USAJOBS - Job Announcement

Help

These positions are located at Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore. These are temporary positions and work is not anticipated to exceed 1039 hours in a service year. Anticipated Entry on Duty Date is: Late April.

Open to the first 100 applicants or until 02/19/2019 whichever comes first. All applications submitted by 11:59 (EST) on the closing day will receive consideration.

Help

Hiring complete

Open & closing dates

02/07/2019 to 02/19/2019

This job will close when we have received 100 applications which may be sooner than the closing date. Learn more
Salary

$17.68 - $17.68 per hour
Pay scale & grade

GS 5
Location

Few vacancies in the following location:
- Porter, IN
Telework eligible

No
Travel Required

76% or greater - You may be expected to travel for this position.
Relocation expenses reimbursed

No
Appointment type

Temporary - 1039 Hours
Work schedule

Full-Time
Service

Competitive
Promotion potential

5
Job family (Series)

0404 Biological Science Technician
Supervisory status

No
Security clearance

Not Required
Drug test

Yes
Announcement number

MW-1544-INDU-19-10411921-DE
Control number

523385200

Help

Clarification from the agency

All U.S. Citizens may apply. Those current or former permanent federal employees with DOI CTAP or ICTAP eligibility may receive priority consideration.

Help

Serves as a member of a fire effects monitoring crew. Establish and sample vegetation and fuel monitoring plots in a variety of vegetation/fuel types in accordance with established methodologies and guidelines. Independently, quickly and correctly identify grasses, sedges, herbs, shrubs, and trees to species in the field and records data accurately in the field. Prepare herbarium specimens and record habitat and plant association data. Enter data into computer or PDA using customized database software and verify data entry quality. The applicant may assist in the preparation of reports, plans, and guidelines. Use map and compass and uses and downloads digital cameras, GPS receivers, and PDAs. Collect and analyze fuel moisture samples. Although the incumbent's principle duties will be collecting and processing vegetation data, the incumbent may also collect weather and fire behavior data on prescribed fires, serve as a member of a fire crew, and/or will complete additional projects as needed. This job regularly involves carrying heavy gear and exposure to severe weather (high heat and humidity) and ticks.

OTHER INFORMATION: Employee may have the opportunity to participate in basic firefighting classes (S-130 and S-190) which require passing an arduous pack test. After successful completion of firefighting classes and pack test, employee will have the opportunity to participate in prescribed fires, wildland fires, and out-of-park assignments.

The position requires travel to many other parks in the Midwest Region. Work schedule may be changed to meet work goals.

AREA INFORMATION: Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore is located at the southern tip of Lake Michigan approximately 50-60 miles southeast of Chicago, Illinois. Small towns and resort communities on the beaches of Lake Michigan and farms interspersed wtih large tracts of woodlands and wetlands surround the Lakeshore. An abundance of cultural and recreational activities are available year-round. The area has weather typical of the Midwest, with temperatures normally ranging from 0 degrees in the winter to 90 degrees in the summer. No government housing is available, however many reasonably priced houses and rental properties exist in the surrounding communities. All services are available.

Help

Conditions of Employment

U.S. Citizenship required.
Appointment subject to background investigation and favorable adjudication.
Meet Selective Service Registration Act requirement for males.
Selectee will be required to participate in the Direct Deposit Electronics Funds Transfer Program.
You will be required to operate a government (or private) motor vehicle as part of your official duties; a valid driver's license is required. You will be required to submit a Motor Vehicle Operator's License and Driving Record. You must also submit at your own expense (within a State sealed envelope or submitted directly by the State authorities), all certified driving records from all States in which you have been licensed.
You may be required to complete training and operate a four-wheel drive vehicle.
You will be required to wear a uniform and comply with the National Park Service uniform standards. A uniform allowance will be provided.
You may be required to work on-call, evenings, weekends, holidays, and overtime.
You may be required to travel overnight away from home up to 25 nights per month. You must obtain a government charge card for travel purposes.
If you complete training to obtain firefighter certification, you will be required to pass a medical examination and physical fitness test to verify you are physically able to perform arduous duty firefighter work.
If you complete training and pass medical requirements to obtain a firefighter certification, you will be required to complete a urinalysis drug test prior to any firefighting duties and you will be placed in a random pool for drug testing.

