Biological Scientist (Environmental)

About the role

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.

What you will do

• 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.

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. *** 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. ***NOTE***Degree 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.

Documents you must provide

• The following documents are required and must be provided with your application for this Public Notice.
• Applicants who do not submit required documentation to determine eligibility and qualifications will be eliminated from consideration.
• Other documents may be required based on the eligibility/eligibilities you are claiming.
• Click here to view the AF Civilian Employment Eligibility Guide and the required documents you must submit to substantiate the eligibilities you are claiming.
• Online Application - Questionnaire Resume: Your resume may NOT exceed two pages, and the font size should not be smaller than 10 pts.
• You will not be considered for this vacancy if your resume is illegible/unreadable.
• Additional information on resume requirements can be located under "How To Apply".
• Transcripts/Registration/License: If qualifying on education/position requires education, you must submit copies of your transcripts and if required for the position, submit an active, current registration/license.
• Veterans: If claiming VEOA, VRA or 30% Disabled Veteran - Submit VOW certification memo or copy of the official DD Form 214, which must include the character of service (i.e., with an honorable or general discharge).
• This will be annotated in block 24 on member copy 2, 4, or 7 of the DD Form 214.
• If claiming 30% Disabled Veteran, you must also submit a VA Letter or a disability determination from a branch of the Armed Forces.
• NOTE: All veterans claiming 10-point preference must also submit a SF-15 form.
• ACTIVE DUTY SERVICE MEMBERS: The VOW Act requires federal agencies to treat an eligible active duty service member as a veteran, disabled veteran, and preference eligible (as applicable) when applying for civil service positions before the effective release or discharge date.
• Appointment of military members before the release or discharge date is permissible if the member is on terminal leave.
• At the time the active duty member applies for a civil position, he or she must submit a "certification" memo in lieu of a DD Form 214, Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty.
• Active duty members applying for a civil service position without submitting a valid certification memo or DD Form 214 with their application will render the member ineligible for the position.
• The certification memo must originate from the member's military service branch on official letterhead and contain the following: Name/Rank/Grade of Service Member Branch of Armed Forces Dates of Active Service (Start and End Date(s) Expected Date of Discharge/Release from Active Duty Terminal leave start date (if applicable) Expected character of service/discharge and type of separation (i.e. separation or retirement) Must be certified within 120 days of anticipated discharge Signature by, or by direction of the adjutant, personnel office, unit commander, or higher headquarters commander.
• Note: The VOW Act provides tentative preference.
• If appointed, a DD Form 214 must be submitted upon receipt.

What to expect next

After you submit your application, you will be contacted if further evaluation or interviews are required. Your application will remain active through the open period of this Public Notice. Once this Public Notice closes, you must reapply.

Additional 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.