This is for two Biological Science Technician (Fish) positions, GS- 0404-5/6/7. One is working in Ellsworth, ME for Green Lake National Fish Hatchery and one is working in East Orland, ME for the Craig Brook National Fish Hatchery. These positions are being filled under the Pathways Recent Graduate Program and are for recently graduated or graduating individuals who are looking for developmental experiences in the Federal Government intended to promote possible careers in the civil service.

Duties

The Pathways Recent Graduate Program is for recently graduated or graduating individuals who are looking for developmental experiences in the Federal Government intended to promote possible careers in the civil service. Recent Graduates will serve on this appointment for one year. During the first year the selectee will perform developmental activities designed to help them acquire the competencies of the target position in which they may be placed upon completion of the program. Participants who successfully complete the Recent College Graduates Program may be eligible for conversion to the target position on a permanent or term (more than one to four years in duration) basis without further competition. For more information on the Pathways Recent Graduate Program, please visit https://www.usajobs.gov/StudentsAndGrads. As a Biological Science Technician (Fish) your duties may 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 in planning and carrying out multifaceted fish 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. Captures, applies visual and radio tags, and gathers biological, physiological and spatial data on fish. Assists in planning and carrying out biological management actions designed to address needs of species and/or habitats. At this level, under the guidance of biologist or manager, the incumbent may independently implement and lead surveys and field studies. Assists in planning multifaceted habitat studies, assessments and monitoring 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. 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. Collects biological samples ensuring correct documentation, reporting, storage, transport and delivery of samples taken. Determines approach and then summarizes data using a variety of database software programs or other presentation approaches, ensuring records are detailed, precise and accurately transferred (e.g., terrestrial, geologic, geographic, hydrologic, ecologic, and environmental data). Provides basic information on fish and wildlife resources and the United States Fish and Wildlife Service to groups and individuals. Additional Information: You MUST submit official or unofficial College Transcript(s) showing the date degree or certificate is conferred. If your degree or certificate has not been conferred, you must provide a letter from the school documenting current standing, degree being obtained and expected graduation date, with your application package, in addition to your most recent College Transcript(s) Your degree or certificate must be conferred no later than 12/31/2023 A firm job offer will not be presented until receipt of official transcripts showing degree conferred.

Requirements

• 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
• Must meet Pathways eligibility requirements
• Must meet the eligibility requirements for the Recent Graduate Program. Recent Graduates will enter a formal training program with a mentor and execute an Individual Development Plan outlining training requirements and program expectations.
• Recent Graduates must receive at least 40 hours of formal training directly linked to their employment field.
• Recent Graduates serve a trial period for the duration of their excepted service appointment.
• Recent Graduates will be required to sign a Pathways Recent Graduate Participant Agreement.
• Applicants must provide documentation of completion within the previous 2 years of a qualifying associates, bachelors, masters, professional, doctorate, degree or certificate from a qualifying educational institution.
• Males born after 12-31-59 must be registered for Selective Service
• A valid state driver’s license is required.
• Must wear a uniform in accordance with U.S. Fish and Wildlife policy.
• Green Lake NFH: Ability to perform physical activities in and around water, such as lifting and carrying up to 80 lbs, walking in moving water, canoeing in a stream, walking outdoors in variable weather conditions and remote locations.
• Green Lake National Fish Hatchery Only: Duties may require exposure to certain approved chemical such as alcohol, iodophor and formalin while performing routine fishery management and culture activities.
• Work Schedule: Work may require working evenings, weekends, and holidays.

