Easter Seals Jobs

Summary The Pacific West Region is recruiting for summer seasonal Biological Science Technician (Plants), GS-0404-5/6/7 positions intended to assist permanent staff with vegetation monitoring and restoration field work. Open to the first 350 applicants or until 12/13/2024 whichever comes first. All applications submitted by 11:59 (EST) on the closing day will receive consideration. Responsibilities Multiple positions will be filled at multiple locations. Sequoia National Park Sierra Nevada Inventory & Monitoring Network: Based at Sequoia National Park, Three Rivers OR Mammoth Lakes, CA Major duties may include: Perform routine and recurring testing of collected samples. Record all data collected and ensure adequate quality control. Make field observations of natural resource conditions. Utilize a variety of computer programs to compile, reduce, store, retrieve, and report data and other resource management information. Conduct routine resource monitoring programs for evaluating rare, threatened and endangered plant species, stock use impacts in meadows, vegetation communities, population dynamics, ecosystem relationships, and public health/safety issues. Carry out a variety of field activities such as the plant surveys, control of non-native and invasive plants, and enhancement of native plant populations. Utilize databases to enter and organize collected field data and uses standard statistical methods in the preparation of draft reports. At the GS-06 level, in addition to duties listed above, you may: Assist in preparing reports, plans, and guidelines. Maintain and organize computer databases. Install, operate, and maintain resource management equipment. Perform equipment inventories, evaluate quality assurance compliance, order and calibrate parts and equipment/supplies. Provide training to others involved in resource management projects and field research. At the GS-07 level, in addition to duties listed above, you may: Assist staff in planning field research and resource monitoring programs. Schedule, coordinate and carry out a variety of field activities. Develop and using databases to enter, organize and perform preliminary analysis of collected field data using standard statistical methods. Provide work direction and guidance to lower graded technicians, volunteers, or YCC enrollees. Assist in preparing draft news releases and provide information to individuals, local organizations and schools. This announcement may be used to fill additional positions if identical vacancies occur within 90 days of the issue date of the referral certificate. Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks represent an extraordinary continuum of ecosystems (96% designated wilderness) arrayed along the greatest vertical relief (1,370 to 14,505 feet elevation) of any protected area in the lower 48 states. They are the highest, most rugged reaches of the Sierra Nevada Mountains (including Mount Whitney at 14,505 feet elevation) and feature the world's largest trees - Giant Sequoias. Sequoia National Park is the nation's second oldest national park (established September 25, 1890) and encompasses 404,863 acres. Kings Canyon was established on March 4, 1940 and encompasses 458,847 acres. Both parks provide a wealth of recreational opportunities via 835 miles of trails, wild and scenic rivers, alpine lakes, and caves, along with a full range of overnight lodging prospects to choose from that include 14 campgrounds. For area information visit: https://www.nps.gov/seki/getinvolved/workwithus.htm.In addition to Sequoia and Kings Canyon, the Sierra Nevada Network Inventory & Monitoring Program conducts long term monitoring in Yosemite National Park and Devils Postpile National Monument. Air Quality: Poor air quality afflicts Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks, especially during summer months - generally May to October. High ozone levels may be the most harmful pollutant here. In summer months, concentrations often exceed the federal ozone health standards. For more information: http://www.nps.gov/seki/learn/nature/airqualityinfo.htm. The typical seasonal entry-on-duty period for Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks is April-May, but can be variable during these months due to weather conditions, project needs, or funding. Anticipated Entry on Duty: April 2025. Requirements Conditions of Employment U.S. Citizenship required. Appointment subject to background investigation and favorable adjudication. Meet Selective Service Registration Act requirement for males. Selectee will be required to participate in the Direct Deposit Electronics Funds Transfer Program. You may be required to operate a government (or private) motor vehicle as part of your official duties. Prior to your first official motor vehicle operation, and again every year thereafter (or more frequently if management determines such need exists), you will be required to sign an affidavit certifying to your possession of a valid State issued driver's license that is current and has not been revoked, suspended, canceled, or otherwise disqualified in any way to prohibit your operation of a motor vehicle. You will also submit a photocopy of your valid State issued driver's license prior to your first official motor vehicle operation, and again every year, or more frequently if management determines such need exists. Lastly, you may be required to submit (within a State sealed envelope or submitted directly by the State authorities), and at your own expense, all certified driving records from all States that discloses all valid driver's licenses, whether current or past, possessed by you. Please indicate in your application whether you possess a valid State driver's license. You MAY be required to wear a uniform and comply with the