Biologist

Duties As a Biologist within the Western Ecological Research Center, some of your specific duties will include: Conducting studies and investigations concerning biological, chemical, and physical processes that affect biology resources.
Deploying date-collection systems and manipulates data from these systems.
Writing comprehensive reports on study finding and recommendations.
Devising strategies and plans to overcome significant resource problems related to ecology, fishery, and/or wildlife habitat restoration.
Operate a government owned or leased vehicle as an incidental driver.
Physical Demands The field work requires some physical exertion such as walking over wet, rough, uneven, or rocky surfaces; bending, crouching, stooping, stretching, reaching, or similar activities.
Laboratory work requires moderate physical ability and agility and dexterity to manipulate samples and operate equipment.
Work Environment Work is performed in an office, laboratory, and/or in the field.
The office is adequately lighted, heated, and ventilated.
Temperature and weather extremes may be encountered in the performance of the outdoor work.
Field and laboratory duties may require the use of special protective gear.
The incumbent is expected to conduct duties in a safe and orderly manner so as not to endanger self, fellow workers, or property with which entrusted.
Salary Information: Reno, NV - $72,734 (Step 01) to $94,551 (Step 10) Dixon, CA - $90,310 (Step 01) to $117,400 (Step 10) NOTE: First time hires to the Federal Government are typically hired at the Step 01.
Requirements Conditions of Employment Key Requirements: Applicants must be U.
S.
Citizens.
Suitable for Federal employment, as determined by background investigation.
Selectee may be subject to serving a one-year trial period.
Selectee must provide a valid state driver's license & safe driving record.
Selectee subject to successful completion of a pre-employment medical exam.
More requirements are listed under Qualifications and Other Information.
Are There Any Special Requirements For This Position? There is currently one vacancy to be filled; however, this announcement may be used to fill additional vacancies if they become available.
You will be required to operate a government-owned or -leased vehicle in the performance of your official duties.
Applicants for this position must meet the following requirements: (1) possess a valid State license, and (2) possess a safe driving record.
If selected, you will be required to provide proof of a valid State license & a copy of your driving record.
Taking and passing a pre-employment medical examination at Federal expense is required due to the physical demands of this job.
Because this position requires travel for official business, the selectee will be required to apply for a charge card within 30 calendar days of appointment.
Individuals who have delinquent account balances from a previous Government charge card will be required to satisfy their existing obligation before a new card can be issued.
A background investigation will be required for this position.
Continued employment will be subject to the applicant's successful completion of a background security investigation and favorable adjudication.
Failure to successfully meet these requirements will be grounds for termination.
Throughout the recruitment and hiring process we will be communicating with you via email; therefore, it is imperative that the email address you provide when applying for this vacancy remains active.
Should your email address change, please notify the point of contact identified in the vacancy announcement as soon as possible so that we can update our system.
Qualifications BASIC EDUCATION REQUIREMENT: Applicants must meet A or B below to satisfy the basic education requirement for Biologist, all grade levels.
A.
Degree in biological sciences, agriculture, natural resource management, chemistry, or related disciplines appropriate to the position.
*OR* B.
Combination of education and experience-courses equivalent to a major, as shown in A above (24 semester hours or the equivalent in biological sciences, agriculture, natural resource management, chemistry, or related disciplines appropriate to the position), plus appropriate experience and/or additional education for a total of 4 years.
The education or combined education and experience must be comparable in type, scope and thoroughness to that acquired through successful completion of a 4-year course of study as described in "A" above.
(CLICK HERE FOR DETAILS ON HOW TO COMBINE EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE) In addition to the basic education requirements as stated above, applicants must meet one of the following: Possess 3 full years of progressively higher-level graduate education or a Ph.
D.
or equivalent doctoral degree in the biological sciences, agriculture, natural resource management, chemistry, or related disciplines.
**OR Possess one year of specialized experience at or equal to the next lower grade level.
Examples of experience at the GS-09 level work may include: 1) participation in the planning and execution of biological studies with limited number of variables; 2) performing established, standardized tests and analyses on a broad range of biological samples; 3) conducting biological studies using established fact finding procedures.
For examples 1-3, assignments were made with the objectives, priorities, and deadlines defined.
The work was planned and carried out independently in accordance with proven techniques, methods, and practices.
Controversial use of approaches or modifications of standard procedures were typically discussed with a designated person before being carried out.