Qualifications

Only experience and education obtained by 09/30/2023 will be considered. OPM's Qualification standard: http://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/classification-qualifications/general-schedule-qualification-standards/final-groupcoveragequalificationstandardforpathwaysprogramschedule-20d.pdf. Applicants meet the following eligibility requirement, and provide documentation such as a copy of your official transcript and/or veteran's documentation by the closing date of the announcement to be considered: In order to qualify for this position you must possess the Minimum Qualification. Minimum Qualification [GS-07] Possess one year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the GS-6 grade level in the Federal service. Examples of specialized experience include: 1) Caring for and feeding fish at all life stages 2) Monitoring fish health and applying therapeutics as recommended, 3) Maintaining fish culture and water quality records, 4) Maintaining and improving hatchery infrastructure, equipment, and grounds, 5) Rearing, distribution, and maintenance of eggs, fry, juveniles, and broodstock, 6) Collecting, processing, and inventorying eggs, and 7) Performing routine health assessments including: necropsies of morbid fish, collecting ovarian fluid samples, external examination of fish for parasites and collecting blood samples. NOTE: Your resume must contain sufficient information in these areas to be found qualified. Possess one full year of graduate level education (18 semester hours) in a discipline that is directly related to this position. OR Possess a combination of specialized experience (as described in 1 above) and education (as described in 2 above) that, when prorated, combine to meet the qualification requirements for this position. Experience and education are each computed as percentages of their respective requirements and must equal 100 percent when combined. (Only graduate education is creditable to meet this standard.) Minimum Qualification [GS-06] Possess one year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the GS-5 grade level in the Federal service. Examples of specialized experience includes: 1) Caring for and feeding fish or freshwater mussels at all life stages, 2) Monitoring fish health and applying therapeutics as recommended, 3) Maintaining fish culture and water quality records, 4) Maintaining and improving equipment 5) Rearing, distribution and maintenance of eggs, fry, juveniles, and broodstock, 6) Collecting, processing, and inventorying eggs, and 7) Assisting with routine health assessments including: necropsies of morbid fish, collecting ovarian fluid samples, external examination of fish for parasites, and collecting blood samples. NOTE: Your resume must contain sufficient information in these areas to be found qualified. Possess one full year of graduate level education (18 semester hours) in a discipline that is directly related to this position. Possess a combination of specialized experience (as described in 1 above) and education (as described in 2 above,) that, when prorated, combine to meet the qualification requirements for this position. Experience and education are each computed as percentages of their respective requirements and must equal 100 percent when combined. (Only graduate education is creditable to meet this standard.) NOTE: To qualify under this option, you must submit transcripts to verify your education and include proof of your experience in the text of your resume. Minimum Qualification [GS-05] Possess one year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the GS-4 grade level in the Federal service. Examples of specialized experience include: 1) Collecting and managing biological data; 2) Caring and feeding of fish or freshwater mussels at all life stages; and 3) Using computer applications. Successfully completed a full 4-year course of study leading to a bachelor's degree with major study or at least 24 semester hours in any combination of courses such as biology, chemistry, statistics, entomology, animal husbandry, botany, physics, agriculture, or mathematics. At least 6 semester hours of courses must have been directly related to the position to be filled. (You MUST submit a copy of your transcripts in order to qualify based on education). Possess a combination of specialized experience (as described in A above) and education (as described in B above, INCLUDING THE UNIT REQUIREMENTS) that, when prorated, combine to meet the qualification requirements for this position. Only education in excess of the first 60 semester hours of a course of study leading to a bachelor's degree is creditable toward meeting the specialized experience requirements. Two full academic years of study, or 60 semester hours, beyond the second year is equivalent to l year of specialized experience. 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. Promotion Potential: This position involves a multi-grade career ladder. The major duties listed represent the full performance level of GS-5/6/7. At lower grade levels, you will perform assignments of a more limited scope and with less independence. You will progressively acquire the background necessary to perform at the full performance level of GS-5/6/7. Promotion is at the discretion of the supervisor and is contingent upon satisfactory performance, availability of higher level work, and availability of funds. The selectee may be promoted without further competition when all regulatory, qualification, and performance requirements are met. Selection at a lower grade level does not guarantee promotion to the full performance level.

Education

PROOF OF EDUCATION: All applicants 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. Failure to submit transcripts will result in an ineligible rating. 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: http://www.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ous/international/usnei/us/edlite-visitus-forrecog.html

Contacts

• Address Division of Human Resources Division of Human Resources 300 Westgate Center Drive Hadley, MA 01035 US
• Name: Human Resources Staffing Division
• Email: [email protected]