Biological Science Technician - temporary 6-8 months

Temporary Biological Science Technician

GS-404-4, GS-404-5

USDA/APHIS/WS/NWRC Hawai’i Field Station

Invasive Species Research Program

Full-time Temporary Appointment - expected to last 6-8 months

Salary: $29,507 or 33,013 (Includes 16.81% locality pay)

Duty Location: Hilo, Hawai’i

The NWRC Hawai’i Field Station in Hilo has a vacancy for a full-time temporary Biological Science Technician to assist in field trapping and lab-based trials of various means of lethal and non-lethal chemical rodent control for use in conservation areas in Hawai’i and other Pacific Islands.  The current vacancy dates are for December 2016 to 30 June 2016, to be accepted with no guaranteed expectation for renewal.  Further temporary employment beyond this date would be contingent upon labor demands and funding status. Some rotating weekend/holiday work will be required.

Candidates should submit a cover letter and resume that specifically address how your experience and knowledge match the requirements of the position description (below).  Submit materials to Dean Foster (dean.k.foster@aphis.usda.gov). Applicants must be US citizens or nationals with a valid state driver’s license. Position is subject to random and applicant drug testing, and must pass a pre-employment background check.

POSITION DESCRIPTION

Biological Science Technician

GS-404-5                                                                                                        2WS620

USDA/APHIS/WS/NWRC

Invasive Species Research Program Hawai’i Field Station

The position is with the National Wildlife Research Center's Hawai’i Field Station, and based in Hilo, Hawai’i. The Field Station conducts laboratory and field research on the ecology, behavior, and environmental impacts of animals to Hawai’ian agricultural crops, natural resources, and other human health and lifestyle interactions. The goal of the station is to develop economically feasible and safe methods to reduce or alleviate damage inflicted by rodents and other vertebrate pests on agriculture and conservation resources.

APHIS is an emergency response agency. This means that all Agency employees may be asked or assigned to participate in rotating temporary duty assignments away from their assigned duty station to support emergency programs at some time during their careers with APHIS.

A.        Major Duties:

1. Participates as a team member and assists in conducting and reporting of a broad range of laboratory and field studies. Activities include a variety of technical procedures, including the capture and handling of wild animals, particularly rodents; obtaining and preserving biological samples from plants and live and dead animals; collecting and recording animal observations; and using basic scientific instrumentation and technology. At the direction of the Project Leader or higher-grade employees, the incumbent assumes responsibility for assisting field station staff in the following areas:

Collects, records, and accurately tabulates biological data from laboratory and field studies in accordance with study protocols and directives that may involve direct observation, scientific instruments and procedures, automatic data loggers, video equipment, or other data acquisition procedures;

Traps and transports wild rodents and other animals for use in laboratory studies. Complies with Good Laboratory Practice and Animal Welfare requirements. Follows approved Standard Operating Procedures of the NWRC in the care, feeding, and general maintenance of animals and animal holding facilities and equipment. Provides a monthly summary of all animal records;

Washes traps, animal cages, and other field and laboratory equipment. Performs routine preventive maintenance (cleaning, washing and waxing) of motor vehicles. Maintains building facilities and grounds in clean, safe, and working condition. Transports refuse, animal wastes, and carcasses to the landfill on a regular basis;

Assists in maintenance and safekeeping of laboratory and field equipment and supplies. Monitors and reports deficiencies or unsafe conditions to the Project leader or higher-level employees;

Performs data proofing, basic computer data entry and summarization and assists in the preparation of materials on research findings.

2. Performs other duties, including:

Cooperates and maintains good working relationships with personnel at the research facility and cooperating universities, other projects within NWRC and WS, and cooperators such as those from other agencies, private companies and university staff;

Operates government-owned or leased motor vehicles both locally and in remote field situations, must have a valid State Motor Vehicle Operator's or Commercial License;

Demonstrates a respect for safety in all operations, including the operation of motor vehicles, and research equipment;

Assists in demonstrations and training for cooperators or other interested groups on research procedures and results; and

Performs other related duties as assigned.

