Summary In these positions, you will apply your expertise to develop safe and effective methods aimed at reducing agricultural, biological, plant health, human-wildlife conflicts and natural resource risks. Responsibilities The duties described are for the full-performance level. At developmental grade levels, assignments will be of more limited scope, performed with less independence and limited complexity. The duties may include, but are not limited to: Participates in the inspection of containment facilities and/or laboratories, or works with inspectors to evaluate the capabilities of such facilities. Develops and maintains current information on microorganisms and invertebrates in terms of geographical distribution, organism biology, and agricultural or environmental impacts. Plans and implements field, computer modeling, and laboratory studies with limited input from the Supervisor. Studies are conducted to develop new products, assess new or existing techniques, and assess management options to reduce human-wildlife conflicts. Serves in a key role for data system development and integration, including identifying and developing Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs), quality control of data sets and data use. Helps identify and support projects to provide and enhance data analysis, data quality, and data reporting. Requirements Conditions of Employment Qualifications Applicants must meet all qualifications and eligibility requirements by the closing date of the announcement, including specialized experience and/or education, as defined below. BASIC REQUIREMENT: 0401: Degree: biological sciences, agriculture, natural resource management, chemistry, or related disciplines appropriate to the position. OR Combination of education and experience: Courses equivalent to a major, plus appropriate experience or additional education. In addition to meeting the basic requirement you will also need to meet the following: FOR THE GS-11 LEVEL: Applicants must have one year of specialized experience (equivalent to the GS-9 level) that may have been obtained in the private or public (local, county, state, Federal) sectors which demonstrates: - Participates in the research and study of wildlife or plant disease trends, which may include designing studies, analyzing research information, or using various software to interpret data (ArcGIS, QGIS, R, Python). - Assessing complex operational or regulatory issues, selecting appropriate remedies, and modifying or adapting established protocols, procedures, or methodologies to fit unique program needs or field conditions. - Processes import permit applications, communicates permitting policy to customers, and provides permitting customer support via email and telephone. - Preparing and delivering technical and progress reports for supervisors and identifies controversial matters that require resolution.; OR 3 years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to a Ph.D. degree or Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree in biological sciences, agriculture, natural resource management, chemistry, or related disciplines appropriate to the position. Equivalent combinations of education and experience are qualifying for this grade level. TRANSCRIPTS are required if: This position requires specific coursework or a degree in a specific field to be basically qualified. You are qualifying for the position based on education. You are qualifying for this position based on a combination of experience and education. This education must have been successfully completed and obtained from an accredited school, college, or university. COMBINATION OF EDUCATION & EXPERIENCE AT THE GS-11 GRADE LEVEL: Applicants may have combinations of successfully completed education and specialized experience to meet total qualification requirements. The total percentages must equal at least 100 percent to qualify for that grade level. 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 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 Please see above for education qualification requirement information. Additional Information Career Transition Assistance Plan (CTAP), Reemployment Priority List (RPL), or Interagency Career Transition Assistance Plan (ICTAP): Visit the OPM website for information on how to apply as a CTAP, RPL, or ICTAP eligible. To exercise selection priority for this vacancy, CTAP/RPL/ICTAP candidates must meet the basic eligibility requirements and all selective factors. CTAP/ICTAP candidates must be well qualified, which means having knowledge, skills, abilities, and/or competencies that exceed the minimum qualification requirements for this position. CTAP/ICTAP applicants may be required to take a manual assessment and must receive a rating of at least 85 out of a possible 100. First time hires to the federal government normally start at the lowest rate of the salary range for the grade selected. Locality pay will vary based upon the selectee's duty location. A final salary determination will be made upon selection. Promotion Potential: If you are selected for a position with further promotion potential, you will be placed under a career development plan, and may be non-competitively promoted if you successfully complete the requirements and if recommended by management. However, promotion is neither implied nor guaranteed. Location Negotiable: Duty locations are limited to those listed in this announcement and are not negotiable. While you may optionally indicate additional states or territories of interest, vacancies are not anticipated outside the listed locations. Applicants should not expect referral for other locations unless conditions change. Multiple positions/locations are being filled through this vacancy. In some locations, Relocation expenses may be paid. Due to expedited timelines and mission demands, if you are selected for a position listed on this announcement, you will only receive a job offer for one location. Declining the original offer will not allow you to be considered for other locations/positions from this announcement. Travel percentage may differ by position. You will be limited to choosing no more than 3 locations for this announcement, including "location negotiable" which may cover additional future vacancies. You will not be considered for locations you do not choose. The position titles and locations for this announcement are as follows: Agriculturist 2 vacancies in the following locations: Raleigh, NC or Fort Collins, CO Biologist 3 vacancies in the following locations: Millville, UT, Starkville, MS or Fort Colins, CO
