Biological Science Technician

Job Summary:

The incumbent is responsible for performing a variety of recurring and complex duties in support of ecological management activities on forest or prairie ecosystems. This position performs a variety of tasks relating to native plants surveys and monitoring, invasive plant control and monitoring, native plant restoration, and a pollinator program support. These are permanent positions with varying tours of duty and may include weekend work. Some positions may have irregular and protracted hours of work. Tours of duty include full-time or less than full-time (guaranteed minimum 13 pay-periods full-time employment).

For additional information about the duties of this position, please contact Monty Lahr at 414-297-3304 and mlahr@fs.fed.us.

Information on specific locations where jobs are being filled and the dates applications are due for these locations can be found at https://fsoutreach.gdcii.com/Outreach.

Duties & Responsibilities:

• Participates and conducts a variety of routine and often complex field studies of native and non-native botanical species and their habitats.
• Performs the full range of standard technical assignments consisting of a variety of routine and frequently complex tasks involving invasive non-native plant treatment, management, inventory, and monitoring. Assignments involve the performance of a series of basic related technical tasks, which must be completed according to a predetermined and established routine.
• May also perform a variety of nonstandard tasks related to invasive non-native plant treatment, management, inventory, and monitoring.
• Assists with native plant, pollinators, and phenology surveys.
• Collects data on native and non-native plants for use in habitat and species condition analyses. Collects survey and inventory data to determine species identity, population characteristics, environmental conditions, and factors affecting the vigor and extent of the species and their habitat. Collects and records data related to infestation location and status.
• Keeps records of all data and produces maps of survey areas.
• Compiles and summarizes the data obtained from surveys, inventories, biological evaluations, and monitoring. Uses computer systems and associated software for recording, organizing, storing, and analyzing data.
• Responsible for ensuring that data related to invasive non-native plant treatments is recorded accurately and legibly, and according to specific protocols.
• Keeps records of all data and produces maps of survey areas.
• Uses computer systems and associated software for recording, organizing, storing, and analyzing data.
• Applies herbicides using backpack sprayers or other equipment on a regular basis according to specific guidelines. Uses appropriate personal protective equipment supplied by the Forest Service at all times.
• Treatments primarily involve using herbicides, but may also be accomplished by hand-pulling, or using hand tools, power tools, mowers, and other standard control methods. 
• Uses global positioning systems, aerial photographs, topographic maps, Geographic Information Systems (GIS), or compass in navigation.

Qualifications & Experience:

• Applicants must meet all qualifications and eligibility requirements by the closing date of the announcement (or date of referral if an Open Continuous announcement) as defined below.  For more information on the qualifications for this position, go to:  http://www.opm.gov/qualifications/Standards/group-stds/gs-admin.asp
• For the GS-5 level:  Applicants must have one year of specialized experience equivalent to at least GS-4 grade level;  
• OR a bachelor’s degree or 4 years of successfully completed education above high school (120 semester/180 quarter hours) with major study or at least 24 semester hours in any combination of courses such as biology, chemistry, statistics, entomology, animal husbandry, botany, physics, agriculture, or mathematics and at least 6 semester hours of courses must be directly related to the position to be filled.; 
• OR combinations of successfully completed post-high school education (in excess of the first 60 semester/90 quarter  hours) and specialized experience.   The education must have been obtained in an accredited business, secretarial or technical school, junior college, college or university. 
• Examples of specialized experience are:  participating in ecological management activities by assisting with biological/plant surveys, identification, treatment of invasive species, management and inventory; weeding, and irrigation of past plantings, or nursery work. Experience in the collection of data, record-keeping, and compiling and summarizing data.
• 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.
• To receive consideration for this position, you must meet all qualification requirements by the closing date of the announcement.

For more information & to apply, visit the site linked below