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Biological Science Technician (Fisheries)

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

Summary

This position is part of the R7-Anchorage Fish and Wildlife Field Office. As a Biological Science Technician (Fisheries) you will be responsible for assembling information on fish populations in various locations..

Overview

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Hiring complete
Open & closing dates
01/09/2020 to 01/23/2020
Salary
$43,526 to - $56,585 per year

You will receive a 2.86% cost of living allowance for Anchorage, Fairbanks, and 4.40% for Soldotna (subject to change)

Pay scale & grade
GS 6
Locations
Anchorage, AK
Few vacancies
Fairbanks, AK
Few vacancies
Soldotna, AK
Few vacancies
Telework eligible
No
Travel Required
25% or less - You may be expected to travel for this position.
Relocation expenses reimbursed
No
Appointment type
Temporary - 1039 Hours
Work schedule
Full-Time
Service
Competitive
Promotion potential
None
Supervisory status
No
Security clearance
Not Required
Drug test
No
Announcement number
R7-20-10692497-TC(SH)
Control number
556002600

Duties

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  • Assist fishery biologists in field sampling fish populations.
  • Assemble basic information on fish populations such as habitat use, sex, and age structure, seasonal movement, and harvest characteristics.
  • Collect anatomical materials and make preliminary assessment of such things as habitat preference and population dynamics.
  • Prepare biological samples in accordance with quality assurance and quality control procedures for laboratory analysis.
  • Capture fish using nets (gill net, dip-net, seine) and/or back pack or boat mounted electro-fishing equipment for biological study and measurement.
  • Collect and record biological data and ensured data integrity.
  • Organize biological technician or volunteer work schedules in collaboration with your supervisor.
  • Coach biological technicians or volunteers in skill development including providing advice, training, and assistance.
  • Lead biological technicians or volunteers as a crew leader on a fishery project.

Requirements

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Conditions of employment

  • Applicants are ineligible for this position if ANY time they have been convicted of a misdemeanor or felony crime of domestic violence, unless such conviction was expunged, set aside or the applicant receives a pardon.
  • Willing to work a temporary seasonal position not-to-exceed 1,039 hours in a field season.
  • Able and willing to work long days if necessary which may include working on holidays, weekends, and evenings.
  • Able to wade, swim, and snorkel in swift moving rivers.
  • Able to lift and carry equipment and supplies weighing 50 pounds or more for extended distances.
  • Able to travel, work, and live in a remote, isolated location in Alaska.
  • Willing and able to travel via fixed wing aircraft (small airplanes), helicopter, boat, and ATVs.
  • You may be required to carry a firearm in the performance of your duties.
  • Must possess and maintain a valid State driver's license prior to operating Government-owned vehicles.
  • Must be a U.S. Citizen or National
  • Males born after 12-31-59 must be registered for Selective Service
  • Suitability for employment, as determined by background investigation.

Qualifications

TEMPORARY 1039: This is a full-time temporary position not-to-exceed 1039 hours (6 months), excluding overtime in a service year. The service year is the calendar year that begins on the date of the employee's initial appointment in the agency. These appointments may be rehired from year to year. May be rehired without further competition based on work needs, funding, or any other condition of employment. The employee may be terminated or placed on an intermittent work schedule (no pre-scheduled tour of duty) at any time.

Only experience and education obtained by01/23/2020 will be accepted.

You may qualify at the Biological Science Technician (Fisheries) position at the GS-06 level. if you fulfill one of the following qualification requirements:

  1. One year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-05 level in the Federal Service. Examples of qualifying specialized experience include: aquatic ecology, fisheries science, fisheries management, and/or field-based fisheries or other aquatic ecological research, responsibility for field camp logistics; participating in the development of work plans and schedules; leading groups of technicians and providing the necessary training in techniques and procedures; and any other work that is performed in a controlled environment which includes research activity or control program work in support of fisheries programs. OR
  2. 6 months of graduate level education (9 semester/13 quarter hours) from an accredited college or university in a discipline related to field of biological sciences. OR
  3. Combination of specialized experience (as described in A above) and education (as described in B above) that, when prorated, combine to meet the qualification requirements for this position. Experience and education are each computed as percentages of their respective requirements and must equal 100 percent when combined. (Only graduate level education is creditable to meet this standard.)