**OR Possess a combination of graduate level education as described in above, beyond the first two years of progressive graduate study, and appropriate professional experience that together meet the qualification requirements for this position.
You must meet all qualification and eligibility requirements for the position by the closing date of the announcement.
Education 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.
Education completed in colleges or universities outside the United States may be used to meet the above requirements.
You must provide acceptable documentation that the foreign education is comparable to that received in an accredited educational institution in the United States.
For more information on how foreign education is evaluated, visit: https://www.
usgs.
gov/about/organization/science-support/human-capital/how-foreign-education-evaluated-federal-jobs Additional information Other Information: This vacancy is limited to the first 70 applications received and will close at midnight Eastern Time on the day this application limit is reached regardless of the closing date specified in this vacancy announcement.
Any application received prior to midnight Eastern Time of the day the application limit is reached will be accepted and considered.
You are strongly encouraged to submit all required supporting documents at the time of application should the vacancy close earlier than stated in this announcement due to the applicant limit being reached.
Supporting documents will not be accepted once the vacancy announcement closes.
Applicants who include vulgar, offensive, or inappropriate language or information in their application package will be ineligible for further consideration for this position.
Under Executive Order 11935, only United States citizens and nationals (residents of American Samoa and Swains Island) may compete for civil service jobs.
Agencies are permitted to hire non-citizens only in very limited circumstances where there are no qualified citizens available for the position.
USGS employees are subject to Title 43, USC Section 31(a) and may not: (a) have any personal, private, direct or indirect interest in lands or mineral wealth of lands under survey; (b) have any substantial personal, private, direct or indirect interests in any private mining or mineral enterprise doing business with the United States; or (c) execute surveys or examinations for private parties or corporations.
The application contains information subject to the Privacy Act (P.
L.
93-579, 5 USC 552a).
The information is used to determine qualifications for employment, and is authorized under Title 5, USC, Section 3302 and 3361.
DOI uses E-Verify to confirm the employment eligibility of all newly hired employees.
To learn more about E-Verify, including your rights and responsibilities, please visit www.
dhs.
gov/E-Verify.
The Department of the Interior (DOI) places a high value on diversity of experience and cultural perspectives and encourages applications from all interested eligible candidates.
Diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility (DEIA) are fundamental principles that guide the Department and allow us to successfully achieve our mission.
THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER.
Agency Benefits: USGS has determined that the duties of this position are suitable for telework and the selectee may be allowed to telework in accordance with the DOI Telework policy and with supervisor approval.
The official worksite for the selectee is the duty station identified in this vacancy announcement.
The selectee will typically report to this duty location on a regular and recurring weekly basis.
For additional information on our internal telework policy, please reference the Department of the Interior Telework Handbook at: https://www.
doi.
gov/telework/policies.
Working for the U.
S.
Geological Survey offers a comprehensive benefits package that includes paid vacation, sick leave, and holidays; health, life, dental, vision, and long term care insurance, flexible spending accounts, and participation in the Federal Employees Retirement System.
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.
How You Will Be Evaluated You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.
-Basis of Rating: The Government-wide direct hire authority for STEM Biological Science, GS-0401-11 is being used to fill this position.
All applicants who meet the eligibility requirements and minimum qualification requirements will be referred for consideration.
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.
Required documents may be: (1) uploaded directly from your desktop; or (2) uploaded directly from your USAJOBS stored attachments.
Resume -Resumes are required.
You are highly encouraged to use USAJOBS Resume Builder to ensure all required information is included in your Resume.
If you use your own resume, curriculum vitae, or other written form, then you must describe your job-related qualifications, including: beginning and ending dates for paid and non-paid work experience; hours worked per week; month and year of employment for each job title listed; annual salary; and description of job duties.
Include name and address of employer; supervisor name and telephone number.
Additional information on what to include can be found here.
Supporting documents -Upload any supporting documents identified in the Key Requirements section or included below as it applies to your eligibility.
Supporting documents may be: (1) uploaded directly from your desktop; or (2) uploaded directly from your USAJOBS stored attachments Transcripts -If this position requires specific educational course work to qualify, or you are qualifying based in whole or part on education, you are required to provide all unofficial transcripts (undergraduate, graduate, etc.
), which includes semester hours earned and grade received, by the closing date of this announcement or you will be disqualified from further consideration.
Please ensure that all documentation is legible.
