Biological Science Technician

U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service • Rio Grande, PR

4d • Onsite

About The Position

The Biological Science Technician will serve with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service in Rio Grande, Puerto Rico, supporting wildlife censuses, surveys, research, and management practices. The position includes work with the captive and wild Puerto Rican Parrot populations, including routine flock maintenance, population studies, monitoring, recordkeeping, and computerized database management. The technician will also support interagency recovery efforts in the Karst region and Maricao State Forest. Duties may be developmental below the full-performance level. The position includes indoor and outdoor work, field assignments in challenging conditions, and may be suitable for telework with supervisor approval. A 2.49% cost-of-living allowance is authorized.

Requirements

• Must be a U.S. Citizen or National.
• Must possess and maintain a valid driver's license throughout employment.
• Must pass a physical examination and may need to complete a statement regarding physical ability.
• Must be able to complete wildlife radio-tracking training.
• Must complete tree-climbing training and climb trees above 50 feet.
• Must complete chainsaw training.
• Must be fluent in Spanish and English.
• GS-05 qualification: one year of specialized experience equivalent to GS-04 in wildlife management, a qualifying four-year bachelor's degree with at least 24 semester hours in specified science or related subjects (including at least six semester hours directly related to the position), or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
• GS-06 qualification: one year of specialized experience equivalent to GS-05 in wildlife management, one full year of directly related graduate-level education, or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Current federal employees must meet applicable time-in-grade requirements.
• Applicants must document work schedules and qualifying experience as specified in the announcement; education used to qualify must be supported by transcripts.
• Appointment is subject to background investigation and favorable adjudication; E-Verify and Direct Deposit participation are required.
• Males born after December 31, 1959, must be registered for Selective Service.
• May be required to serve a one-year probationary period.
• Must work weekends and holidays; may be required to work overtime and night shifts.
• May be required to travel to other sites in Puerto Rico.

Responsibilities

• Assist with planning and conducting wildlife censuses and surveys, and recommend wildlife management practices.
• Contribute to planning wildlife studies by proposing ideas, determining research methods, establishing procedures, and identifying costs, equipment, personnel, and other needs.
• Assist Wildlife Biologists and the Senior Technician with routine maintenance of the captive Puerto Rican Parrot flock.
• Support studies and monitoring of the wild Puerto Rican Parrot flock, including accurate recordkeeping and management of computerized databases.
• Capture wildlife, apply visual and radio tags, and collect physiological and spatial data.
• Operate light trucks, vehicles, generators, radios, radio-tracking equipment, water-monitoring equipment, global positioning systems, and cameras.
• Support interagency recovery efforts involving the Puerto Rican Parrot wild population in the Karst region and Maricao State Forest.

Benefits

• Federal employee benefits package available to the employee and family, subject to position and eligibility rules.
• A recruitment or relocation incentive may be offered to eligible and qualified candidates on a case-by-case basis.

What This Job Offers

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