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Biological Science Technician (Laboratory)

Department of the Interior
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
This job announcement has closed

Summary

The Abernathy Fish Technology Center provides leadership in the scientifically based management of national fishery resources through development of new concepts and techniques to solve specific problems in aquatic restoration and recovery activities. This is the Pacific Region Fisheries Program's sole applied research facility and one of only eight such USFWS facilities nationwide. The Applied Research Programs conduct cooperative studies developing, promoting, and supporting methodologies and technologies to generate data and information for use in the management of aquatic resources. This facility is located in Longview, Washington approximately 65 miles northwest of Portland, Oregon.

The incumbent in this position serves in support of biological programs responsible for conserving aquatic species; their habitats; conservation of at-risk species; and mitigation, restoration, and recovery of listed aquatic species. This may include work in an office or in a laboratory setting.

Overview

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Reviewing applications
Open & closing dates
07/31/2017 to 08/11/2017
Salary
$34,811 to - $45,259 per year
Pay scale & grade
GS 05
Location
1 vacancy in the following location:
Longview, WA
1 vacancy
Travel Required
Occasional travel - May be required for training, meetings, and field visits.
Relocation expenses reimbursed
No
Appointment type
Temporary - Temporary NTE One Year
Work schedule
Full-time - Full Time
Service
Promotion potential
05
Supervisory status
No
Announcement number
R1-17-1985769-BP-DE
Control number
474249100

This job is open to

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Duties

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  • Uses a variety of laboratory equipment to perform standardized analyses and tasks for studies.
  • 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 fish, wildlife, or botany reports.
  • Runs routine programs and checks resulting data for inconsistencies.
  • Compiles and summarizes data from surveys, biological evaluations, and tests.
  • Determines approach and then summarizes data using a variety of database software programs or other presentation approaches, ensuring records are detailed, precise and accurately transferred.
  • Assists in preparation of reports.

Requirements

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Conditions of employment

  • U.S. Citizenship and Background Investigation
  • Transcripts required with application (See How to Apply)
  • Valid driver's license
  • Must wear official U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service uniform


Qualifications

You must meet all qualification requirements outlined in this vacancy by 11:59 PM (EST) on the closing date of the announcement.

QUALIFICATIONS
To qualify, you must have met one of the following:

a. Possess at least one year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the GS-4 level which is directly related to this position and demonstrates the knowledge, skills and abilities to perform the work. Specialized experience includes conducting research and surveys of fish and wildlife; analyzing sampling data using statistical methods and monitoring habitats; and recording, compiling, and organizing biological data using automated databases. Your resume must clearly demonstrate this experience. OR
b. 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 scientific or technical courses such as biology, chemistry, statistics, entomology, animal husbandry, botany, physics, agriculture, or mathematics, that includes at least 6 semester hours of courses directly related to fishery subjects, such as fishery biology, ichthyology, limnology, aquaculture, etc. OR
c. Possess a combination of qualifying experience and education as described in A and B above, that equals at least 100% of the Basic Requirements. Note: Only education in excess of the first 60 semester hours of a course of study leading to a bachelor's degree is creditable toward meeting the specialized experience requirements. Your resume must clearly demonstrate any qualifying experience.

NOTE: All applicants who are using education or a combination of education and experience to qualify must submit copies of transcripts which include grades, credit hours earned, major(s) and grade point average or class ranking. 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 academic professor or from your school 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 selected, you will be required to produce original transcripts.

Education

EDUCATION

All qualifying education must have been obtained in an accredited college or university recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. You can verify accreditation at http://www.ed.gov/admins/finaid/accred/index.html.

Foreign Education: You can receive credit for education earned outside the United States if you provide evidence that it is comparable to an accredited educational institution, or that full credit has been given by an accredited institution in the United States. For more information, see http://www.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ous/international/usnei/us/edlite-visitus-forrecog.html

It is your responsibility to provide evidence that educational provisions are met when applying.

Additional information

This is a temporary appointment not to exceed one year. At management discretion, the appointment may be extended for one more year for a maximum appointment of two years.

Physical demands on position:  A normal level of agility and dexterity is needed for routine actions in an office/lab environment.

How you will be evaluated

You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.

Your application will be evaluated and rated under the Category Rating and Selection Procedures.

Your evaluation will be based on a review of your complete application package and the extent to which your responses to the Questionnaire relate to the knowledge, skills and abilities listed below:

  • Knowledge of the principles, practices, and terminology of biological sciences and related management practices.
  • Knowledge of survey methods and sampling techniques used to collect fish, feed, and water chemistry data for scientific studies.
  • Ability to follow detailed sampling and laboratory procedures and quality control guidelines.
  • Ability to compile, organize, and summarize biological data using databases, spreadsheets, and other types of software.

To preview the Questionnaire, click View Assessment Questions.

You will be placed in one of three categories:
Qualified:  Meets minimum qualifications established for the position, but fails to meet the benchmark definition for the Well Qualified category
Well Qualified: Demonstrates overall competency in the knowledge, skills, and abilities of the position.
Best Qualified: Demonstrates high proficiency and comprehensive level of knowledge, skills, and abilities of the position.

Please make sure that your responses to the questionnaire are supported in your resume. Also, follow all instructions carefully as errors and omissions may affect your score.

Note: If a determination is made that you have rated yourself higher than is apparent in your description of experience and/or education, OR that your application is incomplete, you will be rated ineligible or not qualified.

Application of Veterans' Preference: Category rating and selection procedures place those with veterans' preference above non-preference eligibles within each category. Veterans who meet the eligibility and qualification requirements and who have a compensable service-connected disability of at least 10 percent are listed in the highest quality category, except when the position being filled is scientific or professional at the GS-9 grade level or higher.

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