Qualifications

To qualify for this position at the GS-5 grade level, you must possess at least one of the following minimum qualifications by close of the announcement:

EXPERIENCE: At least one full year of specialized experience comparable in scope and responsibility to the GS-4 grade level in the Federal service (obtained in either the public or private sectors). This experience includes activities such as: performing fire effect tasks such as monitoring plots in a variety of vegetation/fuel types, making field observations of resource conditions and evaluating observed conditions and problems, identifying vegetation to species, etc.

-OR-
EDUCATION: Successful completion of at least four years of education above high school (120 semester hour or 180 quarter hours) leading to a bachelor's degree with major study or 24 semester hours of course work in a related field of scientific or technical study, such as in forestry, biology, chemistry, statistics, entomology, animal husbandry, botany, physics, agriculture, or mathematics. At least 6 semester hours of this coursework was in subjects directly related to the work of this position, i.e., plant science, fire science, botany.). You must include transcripts.
-OR-
Successful completion of a combination of education and experience as described above. NOTE: Only education in excess of the first 60 semester hours of a course of study leading to a bachelor's degree is creditable toward meeting the specialized experience requirements. Two full academic years of study, or 60 semester hours, beyond the second year is equivalent to l year of specialized experience. For example, 6 months of the specialized experience (50% of the experience requirement), and 90 semester hours or education progressing toward a bachelor's degree, including at least 12 semester hours of related coursework as identified above and of which at least 3 semester hours was in plant or botany-related subjects (50% of the related coursework required) is considered qualifying.

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.

You must include months, years and hours per week worked to receive credit for your work and/or volunteer experience. One year of specialized experience is equivalent to 12 months at 40 hours per week. Part-time hours are prorated. You will not receive any credit for experience that does not indicate exact hours per week or is listed as "varies".

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.

Additional information

This announcement may be used to fill additional positions if identical vacancies occur within 90 days of the issue date of the referral certificate.

Individuals selected under this vacancy announcement may be extended or rehired non-competitively in subsequent years if work in temporary positions with the National Park Service does not exceed 1039 hours.

Physical Demands: In addition to working in an office or lab setting, the work involves walking, running, climbing, and backpacking with a load over rough terrain, sometimes for extended periods; lifting moderately heavy itesm; bending and stooping for long periods; and working in a variety of weather conditions.

Working Conditions: Fieldwork includes exposure to a wide variety of weather conditions including high heat and humidity, rain, sleet, snow, ice, high winds and cold temperatures. You may be exposed to dermatitus-causing plants, high pollen levels, biting and stinging insects, and poisonous snakes and spiders. You may be required to fly in helicopters and fixed wing aircraft, and may be required to work in actual fire situations including prescribed (controlled) fires and wildland fires.

If you are unable to apply online or need to fax a document that you do not have in electronic form, view the following link for information regarding an Alternate Application. Click the following link for more information, https://help.usastaffing.gov/Apply/index.php?title=Alternate_Application_Information.

Benefits

A career with the U.S. government provides employees with a comprehensive benefits package. As a federal employee, you and your family will have access to a range of benefits that are designed to make your federal career very rewarding. Opens in a new windowLearn more about federal benefits.

Review our benefits

Eligibility for benefits depends on the type of position you hold and whether your position is full-time, part-time or intermittent. Contact the hiring agency for more information on the specific benefits offered.

You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.

A review of your resume and supporting documentation will be made and compared against your responses to the Assessment Questionnaire to determine if you are qualified for this job. If your resume is incomplete or does not support the responses provided in the Assessment Questionnaire, or if you fail to submit all required documentation, you will be rated 'ineligible', 'not qualified', or your score will be adjusted accordingly. If a determination is made that you have inflated your qualifications or experience, you can lose consideration for this position. Please follow all instructions carefully; errors or omissions can affect your rating.

Candidates will be rated and ranked using Category Rating procedures. These procedures place candidates with veteran's preference above non-preference eligibles within each category. Veterans with a service connected disability of at least 10 percent are listed in the highest quality category, except when the position being filled is scientific or professional at the GS-09 grade level or higher. Under Category Rating, candidates will be rated and ranked into one of two categories:

Best Qualified - applicants possessing experience that exceeds the minimum qualifications of the position including all selective factors and are proficient in most of the requirements of the job
Qualified - applicants possessing experience that meets the minimum qualifications of the position including all selective factors and are proficient in some, but not all of the requirements of the job.

