Biological Science Technician (Fish)

U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service•Anderson, CA

About The Position

Biological Science Technicians perform field and technical work to monitor, manage, and protect natural resources, including plants, wildlife, aquatic resources, and their habitats. For the Division of Human Resources, the typical seasonal entry-on-duty period is December through February, but timing may vary due to weather, project needs, or funding. This Fisheries position involves surveying and monitoring fish populations, aquatic organisms, and aquatic habitats; collecting biological and environmental data and specimens; and organizing and maintaining project data. Depending on the location, the technician may assist with fish hatchery operations, including fish care, monitoring health, growth, and water quality, handling and inventorying fish or eggs, maintaining records, and cleaning equipment and facilities. At the GS-05 level, duties may also include carrying out established fisheries, hatchery, and aquatic resource activities and assisting with reports and project documentation. The position may be filled as a temporary seasonal appointment, not to exceed 1,560 hours rather than 1,039 hours depending on the park and program. Employment may end at any time due to funding, project needs, performance, or other considerations. Work is performed in offices, laboratories, and the field. Field conditions may include extreme weather and terrain, pesticides, poisonous plants, biting insects, and wild animals; laboratory work may involve hazardous chemicals. The work is partially sedentary but often requires prolonged standing, walking, and bending, as well as routinely lifting and carrying packs and equipment weighing up to 50 pounds.

Requirements

U.S. citizenship is required.
Appointment is subject to a background investigation and favorable adjudication.
Males must meet the Selective Service Registration Act requirement.
Must participate in the Direct Deposit Electronic Funds Transfer Program.
Motorboat operation is required; the selectee will receive appropriate training and is subject to pre-employment and random drug testing.
May be required to wear a uniform and comply with uniform standards; a uniform allowance will be provided.
May be required to work on-call, evenings, weekends, holidays, overtime, and/or shift work.
A valid driver's license is required when operating a government or private motor vehicle as part of official duties; operators of government vehicles must be at least 18 years old.
Must be at least 18 years old, or at least 16 and meet one of the stated education, vocational training, school-authority, or student-employment conditions.
GS-05 qualification: one year of specialized experience equivalent to GS-04; or four years of post-high-school education leading to a bachelor's degree in a related scientific or technical field, or at least 24 semester hours in qualifying subjects, including at least six semester hours directly related to fishery biology or related fields; or an equivalent combination of experience and education.
GS-06 qualification: one year of specialized experience equivalent to GS-05; or nine semester hours (13.5 quarter hours) of graduate coursework toward a related master's degree; or an equivalent combination of experience and education.
GS-07 qualification: one year of specialized experience equivalent to GS-06; or 18 semester hours (27 quarter hours) of graduate coursework toward a related master's degree; or an equivalent combination of experience and education.
If qualifying based in part on education, submit a legible copy of transcripts. Foreign education must be evaluated by a qualified private organization for U.S. equivalency or credit.
A resume must not exceed two single-sided pages and must clearly show duties, employment dates, and hours worked; only one resume may be submitted.
Occupancy of government quarters may be required. Government housing may be available but is not guaranteed.

Responsibilities

Conduct surveys and monitor fish populations, aquatic organisms, and aquatic habitats.
Collect biological and environmental data and specimens using established fisheries sampling methods and equipment.
Record, organize, enter, and maintain project data using GPS, GIS, and other data-management technology.
Depending on location, assist with hatchery operations, including fish care and feeding; 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, including collecting and recording field or fish production data.
At GS-05, assist with reports and project documentation.
Operate a motorboat; training will be provided.
As required, complete training and operate a four-wheel-drive vehicle or a government or private motor vehicle as part of official duties.
As required, complete training and obtain and maintain a government credit card with travel and purchase authority.