National Park Service uniform standards. A uniform allowance will be provided. You may be required to work on-call, evenings, weekends, holidays, overtime and shift work. Sierra Nevada I Inventory and Monitoring Network: You may be required to travel overnight away from home up to 18 nights per month. You must obtain a government charge card for travel purposes. Telework: The National Park Service has determined that the duties of this position MAY be suitable for situational telework and the selectee may be allowed to telework with supervisor approval. Travel, transportation & relocation expenses will not be paid. Relocation expenses will be the employee's responsibility. Qualifications All qualifications must be met by 11:59 EST or when the 'applicant cut-off' is reached (which may be sooner than 12/13/2024). Credit will be given for all appropriate qualifying experience. To receive credit for experience, your resume MUST clearly indicate the nature of the duties and responsibilities for each position, starting and ending dates of employment (month/year), and the resume must reflect full and/or part-time or total number of hours worked (i.e., work 40+ hours a week, rather than indicating full-time). If part-time, the hours must be annotated to be able to pro-rate the amount of qualified specialized experience. SELECTIVE FACTOR: You must perform work and camp in rugged mountainous backcountry areas above 7,000 feet elevation for extended periods of time. You must be able to: 1) hike on foot for several miles at a time carrying a backpack weighing up to 50 pounds; 2) camp in the backcountry for extended periods of time and 3) perform work above 7,000 feet elevation. This experience MUST be reflected in application materials. - AND - To qualify for this position at the GS-05 grade level, you must possess at least one of the following minimum qualifications by close of the announcement: EXPERIENCE: At least one year of specialized experience comparable in scope and responsibility to the GS-04 grade level in the Federal service (obtained in either the public or private sectors). This experience includes activities such as: 1) performing basic vegetation inventories, studies, and surveys; 2) assisting in routine and recurring resource monitoring programs for plant species and vegetation communities; 3) assisting in controlling non-native and invasive plant species and enhancement of native plant communities; 4) participating in revegetation activities (e.g., site preparation, transplanting, seeding, and applying mulch or erosion mats); and 5) inputting/retrieving vegetation data using computers and global positioning systems (GPS). You must include hours worked per week in your resume. -OR- EDUCATION: Successful completion of at least four years of progressively higher-level undergraduate coursework leading to a bachelor's degree or equivalent undergraduate degree with major study or at least 24 semester hours in any combination of courses such as biology, chemistry, statistics, entomology, animal husbandry, botany, physics, agriculture, or mathematics. At least 6 semester hours of courses must have been directly related to the position to be filled. You must include transcripts. -OR- Successful completion of a COMBINATION of education and experience as described above. To combine education and experience, first take the number of semester hours (or equivalent) earned towards a bachelor's degree, in excess of 60 semester hours, and divide by 60 semester hours (or equivalent). Then take the number of months of full-time experience and divide by 12 months. Add the percentages together. The total must equal at least 100 percent to qualify. You must include hours per week worked and transcripts. -AND- To qualify for the GS-06 grade level, you must possess at least one of the following minimum qualifications by close of the announcement: EXPERIENCE: At least one year of specialized experience comparable in scope and responsibility to the GS-05 grade level in the Federal service (obtained in either the public or private sectors). This experience includes activities such as: 1) executing field studies on plants and plant ecology; 2) working with field crews in non-native plant eradication; 3) implementing vegetation management and monitoring or ecological restoration; 4) reporting data and other resource management information (e.g., natural science research or long-term monitoring projects); and 5) providing advice, assistance, and training to lower graded employees and volunteers. You must include hours worked per week in your resume. -OR- EDUCATION: Successful completion of at least one year of progressively higher-level graduate education leading to a master's degree or equivalent graduate degree with a major study in a directly related field such as biology, plant science, ecology, botany, or agriculture. You must include transcripts. -OR- Successful completion of a COMBINATION of education and experience as described above. To combine education and experience, first take the number of semester hours (or equivalent) earned towards a directly related graduate degree and divide by 18 semester hours (or equivalent). Then take the number of months of full-time experience and divide by 12 months. Add the percentages together. The total must equal at least 100 percent to qualify. You must include hours per week worked and transcripts. To qualify for the GS-07 grade level, you must possess at least one of the following minimum qualifications by close of the announcement: EXPERIENCE: At least one year of specialized experience comparable in scope and responsibility to the GS-06 grade level in the Federal service (obtained in either the public or private sectors). This experience includes activities such as: 1) collecting monitoring data on