You will be evaluated on the following competencies:

Botany
Teamwork
Technical Competence
Technology Application

A career with the U.S. government provides employees with a comprehensive benefits package. As a federal employee, you and your family will have access to a range of benefits that are designed to make your federal career very rewarding. Opens in a new windowLearn more about federal benefits.

Review our benefits

Eligibility for benefits depends on the type of position you hold and whether your position is full-time, part-time or intermittent. Contact the hiring agency for more information on the specific benefits offered.

As a new or existing federal employee, you and your family may have access to a range of benefits. Your benefits depend on the type of position you have - whether you're a permanent, part-time, temporary or an intermittent employee. You may be eligible for the following benefits, however, check with your agency to make sure you're eligible under their policies.

The following documents are required and must be submitted by 11:59 PM (EST) on 02/19/2019:

Resume which includes a list of all significant jobs held and duties performed, with dates specified in month and year format, and, indicate hours worked per week. If military or civilian, please include your rank and/or grade.
A complete Occupational Questionnaire
Other Supporting Documents, if applicable, such as:
- Veterans Preference Documentation:
  - If you are a Discharged, Non-Disabled Veteran, you must submit a copy of your DD-214 showing character of discharge (Member 4 copy), or other Documentation of Service and Separation under Honorable Conditions, as listed on the SF15. If you don't have your DD-214, you may request it after discharge from the National Archives.
  - If you are a veteran within 120 days of discharge, you must submit signed documentation from the Armed Forces certifying: 1) your expected release/retirement from active duty, 2) under honorable conditions, 3) your pay grade/rank/rate at time of discharge, 4) dates of active duty service, 5) any campaign or expeditionary medals received, & 6) dated within 120 days of your separation.
  - If you are a Disabled Veteran, Purple Heart Recipient, or Mother or Spouse of a Disabled or Deceased Veteran, you must submit all additional proof required by the SF15, and if applicable, a completed SF15. You may request a copy of your Department of Veterans Affairs letter from www.ebenefits.va.gov or call 1-800-827-1000 to establish proof of disability.
Documentation that you meet Selective Factors.
College transcripts, if qualifying based on education.
Documentation for Interagency/Career Transition Assistance Plan consideration if you are a displaced Federal employee within the local commuting area. You must include: 1) Proof you are a displaced Federal employee, e.g., RIF Separation Notice, Notice of Proposed Removal, etc; 2) SF-50s (Notifications of Personnel Action) showing career/conditional tenure competitive status, promotion potential and duty location; and 3) your most recent performance appraisal. To exercise selection priority, displaced or surplus Federal employees must be rated well-qualified or above 85 on the rating criteria for this position.

Do not submit photographs with your application package. Documents with photographs may not be seen by hiring officials - you must remove your image from any badges, licenses, etc.

Do not upload Adobe portfolio documents. Adobe portfolio documents are not viewable by our agency's staffing offices.

If you are relying on your education to meet qualification requirements:

Education must be accredited by an accrediting institution recognized by the U.S. Department of Education in order for it to be credited towards qualifications. Therefore, provide only the attendance and/or degrees from schools accredited by accrediting institutions recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.

Failure to provide all of the required information as stated in this vacancy announcement may result in an ineligible rating or may affect the overall rating.

To apply for this position: You must complete the occupational questionnaire and submit the documentation specified in the Required Documents section below. To receive consideration, the complete application package must be submitted by 11:59 PM (EST) on 02/19/2019. WE DO NOT ACCEPT HARD-COPY OR E-MAIL APPLICATION PACKAGES.

