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Biological Science Technician (Wildlife)

Deadline:
Employer:
United States Department of Agriculture
Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service
Wildlife Services
Job Field:
Wildlife
Job Type:
Full Time
Location:
Colorado
Location Detail:
Larimer County
Job Description:

General Description of work: Incumbent will work in northeast Colorado conducting a variety of wildlife damage management operations. Work primarily consists of assisting local governments with a variety of wildlife damage conflicts in northeastern Colorado. Other work will consist of prairie dog mitigation; collecting samples for disease surveillance; beaver mitigation related to water flow restrictions; and threatened and endangered species restoration (e.g. prairie dog conservation for ferret recovery or other wildlife); urban Canada goose management, and protection of exhibit animals from predators. There will be infrequent damage mitigation involving migratory birds.

DUTIES:

  • Effectively communicates and works with the public, urban and rural residents, and other external agency personnel.
  • Experience using all types of animal traps, all-terrain vehicles (ATV), firearms and related equipment utilized in wildlife damage management operations to assist in your position.
  • Be able to identify current and forecast future damage problems and relate signs to the responsible depredating species.
  • Determine and select the most effective means of damage control or prevention.
  • Prepare and submit routine and special reports regarding daily, weekly or monthly activities, observations, and events.
  • Conducts duties in a safe and orderly manner, so as not to endanger self, fellow workers, or property. Must be willing to travel away from duty station occasionally.
  • Meets with private landowners, lessees, citizen groups, or associations which seek mitigation of damage caused by wildlife and negotiates local cooperative agreements.
  • Serves as an expert instructor and conducts demonstrations and training for others, including other cooperators or interested groups, on damage control methods, procedures, and program objectives. This includes preliminary instructions and training of new personnel on WS equipment, devices, chemicals, firearms, etc., reporting procedures, field responsibilities and other technical aspects of the program.
  • Responsible for reporting accomplishments, problems encountered, work locations, etc. to supervisor. Is entrusted with Government-owned control equipment for which an inventory must be maintained and reported, including locations, acquisitions, returns, losses, and reason therefore.
  • May participate in aerial hunting of predators as a ground crew member in areas where it is authorized by State law.
  • Must have a valid State motor vehicle operator license. Operation of a Government-owned or leased vehicle is required. Must be able to operate various types of small boats and canoes and be able to swim.
  • Performs other duties, as required. 
Qualifications:

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 GS‐5 Grade Level:

Applicants must have one year of specialized experience (equivalent to the GS-4 level) that may have been obtained in the private or public (local, county, state, federal) sectors which demonstrate experience in:

  • Experience identifying wildlife damage.
  • Experience in the use of firearms, traps, snares, pesticides, immobilizing drugs, pyrotechnics, electronic harassment devices, or other non-lethal control tools to manage wildlife.
  • Experience in communication of wildlife management plans, informational materials, or similar documents.
  • Experience providing technical assistance to customers to resolve wildlife conflicts.

 

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, entomology, animal husbandry, botany, physics, agriculture, or mathematics, with at least 6 semester hours in wildlife.

OR

Combination of Education and Experience:

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.

For the GS‐6 Grade Level:

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

  • Dealing with human-wildlife conflicts and principles of wildlife damage management.
  • Carry out and enforce the requirements of the Migratory Bird Treaty Act (MBTA), Endangered Species Act, and National Environment Policy Act.
  • Create and maintain public contacts to formulate assistance strategies that incorporate technical assistance and operational control techniques.
  • Proficient in the use of firearms, traps, snares, pesticides, immobilizing drugs, pyrotechnics, electronic harassment devices, dogs, and other non-lethal control tools.
  • Experience in using specialty equipment such as: ATV’s, dogs or thermal imagers or night vision equipment.

 

OR

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

 

OR

Combination of Education and Experience:

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. (if this applies)
  • Direct Deposit: Per Public Law 104-134 all Federal employees are required to have federal payments made by direct deposit to their financial institution.
  • 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).
  • 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).
  • Work is performed primarily in an outdoor environment but does require minimal work in office locations. There is sporadic and irregular exposure to moderate risks and discomfort, such as adverse weather conditions, noisy environments and extensive vehicle travel. The incumbent is expected to conduct all duties in a safe and orderly manner to prevent injury to self, fellow workers, cooperators or property. 
Miscellaneous:

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.

Failure to follow application instructions regarding filing appropriate forms and answering questions may result in loss of employment considerations for this position. All applications must be signed, dated, and received by the closing date of this announcement.



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.

Salary:
$41,757-$60,509 per year

Travel, transportation, and relocation expenses will not be paid. Any travel,
transportation, and relocation expense associated with reporting for duty to this
position will be the responsibility of the selected employee.
How to Apply:

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)
    • Personal information such as name, address, contact information
    • Education
    • 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).
    • All supervisors' phone numbers and if they may be contacted
  • Other qualifications, such as transcripts (if qualifying on education).
  • Transcripts (if qualifying on education, education must have been obtained from an accredited institution. Education completed in a foreign institution must include an evaluation by an organization that specializes in interpretation of foreign education programs that it was deemed equivalent to an accredited U.S. education program, see: Foreign Education Evaluation. All transcripts must be in English or include an English translation).
  • 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:

USDA-APHIS- Wildlife Services

 Martin Lowney, State Director

 13922 Denver West Pkwy Building 54 Suite 100-WS

 Golden, CO 80401

Martin.S.Lowney@usda.gov

 720.245.4260



IMPORTANT NOTE: If you should need the forms identified in above paragraph, feel free to contact 303.328.9041 for a copy.

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