Summary Explore a new career with the BLM - where our people are our most precious resource. This position is located in Reno, Nevada. Information about Reno and the surrounding area can be found at Reno/Sparks Chamber of Commerce. We expect to fill one vacancy at this time; however, additional positions may be filled from this announcement if they become available. This position is authorized a 20% relocation/recruitment incentive, if eligible. See additional information section. Responsibilities State Botanist and advisor to the State Director. Botany, plant, and restoration ecology subject matter expert in providing policy input and analyses, technical guidance, and overall program leadership for botany/ecology related programs and projects. Serves as the botany program and project budget lead. Leads, manages, and coordinates botany/plant ecology/restoration ecology projects. Considered the BLM expert and advisor in policy and regulations concerning botany, ecology, vegetation management, plant materials development, and special status plant species conservation management. Responsible for integrating with related resource programs like planning, lands, minerals, watershed, riparian, range, forestry, fire, recreation, and wilderness programs to achieve multiple use/ecosystem management goals and objectives. Requirements Conditions of Employment Qualifications In order to be rated as qualified for this position, we must be able to determine that you meet the qualification requirements - please be sure to include this information in your resume. No assumptions will be made about your experience. Basic Education Requirement: This is an interdisciplinary position with a positive education requirement. You must meet the education requirements for at least one of the professional series below: For Botanist: Have a degree in botany; or basic plant science that included at least 24 semester hours in botany; -OR- Have a combination of education and specialized experience: courses equivalent to a major in botany or basic plant science that included at least 24 semester hours in botany, as shown above, plus appropriate experience or additional education. For Ecologist: Have a degree in biology or a related field of science that included at least 30 semester hours in basic and applied biological sciences. These hours include 9 semester hours in ecology, and 12 semester hours in physical and mathematical sciences. In addition to meeting the education requirement, you must possess one (1) full year of specialized experience at or equivalent to the GS-11 level that is equivalent in difficulty and complexity as indicated by the following examples: (1) evaluating vegetation monitoring programs to assure conformance with policies, standards, regulations, and legislation; (2) analyzing and/or manipulating data in a plant/wildlife databases to produce reports with graphics, maps, and spreadsheets; (3) assisting with the budget planning system process for a Plant Conservation Program; (4) utilizing Geographic Information Systems to perform analysis techniques to initiate or interpret habitat and site management. 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 within 30 days of the closing date of the announcement. Federal employees in the competitive service are also subject to the Time-In-Grade requirement in accordance with 5 CFR 300.604. If you are a current Federal employee in the General Schedule (GS) pay plan and applying for a promotion opportunity, you must have completed a minimum of 52 weeks at the next lower grade level. Physical Demands: The work is typically performed in an office setting with no special physical demands. However, work may also be performed in the field which involves periods of walking, bending, climbing, or driving motor vehicles to worksites. The work may also involve some overnight travel for training, meetings, and site visits. Work Environment: The work is usually performed in an office setting however work may also be spent occasionally visiting field sites. Field visits are typically performed in either an outdoor setting subject to weather changes, diverse terrain, and safety hazards associated with working around complex features and/or construction. Both settings may require the use of personal protective equipment. Safety precautions and protocols are observed at all times and the incumbent complies with safety instructions and regulations and ensures individual and others safety by promptly reporting unsafe acts, unsafe conditions, and accidents to the supervisor. Education This position falls under the 0408 and 0430 series for professional and scientific positions. This position has a positive education requirement. See qualification section for description of the Basic Education Requirement (BER). There is no substitution of specialized experience for education at the GS-12 level. 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. Additional Information Relocation/Recruitment Incentive: This position is offering a Relocation/Recruitment Incentive, 20% of the annual salary. To be eligible for a Relocation Incentive, you must be a current Federal Employee and the selectee must be employed with the Federal Government and the selectees current duty location is more than 50 miles from the duty location of this position. To be eligible for a Recruitment Incentive, selectee must not be employed by the Federal Government. DOI uses E-Verify to confirm employment eligibility of all newly hired employees. To learn more about E-Verify, including your rights and responsibilities, please visit E-Verify. Career Transition Assistance Plan (CTAP)/lnteragency Career Transition Assistance Program (ICTAP): These programs apply to employees who have been involuntarily separated from a Federal service position within the competitive service or Federal service employees whose positions have been deemed surplus or no longer needed. To receive selection priority, you must: 1) meet CTAP or ICTAP eligibility criteria; 2) be rated well qualified for the position with a score of 90 or above; and 3) submit the appropriate documentation to support your CTAP or ICTAP eligibility. For more information: CTAP or ICTAP Males born after 12/31/59 must be registered for Selective Service Travel and relocation expenses will be paid consistent with the Federal Travel Regulation, Chapter 302, and Departmental policy. Selectee will be responsible for tax obligations related to payments for moving expenses - 2017 Tax Cuts and Job Act, Public Law 115-97. Tax Law Impact for PCS: Moving expenses reimbursement is a taxable benefit. However, the Federal Travel Regulation 18-05 issued by General Services Administration has authorized agencies to use the Withholding Tax Allowance and Relocation Income Tax Allowance to pay for "substantially all" of the increased tax liability resulting from the "2018 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act" for certain eligible individuals. The official worksite for the selectee is the duty station identified in this vacancy announcement. The selectee will typically report to this duty location on a regular and recurring weekly basis. The selectee may be allowed to telework with supervisor approval. Certain incentives (such as Recruitment, Relocation or Student Loan Repayment) may be authorized to eligible selectees. If eligible and qualified, you may be offered a recruitment or relocation incentive. The decision to offer an incentive will be made on a case-by-case basis and is neither promised nor guaranteed. For information visit: Recruitment Incentive or Relocation Incentive or Student Loan Repayment.