Biological Science Technician - Wildlife (El Cajon, CA)

VACANCY ANNOUNCEMENT
 

OPEN DATE: January 8, 2025
 

CLOSING DATE: January 15, 2025
 

POSITION TITLE: Biological Science Technician –Wildlife
 

TYPE OF POSITION: 13 Month term Appointment with possibility for Benefits,
excepted Service (May be extended up to 4 years).
 

WORK SCHEDULE: Full time work schedule. Occasional weekends, early
mornings, and evenings with occasional night work.
 

ANNOUNCEMENT #: CA-25-SDASFT SERIES/GRADE: AD-0404-05/06
 

FULL PERFORMANCE LEVEL: AD-0404-06
 

LOCATION: El Cajon, CA
(Relocation expenses will not be paid)
 

SALARY: $49,142.00 - $66,762.00 per year
______________________________________________________________________________
WHO MAY APPLY:
• Must be a U.S. Citizen
• Must be 18 years old
• If you are a male born after December 31, 1959 and are at least 18 years of age, civil service employment law (5 U.S.C. 3328) requires that you must be registered with the Selective Service System, unless you meet certain exemptions (proof of registration and/or exemption required). Website: http://www.sss.gov.
 

REQUIRED DOCUMENTS:
Resume that includes:
1) Personal information such as name, address, contact information
2) Education
3) Detailed work experience related to this position as described in the announcement including:
Work schedule including hours per week
Dates of employment.
Title, series, grade (if applicable)
(Jobs should include hours worked and from and to dates worked, in this format DD/MO/YR) ex. Papa Johns 35 hours a week from 03/12/79-10-12 82)
4) All supervisors' phone numbers and if they may be contacted
5) Other qualifications:
     o Transcripts (if qualifying on education, education must have been obtained from an accredited institution. Education completed in a foreign institution must include an evaluation by an organization that specializes in interpretation of foreign education programs that it was deemed equivalent to an accredited U.S. education program, see: Foreign Education Evaluation. All transcripts must be in English or include an English translation.)
     o DD-214 (Member 4 copy)
     o VA letter required for applicable Veteran preference.
     o Current active-duty members must submit a certification that they are expected to be discharged or released from active duty under honorable conditions not later than 120 days after the date the certification is submitted.
 

HOW TO APPLY: Additional materials not listed above (i.e. position descriptions, training
certificates, etc.) may not be considered. Applicants who do not submit the required items listed above may not be considered. Applications with all supporting documents must be submitted to the contact office and must be RECEIVED by the CLOSING DATE of this announcement.
 

Interested individuals should send a resume, transcripts, veteran documentation (if applicable) to the address listed here:
 

CONTACT OFFICE:
Brian Bonesteel, District Supervisor USDA APHIS Wildlife Services
9380 Bond Ave Suite A
El Cajon, CA 92021
(916) 561-3752
Email: brian.r.bonesteel@usda.gov
 

IMPORTANT NOTE: If you should need the forms identified in above paragraph, contact the District Supervisor for a copy.
 

SUMMARY:
Conducts crop appraisals and evaluates estimated loss from wildlife, livestock kill investigations, pesticide applications, equipment maintenance and works closely with state/federal/local agencies.
 

DUTIES:
Responsible for planning, organizing, and conducting direct control operations to reduce wildlife damage within a geographical area or technical/subject area of program involvement.
 

Inspects and surveys areas and, as necessary, will revise existing WDM programs.
 

Uses WDM tools/devices which may include some or all of the following depending on need in assigned area: firearms; foothold, body-grip, cage traps; foot snares; neck snares; chemical control methods; pyrotechnics; noise cannons/exploders; drop nets; rocket/cannon nets; various other scaring devices.
 

Correctly identifies current, and forecasts future, damage problems and relates them to the damage- causing species.
 

Independently determines and selects the most effective means of control for individual situations.
 

Modifies or adapts established damage control techniques as necessary to meet local conditions and address specific environmental, economic or political considerations.
 

Assists in the negotiation of cooperative service agreements with landowners, lessees, or administrators to accomplish the goals outlined for the WS program. May independently negotiate small cooperative service field agreements.
 

Enters data into established WDM database/system of record. Uses data to prepare and submit routine reports regarding daily, weekly or monthly activities, observations, and events.
 

Assists others in preparing and submitting routine and special reports regarding daily, weekly or monthly activities, observations, events.
 

Complies with restrictions and mitigation measures established through consultation with relevant Federal and State agencies.
 

Carries out duties in accordance with program decisions made in compliance with the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) and Endangered Species Act (ESA) under guidance and oversight by supervisor.
 

Demonstrates a respect for safety in all operations, including the operation of motor vehicles, firearms, control devices and materials, and equipment.
 

Performs other duties, as required.
 

MINIMUM ELIGIBLITY REQUIREMENTS:
To qualify, applicants MUST meet all minimum qualification requirements, except Medical Requirements, by the closing date of the announcement.
 

QUALIFICATIONS REQUIRED:
For the AD-5 Grade Level:
Applicants must have one year of specialized experience (equivalent to the AD-4 level) that may have been obtained in the private or public (local, county, state, federal) sectors which demonstrates experience in:
• Ability to meet and communicate with individuals or groups.
• Experience conducting basic computer operations for record keeping, data analysis, report writing and correspondence.
• Ability to identify various species of animals.
 

