Biological Science Technician (Salt Lake City, UT)

VACANCY ANNOUNCEMENT 

OPEN DATE:  June 26, 2024

CLOSING DATE:  July 7, 2024                                                    

POSITION TITLE:   Biological Science Technician (Wildlife)

TYPE OF POSITION:   Term Appointment with possibility for Benefits, Excepted Service

Not to Exceed 13 months (may be extended up to 4 years)

WORK SCHEDULE:  Full-Time        

ANNOUNCEMENT #:   USDA-WS-UT-24-01 Bio Sci Tech

SERIES/GRADE:  AD-0404-4/5/6

FULL PERFORMANCE LEVEL:    AD-0404-6

NUMBER OF  POSITIONS:  1

LOCATIONS:  Salt Lake City, Utah 

 (Relocation expenses will not be paid)

SALARY:    $36,209 - $57,354 per year (RUS Pay Table)

Salary may vary depending on Locality Pay 

WHO MAY APPLY:

• Must be a U.S. Citizen
• Must be 18 years old
• If you are a male born after December 31, 1959 and are at least 18 years of age, civil service employment law (5 U.S.C. 3328) requires that you must be registered with the Selective Service System, unless you meet certain exemptions (proof of registration and/or exemption required).      Website: http://www.sss.gov.

REQUIRED DOCUMENTS:

• Resume (include days/months/years worked, work schedule, and grade level if federal)

                    1) Personal information such as name, address, contact information

                    2) Education

3) Detailed work experience related to this position as described in the announcement including 

• Work schedule, 
• Hours worked per week, 
• Dates of employment; 
• Title, series, grade (if applicable)

                    4) All supervisors' phone numbers and if they may be contacted

                    5) Other qualifications, such as transcripts (if qualifying on education)

• Transcripts (if qualifying on education)
• DD-214 (Member 4 copy), if applicable for Veteran’s Preference
• VA letter required if claiming disabled Veteran’s Preference
• Current active-duty members must submit a certification that they are expected to be discharged or released from active duty under honorable conditions not later than 120 days after the date the certification is submitted. 

HOW TO APPLY: Additional materials not listed above (i.e. position descriptions, training certificates, etc.) may not be considered.  Applicants who do not submit the required items listed above may not be considered. Applications with all supporting documents must be submitted to the contact office and must be RECEIVED by the CLOSING DATE of this announcement.

Interested individuals should send a resume, transcripts, veteran documentation (if applicable) to the address listed here:

CONTACT OFFICE:     Chad Heuser, Utah State Director

                                                1860 West Alexander Street, Ste. A

                                            Salt Lake City, Utah 84119

                                            Chad.M.Heuser@usda.gov

                                            State Office Phone (801) 975-3315

                                            Fax (801) 975-3320

DUTIES:

• Provide technical and direct assistance for wildlife damage management. 
• Provide information on nuisance wildlife management strategies to homeowners, landowners and cooperators. The information will be both verbal and written. 
• Identify wildlife damage and evidence of damaging species and non-target species and select appropriate species-selective management actions. 
• May negotiate or participate in the negotiation of cooperative agreements/funds with program cooperators. 
• Keep accurate records on work activities for the cooperator and WS program using prescribed formats and procedures, and prepare/submit reports and summaries related to job activities and accomplishments. 
• Participate in group meetings and discussions. 
• Maintain, repair and ensure the safekeeping of tools, supplies, equipment, and vehicles. 
• Participate in public outreach events to further the goals of the WS program. 
• Work cooperatively with coworkers to support program goals and objectives. 
• Participate in other wildlife damage management programs as directed by the supervisor. 
• Incumbent may be required to serve as an instructor and conduct training for cooperators or other interested groups on WS control methods, procedures, and program objectives. This may include preliminary instruction and training of new WS personnel on WS equipment and control methods, reporting procedures, field responsibilities and other technical aspects of the program, as well as educational presentations to groups. Incumbent may represent WS at local meetings, conferences, and workshops and with the local press regarding issues relative to the UT WS program. 
• Assist with data management for statewide projects.

MINIMUM ELIGIBLITY REQUIREMENTS:

To qualify, applicants MUST meet all minimum qualification requirements, except Medical Requirements, by the closing date of the announcement.

QUALIFICATIONS REQUIRED:

FOR THE AD-04 GRADE:  Applicants must have 6 months of general experience and 6 months of specialized experience (equivalent to the GS-03 level) that may have been obtained in the private or public (local, county, state, Federal) sectors which demonstrates:

• Experience using basic wildlife damage control techniques 
• Identifying North American wildlife species
• The principles of wildlife ecology and management
• Conducting basic computer operations for record keeping, data analysis, report writing and correspondence

OR

Successful completion of  2 years of study that included at least 12 semester hours in any combination of courses such as biology, chemistry, statistics, entomology, animal husbandry, botany, physics, agriculture, or mathematics.  At least 6 semester hours of courses must be directly related to the position to be filled.

Equivalent combinations of education and experience are qualifying for this grade level.

