About this role
Job SummaryThe position is with the National Wildlife Research Center. The Center conducts laboratory and field research on the ecology, behavior, and environmental impacts of animals to agricultural crops, natural resources, and other human health and lifestyle interactions.
QualificationsApplicants must meet all qualifications and eligibility requirements by the closing date of the announcement including time-in-grade restrictions, specialized experience and/or education, as defined below. TIME-IN-GRADE: Current federal employees applying for a promotion opportunity must meet time-in-grade (TIG) requirement of 52 weeks of service at the next lower grade level in the normal line of progression for the position being filled. BASIC REQUIREMENT: Degree: biological sciences, agriculture, natural resource management, chemistry, or related disciplines appropriate to the position. OR Combination of education and experience: Courses equivalent to a major, as shown above, plus appropriate experience or additional education. IN ADDITION TO MEETING THE BASIC REQUIREMENTS LISTED ABOVE: FOR THE GS-09 LEVEL: Applicants must have one year of specialized experience (equivalent to the GS-07 level) that may have been obtained in the private or public (local, county, state, Federal) sectors which demonstrates: Using computer systems, archival tracking tools, relational databases, spreadsheets, statistical software, and graphic applications to collect, organize, and analyze wildlife data sets. Designing experiments and research studies on wildlife. Collecting and preparing tissue samples from wildlife for toxicological evaluations and/or for pathogen detection and isolation. Maintain accurate field and laboratory methods to facility the identification, analysis, troubleshooting, and resolution of problems encountered in the field, in animal studies, or in the laboratory. Perform laboratory and field evaluations in accordance with Good Laboratory Practices, Animal Welfare Regulations, and ISO 17025 guidelines. OR 1 year of graduate-level education in biological sciences, agriculture, natural resource management, chemistry, or related disciplines appropriate to the position" Equivalent combinations of education and experience are qualifying for this grade level. TRANSCRIPTS are required if: This position requires specific coursework or a degree in a specific field to be basically qualified. You are qualifying for the position based on education. You are qualifying for this position based on a combination of experience and education. This education must have been successfully completed and obtained from an accredited school, college, or university. COMBINATION OF EDUCATION & EXPERIENCE AT THE GS-09 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. 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 and can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience.
Major DutiesThe duties may include, but are not limited to:Assists the project leader in the planning and execution of complex laboratory and field investigations to assess the damages caused by invasive and other injurious wildlife.Captures and handles wild animals, and any other vertebrate causing economic or ecological damage.Obtains and preserves biological samples from live and dead animals.Collects and records animal observations.Conducts laboratory and field studies.Conducts trapping, marking, and radio-tagging of animals to determine home range, movement and habitat use patterns, and efficacy of control techniques.Collects, records, and accurately tabulates biological data from laboratory and field studies in accordance with study protocols and directives.Gathers, organizes, and interprets a wide variety of biological, ecological, pathological, or other information pertinent to scientific studies or investigations.Performs other duties as assigned.