This position is a Biological Science Technician (Fish), GS- 0404-5/6 working in Lodi, CA for the R8-Lodi Fish and Wildlife Office. This position is also open to the public under announcement R8-25-12588378-LAS-DE. You must apply to each announcement separately if you wish to be considered under both recruitment methods.

Duties

As a Biological Science Technician (Fish) your duties will include but are not limited to the following: Uses active and passive collection methods to conduct fish surveys (aquatic habitat and aquatic organism census) including the use of electrofishing equipment, beach seines, trawls, gill nets, hoop nets, fyke nets, and rotary screw traps. This may also require snorkeling for direct observation. Collects water quality parameters using water quality meters. Identifies fish (including larval) to species in the field and lab using dichotomous keys. Recover coded-wire tags from specimens collected. Collects biological samples ensuring correct documentation, reporting, storage, transport and delivery of samples taken. Uses established automated databases to enter, organize, and perform preliminary analysis of collected data, using standard statistical methods in preparation of reports.

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.
• Drug testing position: Selectees tentatively selected for this position will be required to submit to urinalysis to screen for illegal drug use prior to appointment.
• 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.
• Must possess or be able to obtain and maintain USFWS approved Motorboat Operator Certification (MOCC) within 12 months of employment. You will be expected to be able to perform the duties that fall within the certification.

Qualifications

Only experience and education obtained by 11/12/2024 will be considered. In order to qualify for this position, you must possess the Minimum Qualification. Minimum Qualification [GS-05] Possess one full year of specialized experience comparable to the GS-04 grade level in Federal service (obtained in either the public or private sectors). Specialized experience includes: 1) Assist with conducting surveys of fish/aquatic species and their habitat, 2) Assist with accurately collecting, recording and summarizing biological data collected during fish/aquatic surveys; and 3) Interact collaboratively with colleagues to complete projects related to fish or aquatic species; NOTE: Your resume must contain sufficient information in these areas to be found qualified. OR 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 and at least 6 semester hours of courses such as limnology, ichthyology, fishery biology, aquatic botany, aquatic fauna, oceanography, fish culture, or related courses in the field of fishery biology; OR Possess a combination of specialized experience (as described above in 1) and education (as described above in 2). Minimum Qualification [GS-06] Possess one full year of specialized experience comparable to the GS-05 grade level in Federal service (obtained in either the public or private sectors). Specialized experience includes: 1) Conduct surveys of fish/aquatic species and their habitat, 2) Collect, record and summarize biological data collected during fish/aquatic surveys; 3) Interact collaboratively with colleagues to complete projects related to fish or aquatic species; 4) Use seines and nets to collect fish; and 5) Experience securing, transporting/trailering, loading/packing, launching/retrieving, and maneuvering/operating watercraft safely for electrofishing and/or netting on large rivers, reservoirs, lakes, and ponds; NOTE: Your resume must contain sufficient information in these areas to be found qualified. OR Possess one full year of progressively higher-level graduate education (18 semester hours) leading to a master's or equivalent graduate degree, in a field related to fisheries; OR Possess a combination of graduate level education and specialized experience directly related to the position as described above. 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

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]