FOR THE AD-05 GRADE: Applicants must have one year of specialized experience (equivalent to the GS-04 level) that may have been obtained in the private or public (local, county, state, Federal) sectors which demonstrates:

• Experience using lethal and non-lethal wildlife damage control techniques and tools
• Experience to work within local, state and national rules and regulations as they apply to wildlife policies and procedures
• Experience preparing reports regarding activities, observations, events, and other relevant data collected

OR 

Successful completion of a full 4-year course of study leading to a bachelor's degree with major  study or at least 24 semester hours in any combination of scientific or technical courses such as 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.

Equivalent combinations of education and experience are qualifying for this grade level. 

FOR THE AD-06 GRADE:

Applicants must have one year of specialized experience (equivalent to the AD-5 level) that may have been obtained in the private or public (local, county, state, federal) sectors which demonstrates experience in:

• Able to identify wildlife-caused damage to crops, livestock, property, human health and safety and other concerns.
• The use of firearms, traps, snares, pesticides, immobilizing drugs, pyrotechnics, electronic harassment devices, and other non-lethal control tools.
• Public contacts to formulate assistance strategies that incorporate technical assistance and operational control techniques.

OR

Successfully completed 1 year of graduate education (18 semester hours) in wildlife.

OR

Combination of Education and Experience at the AD-5/6 Grade Level:

Applicants may have combinations of successfully completed education and specialized experience to meet total qualification requirements.  The total percentages must equal at least 100 percent to qualify for that grade level.

HOW YOU WILL BE EVALUATED

Applicants who meet basic minimum qualifications may be referred to the hiring manager for selection. Qualified candidates eligible for veterans’ preference will receive referral and selection priority over non-veterans.

OTHER REQUIREMENTS: (if applicable to your position)

• Must obtain or have a valid state driver’s license.  Operation of Government-owned or leased vehicles is required. 
• As a condition of employment, appropriate security clearance is required for this position.
• Position is subject to random and applicant drug testing.
• Must demonstrate a respect for safety in all operations, including the operation of motor vehicles, firearms, control devices, and equipment.
• In order to perform the essential duties of this position, you must have the legal and physical ability to possess and discharge firearms. You must be able to pass a government background check and meet any additional requirements to carry and use firearms. A background check will include answering questions about where you’ve lived, worked, went to school, and any military history or police records. Selection and retention in this position is contingent on a successfully adjudicated FBI National Criminal History Check (fingerprint check).

Emergency Response – APHIS is an emergency response agency.  This means that all Agency employees may be asked or assigned to participate in rotating temporary duty assignments to support emergency programs at some time during their careers with APHIS.  It is difficult to predict the frequency with which such emergency situations may occur – and could range from several emergencies in a year to none over the course of many years.  In the event that you are called upon to support an emergency program, this may require irregular working hours, including overtime, and may include duties other than those specified in your official position description.  While some emergency program support assignments may be able to be performed at the employee’s current duty station, in other cases employees may be asked to go on-site to a temporary duty state location. In addition, it may be necessary for employees to participate in multiple rotations to an emergency program assignment.  Attempts will be made to keep disruption to the employee to a minimum.

See this link: 

https://www.usajobs.gov//Help/working-in-government/fair-and-transparent/signature-false-statements/

NOTE: APPLICANTS FOR THIS POSITION WILL BE REQUIRED TO SUBMIT TO URINALYSIS TO SCREEN FOR ILLEGAL DRUG USE PRIOR TO APPOINTMENT. APPOINTMENT TO THE POSITION WILL BE CONTINGENT UPON A NEGATIVE DRUG TEST RESULT. INCUMBENTS OF THIS POSITION WILL BE REQUIRED TO SUBMIT TO URINALYSIS TO SCREEN FOR ILLEGAL DRUG USE ON AN ONGOING BASIS AFTER APPOINTMENT, AS DIRECTED. 

Carrying a firearm is a condition of employment – In the passing of the Lautenberg Amendment, Congress passed legislation which prohibits anyone who has been convicted of a misdemeanor crime of domestic violence from possessing a firearm or ammunition. If selected you will be required to sign the form, “Inquiry for Positions Requiring Possession of Firearms,” certifying that you meet this criteria.

The United States Government does not discriminate in employment on the basis of race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy and gender identity), national origin, political affiliation, sexual orientation, marital status, disability, genetic information, age, membership in an employee organization, retaliation, parental status, military service, or other non-merit factor. 

Reasonable Accommodation Policy- 

Federal agencies must provide reasonable accommodation to applicants with disabilities where appropriate. Applicants requiring reasonable accommodation for any part of the application and hiring process should contact the hiring agency directly. Determinations on requests for reasonable accommodation will be made on a Case-by-Case basis. 

A reasonable accommodation is any change in the workplace or the way things are customarily done that provides an equal employment opportunity to an individual with a disability. Under the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) must provide reasonable accommodations: 

• An applicant with a disability needs an accommodation to have an equal opportunity to apply for a job.
• An employee with a disability needs an accommodation to perform the essential job duties or to gain access to the workplace.
• An employee with a disability needs an accommodation to receive equal access to benefits, such as details, training, and office-sponsored events.

Relocation costs will not be paid for this position.