Job opening: Biological Science Technician (Fish/Wildlife)
Salary: $17 per hour
Published at: Oct 26 2023
Employment Type: Full-time
This position is located within a National Forest. The primary purpose of this position is to provide technical support to the fisheries and/or the wildlife management program.
Duties
Independently, or as part of a team, participates in procedural fisheries and/or wildlife related assignments where methods and techniques are well established.
Makes browse surveys; takes and records measurements such as identifying species, etc.; identifies and measures species and conditions; delineates wildlife or fisheries habitat types on topographic maps; and, identifies habitat condition.
Maintains records of investigations and trail data as requested by the team leader or supervisor. The supervisor or team leader makes sure assigned are completed; and information is developed.
The supervisor or team leader makes sure that the methods used in securing and verifying data are acceptable; and that use of guidelines are technically-accurate and in accordance with agency guidelines.
Under supervision, prepares data summaries in proper format. Summarizes data obtained from field collections using prescribed statistical procedures.
Assists in the attainment of field data by calculating and recording relevant biological information irregular to the specific assignment. Formulates and orders data as directed and prepares data for computer use.
Assists in the collection, handling, and preservation of specimens.
Makes fish counts, and traps fry and fingerlings using such methods as baited minnow traps; identifies and measures species, recording numbers, lengths, weights etc.; takes scale samples.
Notes environmental factors prejudicial to fish habitat such as log jams and silting, and recommends corrective action; and independently determines count sites on assigned streams.
Performs wildlife and/or fisheries habitat improvement projects such as maintenance of wildlife openings and trails; inventories of nesting structures; construction and installation of woody structures for streams, rivers, and lakes.
Performs wildlife and/or fisheries habitat improvement projects such as planting of areas for establishment of more desirable food or cover; installation and maintenance of nesting boxes; establishment of food plots, etc.
Conducts surveys of game and non-game wildlife species and plant species; counts, sorts, identifies species, and performs measurements. Records data manually and electronically using a Global Positioning System unit and computer.
Summarizes data obtained from field collections and, under supervision, prepares data summaries in proper format. Manages data and prepares reports.
Conducts routine procedural tests using well-established work methods and techniques. Summarizes data obtained from field collections using prescribed statistical procedures. Under supervision, prepares data summaries in proper format.
Assists higher-graded technicians with the operation of more sophisticated equipment or systems. Does not interpret the results, but is responsible for noticing obvious deviations so that tests may be repeated or other checks made.
Assists in the acquisition of field data by measuring and recording pertinent biological information peculiar to the specific assignment. Assists in the collection, handling, and preservation of specimens.
Uses topographic maps, aerial photos, compass, Global Positioning System devices, photographs, etc. for navigation. Operates a variety of hand tools and mechanical equipment such as chainsaw and brush saw.
May be required to operate a four-by-four drive vehicles, mower deck, all-terrain-vehicles (ATV’s) or utility-terrain-vehicles (UTV’s), Off-Highway Vehicle (OHV), or a small water craft.
Requirements
- You must be a US Citizen or US National.
- Males born after 12-31-59 must be registered for Selective Service.
- Subject to satisfactory adjudication of background investigation and/or fingerprint check.
- Direct Deposit Per Public Law 104-134 all Federal employees are required to have federal payments made by direct deposit to a financial institution of your choosing.
- Must be 18 years of age.
- Successfully pass the E-Verify employment verification check. To learn more about E-Verify, including your rights and responsibilities, visit e-Verify.
Qualifications
In order to qualify, you must meet the eligibility and qualifications requirements as defined below by the closing date of the announcement. For more information on the qualifications for this position, visit the Office of Personnel Management's General Schedule Qualification Standards.
Your application and resume must clearly show that you possess the experience requirements. Transcripts must be provided for qualifications based on education. Provide course descriptions as necessary.
GS-04: Applicants must have six months of any type of work that demonstrated the ability to perform the work of the position, or experience that provided a familiarity with the subject matter or processes of the broad subject area of the occupation AND six months of specialized experience equivalent to at least the GS-3 grade level; OR an associate's degree or two years of successfully completed education above high school (90 quarter or 60 semester hours) that included at least 12 semester hours in any combination of courses such as biology, chemistry, statistics, entomology, animal husbandry, botany, agriculture, or mathematics and at least 6 hours must be directly related to the position; OR combinations of successfully completed post-high school education and experience. The education must have been obtained in an accredited business, secretarial or technical school, junior college, college or university.
Examples of General Experience includes: Performed farm/ranch labor, such as feeding/tending livestock or general maintenance of farm/ranch facilities and/or worked in a greenhouse, nursery or landscaping e.g., planting, moving, watering, and tending plants and/or animal caretaker in a laboratory, zoo or pet store.
Examples of specialized experience include: Recording data during studies or sampling procedures related to fisheries or wildlife biology projects. Assisting technical or professional personnel by performing field techniques including taking measurements and collecting samples, using basic field equipment such as data recorders and using geographic positioning systems to gather plant and animal survey data. Worked in local (city/county) or state parks, reservoirs, or nature centers performing work that involved evaluation of biological resources or habitat conditions.
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.
To receive consideration for this position, you must provide updated required documents and meet all qualification requirements by the closing date of this announcement.
Contacts
- Address USDA Forest Service HRM Contact Center
DO NOT MAIL IN APPLICATIONS, SEE INSTRUCTIONS IN THE ANNOUNCEMENT
Albuquerque, NM 87109
US
- Name: HRM Contact Center
- Phone: 1-877-372-7248 X2
- Email: [email protected]