These positions are for a Biological Science Technician (Fish), GS- 0404-5/6 working in one of the following locations for the R5-Lower Great Lakes F and W Conservation Office. 1 vacancy - Basom, New York 1 vacancy - Williamstown, West Virginia This position is also open to status candidates under announcement R5-25-12638004-GM-MP.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: Assist the Invasive Carp program with surveys and the study of invasive carp (silver, bighead, grass, and black) populations within the Ohio River drainage and the Great Lakes. Assist field crews using fisheries gear such as electrofishing, fyke and gill nets, surface trawls, seine nets, electrified dozer trawls, and other various gear types. Collect, process, and organize field samples. Complete administrative duties, such as submitting vehicle and travel purchase card statements, time sheets and training records. Assist with gear and equipment cleaning, maintenance, repair, and winter/ long term storage. Review an interpret published scientific literature to assist with drafting of risk assessments.

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.
• Uniform: Official U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service uniform is 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 01/02/2025 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)Assisting with the deployment and retrieval of traditional fisheries gear such as trawls, fyke nets (gill net, dip-net, seine) and/or backpack or boat mounted electro-fishing equipment in large lakes or rivers; 2)Working on large lakes and rivers from a boat; and 3)Recording and entering biological data using basic software and operating systems. OR Have 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. At least 6 semester hours of courses have been directly related to the position to be filled. 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)Assisting with the maintenance and operation of a variety of standard field sampling gear for fish and invertebrates (such as fyke nets, gill nets, electrofishing, hoop nets, trawl net, seine nets, ponar grab); 2)Assisting with operation and maintenance of vessels (20-25ft in length) including trailering; 3)Entering data using basic software and operating systems including some geospatial applications (ArcGIS, R); 4) Assisting with the review and interpretation of scientific information including journal articles, reports, and technical papers; and 5)Assisting with implementation of invasive species prevention strategies. OR Possess one full year of progressively higher-level graduate education leading to a master's or equivalent graduate degree, if directly related to the position. 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.

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 programs and such education has been deemed equivalent to that gained in an accredited U.S. education program; or full credit has been given for the courses at a U.S. accredited college or university. For further information, visit: Recognition of Foreign Qualifications | International Affairs Office (ed.gov)

Contacts

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