Biologist

Summary

The incumbent is engaged in the study, inventory, monitoring, restoration, and management of a broad range of natural resources.

Duties

• The biologist position is engaged in the study, inventory, monitoring, restoration, and management of a broad range of natural resources. Examples of program areas may include, but are not limited to, vegetation, wildlife, fisheries, exotic and pest species, sensitive species, and associated ecological components such as air, water, and soil.
• The biologist may also be engaged in the management and protection of resource values.
• Develops and prepares portions of the park(s) resources management plan that requires the application of biotic resources.
• Coordinates the park(s) natural resource strategies and programs with those on adjacent lands for the purposes of achieving broad ecosystem protection strategies and preventing human impacts.
• Prepares management and scientific reports regarding the results of protection, mitigation, restoration, reintroduction, inventory, monitoring, and research activities.
• Incorporates appropriate GIS technology into job to provide comprehensive and scientifically sound answers to inquiries from managers and others.

This is a term position (more than 1 year) with an initial appointment expecting to last at least 13 months but may be extended up to a total of four years, or more based on any changes to regulations governing the number of years term appointments may last, without further competition. Term positions do not convey permanent status in the Federal service. The National Park Service retains the right to extend the duration of this appointment after selection and/or appointment, based on changes to the regulation governing the number of years term appointments may last. This change, which may be made at the agency's sole discretion and without further competition, shall not be construed or interpreted as the granting of a right to a selectee or employee to such an extension. No extension to a term appointment shall be granted to a selectee/employee to an amount of time that exceeds the maximum number of years authorized under any present or current regulation, unless such regulation expressly allows such action.

At the Saint Croix National Scenic Riverway in Saint Croix Falls, Wisconsin location ONLY: The length of this term appointment may be as short as 13-months but may be extended up for a total of 2-years with the possibility of another 2-year extension.

Qualifications

All qualifications must be met by the closing date of this announcement-10/06/2023-unless otherwise stated in this vacancy announcement. Credit will be given for all appropriate qualifying experience. To receive credit for experience, your resume MUST clearly indicate the nature of the duties and responsibilities for each position, starting and ending dates of employment (month/year), and the resume must reflect full and/or part-time or total number of hours worked (i.e., work 40+ hours a week, rather than indicating full-time). If part-time, the hours must be annotated to be able to pro-rate the amount of qualified specialized experience.

BASIC REQUIREMENTS:

For 0401 Series: Degree: biological sciences, agriculture, natural resource management, chemistry, or related disciplines appropriate to the position.
OR
Combination of Education and Experience: Courses equivalent to a major, as shown above, plus appropriate experience or additional education.

In addition to meeting the basic requirements listed above, you must meet the following requirements:

SPECIALIZED EXPERIENCE: At least one full year of specialized experience comparable in scope and responsibility to the Biologist GS-7 grade level in the Federal service (obtained in either the public or private sectors). Specialized experience is experience that equipped the applicant with the particular knowledge, skills, and abilities to perform successfully the duties of the position, and that is typically in or related to the work of the position to be filled. To be creditable, specialized experience must have been equivalent to at least the next lower grade level in the normal line of progression for the occupation in the organization. Examples of specialized experience include: (1) Conducting data collection related to air quality, water quality, climate science, contaminated lands, soundscapes, light pollution, meteorology; (2) Summarizing data to assist in the preparation of reports; (3) Participating in the planning and organization of biological activities; (4) acquiring and maintaining equipment and supplies necessary to conduct field activities. Generally, technical experience equivalent to the GS-7 level is not qualifying for this series and grade.
-OR-
EDUCATION: Successful completion of Master's or equivalent graduate degree or two (2) full years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to such a degree from an accredited college or university in biological sciences, agriculture, natural resource management, chemistry, or related disciplines appropriate to the position. NOTE: You must submit a copy of your transcripts as proof of any claimed education.
-OR-
Successful completion of a combination of education and experience as described above that, when converted to percentages, equal at least 100% of the total requirement. To combine education and experience, divide your total months of experience by 12. Then divide your semester hours of completed graduate education beyond the first year by 18 (or 27 for quarter hours). NOTE: You must submit a copy of your transcripts as proof of any claimed education

Volunteer Experience: 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.

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. Transcripts do not need to be official, but if you are selected for this position and you used your education to qualify, you must provide official transcripts before you begin work.

If you are using education completed in foreign colleges or universities to meet qualification requirements, you must show that your education credentials have been evaluated by a private organization that specializes in interpretation of foreign education programs and such education has been deemed equivalent to that gained in an accredited U.S. education program; or full credit has been given for the courses at a U.S. accredited college or university.
 

See job posting for full requirements.