assorted physical restoration and vegetation management projects using specified sampling techniques and procedures; 2) monitoring rare, threatened or endangered (RTE) plants and updating plant maps and files; 3) coordinating ecological restoration projects (e.g., scheduling personnel, purchasing supplies, implementing the project and completing photographic documentation); 4) using standard statistical methods in the preparation of draft reports; and 5) providing work direction and guidance to field crews in exotic plant control or restoration projects. You must include hours worked per week in your resume. -OR- EDUCATION: Successful completion of at least one year of progressively higher-level graduate education leading to a master's degree or equivalent graduate degree with a major study in a directly related field such as biology, plant science, ecology, botany, or agriculture. You must include transcripts. -OR- Successful completion of a COMBINATION of education and experience as described above. To combine education and experience, first take the number of semester hours (or equivalent) earned towards a directly related graduate degree and divide by 18 semester hours (or equivalent). Then take the number of months of full-time experience and divide by 12 months. Add the percentages together. The total must equal at least 100 percent to qualify. You must include hours per week worked and transcripts. ICTAP/CTAP Statement: Current surplus and current or former displaced Federal individuals who have special prior­ity selection rights under the Agency Career Transition Assistance Program (CTAP) or the Interagency Career Transition Assistance Program (ICTAP) must be well qualified for the position to receive consideration for special priority selection. Well qualified means that the applicant meets the following: OPM qualification standards for the position; all selective placement factors, where applicable; special qualifying conditions that OPM has approved for the position, where applicable; is physically qualified with reasonable accommodation, where appropriate to satisfactorily perform the duties of the position upon entry; and is rated by the organization at least at the well qualified level on all competencies. 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. Education To qualify based on education, you must submit a legible copy of transcripts from an accredited institution with your name, school name, credit hours, course level, major(s), and grade-point average or class ranking. Transcripts do not need to be official, but if you are selected for this position and you used your education to qualify, you must provide official transcripts before you begin work. If you are using education completed in foreign colleges or universities to meet qualification requirements, you must show that your 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. Additional Information To learn more about these positions, please contact: Andi Heard Program Manager, Sierra Nevada Network Inventory & Monitoring Program, Andi Heard, andiheard@nps.gov Rich Thiel, Biological Science Technician - Supervisor, SEKI, richardthiel@nps.gov Ann Huber, Plant Ecologist, SEKI, ann_huber@nps.gov A selectee receiving a first appointment to the Federal Government (Civil Service) is entitled only to the lowest step of the grade for which selected. The display of a salary range on this vacancy shall not be construed as granting an entitlement to a higher rate of pay. A Recruitment Incentive May Be Authorized for a newly selected employee when appointed to a permanent, temporary, or term position. A Federal employee who is transferring to the National Park Service from another component, bureau or Federal agency and who does not meet the conditions under 5 CFR §575.102 is not eligible for a recruitment incentive. This announcement may be used to fill additional positions if identical vacancies occur within 90 days of the issue date of the referral certificate. Non-Competitive Rehire Eligibility: Temporary seasonal employees can only maintain their non-competitive rehire eligibility if they work no more than a combined total of Temporary NTE less than 1040 hours anywhere in the National Park Service (NPS) within their established service year. Accordingly, non-competitive rehire eligibility allows for re-appointment to the same position or another position appropriate for temporary appointment with the same qualification requirements (5 CFR 316.402[b][7]), based on series and grade, anywhere in the major subdivision (NPS). If you have held a temporary seasonal appointment in the past 12 months and have already worked the maximum temporary appointment less than 1040 hours during that period, you are still welcome to apply. However, please be aware that exceeding the limit of 1040 hours in your established service year will result in the loss of your non-competitive rehire eligibility. The limit can be exceeded by working multiple temporary seasonal positions that result in a combined total greater than 1040 hours. The limit also can be exceeded by working a single temporary seasonal appointment that exceeds 1040 hours, unless granted an exception by OPM. Employment may be terminated at any time due to fluctuations in funding levels, project needs, employee performance, or other considerations. Physical Demands: The work requires physical exertion such as regular and recurring walking, hiking, or climbing over wet, rough, uneven, or rocky surfaces; bending; crouching, stooping, lifting or reaching to observe, collect, or record field data. 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 or outdoors. The work performed involves regular and recurring exposure to extreme weather conditions and terrain, poisonous plants, biting insects, and wild animals.