective, Participated in field work projects related to soil resources such as the processes, methods and techniques associated with work in soil resources to resolve the full range of irregular or problem situations when performing a wide variety of either highly interrelated tasks or nonstandard assignments. Applying skill to use a variety of field instruments and equipment to collect soil resource data and information that can be used for further analysis -OR
Successful completion of 4-year course of study above high school leading to a bachelor’s degree with at least 24 semester hours in any combination of courses such biology, chemistry, statistics, entomology, animal husbandry, botany, physics, agriculture, or mathematics. At least 6 semester hours of courses must have been directly related to the position to be filled. The successful completion of a full course of study of at least 12 months in a school for clinical laboratory technicians may be substituted for the 1 year of specialized experience required at the GS-05 level for positions involving microbiology and biochemistry technician work. -OR
A combination of education and experience listed above.
To receive consideration for this position, you must meet all qualification requirements on the closing date of this announcement.
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.
ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS:
No Additional Requirements.
Security Clearance
Other
Additional Information
What To Expect Next
Your application will be reviewed to verify that you meet the eligibility and qualification requirements for the position prior to issuing referral lists to the selecting official. If further evaluation or interviews are required, you will be contacted. Log in to your USAJOBS account at https://my.usajobs.gov/Account/Login to check your application status. We expect to make a final job offer approximately 40 days after the deadline for applications.
BENEFITS
As a temporary employee you may be eligible for health benefits. To be eligible for health coverage as a temporary employee, you must be scheduled to work at least 130 hours per month (30 hours/week) and be expected to work at least 90 days or more. If you meet these requirements, you will receive the government contribution towards the cost of the insurance and pay the same rate as permanent, full time employees.
For the list of health plans available and the employee costs for the health plans please see: http://www.opm.gov/healthcare-insurance/healthcare/plan-information/
Other Information
- BACKGROUND INVESTIGATION AND FINGERPRINT CHECK: Selection and retention in this position is contingent on a successfully adjudicated FBI National Criminal History Check (fingerprint check) and a background investigation.
- Bargaining Unit Status: Eligible
- Career Transition Assistance Plan (CTAP) or Interagency Career Transition Assistance Plan (ICTAP): If you are claiming CTAP or ICTAP eligibility, provide proof of eligibility. CTAP/ICTAP eligibles must meet the agencys definition for a quality candidate as provided in the How You Will Be Evaluated section of this announcement to be considered. Information about CTAP/ICTAP eligibility is on OPMs Career Transition Resources website at http://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/workforce-restructuring/employee-guide-to-career-transition/
- Forest Service daycare facilities are not available.
- Direct Deposit – Per Public Law 104-134 all Federal employees are required to have federal payments made by direct deposit to a financial institution of your choice.
- If you are newly hired, the documentation you present for purposes of completing the Department Homeland Security (DHS) Form I-9 on your entry-on-duty date will be verified through the DHS “E-VERIFY” system. Federal law requires the use of E-VERIFY to confirm the employment eligibility of all new hires. Under this system, the new hire is required to resolve any identified discrepancies as a condition of continued employment.
- Government housing is not available.
- If you are retired from the Federal Government and are selected for this vacancy, your retirement annuity may be offset from your pay.
- This position is not eligible for telework.
This job originated on www.usajobs.gov. For the full announcement and to apply, visit www.usajobs.gov/GetJob/ViewDetails/470248100. Only resumes submitted according to the instructions on the job announcement listed at www.usajobs.gov will be considered.