This position is a Physical Science Technician, GS- 1311-8 working in Essex Junction, Vermont for the R5-Lake Champlain F and W Conservation Office. This is a term position expected to last 13 months but may be extended up to a total of 10 years at management's discretion. This term appointment is in accordance with 5 CFR § 316.301(c), where an agency may make a term appointment for a period of more than 1 year but not more than 10 years to STEM-related occupations/positions.

Duties

This position is with the Fisheries and Aquatic Conservation program in the Northeast Region, where 25 fishery management offices and national fish hatcheries work with states and other partners to restore, recover, and maintain healthy populations of coastal and migratory fish, endangered aquatic species, and the habitats they depend upon. The Fisheries Program provides leadership in the development and application of state-of-the-art science and technology for fish conservation and management, including fish passage solutions. We carefully monitor and assess the status of wild populations and use hatchery cultured fish to supplement or re-establish populations where needed. The Fisheries Program also plays an active role on numerous inter-agency management councils that help govern the resources of the northeast and abroad. As a Physical Science Technician your duties will include, but are not limited to, the following: Working in collaboration with fishery biologists and biological technicians in planning, preparing, and participating in sea lamprey control efforts in the Lake Champlain Basin. Maintaining the specialized equipment, instruments, and gear used to conduct lampricide treatments Preparing for lampricide treatments through management of chemical inventory, safety assurance, and pre-treatment water chemistry analyses Applying lampricides in multiple formulations as a certified pesticide applicator in the states of New York and Vermont Monitoring chemical treatments through physical water chemistry analyses (pH, DO, conductivity, alkalinity), bioassay tests, physical analyses including spectrophotometry, chromatography, measurement of stream discharge, and collection of biological specimens as indicators. The incumbent will be given training and become certified in aquatic pesticide application and in motor boat operation enabling unsupervised performance of each skill. Requirements:Much of the work is performed in a field environment, and most of the work involves arduous labor. Incumbent is required to be in excellent physical condition and capable of rigorous outdoor activities, including safely hiking over wet, rough, steep, or rocky terrain. Duties of the position occasionally require driving on unimproved roads, considerable walking on steep terrain (80 percent or more), working in water with boots or waders, walking through or working in heavily timbered areas (sometimes walking 5 or more miles), at times carrying heavy packs, lifting and moving objects over 50 pounds, bending crouching, stooping, stretching, reaching, climbing, or other similar activities. The field work takes place during all seasons of the year, with temperatures ranging from 20 to 100 degrees (F), and in very dry to rainy and snowy conditions. Fieldwork is performed primarily during the daytime, occasionally at night, and on weekends. The nature of the work requires an adequate sense of sight and hearing to safely perform the duties. Work requires incumbent to wear potentially uncomfortable safety equipment including negative pressure respirator sometimes in excess of 8 hours.

Requirements

• Must be a U.S. Citizen or National.
• Suitability for employment, as determined by background investigation.
• Driver’s License: This position requires the incumbent to operate a government (or private) motor vehicle as part of their official duties. Selectee must hold and maintain a valid state driver’s license throughout their employment in this position.
• Incumbent is subject to medical surveillance testing before and after field seasons based on exposure to hazardous chemical agents.
• Uniform: Official U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service uniform WILL be required.
• Trial Period: Selectees may be required to successfully complete a trial period.
• Must already possess or obtain within 6 months: Certified Pesticide Applicator Licenses.
• Must possess or obtain within 6 months, Federal Motorboat Operators Course Certification (MOCC) to enable the application of pesticide by boat.
• Incumbent is subject to medical surveillance testing before and after field seasons based on exposure to hazardous chemical agents.
• Incumbent must be able to lift and move objects weighing 60 pounds.
• 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 the closing date 12/26/2024 will be considered. In order to qualify for this position you must possess the Minimum Qualifications. Minimum Qualification [GS-08]: One year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-07 in the federal service. Experience may include: performing technical support in a team setting and leading others in dynamic field efforts to control aquatic invasive species (i.e. sea lampreys) through the use of aquatic pesticides (i.e. lampricides); (1) performing collection of primary field data for pesticide applications; (2) identifying and setting up complex equipment used at application sites; (3) measuring and documenting chemical and physical parameters of a stream throughout the duration of pesticide applications; (4) calculate, monitor, and adjust proper concentrations of applied pesticides. 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.

Education

There is no substitute of education for experience for this position.

Contacts

• Address Division of Human Resources Division of Human Resources 300 Westgate Center Drive Hadley, MA 01035 US
• Name: Human Resources Staffing Division
• Phone: 000-000-0000
• Email: [email protected]