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: http://www.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ous/international/usnei/us/edlite-visitus-forrecog.html

Additional information

Career Transition Assistance Plan (CTAP) or Interagency Career Transition Assistance Plan (ICTAP): These programs apply to employees who have been or may be involuntarily separated (e.g. reduction in force, declining to relocate/transfer outside their local commuting area) from a Federal service position within the competitive service or Federal service employees whose positions have been deemed surplus or no longer needed. To receive selection priority for this position, you must: (1) meet CTAP or ICTAP eligibility criteria; (2) be rated well-qualified for the position; and, (3) submit the appropriate documentation to support your CTAP or ICTAP eligibility (e.g., Certification of Expected Separation, Reduction-In-Force Separation Notice, or Notice of Proposed Removal or Removal Notice; SF-50 that documents the RIF separation action; or Removal and most recent performance appraisal.). For more information visit: https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/workforce-restructuring/employee-guide-to-career-transition/

Selective Service: To register or verify your registration go to the Selective Service System at https://www.sss.gov/RegVer/wfRegistration.aspx

Telework: FWS has determined that the duties of this position are suitable for telework only during an emergency or natural disaster.

More than one position may be filled from this announcement.


PCS: A PCS move is not authorized.

You must possess and maintain a valid State driver's license at all times during your tenure.

Temporary Benefits: Most Federal employees earn both annual and sick leave. For additional information, visit Leave Administration. Effective January 2015, employees on temporary appointments may be eligible for health benefits through the Federal Employees Health Benefits program and, if eligible, will receive the same government contribution as full-time permanent employees. To be eligible for consideration, temporary employees working full-time or part-time must be on appointments expected to last at least 90 days, or be on an intermittent work schedule and expected to work 130 hours per month for at least 90 days. Employees electing to participate in the FEHB will be responsible for the employee share of the premium while on the official agency roles, which is deducted from bi-weekly earnings. After separating from federal employment, employees will be offered to continue participation in FEHB under the Temporary Continuation of Coverage (TCC) option. Employees electing to continue coverage under the TCC provision will be responsible for the full premium amount plus a 2% administration fee.

Alternative Application: If you are unable to apply online or need to fax a document you do not have in electronic form, view the following link for information regarding an Alternate Application: https://help.usastaffing.gov/Apply/index.php?title=Alternate_Application_Information.

How you will be evaluated

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

Once the announcement has closed, a review of your resume and supporting documentation will be used to determine whether you meet the basic qualification requirements listed on this announcement. If you meet the basic qualifications your resume and supporting documentation will be compared against your responses to the assessment questionnaire to determine your level of experience. If, after reviewing your resume and/or supporting documentation, a determination is made that you have inflated your qualifications and/or experience which resulted in you being listed in the highest quality category, you may lose consideration, or be assigned to a lower quality category for this position. Please follow all instructions carefully when applying, errors or omissions may affect your eligibility.

Your qualifications will be evaluated on the following competencies (knowledge, skills, abilities and other characteristics):

  • Knowledge of the basic principles of fishery biology and ecology to assess and understand biological information and relate results to a higher objective.
  • Knowledge of technical methods and procedures to carry out a variety of technical duties common to fishery biology.
  • Basic knowledge of coordinating work efforts of others.
  • Skill in recording, compiling, and arranging data from biological studies.
  • Ability to maintain or prepare biological reports and records.
  • Ability to operate motor vehicles or other equipment.
All qualified candidates will be assigned to a quality category. The category assignment is a measure of the degree in which your background matches the competencies required for this position. The category ratings for this position are: Best Qualified, Well Qualified, Qualified

The Category Rating Process does not add veterans' preference points or apply the "rule of three" but protects the rights of Veterans by placing them ahead of non-preference eligibles within each quality category. Veterans' preference eligibles who meet the basic qualification requirements and who have a compensable service-connected disability of at least 10 percent will be listed in the highest quality category (except in the case of scientific or professional positions at the GS-09 level or higher).

If you are a veteran with preference eligibility and you are claiming 5-point veterans' preference, you must attach a copy of your DD-214 showing you were honorably discharged. If you are claiming 10-point veterans' preference, you must attach an SF-15," Application for 10-Point Veterans' Preference" in addition to the proof required by that form.

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