Select Apply. If you are not logged in, you will be prompted to login or create an account.
Prompted to Start the Application Process by selecting "Start Application."
- Click here for USAJobs Help with "How to create an application"
- To PREVIEW the application questionnaire, select the following link: https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/10411921
Select or add the resume you want to use for this application. Click here on how to build a resume in USAJOBS.
Select documents you want included in this application.
Review package to acknowledge your documents were reviewed.
Select if you want to include your demographic information.
After reading and certifying the application is true and submitted in good faith, select "Continue to Agency Site."
Follow onscreen prompts and instructions to complete your application.
Add the supporting documents by indexing your documents with the dropdown.
- Upload any missing required documents or optional documents.
Review and Submit Application.
While logged in, you can check the status of your application by selecting "+" next to the job title for this position.
You can review or revise your application at any point during the open period of the announcement.
- To update an application, you should log into your USAJOBS account and select "+" next to the job title for this position. Select "Update Application" for this job.
- Note: When you click Update Application, you will be prompted to re-select your documents from USAJOBS. Documents submitted with the first application will no longer be associated with the applicant record. So it is important that you select all documents you want to use in the re-application.

Agency contact information

Gail Purifoy

Phone: (330) 657-2370 X9
Email: gail_purifoy@nps.gov
Address: Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore
1100 N Mineral Springs Rd
Porter, IN 46304
US

Learn more about this agency

Next steps

Once the Occupational Questionnaire is received you will receive acknowledgement that your submission was successful. If you are among the most qualified candidates and your name is referred to the hiring official, you may be contacted directly for a possible interview. You will be notified of the status of your Application Package at the time candidates are referred for consideration, and when the selection process is complete.

IMPORTANT: Effective May 26, 2018, please note that a temporary seasonal employee can only maintain his or her non-competitive rehire eligibility if he or she works no more than a combined total of 1,039 hours anywhere in the National Park Service (NPS) within their service year. Accordingly, noncompetitive rehire eligibility allows for re-appointment to the same position or another position appropriate for temporary appointment with the same qualification requirements (5 CFR 316.402[b ][7]), based on series and grade, anywhere in the major subdivision ( which is defined as the National Park Service). .

If you have held a temporary seasonal appointment in the past 12 months, and have already worked the maximum 1,039 hours during the last 12 months, you are still welcome to apply. However, please be aware that exceeding the limit of 1,039 hours will result in the loss of your non-competitive rehire eligibility. The limit can be exceeded by working multiple temporary seasonal positions that result in a combined total greater than 1,039 hours. The limit also can be exceeded by working a single temporary seasonal appointment that exceeds 1,039 hours.

The Federal hiring process is set up to be fair and transparent. Please read the following guidance.

Help

The following documents are required and must be submitted by 11:59 PM (EST) on 02/19/2019:

Resume which includes a list of all significant jobs held and duties performed, with dates specified in month and year format, and, indicate hours worked per week. If military or civilian, please include your rank and/or grade.
A complete Occupational Questionnaire
Other Supporting Documents, if applicable, such as:
- Veterans Preference Documentation:
  - If you are a Discharged, Non-Disabled Veteran, you must submit a copy of your DD-214 showing character of discharge (Member 4 copy), or other Documentation of Service and Separation under Honorable Conditions, as listed on the SF15. If you don't have your DD-214, you may request it after discharge from the National Archives.
  - If you are a veteran within 120 days of discharge, you must submit signed documentation from the Armed Forces certifying: 1) your expected release/retirement from active duty, 2) under honorable conditions, 3) your pay grade/rank/rate at time of discharge, 4) dates of active duty service, 5) any campaign or expeditionary medals received, & 6) dated within 120 days of your separation.
  - If you are a Disabled Veteran, Purple Heart Recipient, or Mother or Spouse of a Disabled or Deceased Veteran, you must submit all additional proof required by the SF15, and if applicable, a completed SF15. You may request a copy of your Department of Veterans Affairs letter from www.ebenefits.va.gov or call 1-800-827-1000 to establish proof of disability.
Documentation that you meet Selective Factors.
College transcripts, if qualifying based on education.
Documentation for Interagency/Career Transition Assistance Plan consideration if you are a displaced Federal employee within the local commuting area. You must include: 1) Proof you are a displaced Federal employee, e.g., RIF Separation Notice, Notice of Proposed Removal, etc; 2) SF-50s (Notifications of Personnel Action) showing career/conditional tenure competitive status, promotion potential and duty location; and 3) your most recent performance appraisal. To exercise selection priority, displaced or surplus Federal employees must be rated well-qualified or above 85 on the rating criteria for this position.

Do not submit photographs with your application package. Documents with photographs may not be seen by hiring officials - you must remove your image from any badges, licenses, etc.