B. Factors

1. Knowledge Required by the Position:

Basic knowledge of biology and understanding of research principles, procedures and methods used to alleviate animal damage to agricultural crops and natural resources;

General knowledge of the habits, characteristics and habitats occupied by a variety of vertebrate species, including rodents that occur in Hawai’i and the Pacific Basin;

Knowledge of, and ability to interpret and apply local, state and federal policies, regulations, laws and ordinances that affect activities associated with wildlife;

Familiarity with the equipment and procedures used in the capture, handling, and studying of animals (e.g., mammals, reptiles), including fundamentals in providing basic care to ensure their safe health during routine field and laboratory studies;

General knowledge of procedures used to accurately collect biological samples, for recording and tabulating scientific information, to operate electronic equipment (e.g., radio-­telemetry, GPS devices, microcomputers and other data acquisition techniques);

Basic knowledge on collecting, recording, and tabulating biological data, including the use of computers and word processing and database software;

Familiar with the intent, significance, and requirements of the Animal Welfare Act and Good Laboratory Practices guidelines;

General knowledge of facilities and equipment maintenance procedures and the safe use of hand and power tools; and

Working knowledge of 2WD and 4WD vehicle operation and routine maintenance, including emergency repair procedures under remote conditions.

2. Supervisory Controls:

The incumbent works under general supervision of the Project Leader who sets goals and provides instructions. Higher-grade employees may outline assignments, provide specific instructions, and periodically review work for adequacy, accuracy, and compliance with established guidelines. Assigned work is evaluated and judged through personal visits, consultation, accomplishments met, reports and records. Incumbent is given considerable latitude in carrying out delegated responsibilities and is expected to exercise individual initiative and independent judgment determining courses of action, work priorities or operational needs. The supervisor(s) may travel away from the work sites and may not always be available for consultation. Controversial items, highly sensitive issues or critical problems which may have a detrimental impact on NWRC or WS operations will be reported and discussed with the supervisor.

3. Guidelines:

Guidelines with regard to policy are specific in regard to USDA, APHIS, WS, NWRC and Project. Guidelines related to technical and experimental procedures are frequently contained in written study protocols, Standard Operating Procedures, manuals, publications, etc. Incumbent is expected to use initiative and sound judgment in resolving problems and to recognize and seek assistance when it is required.

4. Complexity:

Incumbent participates in a broad range of field, and laboratory research activities. Work includes a variety of procedures to collect data including direct observation, electronic data acquisition, and automated recording devices, as well as use of basic data summarization with a variety of computer programs. Strict adherence to precision and accuracy is required. Incumbent incorporates quality control aspects, including Good Laboratory Practices, into research efforts as appropriate.

5. Scope and Effect:

Incumbent occupies a responsible position that interfaces with research endeavors of 2 or more scientists and technicians. Incumbent is assigned to specific studies related to vertebrate populations, animal/animal or animal/plant interactions, behavioral patterns, or development of resource depredation techniques. Studies are conducted with the goal of developing means to reduce or alleviate agricultural and natural resource depredations and will have a direct bearing on animal management recommendations throughout the United States in general and the USDA/APHIS/WS program in particular.

6. Personal Contacts:

Contacts involve written, telephone, electronic mail, and personal interactions with personnel of NWRC/ WS employees, students and employees of academic institutions, resource managers of Federal and State agencies, private landowners, and commercial enterprises.

7. Purpose of Contacts:

Contacts are for the purpose of planning and implementing research projects, conducting fieldwork, and acquisition and maintenance of research equipment and supplies. At times it involves routine ordering of materials and supplies, but also includes making arrangements with landowner or public land managers for study sites. Because the research is sometimes motivated by controversial issues, good judgment is required to avoid offending others or eliciting reactions hostile to Project goals.

8. Physical Demands:

The position involves work at a research facility and in the field; sometimes requiring work under a wide range of adverse conditions, including extreme heat or cold, dust, rain, and potential exposure to spiny and mildly poisonous shrubs, insects, and wild ungulates. The position requires vigorous physical activity involving cutting trails through dense vegetation, lifting, carrying, pulling, pushing, and walking in moderate to rough terrain which may require boots or water resistant clothing, under conditions ranging from mild to extreme. Handling wild animals requires physical agility and dexterity as well as applied restraint.

9. Work Environment:

Work is performed at the research facility, in the office, laboratory, and in the field. Capturing and handling of animals is a routine aspect of laboratory and field efforts. Fieldwork may involve abnormal working hours, exposure to adverse conditions requiring alertness and suitable protective clothing. Incumbent needs to operate a vehicle off road with the potential of encountering agricultural and maintenance traffic to reach research sites. Efforts may involve primitive working conditions in remote locations away from the duty station. There may be considerable travel time away from the field station while conducting field studies.