This position is a Biological Science Technician, GS- 0404-6/7 working in Dexter, NM for the R2-Southwestern Fish Health Unit. This position is also open to the public under announcement R2-24-12547480-AW-DE. You must apply to each announcement separately if you wish to be considered under both recruitment methods.

Duties

As a Biological Science Technician your duties will include but are not limited to the following: Incumbent works under management supervision, assisting senior fish biologists in conducting aquatic animal health inspections and certifications, performing wild fish health surveys, and executing disease diagnostic tests for National Fish Hatcheries, as well as State and Tribal facilities in Arizona, New Mexico, Oklahoma, and Texas. Performs and/or assists other biologists with dissection, collection, packing, transportation, and downstream processing, including performing a variety of laboratory tests on biological materials from aquatic animal tissues for examination. Helps in entering, organizing, and conducting preliminary analyses of collected data using standard statistical methods to prepare aquatic animal health reports. Supports biologists in summarizing data through various database software programs (e.g., LIMS) or other presentation methods, ensuring records are detailed, precise, and accurately maintained. Assists with the ordering and recordkeeping of supplies, preparation of media, and storage, as well as the disposal of materials upon completion of assays in accordance with Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs), applicable laws, and regulations. Performs and/or assist senior biologists with daily, weekly, and monthly Quality Assurance and Quality Control (QA/QC) tasks, which include routine maintenance of laboratory equipment such as incubators, centrifuges, refrigerators, and pipettes. Responsibilities encompass cleaning of laboratory spaces, benches, and equipment, calibrating in-lab instruments, checking equipment functionality, recording temperatures from various incubators, replacing disinfectant solutions in footbaths, and sterilizing dissection tools, as well as glass and plastic labware. In collaboration with management, the incumbent may also engage in updating the Quality Management System, reviewing, and revising Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs), and other related QA/QC duties.

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.
• Merit promotion applicants must meet time-in-grade requirement as defined in 5 CFR 300, Subpart F.
• Suitability for employment, as determined by background investigation.
• Driver’s License: Selectees MAY 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 the Selective Service. To verify registration visit SSS.gov.

Qualifications

Only experience and education obtained by 10/08/2024 will be considered. In order to qualify for this position you must possess the Minimum Qualification. Minimum Qualification [GS-06] One year of specialized experience at or equivalent to the GS-05 grade level in the Federal service (obtained in either the public or private sectors). Specialized experience includes: (1) Assisting with biological fish sampling surveys; (2) identifying fish species, collecting, compiling, and summarizing biological fish data; (3) using various tools to collect fish; (4) preparation of field equipment and maintenance; and (5) assisting with the maintenance of a variety of biological laboratory instruments. NOTE: Your resume must contain sufficient information in these areas to be found qualified. OR One full year of progressively higher-level graduate education leading to a master's or equivalent graduate degree in a directly related field (e.g., major study in fish biology, aquaculture or fish culture, limnology, ichthyology, 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-07] One year of specialized experience at or equivalent to the GS-06 grade level in the Federal service (obtained in either the public or private sectors). Specialized experience includes: (1) work planning and conducting biological fish sampling surveys; (2) analyzing and interpreting biological fish data; (3) using various tools to collect fish tissue from wild and captive specimens and store for survey/ inspection/ diagnostic analysis with supervision; (4) handling collection, cold-storage, transportation of fish tissues; and (5) assisting Quality Assurance and Quality Control (QA/QC) activities. NOTE: Your resume must contain sufficient information in these areas to be found qualified. OR One full year of progressively higher-level graduate education leading to a master's or equivalent graduate degree in a directly related field (e.g., major study in fish biology, aquaculture or fish culture, limnology, ichthyology, 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. Time In Grade Requirement: Applicants must meet both eligibility and qualification requirements for the position of interest by the closing date of the JOA. Specifically, i. Area of Consideration. ii. Time-in-grade (TIG) requirements as specified in 5 CFR 300, Subpart F. iii. Time after competitive appointment as specified in 5 CFR 330.502. iv. Qualification requirements outlined in OPM's Qualifications Standards for General Schedule Positions or for Federal Wage System (FWS), wage grade positions, applicants are evaluated using the OPM Job Qualification System for Trades and Labor Occupations and the job element examining method Your SF-50 will be used to confirm you meet all requirements The Land Management Workforce Flexibility Act (LMWFA),P.L. 114-47, allows certain individuals who currently or formerly were under time-limited competitive appointments at certain land management agencies to compete under merit promotion procedures. For Eligibility Information click here: USAJOBS Help Center | Land Management Public Land Corps (PLC) Hiring Authority: Served as a qualified youth on an appropriate conservation project completing a minimum of 640 hours of satisfactory service that included at least 120 hours through the PLC and received a certificate of non-competitive eligibility. Completed most recent Corps service, for which a certificate of non-competitive eligibility was issued, within the last 2 years. Appointment must be effected within the 2 year period.

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
• Name: Human Resources Staffing Division
• Email: [email protected]