Duties
The Biological Technicians (plants) will help implement a long-term ecological monitoring program for vegetation in 13 park units in the Northern Great Plains. The incumbents visit field sites to collect monitoring data on grasses, forbs, trees and shrubs, (identifying them to the species level) and fuel loads. The position will involve a combination of office work, field time, and travel to the parks. These positions work 10-hour days and require constant travel to parks within Nebraska, Wyoming, South and North Dakota. Crew members will be required to hike off trail with heavy packs, sometimes in extremely hot weather or through thick vegetation. The position will spend approximately 10-20% of time performing computer and office work, the majority of which will be done after the field season. The anticipated field season is May through September, with some office work at the beginning and end of the season.
Area Information:
Rapid City is South Dakota’s second largest city with approximately 70,000 residents and is the gateway to the Black Hills area of South Dakota. Rapid City offers early childhood programs, public schools, private schools, and a technical college. Rapid City offers entertainment opportunities at the civic auditorium, superior health care facilities, beautiful neighborhoods, and endless outdoor recreational opportunities such as skiing, rock climbing, camping, hiking, and kayaking. Rapid City is within a 90 minute drive of four national park units (Wind Cave National Park, Mount Rushmore National Memorial, Jewel Cave National Monument, and Badlands National Park), and South Dakota’s crown jewel state park- Custer State Park. Summer is warm, dry, and sunny. July and August are the warmest months of the year, when daytime temperatures climb into the 70s and 80s–and sometimes 90s. Breezy winds and low humidity levels help make the hot days comfortable. January and February are the coldest months of winter. Daytime temperatures average in the 30s, but Chinook winds can warm temperatures into the 50s and 60s. Average monthly snowfall ranges from five inches in Rapid City to 15 inches in the Black Hills.
Qualifications
All qualifications must be met by the closing date of this announcement, Monday, September 12, 2016.
Qualifying experience may be obtained in the private or public sectors.http://www.opm.gov/qualifications.
For the GS-05: Applicants must have successfully completed 2 years of study that included at least 12 semester hours in a related field. At least 6 semester hours of courses must be directly related to the position to be filled.
Transcripts-To qualify using education, you must submit a legible copy of transcripts from an accredited institution which must include your name, school name, credit hours, major(s), and grade-point average or class ranking. (NOTE: Transcripts lacking the required information will not be considered.) Applicants can verify accreditation HERE
If you are selected for this position and you used education to qualify, you will be asked 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.
•Applicants must possess a valid state driver’s license. This position requires that you operate a government (or private) motor vehicle as part of your official duties.
•Males born after December 31, 1959 must complete Pre-Appointment Certification Statement for Selective Service Registration https://www.sss.gov/
•New employees of the Department of the Interior must identify a financial institution for direct deposit of net pay.
•Favorable adjudicated background investigation and credit report
•Government housing not available.