PDF versionJob Summary
Summary, This position is located in the Region 9 State & Private Forestry; Forest Health Group in the Field Office in Morgantown, WV. The GS-0401-11 Plant Biologist position will provide advice and assistance on how to manage non-native invasive plants. For more information about the duties of this position, please contact Rick Turcotte email Richard.m.turcotte@usda.gov phone 304-285-1544
Major Duties
- Plan, coordinate, and conduct evaluation surveys on State and Private lands to determine the status of forestry related non-native invasive plants, including noxious or toxic plants.
- Devise strategies to overcome resource or environmental problems inhibiting removal of non-native invasive plants.
- Ensure consistency throughout assigned areas in developing and implementing programs to manage or protect native plants.
- Conduct training in habitat analysis, plant, identification, and documentation procedures for invasive noxious weeds, proposed endangered, threatened, and sensitive plant species in accordance with forest management plans and objectives.
- Ensure staff in assigned areas are cognizant of any existing sensitive plant species.
- Maintain or oversee an inventory of all known non-native invasive plants, noxious and toxic plants, sensitive, threatened, and endangered plant species occurrence records.
- Analyze data and prepare complete comprehensive reports.
- Use standard and modified processes and procedures to gather data.
- Develop management guidelines for non-native, invasive plants based on research findings and experience.
- Participate in suppression and prevention projects designed to reduce adverse effects of non-native invasive plants.
- Recommend proven reforestation, harvesting, and silvicultural practices to reduce losses from non-native invasive plants.
- Review environmental assessments and environmental impact statements to make recommendations which ensure botanical resources and ecosystem integrity are adequately addressed and considered.
- Maintains partnerships with internal staff, other Agencies, and the scientific community in order to to exchange information and share research findings on identification, management, and removal of non-native invasive plant species.
Qualifications
In order to qualify, you must meet the eligibility and qualifications requirements as defined below by the closing date of the announcement. For more information on the qualifications for this position, visit the Office of Personnel Management's General Schedule Qualification Standards. Your application and resume must clearly show that you possess the experience requirements. Transcripts must be provided for qualifications based on education. Provide course descriptions as necessary. Basic Requirement:
GS-0401: Applicants must meet all qualifications and eligibility requirements by the closing date of the announcement as defined below. For more information on the qualifications for this position, go to: http://www.opm.gov/qualifications/standards/IORs/gs0400/0401.htmDegree: Successful completion of a full 4-year course of study in an accredited college or university leading to a bachelor's or higher degree that included a major field of study in biological sciences, agriculture, natural resource management, chemistry, or related disciplines appropriate to the position. OR: Successful completion of a full 4-year course of study in an accredited college or university leading to a bachelor's or higher degree in a major field of study that included 24 semester hours in course work in biological sciences, agriculture, natural resource management, chemistry, or related disciplines appropriate to the position. Related course work generally refers to courses that may be accepted as part of the program major. OR: Combination of education and experience that included 24 semester hours in course work in biological sciences, agriculture, natural resource management, chemistry, or related disciplines appropriate to the position, AND experience sufficient to demonstrate that I possess the knowledge, skills, and abilities required to perform work in the occupation that is comparable to that normally acquired through the successful completion of a full 4-year course of study with a major in the appropriate field needed to perform the work of the occupation. In addition to meeting the basic requirement, you must also possess experience and/or directly related education in the amounts listed below. Specialized Experience Requirement: For the GS-11: You must have one year specialized experience equivalent to the GS-09 in the Federal service. Specialized experience is defined as one or more of the following: Coordinated the treatment of noxious weeds and/or invasive plants; Organized and/or instructed on how to conduct field surveys to identify, document, and map noxious weed/and or invasive plant infestations; Provided recommendations based upon analysis of data and research on the best methods for control and eradication of noxious weeds and/or invasive plant species; Monitored sites of weed/plant infestations, documented findings, and analyzed data collected. OR Applicants must have 3 years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to a Ph.D. degree or Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree (coursework directly related to position being filled); OR an appropriate combination of specialized experience and graduate level education (beyond what is required for a master's degree, i.e., more than 36 semester hours leading to a Ph.D.).. 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. TIME IN GRADE REQUIREMENT: If you are a current federal employee in the General Schedule (GS) pay plan and applying for a promotion opportunity, you must meet time-in-grade (TIG) requirements of 52 weeks of service at the next lower grade level in the normal line of progression for the position being filled. This requirement must be met by the closing date of this announcement.
Pay Range
$64,009.00 - $83,210.00