Biological Science Technician (Wildlife)

Duties

Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area (SMMNRA) is the largest urban national park in the country, encompassing more than 150,000 acres of mountains and coastline in Ventura and Los Angeles counties. A unit of the National Park Service, it comprises a seamless network of local, state and federal parks interwoven with private lands and communities. As one of only five Mediterranean ecosystems in the world, SMMNRA preserves the rich biological diversity of more than 450 animal species and 26 distinct plant communities. For more information, visit www.nps.gov/samo.

Major duties for the position include:

• 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 (e.g., selects site locations, sampling techniques, appropriate equipment, logistics, etc.).
• Collects and organizes field data using standardized data collection procedures and equipment; uses judgement to apply precedents and established techniques to new situations. Ensures adequate quality control of data is collected. Performs field and laboratory analysis of collected samples. Records all data collected and provides preliminary analysis and classification of the information.
• Makes filed 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, resources management plan reviews, and park planning documents.
• Provides logistical support and area orientation for contract or cooperating scientist; 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 (e.g., tools, traps, and sampling, monitoring, photographic, and laboratory 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, student conservation assistance, and volunteers involved in the 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 log-term monitoring projects. Maintains and organizes computer databases.
• Provides information to the other employees and vistors about the natural resource management program. May develop and present related inerpretive programs to the public.

Requirements

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 (within a State sealed envelope or submitted directly by the State authorities), and at your own expense, all certified driving records from all States that disclose all valid driver's licenses, whether current or past, possessed by you.
• 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 will be required to work on-call, evenings, weekends, holidays, overtime and shift work.
• You will be required to complete a one-year trial period.
• You may be required to travel overnight away from home up to 1 night per month. You must obtain a government charge card for travel purposes.
• You may be required to complete training and obtain/maintain a government charge card with travel and/or purchase authority.
• Ability to lift 50 pounds and work outdoors in all types of weather.

How You Will Be Evaluated

• 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.

• Required Documents

  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 04/10/2024:

  • Resume which includes a list of all significant jobs held and duties performed, dates specified in month and year format, and the resume must reflect full and/or part-time or total number of hours worked (i.e., work 40 hours a week, rather than indicating full-time). If part-time, the hours must be annotated to be able to pro-rate the amount of qualified specialized experience. If military or civilian, please include your rank and/or grade.

  • Complete All Required Assessments.

  • College transcripts, if qualifying based on education.

  • 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 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.

• How to Apply

  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 04/10/2024. You must provide documentation to support your claim for each eligibility selected. Please review the required documentation listed in the eligibilities language to ensure you submit the appropriate information. Note: You will only be marked eligible for those eligibilities that you selected and provided the appropriate supporting documentation.
  
  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 "Apply."
    • 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/12360702

  • 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

  Brittney Arrington

  Email

  brittney_arrington@nps.gov

  Address

  Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area
  401 West Hillcrest Drive
  Thousand Oaks, CA 91360
  US

  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.
  

• Fair and Transparent

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

  • Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) Policy
  • Reasonable accommodation policy
  • Financial suitability
  • Selective Service
  • New employee probationary period
  • Signature and false statements
  • Privacy Act
  • Social security number request

Required Documents

Clarification from the agency

Under this announcement, we are accepting applications from: 1. All United States Citizens (U.S. Citizens) 2. CTAP/ICTAP Eligibles.