Do not upload Adobe portfolio documents. Adobe portfolio documents are not viewable by our agency's staffing offices.

If you are relying on your education to meet qualification requirements:

Education must be accredited by an accrediting institution recognized by the U.S. Department of Education in order for it to be credited towards qualifications. Therefore, provide only the attendance and/or degrees from schools accredited by accrediting institutions recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.

Failure to provide all of the required information as stated in this vacancy announcement may result in an ineligible rating or may affect the overall rating.

Help

To apply for this position: You must complete the occupational questionnaire and submit the documentation specified in the Required Documents section below. To receive consideration, the complete application package must be submitted by 11:59 PM (EST) on 02/19/2019. WE DO NOT ACCEPT HARD-COPY OR E-MAIL APPLICATION PACKAGES.

Select Apply. If you are not logged in, you will be prompted to login or create an account.
Prompted to Start the Application Process by selecting "Start Application."
- Click here for USAJobs Help with "How to create an application"
- To PREVIEW the application questionnaire, select the following link: https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/10411921
Select or add the resume you want to use for this application. Click here on how to build a resume in USAJOBS.
Select documents you want included in this application.
Review package to acknowledge your documents were reviewed.
Select if you want to include your demographic information.
After reading and certifying the application is true and submitted in good faith, select "Continue to Agency Site."
Follow onscreen prompts and instructions to complete your application.
Add the supporting documents by indexing your documents with the dropdown.
- Upload any missing required documents or optional documents.
Review and Submit Application.
While logged in, you can check the status of your application by selecting "+" next to the job title for this position.
You can review or revise your application at any point during the open period of the announcement.
- To update an application, you should log into your USAJOBS account and select "+" next to the job title for this position. Select "Update Application" for this job.
- Note: When you click Update Application, you will be prompted to re-select your documents from USAJOBS. Documents submitted with the first application will no longer be associated with the applicant record. So it is important that you select all documents you want to use in the re-application.

Agency contact information

Gail Purifoy

Phone: (330) 657-2370 X9
Email: gail_purifoy@nps.gov
Address: Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore
1100 N Mineral Springs Rd
Porter, IN 46304
US

Learn more about this agency

Next steps

Once the Occupational Questionnaire is received you will receive acknowledgement that your submission was successful. If you are among the most qualified candidates and your name is referred to the hiring official, you may be contacted directly for a possible interview. You will be notified of the status of your Application Package at the time candidates are referred for consideration, and when the selection process is complete.

IMPORTANT: Effective May 26, 2018, please note that a temporary seasonal employee can only maintain his or her non-competitive rehire eligibility if he or she works no more than a combined total of 1,039 hours anywhere in the National Park Service (NPS) within their service year. Accordingly, noncompetitive rehire eligibility allows for re-appointment to the same position or another position appropriate for temporary appointment with the same qualification requirements (5 CFR 316.402[b ][7]), based on series and grade, anywhere in the major subdivision ( which is defined as the National Park Service). .

If you have held a temporary seasonal appointment in the past 12 months, and have already worked the maximum 1,039 hours during the last 12 months, you are still welcome to apply. However, please be aware that exceeding the limit of 1,039 hours will result in the loss of your non-competitive rehire eligibility. The limit can be exceeded by working multiple temporary seasonal positions that result in a combined total greater than 1,039 hours. The limit also can be exceeded by working a single temporary seasonal appointment that exceeds 1,039 hours.

The Federal hiring process is set up to be fair and transparent. Please read the following guidance.

Biological Science Technician (Botany-Fire Effects)

Summary

Overview

Open & closing dates

Salary

Pay scale & grade

Location

Telework eligible

Travel Required

Relocation expenses reimbursed

Appointment type

Work schedule

Service

Promotion potential

Job family (Series)

Supervisory status

Security clearance

Drug test

Announcement number

Control number

This job is open to

Clarification from the agency

Duties

Requirements

Conditions of Employment

Qualifications

Education

Additional information

Benefits

How You Will Be Evaluated

Benefits

Required Documents

If you are relying on your education to meet qualification requirements:

How to Apply

Agency contact information

Next steps

Fair and Transparent

Required Documents

If you are relying on your education to meet qualification requirements:

How to Apply

Agency contact information

Next steps

Fair & Transparent