[Coral-List] student technician positions - Biscayne National Park (3rd attempt)

[Amanda Bourque]

Student Hires
Biological Science Technician GS-05 and GS-07
Biscayne National Park
 
Position Summary:
Biscayne National Park seeks to hire two Biological Science Technicians in the 
Damage Recovery Program, Division of Resource Management.  One position will 
be filled at the GS-05 level ($32,488/yr) and the other at the GS-07 grade 
level ($40,243/yr).  The positions are full time, 40 hours per week.  Some 
weekend work is required.  Some flexibility with daily schedules may be 
possible.  Technicians will be responsible for their own housing and 
transportation (a car is needed).  Funding is available for one to three 
years..  
 
Area Information: 
Biscayne National Park (http://www.nps.gov/bisc), located south of the city of 
Miami, is known for its coral reef and seagrass communities, exceedingly 
clear water, and keys.  Park headquarters at Convoy Point are located nine 
miles east of Homestead, Florida.
 
Eligibility:
The positions will be hired under the Student Educational Employment Program – 
Student Temporary Employment Component (http://www.usajobs.gov/STUDENTS.asp).  
To qualify for this program, applicants must be:
•           students enrolled or accepted for enrollment as a degree-seeking 
student (diploma, certificate, etc.);
•           taking at least a half-time academic or vocational and technical 
course load in an accredited high school, technical or vocational school, 
2-year or 4-year college or university, graduate or professional school; and
•           a U.S. citizen or a national (resident of American Samoa or Swains 
Island).
Appropriate student status must be maintained in order to retain eligibility.
 
Position Duties: 
This position is located in the Damage Recovery Program, responsible for 
ecological injury assessment, restoration, and monitoring related to vessel 
grounding incidents in the park.  The technicians will provide field and 
office support for the program, with specific responsibilities appropriate to 
grade level.  Duties will include:
•           surveying and monitoring seagrass and reef resources, preparing 
draft project plans and reports, conducting literature research, and data 
entry/processing/analysis 
•           administrative support of restoration and monitoring projects, to 
include contractor oversight, environmental permitting, NEPA compliance, 
purchasing, and financial tracking
•           other program-, division-, and park-related activities as 
required.
 
The technician will be expected to snorkel, scuba dive, swim, operate and 
maintain boats, use various types of sampling equipment, and periodically 
travel in support of the Damage Recovery Program activities.  Fieldwork is 
conducted in adverse heat and cold conditions with long hours spent in the 
water conducting repetitive activities.  Water temps range from 65 to 85 
degrees.  There is potential exposure to stinging marine organisms.  The 
technician will be required to wear the NPS uniform.  This is a testing 
designated position (TDP) under the Department of the Interior Drug-free 
Workplace Program.
 
Minimum Qualifications:
GS-05:  1 year of specialized service equivalent to at least the GS-4 level or 
a 4-year course of study above high school leading to a bachelor's degree 
with courses related to the occupation.
 
GS-07:  1 year of specialized service equivalent to at least the GS-6 level or 
one full year of graduate education with courses related to the occupation.
 
Knowledge, Abilities, Skills and Other Characteristics (KASOCS):
1.         Knowledge of coral reef and seagrass ecology.  Address experience 
with natural resource management practices, ecological principles, coral reef 
ecology, and seagrass ecology.
 
2.         Experience with ecological sampling methods commonly used to assess 
and monitor coral reef, seagrass, and fisheries resources.  Address 
experience in operation of technical instruments used to gather data, 
underwater data collection, certification or experience operating motorboats, 
certification and experience with open water scuba and snorkel.
 
3.         Ability to manage and summarize ecological and spatial data using 
personal computers and associated software programs.  Address experience with 
GIS, word processing, spreadsheet, and statistical software packages.
 
4.         Ability to work in a fast-paced, often unpredictable work 
environment, get along well with others, follow instructions, and work with 
little supervision.
 
Application Instructions:
Applications will be accepted until 15 February 2009 and should include:
•           An email stating your educational status and the grade level of 
the position you are applying for
•           Resume, attached as word or pdf document
•           statement addressing qualifications and KASOCS, attached as word 
or pdf document
 
Please email your applications to Amanda Bourque, Damage Recovery Program 
Manager at amanda_bourque at nps.gov
 
Thank you for your interest in Biscayne National Park!