Biological Science Technician-FUL

Summary

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.

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Duties

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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.

Requirements

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Conditions of employment

• Must provide proof of U.S. citizenship.
• Appointment subject to background investigation and favorable adjudication.
• Males born after 12-31-59 must be registered for Selective Service.
• Direct Deposit participation required.
• Successfully pass the E-Verify employment verification check. To learn more, visit [click to reveal website link]www.dhs.gov/EVerify/.
• Must possess and maintain a valid driver's license throughout employment.
• You are required to wear a uniform and comply with the uniform standards. A uniform allowance will be provided.
• You may be required to complete training and obtain/maintain a government charge card with travel and/or purchase authority.
• You must be at least (1)18 years old or (2) at least 16 years old and: (a) Have graduated from high school or been awarded a certificate equivalent to graduating from high school; or (b) Have completed a formal vocational training program; or (c) Have received a statement from school authorities agreeing with their preference for employment rather than continuing their education; or (d) Be currently enrolled in a secondary school and either work only during school vacation periods or work part-time during the school year under a formal student employment program.
• You must be at least 18 years of age or older to operate government vehicles.
• Ability to lift 50 pounds.

*Additional Requirements located under qualifications*

Qualifications

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:

1. 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
2. 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
3. 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.

Education

You must submit a copy of your transcript(s) to support claimed education if substituting education for experience. Transcripts must include your name, school name, grades, credit hours earned, major(s), grade point average or class ranking, and date the degree was conferred, if applicable. A typed list of courses, grades, semester/quarter hours, GPA, etc. will not be accepted. Non-submission may result in being rated not qualified for the position. Unofficial transcripts are acceptable, but if you are selected for this position and you used your education to qualify, you must provide official transcripts before you begin work.

Foreign Education: To receive credit for education completed outside the United States, you must show proof that the education has been submitted to a private organization that specializes in interpretation of foreign educational credentials and such education has been deemed at least equivalent to that gained in conventional U.S. education programs. Recognition of Foreign Qualifications | U.S. Department of Education. [click to reveal website link]https://www.ed.gov/about/initiatives/international-affairs/recognition-o...

Additional information

This position will be filled under the Field Unit Local Hiring Authority. Eligibility is limited to applicants who reside within the defined local commuting area at the time of application. For this announcement, the local commuting area is the area from which individuals can reasonably commute to the duty station under normal conditions. The defined vicinity for this position is towns within Commuting Area of Effigy Mounds National Monument; as follows:

IOWA

Calmar

Decorah

Dyersville

Fayette

Garnavillo

Guttenberg

Lansing

Marquette

McGregor

Monona

New Albin

Postville

Strawberry Point

Waukon

Elgin

Harpers Ferry

Elkader

Clermont

WISCONSIN

Bloomington

Desoto

Fennimore

Gays Mills

Highland

Lancaster

Prairie du Chien

Boscobel

Cassville

MINNESOTA

Eitzen

You must provide proof of residency within the defined vicinity (e.g. mortgage or property deed, lease/rental agreement, utility bill, insurance policy, etc.). See the Required Documents section for information on how to verify current residence.

AREA INFORMATION:

Effigy Mounds National Monument is located in the rugged bluffs three miles north of Marquette, Iowa along the Mississippi River. The 2,526 acre monument was established in 1949 to protect over 200 burial mounds in a variety of shapes including effigies of animals and birds. The diverse mixture of forest, prairies, wetlands and rivers found today are remnants of the environment that once supported the ancient mound building cultures. Effigy Mounds is located in a rural area within a few miles of Prairie du Chien, Wisconsin and Marquette, McGregor and Waukon, Iowa. Housing with reasonable rates is available in nearby communities.

Salary Clarification: Rest of the US pay for GS-7, Step 1 is $50,460 per year through Step 10, which is $65,599 per year. Pay will vary based on duty location for which you're selected. First time hires to the Federal government normally start at the Step 1 rate.

This position may be suitable for telework only during an emergency or natural disaster.

Additional vacancies may be filled using this job announcement.

All Department of Interior (DOI) employees, their spouses, and minor children may not acquire or retain any claim, permit, lease, small tract entry, or other rights granted by the Department in Federal lands, with limited exceptions. Additional ethics prohibitions can be found here, [click to reveal website link]https://www.doi.gov/ethics/ethics-prohibitions.

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Candidates should be committed to improving the efficiency of the Federal government, passionate about the ideals of our American republic, and committed to upholding the rule of law and the United States Constitution.

Benefits

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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.

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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.