-
Help
Duties
Summary
This position is part of the R4-Orangeburg National Fish Hatchery. As a Biological Science Technician you will be responsible for working with the Carolina heelsplitter mussels.
Learn more about this agency
This is a Term appointment, not-to-exceed 13 months, which can be extended for a total appointment of 4 years.Responsibilities
Assists higher-level staff and partners in developing new and improved aquaculture production systems and protocols.
Provides input to improve the effectiveness of current technologies and protocols. Modifies current resources or incorporates new technologies and tools as needed.
Assists in identifying and ordering materials and equipment needs in order to support hatchery programs.
Identifies commercial sources, develops contacts with commercial representatives, evaluates products, and recommends action.
Assists in the routine maintenance and repair of grounds, buildings, pipelines, culture systems, ponds, and equipment.
Assists in the planning and execution of the work schedule for day-to-day activities.
The employee provides work direction and guidance to lower graded technicians, interns, and volunteers in carrying out tasks, including safe handling of tools, equipment, and motorized vehicles.
Assists in job safety planning; performs all duties in a safe manner; and recognizes, corrects, and/or reports hazardous conditions or unsafe acts that could result in personal injury or property damage.
May prepare segments of recurring reports such as monthly activities and progress reports on individual projects, as assigned, and assist in preparing drafts of news releases for area media.
May conduct informational and educational outreach programs on fish and wildlife resources and the
Fish and Wildlife Service to individuals, groups, and local organizations.
Under the broad supervision of the supervisor, the employee carries out daily activities related to the propagation, rearing, tagging, and stocking of multiple species and life stages of freshwater mussels, fish, and aquatic wildlife.
Assists biologists with field snorkel surveys to find mussel brood, determine population/range status and identify suitable stocking locations for hatchery propagated mussels.
Provides care and husbandry (cleaning and feeding) to station freshwater mussels and host fish based on established station standard operating procedures.
Uses lab equipment (i.e. microscope, sand sifters) to count and sample juvenile freshwater mussels for growth and survival.
Uses and maintains field equipment including backpack shockers, seines, dip nets, bathyscopes and snorkels to locate and capture adult mussels and host fishes.
Maintains and operates freshwater mussel and host fish flow-through and recirculating rearing systems that include water pumps, valves, blowers, chillers and dosing pumps. Troubleshoots problems that develop in freshwater mussel culture systems and takes corrective actions while communicating any issues to the supervisor.
Collects, maintains, and summarizes detailed records of biological, chemical and physical data using
Microsoft Office.
Transports and stocks animals and collects aquatic animals from the wild.
Collects water samples and conducting basic water chemistry.Travel Required
Not required
Supervisory status
No
Promotion Potential
None
-
Job family (Series)
This job originated on www.usajobs.gov. For the full announcement and to apply, visit www.usajobs.gov/GetJob/ViewDetails/550111300. Only resumes submitted according to the instructions on the job announcement listed at www.usajobs.gov will be considered.