Summary This is a Public Notice for positions being filled under the Direct Hiring Authority (DHA) for Wildland Fire. Under this recruitment procedure applications will be accepted for each location identified in this Public Notice. Veterans' Preference is not applicable to this announcement. To learn more about Direct-Hire Authority, go to: OPM.GOV Hiring Information - DHA. Responsibilities The National Park Service (NPS) is looking for temporary employees to work as a Fire Effects Monitor (Biological Science Technician). For more information on Types of Crews, click here. A Fire Effects Monitor (GS-04 Biological Science Technician) follows instructions and standardized procedures to collect and organize field data (e.g. vegetation, fuel and GIS). Ensures adequate quality control of data collected and performs routine and recurring testing of collected samples. Makes field observations of natural resource conditions. Provides results to higher-level specialists for analysis. Provides logistical support and area orientation for contract or cooperating scientists. Installs, operates, maintains, inventories, and calibrates resource management equipment. Orders replacement parts, new equipment, and supplies. Utilizes a variety of computer programs to compile, reduce, store, retrieve, and report data and other resource management information, including natural science research and long-term monitoring projects. Prepares a wide variety of recurring correspondence, internal reports, and other documents from information obtained from office staff, files and other sources and reviews and finalizes documents prepared by others. A Fire Effects Monitor (GS-05 Biological Science Technician) establishes monitoring plots in a variety of vegetation/fuel types in accordance with established guidelines and directions. Monitors plots and makes field observation of resource conditions. May prepare fire behavior monitoring documentation on forms for prescribed burns. Identifies grasses, herbs, shrubs and trees to species (by knowledge or using a dichotomous key). Catalogs, labels and stores plant materials collected during the season. Prepares field maps and photographs from the ground (read topographic maps and locate predetermined points with GPS). Enters natural resource field data into a personal computer (or handheld electronic devices using customized software). May be required to operate light vehicles and 4X4s. Locations for these positions are: Grand Canyon, AZ (Grand Canyon NP) North Rim, AZ (Grand Canyon NP) Yellowstone NP, WY (Yellowstone NP) For contact information and housing availability, visit Fire Contacts on the DOI FIRES website. To view a list of contacts by agency, select the state you are interested in. For more information about temporary fire positions with DOI, go to the following link: https://www.firejobs.doi.gov/. Requirements Conditions of Employment SELECTIVE SERVICE: Males born after December 31, 1959, must be registered for Selective Service or exempt. To register or verify your registration, go to the Selective Service System website. BACKGROUND INVESTIGATIONS: Subject to satisfactory adjudication of background investigation and/or fingerprint check. Failure to satisfy the background check will result in cancellation of offer of employment or may be grounds for termination. Positions may require a valid state driver's license. You must be 18 years of age or older at the time of appointment. You may be required to wear a uniform and comply with the National Park Service fire uniform standards. Qualifications Hours worked per week must be stated for each season and position held in your resume. *Experience listed will need to include specific duties about the work being performed and should not be only the general language stated below in the examples. To qualify for a GS-04 You must meet at least one of the following: 1). Six months of general work experience, which can be any work experience AND 6 months of specialized work experience equivalent to the GS-03 level duties. Examples of specialized work experience may include the following: Recorded, updated, and maintained collected data; assisted with the collection of vegetation monitoring data; utilized a variety of computer programs to maintain field data entry, and prepare simple summary reports. Your resume must reflect how you have this experience. -OR- 2). Two years of education above the high school level which included at least 12 semester hours in any combination of the following courses: biology, chemistry, statistics, entomology, animal husbandry, botany, physics, agriculture, or mathematics. At least 6 semester hours of courses must be directly related to the position to be filled. -OR- 3). A combination of the education and work experience described above. To qualify for a GS-05 You must meet at least one of the following: 1). One year of specialized work experience equivalent to the GS-04 level duties. Examples of specialized experience may include the following: Collected vegetation, weather, or ecological field data in support of monitoring or research programs; assisted in establishing vegetation and/or fuel loading measurement plots; collected data to assess burn severity or fire effects after prescribed or wildland fire; input and retrieved vegetation data using computers and global positioning systems (GPS). Your resume must reflect how you have this experience. -OR- 2). 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 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. The level of the course work must have been equivalent to at least the junior- or senior-year levels of a baccalaureate program. The successful completion of a full course of study of at least 12 months in a school for clinical laboratory technicians may be substituted for the 1 year of specialized experience required at the GS-5 level for positions involving microbiology and biochemistry technician work - transcripts must be attached to receive credit for education. OR 3). A combination of the education and work experience described above. For more information regarding basic qualifications and combining education and experience click here. You must meet all qualification requirements by the closing date of the announcement. Physical Demands: In addition to working in an office/laboratory setting, the work involves walking, running, climbing, and backpacking with a load over rough terrain, sometimes for extended periods; lifting moderately heavy items; bending and stooping for long periods; and working under occasionally inclement (i.e., cold, hot, snow, wind) weather conditions. Work Environment: Work is performed in an office, laboratory, and in the field. Fieldwork includes exposure to extreme weather conditions and terrain, biting insects, wild animals, high pollen levels, dermatitis causing plants, and poisonous snakes. Incumbent may be required to fly in helicopters and fixed wing aircraft and may be required to work in actual fire situations, which can be hazardous. Education Proof of 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. Foreign Education: 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 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. Pay rates vary depending on location. For additional information on pay rates: Click here for the OPM Salaries and Wages to calculate locality pay. Non-Competitive Rehire Eligibility: 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 hours during that period, you are still welcome to apply. However, please be aware that exceeding the limit in your established service year will result in the loss of your non-competitive rehire eligibility. Employment may be terminated at any time due to fluctuations in funding levels, project needs, employee performance, or other considerations. Career Transition Assistance Plan (CTAP)/Interagency Career Transition Assistance Program (ICTAP): CTAP/ICTAP provides eligible surplus and displaced Federal competitive service employees with selection priority over other candidates for competitive service vacancies. For more information about CTAP/ICTAP eligibility, click here. If your agency has notified you in writing that you are a surplus or displaced employee eligible for CTAP consideration or that you are a displaced employee eligible for ICTAP consideration, you may receive selection priority if: 1) This vacancy is within your CTAP/ICTAP eligibility; 2) You apply under the instructions in this announcement; and 3) You are found well-qualified for this vacancy. You must provide proof of eligibility with your application to receive selection priority. Such proof may include a copy of your written notification of CTAP/ICTAP eligibility or a copy of your separation personnel action form. Temporary employees hired in wildland fire or wildland fire support positions are eligible for the following: -Annual, sick leave, and paid federal holidays -Depending on tour of duty - Sunday, holiday, shift differential and/or hazard pay -Participation in the Federal Employees Health Benefit (FEHB) program - Employees electing to participate in the FEHB will be responsible for the employee share of the premium while on the official agency roles, which is deducted from bi-weekly earnings. After separating from federal employment, employees will be offered to continue participation in FEHB under the Temporary Continuation of Coverage (TCC) option. Employees electing to continue coverage under the TCC provision will be responsible for the full premium amount plus a 2% administration fee.