Biological Science Technician-FUL
What you'd do
This position is located within the Department of the Interior, National Park Service, Midwest Region, Effigy Mounds National Monument, Harpers Ferry, Iowa. This position will perform a wide variety of complex biological science technical support functions.
Major duties
Some of the major duties you will perform include but are not limited to the following: Organizes, Schedules and executes a wide variety of established natural resource management projects. Plans field projects, independently choosing from among several possible courses of action at different stages of each project. Collects and organizes field data using standardized data collection procedures and equipment; uses judgment to apply precedents and established techniques to new situations. Ensures adequate quality control of data collected. Performs field and laboratory analysis of collected samples. Records all data collected and provides preliminary analysis and classification of the information. Makes field observations of natural resource conditions. Evaluates observed conditions and problems, and interprets variables, trends, correlations, and interrelationships among data and conditions. Recommends management actions based on prescribed guidelines in existing park plans. Prepares draft project reports which include literature research, descriptions of methods, preliminary data analysis, graphs and charts, results, and recommendations for planning, protection, and mitigation activities. Provides written comments on environmental assessments, resource management plan reviews, and park planning documents. Provides logistical support and area orientation for contract or cooperating scientists, provides technical information, ensures quality control, and solves logistical or operational problems within the scope of the incumbent's authority. Installs, operates and maintains resource management equipment. Inventories equipment, evaluates quality assurance compliance and calibrates equipment as necessary. Orders replacement parts, new equipment and supplies. Provides advice, assistance, and training to students, interns, and volunteers involved in resource management projects and field research. Utilizes a variety of computer programs to compile, reduce, store, retrieve, analyze, and report data and other resource management information, including research and long-term monitoring projects. Maintains and organizes computer databases. Provides information to other employees and visitors about the natural resource management program May develop and present related interpretive programs to the public.
What you need to qualify
Requirements Continued... As a condition of employment for accepting this position, you will be required to serve a 1-year probationary period during which your fitness and whether your continued employment advances the public interest will be evaluated. This probationary period is an extension of the appointment process and therefore requires the agency to determine if continued employment would advance the public interest, meet the organization goals and mission of the agency, and/or otherwise promote the efficiency of the service. In determining if your employment advances the public interest, the agency will consider: your performance and conduct; the needs and interests of the agency; whether your continued employment would advance organizational goals of the agency or the Government; and whether your continued employment would advance the efficiency of the Federal service. Under applicable law, the employment of an individual serving a probationary or trial period automatically terminates when that period ends unless the agency affirmatively certifies, in writing, that the individual's employment should continue and that their appointment should be finalized. In the absence of agency action to affirmatively certify continued employment beyond the probationary or trial period, such appointments are terminated. Upon completion of your probationary period your employment will be terminated unless you receive certification, in writing, that your continued employment advances the public interest. Qualifications: All qualifications must be met by the closing date of this announcement-08/21/2026-unless otherwise stated in this vacancy announcement. All candidates must also meet Time-in-Grade requirements. To receive credit for experience, your resume MUST state either "full-time" (or "40 hours a week") or "part-time" with the number of hours worked per week to ensure proper crediting of specialized experience. Failure to adequately provide information needed to determine number of hours worked in each position may result in that time not being credited when evaluating qualifying experience. For periods of time that reflect military service, the DD-214 or Statement of Service is sufficient to meet the full and/or part-time hours requirement as the service dates will be reflected. Minimum Qualification Requirements: To qualify for this position, you must meet at least one the following minimum qualifications: Specialized Experience: One year of specialized experience comparable to the GS-6 level or higher in the Federal service (obtained in either the public or private sectors). Specialized experience is defined as demonstrated experience: Specialized experience includes: 1) carrying out field studies on plants and plant ecology 2) inventorying and monitoring exotic plants 3) Research, conservation, and management of wildlife - e.g. birds, bats, other mammals 4) Conducting insect and insect habitat surveys. OR Education: One (1) full year of graduate level education (18 semester hours or equivalent) in a discipline that is directly related to this position, such as biology or wildlife management. You must include transcripts. OR Combination of education and experience: A combination of specialized experience as described above and graduate-level education that is directly related to the position, that when prorated, combine to meet the qualification requirements of this position. Experience and education are each computed as percentages of their requirements and must equal at least 100 percent when combined. You must include transcripts. 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. Physical Demands: The work is partially sedentary with prolonged standing, walking, and bending often required. Heavy items (e.g., equipment and packs up to 50 pounds) must be lifted and carried on a routine basis. Working Conditions: The work is performed in an office, laboratory, and in the field. Field work includes exposure to extreme weather conditions and terrain, pesticides, poisonous plants, biting insects, and wild animals. Laboratory work may involve exposure to hazardous chemicals.
Before you apply
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