Biological Science Technician

Clarification from the agency

Open to all U.S. Citizens. ICTAP/CTAP eligibles.

Duties

As a Biological Science Technician (Fish) your duties will include, but are not limited to, the following:

Assists in planning and carrying out hatchery data collection on hatchery populations to study health and propagation methods. Projects planned at this grade level have considerable complexity and often require multiple timelines, coordination with biologists to resolve complex issues related to fish propagation, or long-range projects that span over multiple spawning seasons. Fish hatchery operations and studies on efficiency may cover breeding, rearing, and/or growing fish in tanks or raceways, caring for fertilized eggs in trays, observing fish behavior in response to feeding, cleaning, and husbandry operations, determining feed regiments, treating fish disease, collecting and recording data (hard copy and digital), operating specialized aquaculture equipment such as gates, pumps, valves, filters, alarms, and other support systems to maintain fish health. Reviews data and prepares reports for biologists to analyze and formulate solutions for complex fish health issues in a hatchery environment. Assists hatchery crew in providing daily care to fish in an aquaculture facility. Performs assignments and general maintenance required for general fish hatchery upkeep and maintenance including simple hand tools or power equipment, landscaping tools (grass mowers, shrub trimmers, etc.), and other tools for minor repairs on hatchery equipment. Assists in planning and carrying out multifaceted fish and/or wildlife studies, field investigations and surveys by contributing ideas, determining research methods, establishing practical procedures for accomplishing and reporting the work, and determining other needs, such as costs, equipment and personnel. Independently monitors, plans, and implements activities related to conservation, management, and/or control of fish/wildlife. Captures, applies visual and radio tags, and gathers biological, physiological and spatial data on fish/wildlife. Uses specialized techniques and methods to collect biological and physical environment data from field and/or facility investigations and reports findings to determine actual and potential impact on fish, wildlife, or plant resources from aquaculture, research, restoration projects or habitat improvement projects. Physical Environment:
Physical demands will range depending on the project and use of the position. Most locations will be in locations around
running water and requiring regular and recurring physical activity such as prolonged standing, walking over wet and/or
rocky surfaces, stooping, bending, kneeling, climbing, and carrying heavy items may occur.

Working Conditions:
Most locations will be in locations in and around running water where the incumbent could be exposed to extreme
weather conditions, insects/wildlife, and/or other environments that would require the incumbent to use protective
clothing or gear such as hard hats, masks, gowns, ear plugs, coats, boots, goggles, gloves, or shields to mitigate risks.

Requirements

Conditions of Employment

Must be a U.S. Citizen or National. Resume (See "Required Documents"). Failure to provide ALL required information on your resume will result in loss of consideration due to an incomplete application package. It is your responsibility to ensure all information is provided on resume. Eligibility and Supporting documents - You will ONLY be considered for the eligibilities that you select "yes" to AND submit the required supporting documentation, as listed in the Required Documents section. Suitability for employment, as determined by background investigation Driver's License: Selectees will be required to possess and maintain a valid State driver's license at all times during their tenure. Uniform: Official U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service uniform will be required. Probationary Period: Selectees may be required to successfully complete a probationary period. Individuals assigned male at birth after 12-31-59 must be registered for Selective Service. To verify registration visit SSS.gov.

Qualifications

Only experience and education obtained by 04/30/2024 will be considered.

In order to qualify for this position you must possess the Minimum Qualification.

Minimum Qualification [GS-6] Possess one full year of specialized experience comparable in scope and responsibility to the GS-05 grade level in the Federal service (obtained in either the public or private sectors). This experience must include care and feeding of all life stages of fish; record and monitor fish health, maintain and update fish culture and water quality records, maintain and improve hatchery equipment and grounds; rearing, distribution and maintenance of eggs, fry, parr, smolts, yearlings, and broodstock; and collect, process and inventory eggs. OR Have successfully completed one year of graduate level education (18 semester/27 quarter hours or the school's equivalent) in an accredited college or university of that included courses directly related to the occupation, such as fishery biology, ichthyology, limnology, aquaculture, etc. OR A combination of education and experience as described in 1 and 2 above which together equals 100% of the requirement Minimum Qualification [GS-7] Possess at least one year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-06 grade level or higher in the Federal service, or equivalent non-Federal experience. Specialized experience must include care and feeding of all life stages of fish; record and monitor fish health, maintain and update fish culture and water quality records, maintain and improve hatchery infrastructure, equipment and grounds; rearing, distribution and maintenance of eggs, fry, parr, smolts, yearlings, and broodstock; collect, process and inventory eggs; and follow established spawning procedures, perform routine health assessments including: necropsies of morbid fish, collecting ovarian fluid samples, external examination of fish for parasites and collecting blood samples. OR Have successfully completed one year of graduate level education (18 semester/27 quarter hours or the school's equivalent) in an accredited college or university of that included courses directly related to the occupation, such as fishery biology, ichthyology, limnology, aquaculture, etc. OR A combination of education and experience as described in 1 and 2 above which together equals 100% of the requirement 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.

Education

PROOF OF EDUCATION: All applicants who are using education or a combination of education and experience to qualify must submit copies of official or unofficial transcripts which include grades, credit hours earned, major(s), grade point average or class ranking, institution name, and student name. If any required coursework is not easily recognizable on transcripts, or if you believe a portion of a particular course can be credited toward meeting an educational requirement, you must also provide a memorandum on letterhead from the institution's registrar, dean, or other appropriate official stating the percentage of the course that should be considered to meet the requirement and the equivalent number of units. Unofficial transcripts are acceptable; however, if you are selected for the position, you will be required to produce the original official transcripts.

PASS/FAIL COURSES: If more than 10 percent of your undergraduate course work (credit hours) were taken on a pass/fail basis, your claim of superior academic achievement must be based upon class standing or membership in an honor society.

GRADUATE EDUCATION: One academic year of graduate education is considered to be the number of credits hours your graduate school has determined to represent one academic year of full-time study. Such study may have been performed on a full-time or part-time basis. If you cannot obtain your graduate school's definition of one year of graduate study, 18 semester hours (or 27 quarter hours) should be considered as satisfying the requirement for one year of full-time graduate study.

FOREIGN EDUCATION: If you are using education completed in foreign colleges or universities to meet the qualification requirements, you must show the education credentials have been evaluated by a private organization that specializes in interpretation of foreign education. For further information, visit:

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