This position is a Biological Science Technician (Fish), GS- 0404-5/6 working in Lacey, Washington for the R1-Western Washington Fish and Wildlife Conservation Office. Please see additional information section for further information on this Career Seasonal Appointment. This position is also open to status candidates under announcement R2-24-12322004-GM-MP. You must apply to each announcement separately if you wish to be considered under both recruitment methods.

Duties

This position is with the Western Washington Fish and Wildlife Conservation Office in Lacey, WA. Our office works with various partners (tribal, governmental, NGOs) to conduct scientific monitoring and evaluation for a number of fish species including bull trout, Pacific lamprey, O. mykiss, Pacific salmon, and introduced aquatic species. The geographic range of our studies covers headwaters of the Cascade Mountain Range, urban watersheds of Puget Sound, and rugged basins of the Olympic Peninsula. Our office also provides hatchery evaluation support for three National Fish Hatcheries within the Puget Sound Olympic Peninsula Complex. As a Biological Science Technician (Fish) your duties will include, but are not limited to, the following: Assists in collecting data on hatchery populations to study health and propagation methods. 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). 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. Participates in multifaceted fish and/or wildlife studies, including carrying out a variety of research and survey methods, analyzing established data, and monitoring environmental elements related to conservation, management, and/or control of fish/wildlife. Identifies and collects data for studies. Logs samples/data to be used for analysis. Uses a variety of laboratory and equipment to perform standardized tasks for studies. Compiles and summarizes data from surveys, biological evaluations, and tests. Runs routine programs and checks resulting data for inconsistencies. Assists in preparation of reports. 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. Develops and uses automated databases to enter, organize and perform preliminary analysis of collected data, using standard statistical methods in preparation of fish, wildlife, and/or botany reports. Work Environment: Work for this position is carried out in streams, rivers, lakes, hatchery, office, and laboratory settings. Work may be performed in urban environments or remote locations requiring access by boats, raft, kayak, or on foot over rough, uneven terrain. At times fieldwork may be conducted outside during cold, inclement weather and at night. Work may require wading in deep, swift water and/or whole body immersion in cold, swift, murky water to perform snorkel surveys. Swift-water rescue training may be required for this position. Lab work may involve stomach content analysis and fish dissection to recover tags from salmon carcasses in various stages of decay. Backcountry travel for day trips or multiple days (up to 10) may be required for this position, which will require long hikes with heavy packs. Physical Demands: This position requires prolonged standing, strenuous walking over wet, uneven surfaces, immersion in cold, swift water, and long hikes with heavy backpacks or equipment. Physical stamina to withstand inclement weather, long hours in the field, hiking long distances, immersion in cold, swift water conditions, and handling and examining large fish is required. Lifting and carrying heavy items weighing up to 50 pounds is also required. Field trips spanning multiple days are required. Lab and office work requires long periods of sitting/standing and working at a computer, lab bench, and behind a microscope.

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
• 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 may 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 03/04/2024 will be considered. In order to qualify for this position you must possess the Minimum Qualification. Minimum Qualification [GS-5] One year of specialized experience comparable in scope and responsibility equivalent to grade GS-4 in the Federal service. Experience must include: (1) following laboratory and field collection protocols; (2) assisting with identifying, sorting, and weighing preserved biological samples in a laboratory setting; (3) collecting, identifying, marking, weighing, and measuring fish and aquatic organisms; assisting with the preparation, maintenance, and use of field and laboratory equipment. OR have successfully completed a four-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 are directly related to this position (e.g., 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-6] One year of specialized experience comparable in scope and responsibility equivalent to grade GS-5 in the Federal service. Experience must include: (1) independently identifying, sorting, and weighing preserved biological samples in a laboratory setting; (2) identifying fish and aquatic organisms; (3) independent preparation, maintenance, and use of field and laboratory equipment; (4) maintaining quality records in both written and electronic formats; (5) using word-processing and database software to assist with data preparation for reports and other publications. OR I possess one year of graduate-level education with a major study in or directly related to this position (e.g., in or related to fisheries, aquatics, 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. Promotion Potential: This position involves a multi-grade career ladder. The major duties listed represent the full performance level of GS-06. 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-06. 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 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: Recognition of Foreign Qualifications | International Affairs Office (ed.gov)

Contacts

• Address Division of Human Resources Division of Human Resources Eastside Federal Complex 911 NE Eleventh Avenue Portland, OR 97232 US
• Name: Human Resources Staffing Division
• Email: [email protected]