Scientist- SC

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*This is a Scientist (Supervisory) Interdisciplinary position that may be filled as a Biologist, GS-401-9/11; OR Ecologist, GS-408-9/11.

This position is located at Congaree National Park in Hopkins, South Carolina. Incumbent is the Southeast Coast Exotic Plant Management Team Liaison responsible for coordinating the SEC-EPMT program, assisting in the study, inventory, monitoring, restoration and management of a broad range of natural resources of plants.  This position is the day-by-day supervisor of an Exotic Plant Management Team (EPMT).  The EPMT will be duty stationed at a host park, but will spend most of its time traveling to satellite parks. Incumbent will assist parks with weed identification, inventory and monitoring methods, and chemical and non-chemical control methods; hire and supervise team members; assure quality control and safe working conditions; provide training to team members and park staffs and report accomplishments to the supervisor; participate in the preparation of long-range and annual work plans for inventory and monitoring of weed populations and control; determine the existing environmental variables that would affect the decision on control methods and assist with collection of material.

• Carry out field studies on plants and plant ecology;
• Inventory, monitor, and control exotic plants;
• Develop and prepare major portions of the resources management plan primarily dealing with biotic resources;
• Coordinate the park’s natural resources strategies and problems with those on adjacent lands for the purpose of achieving broad ecosystem protection strategies and preventing human impact;
• Design, develop, test and implement scientific monitoring protocols to identify, evaluate and do long term monitoring of natural resources;
• Manage human resources (e.g. hiring, training, assigning work, evaluating performance, etc.)

BASIC QUALIFICATION REQUIREMENTS:

BIOLOGIST, GS-401-9/11

A. Have a bachelor’s degree in biological sciences, agriculture, natural resource management, chemistry, or a related discipline appropriate to the position.

OR

B. Possess a combination of education and experience–Courses equivalent to a major, as shown in “A” above, plus appropriate experience or additional education.

ECOLOGIST, GS-408-9/11

A. Have a bachelor’s degree in biology or a related field of science underlying ecological research that included at least 30 semester hours in basic and applied biological sciences. These hours must have included at least 9 semester hours in ecology and 12 semester hours in physical and mathematical sciences.

Additional Qualification Requirements for Biologist, GS-401-9/11 and Ecologist, GS-408-9/11:

GS-9

A. Have one year of specialized experience, equivalent to the GS-7 grade level in the Federal service, assisting in the development and implementation of plans and strategies to protect natural resources; assisting with weed identification and control; conducting field studies on plants and plant ecology; identifying research needs; preparing management and scientific reports; managing human resources, etc.

OR

B. Have two years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to a master’s degree or equivalent graduate degree in the courses described in the Basic Qualification Requirements. An academic year of graduate education is considered to be the number of credit hours that the school attended has determined to represent one academic year of full-time study. This determination is made based on normal course loads for a full year of study in the graduate program. If that information cannot be obtained from the school, 18 semester hours or 27 quarter hours will satisfy the one year of full-time study requirement.

OR

C. Have a combination of graduate level education and specialized experience. To combine education and experience, determine the applicant’s total qualifying experience as a percentage of the experience required for the grade level. Then determine the applicant’s education as a percentage of the education required for the grade level. Finally, add the two percentages. The total percentage must equal at least 100 percent to qualify.

GS-11

A. Have one year of specialized experience, equivalent to the GS-9 grade level in Federal service, preparing action plans pertaining to the management and protection of natural resources; identifying research needs; preparing requests for proposals or statements of work, and providing oversight for research projects; designing, testing and implementing scientific monitoring protocols; conducting field studies on plants and plant ecology; testing and implementing scientific protocols to identify and evaluate long-term monitoring of natural resources; managing human resources, etc.

OR

B. Have completed at least three full years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to a Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree in a field of science directly related to the position. Unless defined differently by the school 18 semester hours is equivalent to a year of graduate education.

OR

C. Have a combination of specialized experience and graduate education equivalent to a full year of specialized experience. Only education in excess of the first two years of graduate study may be combined in this manner. For example, 45 semester hours of graduate education could be combined with 6 months of specialized experience to meet this requirement.

 
You MUST submit copies of your college transcripts (unofficial transcripts are acceptable) OR a list with all your courses, credit hours, grades, and semester year by the announcement closing date.

Foreign Education: If you are using education completed in foreign colleges or universities to meet the qualification requirements, you must show that the 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. For further information, visit:
http://www.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ous/international/usnei/us/edlite-visitus-forrecog.html

Conditions of Employment:

1. Incumbent will be required to obtain and wear an official National Park Service uniform.

2. Appointment 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.

HOW YOU WILL BE EVALUATED:

Once the application process is complete, a review of 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, after reviewing your resume and/or supporting documentation, a determination is made that you have inflated your qualifications and or experience, you may lose consideration for this position.  Please follow all instructions carefully.  Errors or omissions may affect your eligibility.

Category rating procedures will be used to rate and rank candidates. The category assignment is a measure of the degree in which your background matches the competencies required for this position. Qualified candidates will be ranked into one of three categories: Best Qualified, Well-Qualified, or Qualified.

The Category Rating Process does not add veterans’ preference points but protects the rights of veterans by placing them ahead of non-preference eligibles within each category. Preference eligibles who meet the minimum qualification requirements and who have a compensable service-connected disability of at least 10 percent must be listed in the highest quality category (except in the case of scientific or professional positions at the GS-9 level or higher).

Your qualifications will be evaluated on the following competencies (knowledge, skills, abilities and other characteristics).  You do not have to respond to the KSA’s separately but your resume should contain sufficient information to demonstrate possession of the KSA’s.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (KSAs):

1. Knowledge of theories, concepts and principles of ecology or ecosystems including soils, native and non-native flora and fauna and their habitats.

2. Ability to manage human resources. (e.g. hiring, training, assigning work, evaluating performance, etc.).

3. Skill in written communication.

4. Skill in oral communication.

Benefits:  The Federal Government offers a comprehensive benefits package.  Explore the major benefits offered to most Federal employees at http://www.usajobs.gov/EI/benefits.asp.

OTHER INFORMATION:

If you are a veteran with preference eligibility and you are claiming 5-points veterans’ preference, you must submit a copy of your DD-214 or other proof of eligibility. If you are claiming 10-point veterans’ preference, you must also submit an SF-15, “Application for 10-Point Veterans’ Preference” plus the proof required by that form.  For more information on veterans’ preference see

http://www.fedshirevets.gov/job/vetpref/.

Males born after December 31, 1959 must be registered or exempt from Selective Service (see www.sss.gov ).

Interagency Career Transition Assistance Plan (ICTAP) or Career Transition Assistance Plan(CTAP): If you are claiming CTAP/ICTAP eligibility, provide a copy of your most recent annual performance appraisal (at least “fully successful” or equivalent), and proof of eligibility, i.e., a RIF separation notice or Certification of Expected Separation, and SF-50 noting current position, grade level, and duty location. CTAP/ICTAP eligibles must be placed in the “Well Qualified” category or higher in order to be given priority consideration.