Biological Scientist (Environmental)

Summary

Force Renewal Programs are designed to attract students & recent graduates with management/leadership potential to careers as Federal employees with the Air Force Civilian Service. This is accomplished by recruiting & selecting high-caliber candidates & training them to become competent, effective, & productive employees in a variety of career fields; providing training & developmental opportunities, & preparing them to successfully complete required training & developmental assignments.

Duties

GS-07 Uses prescribed methods to perform specific, and limited work assignments that are normally minor phases of a broader assignment of a higher-grade professional.e.g., engineer, biologist, or physical scientist). Assists in coordinating projects with engineers, biological scientists, physical scientists, and community planners. Learns the proper points of coordination with other disciplines by following instructions of higher grade professionals in coordination activities. Complies with health, safety, and environmental rules and procedures and performs work in a manner that enhances the safety of the work environment. Ensures strict adherence to federal, state, and local codes concerning health, safety, and the environment. GS-09 Participates in providing environmental biological science support in assigned environmental projects through application of professional knowledge and skill in the biological sciences with emphasis on environmental practices, processes, and techniques. Responsible for executing assigned routine projects, in-house and by contract, to comply with all applicable Federal, state, and local environmental laws and policies. Executes short-term goals and priorities to support the management plan utilizing available resources. Assists in the development of curricula and training for assigned program areas. Supports quality improvement and promotes the environmental awareness program. Prepares and implements various environmental training sessions and briefings. Maintains currency in project management techniques, emerging environmental technologies, and in the use of data information systems. Complies with health, safety, and environmental rules and procedures and performs work that enhances the safety of the work environment. Ensures adherence to Federal, state, and local codes concerning health, safety, and the environment. Qualifications

*The CSA PAQ program requires a degree with overall GPA standing of 2.95 /3.0 or higher. All qualifications must be met prior to August 2026. This must be from an accredited college or university: BASIC REQUIREMENTS for GS-7 and GS-9: Degree: biological sciences, agriculture, natural resource management, chemistry, or related disciplines appropriate to the position. You may qualify if you meet one of the following: 1. GS-7: You must have completed or will complete a 4-year course of study leading to a bachelor's from an accredited institution AND must have documented Superior Academic Achievement (SAA) at the undergraduate level in the following: a) Grade Point Average 2.95 or higher out of a possible 4.0 as recorded on your official transcript or as computed based on 4 years of education or as computed based on courses completed during the final 2 years of curriculum; OR 3.45 or higher out of a possible 4.0 based on the average of the required courses completed in your major field or the required courses in your major field completed during the final 2 years of your curriculum. 2. GS-9: You must have completed 2 years of progressively higher-level graduate education leading to a master's degree or equivalent graduate degree: a) Grade Point Average - 2.95 or higher out of a possible 4.0 as recorded on your official transcript or as computed based on 4 years of education or as computed based on courses completed during the final 2 years of curriculum; OR 3.45 or higher out of a possible 4.0 based on the average of the required courses completed in your major field or the required courses in your major field completed during the final 2 years of your curriculum. If more than 10 percent of total undergraduate credit hours are non-graded, i.e. pass/fail, CLEP, CCAF, DANTES, military credit, etc. you cannot qualify based on GPA. KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES (KSAs): Your qualifications will be evaluated on the basis of your level of knowledge, skills, abilities and/or competencies in the following areas: 1. Professional knowledge of the biological sciences (environmental) concepts and principles and standard practices, methods, and techniques to perform, following specific instructions, routine projects or minor phases of a larger and more complex project. 2. Knowledge to study environmental problems requiring investigation of unsanitary or questionable conditions in assigned projects (See Environmental Program Checklist). 3. Basic knowledge of applicable Federal, State, and local laws, regulations, and other guidance to make recommendations concerning assigned restoration, compliance, conservation, pollution prevention, and/or integration principles and practices. 4. Ability to search technical reports, manufacturers' catalogs, and other guidelines to obtain information. 5. Ability to work cooperatively as a team member in the design of environmental systems. 6. Ability to communicate effectively, both orally and in writing, clearly, concisely, and with technical accuracy. PART-TIME OR UNPAID EXPERIENCE: Credit will be given for appropriate unpaid and or part-time work. You must clearly identify the duties and responsibilities in each position held and the total number of hours per week. VOLUNTEER WORK EXPERIENCE: Refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service Programs (i.e., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizations (e.g., professional; philanthropic; religious; spiritual; community; student and social). Volunteer work helps build critical competencies, knowledge and skills that can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience. As a condition of employment for accepting this position, you will be required to serve a 1-year probationary period during which we will evaluate your fitness and whether your continued employment advances the public interest. In determining if your employment advances the public interest, we may consider: - your performance and conduct; - the needs and interests of the agency; - whether your continued employment would advance organizational goals of the agency of the Government; and - whether your continued employment would advance the efficiency if the Federal service. Upon completion of your probationary period OR trial period, your employment will be terminated unless you receive certification, in writing, that your continued employment advances the public interest.

