Biological Science Technician (Fish) (Seasonal)

U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service • Anchorage, AK

3d

About The Position

Biological Science Technicians support fisheries, aquatic resource, and fish hatchery programs. Depending on the location, work may include monitoring fish populations and habitats, collecting and managing biological data, and assisting with fish culture and hatchery operations. The anticipated entry-on-duty period is December through July 2027, but timing may vary due to weather, project needs, or funding.

Duties vary by grade level. At GS-05, the technician carries out established fisheries, hatchery, and aquatic resource activities, including fish care, water-quality monitoring, data collection, and assistance with reports and project documentation. At GS-06, the technician independently carries out established activities, including fish culture, monitoring fish health and water quality, and collecting and evaluating project data; may also operate and maintain equipment, maintain fish production records, and assist with project implementation, analysis, reports, and plans. At GS-07, the technician may coordinate and lead activities, schedule field or fish-culture work, guide and train personnel, monitor production and health data, ensure data quality, identify operational concerns, evaluate results, and prepare draft reports and recommendations.

This is a temporary seasonal appointment that may be not-to-exceed 1,560 hours depending on location and program, rather than 1,039 hours. Employment may end at any time due to funding, project needs, performance, or other considerations. Work is performed in offices, laboratories, and field settings. Fieldwork can involve extreme weather and terrain, pesticides, poisonous plants, biting insects, and wild animals; laboratory work may involve hazardous chemicals. The role may require prolonged standing, walking, and bending, as well as routinely lifting and carrying equipment weighing up to 50 pounds. Depending on location, employees may need to occupy government quarters, wear a uniform, carry a firearm, work on-call or irregular schedules, complete training, and operate vehicles.

Requirements

• U.S. citizenship is required.
• Appointment is subject to a background investigation and favorable adjudication.
• Males must meet Selective Service registration requirements.
• Selectees must participate in the Direct Deposit Electronic Funds Transfer Program.
• Applicants must meet the minimum age requirements stated in the announcement: generally 18 or older, with specified exceptions for 16- and 17-year-olds.
• A valid driver's license is required when operating a government or private motor vehicle as part of official duties; employees must be at least 18 to operate government vehicles.
• Depending on location and duties, may be required to occupy government quarters, wear a uniform, carry a firearm, complete firearms training and maintain proficiency, and undergo drug testing for firearm-required positions.
• May be required to work on-call, evenings, weekends, holidays, overtime, and/or shift work.
• May be required to complete training and operate a four-wheel-drive vehicle.
• May be required to obtain and maintain a government credit card with travel and purchase authority.
• GS-05: One year of specialized experience equivalent to GS-04; or four years of education above high school leading to a bachelor's degree in a related scientific or technical field, or at least 24 semester hours in specified related subjects including at least 6 semester hours directly related to fishery biology or related topics; or an equivalent combination of experience and education.
• GS-06: One year of specialized experience equivalent to GS-05; or 9 semester hours or 13.5 quarter hours of directly related graduate-level coursework leading to a master's degree; or an equivalent combination of experience and education.
• GS-07: One year of specialized experience equivalent to GS-06; or 18 semester hours or 27 quarter hours of directly related graduate-level coursework leading to a master's degree; or an equivalent combination of experience and education.
• Applicants qualifying based on education must submit transcripts. Experience may be paid or unpaid, including qualifying volunteer experience.
• Resumes must not exceed two single-sided pages and must document duties, employment dates, and hours worked; part-time hours must be stated to allow experience to be prorated.

Responsibilities

• Survey and monitor fish populations, aquatic organisms, and aquatic habitats.
• Collect biological and environmental data and specimens using established fisheries sampling methods and equipment.
• Record and maintain project data using GPS, GIS, and other data-management technology.
• Organize, enter, and maintain fisheries and aquatic resource project data.
• Depending on location, assist with hatchery operations, including feeding and caring for fish; monitoring fish health, growth, and water quality; handling and inventorying fish or eggs; maintaining fish culture records; and cleaning and maintaining hatchery equipment and facilities.
• At GS-05, carry out established fisheries, hatchery, and aquatic resource activities; collect and record field or fish-production data; and assist with reports and project documentation.
• At GS-06, independently carry out established activities, operate and maintain sampling or hatchery equipment, maintain fish-production records, and assist with project implementation, data analysis, reports, and plans.
• At GS-07, coordinate and lead activities, schedule field projects or fish-culture work, and provide technical guidance to staff, interns, and volunteers.
• At GS-07, train personnel in fish identification, sampling and fish-culture methods, data collection, habitat assessment, and equipment use.
• At GS-07, monitor fish production and health data, ensure data quality, identify operational concerns, evaluate project results, and prepare draft reports and recommendations.

Benefits

• Federal employees and their families have access to a comprehensive benefits package, subject to position type and eligibility.
• Cost-of-living allowance is available in certain Alaska locations, subject to annual review and adjustment.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level