OR
Successful completion of a full 4-year course of study leading to a bachelor’s degree with major study, or at least 24 semester hours, in any combination of scientific or technical courses such as biology, chemistry, entomology, animal husbandry, botany, physics, agriculture, or mathematics, with at least 6 semester hours in wildlife.
 

OR
Combination of Education and Experience at the AD-5 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.
 

For the AD-6 Grade Level:
Applicants must have one year of specialized experience (equivalent to the AD-5 level) that may have been obtained in the private or public (local, county, state, federal) sectors which demonstrates experience in:
• Experience in speaking to cooperators, organizations, and the public.
• Using computers for word processing, spreadsheets, GIS and database applications.
• Experience identifying and working with invasive species.
• Experience working with mammals understanding their behaviors and patterns.
 

OR
Successfully completed 1 year of graduate education (18 semester hours) in wildlife.
 

OR
Combination of Education and Experience at the AD-6 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.
 

OTHER REQUIREMENTS: (if applicable to your position)
• Must obtain or have a valid state driver’s license. Operation of Government-owned or leased vehicles is required. (if this applies)
• As a condition of employment, appropriate security clearance is required for this position.
• Position is subject to random and applicant drug testing.
• Must demonstrate a respect for safety in all operations, including the operation of motor vehicles, firearms, control devices, and equipment.
• Direct Deposit: Per Public Law 104-134 all Federal employees are required to have federal payments made by direct deposit to their financial institution.
• Successfully pass the E-Verify employment verification check. To learn more about E- Verify, including your rights and responsibilities, visit https://www.e-verify.gov/.
• Occasional travel may be required.
• In order to perform the essential duties of this position, you must have the legal and physical ability to possess and discharge firearms. You must be able to pass a government background check and meet any additional requirements to carry and use firearms. A background check will include answering questions about where you’ve lived, worked, went to school, and any military history or police records. Selection and retention in this position is contingent on a successfully adjudicated FBI National Criminal History Check (fingerprint check).
 

Emergency Response – APHIS is an emergency response agency. This means that all Agency employees may be asked or assigned to participate in rotating temporary duty assignments to support emergency programs at some time during their careers with APHIS. It is difficult to predict the frequency with which such emergency situations may occur – and could range from several emergencies in a year to none over the course of many years. In the event that you are called upon to support an emergency program, this may require irregular working hours, including overtime, and may include duties other than those specified in your official position description. While some emergency program support assignments may be able to be performed at the employee’s current duty station, in other cases employees may be asked to go on-site to a temporary duty state location. In addition, it may be necessary for employees to participate in multiple rotations to an emergency program assignment. Attempts will be made to keep disruption to the employee to a minimum.
See this link: https://www.usajobs.gov//Help/working-in-government/fair-and- transparent/signature-false-statements/
 

NOTE: APPLICANTS FOR THIS POSITION WILL BE REQUIRED TO SUBMIT TO URINALYSIS TO SCREEN FOR ILLEGAL DRUG USE PRIOR TO APPOINTMENT. APPOINTMENT TO THE POSITION WILL BE CONTINGENT UPON A NEGATIVE DRUG TEST RESULT. INCUMBENTS OF THIS POSITION WILL BE REQUIRED TO SUBMIT TO URINALYSIS TO SCREEN FOR ILLEGAL DRUG USE ON AN ONGOING BASIS AFTER APPOINTMENT, AS DIRECTED.
 

Carrying a firearm is a condition of employment – In the passing of the Lautenberg Amendment, Congress passed legislation which prohibits anyone who has been convicted of a misdemeanor crime of domestic violence from possessing a firearm or ammunition. If selected you will be required to sign the form, “Inquiry for Positions Requiring Possession of Firearms,” certifying that you meet this criteria.
 

The United States Government does not discriminate in employment on the basis of race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy and gender identity), national origin, political affiliation, sexual orientation, marital status, disability, genetic information, age, membership in an employee organization, retaliation, parental status, military service, or other non-merit factor.
 

Reasonable Accommodation Policy-
Federal agencies must provide reasonable accommodation to applicants with disabilities where appropriate. Applicants requiring reasonable accommodation for any part of the application and hiring process should contact the hiring agency directly. Determinations on requests for reasonable accommodation will be made on a Case-by-Case basis.
 

A reasonable accommodation is any change in the workplace, or the way things are customarily done that provides an equal employment opportunity to an individual with a disability. Under the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) must provide reasonable accommodations:
• An applicant with a disability needs an accommodation to have an equal opportunity to apply for a job.
• An employee with a disability needs an accommodation to perform the essential job duties or to gain access to the workplace.
• An employee with a disability needs an accommodation to receive equal access to benefits, such as details, training, and office-sponsored events.
 

Under the Fair Chance Act, agencies are not allowed to request information about an applicant’s criminal history until a conditional offer of employment has been made, except as allowed for access to classified information; assignment to national security duties or positions; acceptance or retention in the armed forces; or recruitment of a Federal law enforcement officer. An applicant may submit a complaint or any other information related to an organization’s alleged noncompliance with the Fair Chance Act. The complaint must be submitted within 30 calendar days of the date of the alleged noncompliance. To make a Fair Chance Act inquiry or complaint, send an email with the appropriate information to MRP.Fairchance@usda.gov subject line: Fair Chance Act.
 

Relocation costs will not be paid for this position.
 

More than one selection may be made from this announcement.