Biological Science Technician (Plants)

Full Job Description

Explore a new career with the BLM - where our people are our most precious resource. We expect to fill many vacancies.

This is a temporary seasonal appointment, defined as employment in a position performing annually recurring work lasting less than six months per year, not to exceed 1,560 hours per service year.

In order to be rated as qualified for this position, we must be able to determine that you meet the qualification requirements - please be sure to include this information in your resume.

No assumptions will be made about your experience. GS-5: One (1) year of specialized experience equivalent to at least GS-4 level.

Examples of specialized experience may include experience related to plant studies such as inventorying rare and endangered plants and species habitat based on guidelines; taking soil samples by layer; and taking root samples.

-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, 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. -OR- A combination of experience and education to meet total experience.

GS-6: One (1) year of specialized experience equivalent to GS-5 level.

Examples of specialized experience may include experience related to plant studies such as surveying, mapping and documenting a variety of plant species and habitat conditions; compiling occurrence and distribution data, cover maps, and herbarium study mounts; assisting in performing habitat studies and in constructing habitat improvement structures; and compiling data obtained through soil inventory and assembling data into a logical sequence for review.

-OR- Successful completion of 6 months of graduate study directly related to the work of the position. -OR- A combination of experience and education to meet total experience.

GS-7: One (1) year of specialized work experience equivalent to GS-6 level.

Examples of specialized experience may include experience related to plant studies such as surveying, mapping and documenting a variety of plant species and habitat conditions; compiling occurrence and distribution data, cover maps, and herbarium study mounts; assisting in performing botanical studies and in constructing habitat improvement structures; compiling data obtained through soil inventory; and assembling data into a logical sequence for review.

-OR- Successful completion of one full year of graduate education directly related to the work of the position. -OR- A combination of experience and education to meet total 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. You must meet all qualification requirements by the closing date of the announcement.

Physical Demands/Work Environments: Work requires some physical exertion such as bending and walking/hiking in terrain that is rough, rocky, mountainous and densely vegetated that may also be steep, wet and muddy.

Required to lift and carry equipment necessary to perform the work of the position, this includes tools, personal protective equipment, food and water for extended periods away from a vehicle.

Work while in the office is performed in adequately lighted, ventilated, cooled and heated area.

Fieldwork is subject to cuts and bruises, extreme and adverse weather conditions and injuries and discomforts from pests and animals. Major Duties:

• Biological Science Technicians (Plants) (BST) make observations and record data relating to plant studies; document occurrence and distribution of identified species; inventory rare and endangered species habitat.
• Conducts botany inventories and studies which are similar to previous such efforts; analyze inventory or study data, and prepares data so as to be suitable for inclusion in plans or study.
• Researches and catalogues and identifies status of various species through current literature or other sources.
• These positions photograph, collect and mount plant specimens encountered at different stages of development; collect ecological site information for population distribution, condition, trend, associated species, geology and soil type.
• BST Plants duties may include controlling noxious weeds through IPM activities such as manual hand digging/pulling, mowing, or spraying noxious weeds with herbicides, as well as assisting with surveys of sprayed plants.
• Collects ecological site information for sensitive, threatened, or endangered plants as well as conditions, trends, geology, and soil type to determine factors limiting distribution and potential for enhancement through management measures.
• Duties may include preparing reports and summarizing findings.