Conditions of employment

• U.S. Citizenship is required.
• Be sure to read the ‘How to Apply’ and ‘Required Documents’ Sections.
• You cannot hold an active real estate license: nor can you have an interest or hold stocks in firms with interest in Federal Lands.
• Direct Deposit Required.
• Appointment will be subject to a favorably adjudicated background/suitability investigation/determination.
• Your max. 2-page resume must contain enough information to show that you meet the qualification requirements as defined in the announcement. In addition, your responses to the questions must adequately reflect in your resume.

Qualifications
In order to qualify, you must meet the education and/or experience requirements described below. Your resume must clearly describe your relevant experience. If qualifying based on education, a copy of your unofficial transcripts must be provided with your application.

BASIC REQUIREMENTS for the Natural Resources Specialist GS-0401 position. You must meet one of the following:
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 biological sciences, agriculture, natural resource management, chemistry, or related disciplines appropriate to the position.
-OR-
Have an appropriate combination of education and experience, courses equivalent to a major, as shown above, plus appropriate experience or additional education related to the position which demonstrates possession of the knowledge, skills, and abilities required to perform work in the occupation, comparable to that normally acquired through the successful completion of a full 4-year course of study. Appropriate experience includes compiling biological reports, conducting species surveys or additional education in how to apply basic concepts principles, and methodologies of the fields of ecology, botany or wildlife.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS: In addition to meeting the Basic Requirements, to be considered minimally qualified for this position, you must demonstrate that you have the required specialized experience and/or education for the respective grade level in which you are applying:

You qualify for the grade GS-05 if you meet the Basic Requirements.

To qualify for the grade GS-07, you must meet one of the following:
Have one full year of specialized experience comparable in scope and responsibility to the GS-05 grade level in the Federal service (obtained either in the private or public sectors) performing the following: compiling biological reports for review by higher graded specialist, conducting surveys for wildlife and plant species and their respective habitats, assessing ecological site conditions, analyzing environmental impacts, protecting environmental resources.
-OR-
Successful completion of 1 year of graduate education in a field that demonstrates the knowledge, skills, and abilities required to conduct the work of this position such as biological sciences, agriculture, natural resource management, chemistry, or related disciplines appropriate to the position.
-OR- Have an equivalent combination of specialized experience and graduate education as described above which, when combined, equals 100% of the total requirement.
-OR-
Successful completion of all the requirements for a bachelor’s degree in a curriculum that is qualifying for this position, such as biological sciences, agriculture, natural resource management, chemistry, or related disciplines appropriate to the position, from an accredited college or university, and meet one of the requirements for Superior Academic Achievement based on the following: (1) class standing (upper third of the graduating class in the college, university, or major subdivision, such as the College of Liberal Arts or the School of Business Administration, based on completed courses.); (2) grade-point average (3.0 or higher out of a possible 4.0 as recorded on the official transcript, or as computed based on 4 years of education, or 3.5 or higher out of a possible 4.0 as computed based on the average of the required courses completed in the major field or the required courses in the major field completed during the final 2 years of the curriculum; or (3) election to membership in a national scholastic honor society.

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.

Education
Applicants may qualify for these positions based on experience, education, or an equivalent combination as described in the Qualifications section of this announcement.

Graduate education or an internship meets the specialized experience required above GS-5 only in those instances where it is directly related to the work of the position. One full year of graduate education meets the requirements for GS-7.

If using education to qualify, you must submit copies of all transcripts or a list of college courses that include hours and grades from an accredited U.S. college/university. See Required Documents section for more information.