Education

This position has an education requirement. You MUST provide transcripts to support your educational claims. Education must be accredited by an accrediting institution recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. http://www2.ed.gov/admins/finaid/accred/index.html Please submit copies of all Transcripts to include Transferred hours - Official copies are not required at time of application. If selected, you will be required to provide official copies of all Transcripts. NOTEDegree Audits are not accepted. If you qualify based on undergraduate education and you have not graduated prior to applying to this position. You may be offered a position contingent upon your final grade point average or class ranking. IF USING EDUCATION TO QUALIFY: You MUST provide transcripts to support your educational claims. Education must be accredited by an accrediting institution recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. FOREIGN EDUCATION: Education completed in foreign colleges or universities may be used to meet the requirements. You must show proof the education credentials have been deemed to be at least equivalent to that gained in conventional U.S. education program. It is your responsibility to provide such evidence when applying. How You Will Be Evaluated

For DHA Positions: These positions are being filled under Direct-Hire Authority for the DoD for Post-Secondary Students and Recent Graduates. The Secretary of the Air Force has delegated authority by the Office of the Secretary of Defense to directly appoint qualified students and recent graduates directly into competitive service positions; positions may be professional or administrative occupations and located Air Force-Wide. Positions may be filled as permanent/term with a full-time/part-time work schedule. Pay will vary by geographic location. *** The term "Current post-secondary student" means a person who is currently enrolled and in good academic standing at a full-time program at an institution of higher education; and is progressing toward a baccalaureate or graduate degree; and has completed at least 1 year of the program. *** The term "recent graduate" means a person awarded a degree by an institution of higher education not more than 2 years before the date of the appointment of such person, except in the case of a person who has completed a period of obligated service in a uniform service of more than 4 years. Your latest resume will be used to determine your qualifications. Your application package (resume, supporting documents, and responses to the questionnaire) will be used to determine your eligibility, qualifications, and quality ranking for this position. Please follow all instructions carefully. Errors or omissions may affect your rating or consideration for employment. Your responses to the questionnaire may be compared to the documents you submit. The documents you submit must support your responses to the online questionnaire. If your application contradicts or does not support your questionnaire responses, you will receive a rating of "not qualified" or "insufficient information" and you will not receive further consideration for this job. Applicants who disqualify themselves will not be evaluated further. Other Information

For DHA Positions: These positions are being filled under Direct-Hire Authority for the Department of Defense for Post-Secondary Students and Recent Graduates. The Secretary of the Air Force has delegated authority by the Office of the Secretary of Defense to directly appoint qualified post-secondary students and recent graduates directly into competitive service positions; these positions may be professional or administrative occupations and are located Air Force-Wide. Positions may be filled as permanent or term with a full-time or part-time work schedule. Pay will vary by geographic location. *** The term "Current post-secondary student" means a person who is currently enrolled in, and in good academic standing at a full-time program at an institution of higher education; and is making satisfactory progress toward receipt of a baccalaureate or graduate degree; and has completed at least one year of the program. *** The term "recent graduate" means a person who was awarded a degree by an institution of higher education not more than two years before the date of the appointment of such person, except in the case of a person who has completed a period of obligated service in a uniform service of more than four years. Selective Service: Males born after 12-31-59 must be registered or exempt from Selective Service. For additional information, click here. Direct Deposit: All federal employees are required to have direct deposit. Disabled veteran leave is available to a Federal employee hired on/after 5 Nov 2016, who is a veteran with a service-connected disability rating of 30% or more. For more information, click here. If you have questions regarding this announcement and have hearing or speech difficulties click here. Tax Law Impact for PCS: On 22-Dec-2017, Public Law 115-97 - the "Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017" suspended qualified moving expense deductions along with the exclusion for employer reimbursements and payments of moving expenses effective 01-Jan-2018 for tax years 2018 through 2025. When you perform a Civilian Permanent Change of Station (PCS) with the government, the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) considers the majority of your entitlements to be taxable. Visit GSA Bulletin FTR 20-04 here for additional information.