Career Transition Assistance Plan (CTAP) & Inter-agency Career Transition Assistance Plan (ICTAP) Eligibles -If you are claiming CTAP/ICTAP eligibility, the Servicing Human Resources Office must receive proof by the closing date of this announcement that you meet the requirements of 5 CFR 330 Subpart F for CTAP and 5 CFR 330 Subpart G for ICTAP or you will not receive priority consideration.
This includes: copy of the agency notice; your most recent Performance Rating; and your most recent SF-50 noting current position, grade level, and duty location.
If you are a CTAP or ICTAP eligible, you will be considered well qualified if you earn a minimum score of 85 (prior to the assignment of veteran's preference points).
For more information on CTAP/ICTAP please click here.
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 -Applications (resume and application questions) for this vacancy must be received on-line via USAJOBS BEFORE midnight Eastern Time (Washington, D.
C.
time) on the closing date of this announcement.
If you fail to submit a complete online resume, you will not be considered for this position.
Requests for extensions will not be granted.
Most libraries, employment offices, and all USGS personnel offices can provide access to the Internet.
If applying online poses a hardship for you, you must speak to someone in the Servicing Human Resources Office listed on this announcement PRIOR TO THE CLOSING DATE for assistance.
-Instructions for Applying Online for this Vacancy Announcement: 1)Click the blue "Apply Online" button.
2)If you are not a registered USAJOBS user, please create a new account and follow the instructions to complete your application process.
If you are a registered user, login to access your existing USAJOBS profile.
3)As a registered user, select a stored resume and select one or more of your stored documents to attach to your application.
4)Check the "Certification" box and click the "Apply for this position now!" button located at the bottom of the screen.
5)Address the eligibility questions as well as the questionnaire containing questions and/or task statements that address the knowledge, skills, abilities and/or competencies for this vacancy.
6)Submit required documents.
7) If you experience technical difficulties during the online application process, please contact the USAJOBS helpdesk.
Agency contact information Mary Wagner Phone 303-236-0675 Email mwagner@usgs.
gov Address NORTHERN NV SUB-STATION 12201 Sunrise Valley Drive Mail Stop 600 Reston, VA 20192 US Next steps -If you are rated as one of the most highly qualified candidates, you will be referred to the hiring manager for further consideration and possible interview.
We expect to make a selection within 30-45 days of the closing date of this announcement.
You will be notified via email of the outcome.
You can also go to "My Account" within USAJOBS to review your Application Status.
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 Required documents may be: (1) uploaded directly from your desktop; or (2) uploaded directly from your USAJOBS stored attachments.
Resume -Resumes are required.
You are highly encouraged to use USAJOBS Resume Builder to ensure all required information is included in your Resume.
If you use your own resume, curriculum vitae, or other written form, then you must describe your job-related qualifications, including: beginning and ending dates for paid and non-paid work experience; hours worked per week; month and year of employment for each job title listed; annual salary; and description of job duties.
Include name and address of employer; supervisor name and telephone number.
Additional information on what to include can be found here.
Supporting documents -Upload any supporting documents identified in the Key Requirements section or included below as it applies to your eligibility.
Supporting documents may be: (1) uploaded directly from your desktop; or (2) uploaded directly from your USAJOBS stored attachments Transcripts -If this position requires specific educational course work to qualify, or you are qualifying based in whole or part on education, you are required to provide all unofficial transcripts (undergraduate, graduate, etc.
), which includes semester hours earned and grade received, by the closing date of this announcement or you will be disqualified from further consideration.
Please ensure that all documentation is legible.
Career Transition Assistance Plan (CTAP) & Inter-agency Career Transition Assistance Plan (ICTAP) Eligibles -If you are claiming CTAP/ICTAP eligibility, the Servicing Human Resources Office must receive proof by the closing date of this announcement that you meet the requirements of 5 CFR 330 Subpart F for CTAP and 5 CFR 330 Subpart G for ICTAP or you will not receive priority consideration.
This includes: copy of the agency notice; your most recent Performance Rating; and your most recent SF-50 noting current position, grade level, and duty location.
If you are a CTAP or ICTAP eligible, you will be considered well qualified if you earn a minimum score of 85 (prior to the assignment of veteran's preference points).
For more information on CTAP/ICTAP please click here.
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 This job is open to Career transition (CTAP, ICTAP, RPL) Federal employees who meet the definition of a "surplus" or "displaced" employee.
The public U.
S.
Citizens, Nationals or those who owe allegiance to the U.
S.