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Biological Science Technician

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

Summary

This position is a Biological Science Technician, GS- 0404-6/7 working in Sacramento, California for the R8-Lodi Fish and Wildlife Office.

This position is also open to the public under announcement R8-22-11405220-LAS-DE. You must apply to each announcement separately if you wish to be considered under both recruitment methods.

Overview

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Hiring complete
Open & closing dates
03/03/2022 to 03/09/2022
Salary
$49,458 to - $71,441 per year
Pay scale & grade
GS 6 - 7
Location
2 vacancies in the following location:
Lodi, CA
Telework eligible
Yes—as determined by the agency policy.
Travel Required
25% or less - You may be expected to travel for this position.
Relocation expenses reimbursed
No
Appointment type
Permanent
Work schedule
Full-time
Service
Competitive
Promotion potential
7
Supervisory status
No
Security clearance
Other
Drug test
Yes
Position sensitivity and risk
Non-sensitive (NS)/Low Risk
Trust determination process
Announcement number
R8-22-11405220-LAS-MP
Control number
640326800

Duties

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As a Biological Science Technician your duties will include but are not limited to the following:

  • Assists in planning multifaceted fisheries studies for the conservation and rehabilitation of the fishery resources in the Central Valley of California by contributing ideas, determining research methods, establishing standard operating procedures for accomplishing and reporting the work and determining other needs, such as costs, equipment, and personnel.
  • Operates a variety of field equipment commonly used in collecting fishery resource information (e.g. water quality meters, beach seine, trawls, gillnets, fyke nets, electrofishing equipment, snorkeling and watercraft)
  • Provides work direction, guidance, and training to lower graded technicians, partners, or volunteers in methods for collecting and processing fishery resource information, including maintenance of gear, and operation of motorized vehicles and watercraft in compliance with standard operating procedures and safety protocols.
  • Collects, stores, organizes, and transfers raw data sheets to digital files and inputs data into computer databases, performing Quality Assurance/Quality Control (QA/QC) on all data entered.
  • Summarizes data using a variety of database software programs ensuring records are detailed, precise and accurately transferred and performs a variety of computations and assessment of standard biological data to prepare the data for interpretative use or inclusion in biological reports.

Requirements

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Conditions of employment

  • Must be a U.S. Citizen or National.
  • Individuals assigned male at birth after 12-31-59 must be registered for the Selective Service. To verify registration visit SSS.gov.
  • Resume and supporting documents (See How To Apply).
  • Merit promotion applicants must meet time-in-grade requirement as defined in 5 CFR 300, Subpart F.
  • Suitability for employment, as determined by background investigation.
  • Drug testing position: Selectees tentatively selected for this position will be required to submit to urinalysis to screen for illegal drug use prior to appointment.
  • Driver?s License: Selectees must possess and maintain a valid State driver's license at all times during their tenure.
  • Uniform: Official U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service uniform is required.
  • Probationary Period: Selectees may be required to successfully complete a probationary period.
  • May be required to work a non-standard tour of duty that may include weekends, holidays, and night shifts.
  • Ability to operate motorboats up to 25' in length.
  • Must be able to obtain and maintain a Department of Interior Motorboat Operator Certification.
  • Must be able to safely swim and snorkel in cold fast moving water.
  • Must be able to obtain and maintain Swiftwater Safety Certification.

Qualifications

Only experience and education obtained by 03/09/2022 will be considered.

In order to qualify for this position you must possess the Minimum Qualification.

Minimum Qualification [GS-06]

  1. One year of specialized experience comparable in scope and responsibility equivalent to grade GS-05 in the Federal service. Experience may include: Collecting biological samples from fish; taking measurements and assessing readings of fish; executing tests on fish; documenting observations of fish and relating the significance of the results to the project/program; collecting, storing, organizing, and transferring raw data sheets related to fish and/or wildlife to digital files; inputting data into computer databases; and performing Quality Assurance/Quality Control (QA/QC) on all data entered; OR
  2. Completed one full year (18 semester hours, 27 quarter hours, or the number of semester/quarter hours the college or university deems to be one year) of graduate-level education at an accredited college or university in a discipline that is directly related to the position (e.g., fish biology, ichthyology, limnology, aquaculture, etc.) A copy of your transcripts MUST be submitted to document educational accomplishments to receive consideration for this position; OR
  3. A combination of education and experience as described in 1 and 2 above which together equals 100% of the requirement. A copy of your transcripts MUST be submitted to document educational accomplishments to receive consideration for this position
Minimum Qualification [GS-07]
  1. One year of specialized experience comparable in scope and responsibility equivalent to grade GS-06 in the Federal service. Experience may include: Providing work direction, guidance and training to lower graded technicians, partners, or volunteers in methods for collecting and processing fishery resource information, including maintenance of gear, and operation of motorized vehicles and watercraft; providing guidance and ensuring compliance with standard operating procedures and safety protocols; assisting in planning multifaceted fisheries studies by contributing ideas, determining research methods, and establishing standard operating procedures for accomplishing and reporting the work; executing and documenting tests on fish and analyzing the observation, and determining needs such as costs, equipment, and personnel; OR
  2. Completed one full year (18 semester hours, 27 quarter hours, or the number of semester/quarter hours the college or university deems to be one year) of graduate-level education at an accredited college or university in a discipline that is directly related to the position (e.g., fish biology, ichthyology, limnology, aquaculture, etc.) A copy of your transcripts MUST be submitted to document educational accomplishments to receive consideration for this position; OR
  3. A combination of education and experience as described in 1 and 2 above which together equals 100% of the requirement. A copy of your transcripts MUST be submitted to document educational accomplishments to receive consideration for this position
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.

Time In Grade Requirement: Applicants must meet both eligibility and qualification requirements for the position of interest by the closing date of the JOA. Specifically,
i. Area of Consideration.
ii. Time-in-grade (TIG) requirements as specified in 5 CFR 300, Subpart F.
iii. Time after competitive appointment as specified in 5 CFR 330.502.
iv. Qualification requirements outlined in OPM's Qualifications Standards for General Schedule Positions or for Federal Wage System (FWS), wage grade positions, applicants are evaluated using the OPM Job Qualification System for Trades and Labor Occupations and the job element examining method
Your SF-50 will be used to confirm you meet all requirements

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

PCS INFORMATION:
No PCS entitlements authorized
Discretionary entitlements are not authorized for this position

Telework:
This position is suitable for telework and may be allowed to telework with supervisory approval.

Additional Vacancies: One or more positions may be filled from applications received under this announcement in the advertised office or other U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service offices in the local commuting area.

Career Transition Assistance Plan (CTAP) or Interagency Career Transition Assistance Plan (ICTAP):Department of Interior (DOI) Career Transition Assistance Plan (CTAP) procedures apply in filling this vacancy. CTAP/ICTAP provides placement assistance to permanent Federal employees who are surplus, displaced, or involuntarily separated. Applicants claiming CTAP/ICTAP eligibility must submit a copy of their most recent performance appraisal, proof of eligibility, and most current SF-50 noting position, grade level, and duty location with their application. To be considered under CTAP/ICTAP, applicants must be well-qualified (i.e., meet the minimum qualification requirements, including any selective placement factors; education, and experience requirements), score at least 85 on the assessment questionnaire, and be able to perform the duties of the position upon entry.

For information on CTAP and ICTAP click here

The Land Management Workforce Flexibility Act (LMWFA),P.L. 114-47, allows certain individuals who currently or formerly were under time-limited competitive appointments at certain land management agencies to compete under merit promotion procedures.

For Eligibility Information click here: USAJOBS Help Center | Land Management

Public Land Corps (PLC) Hiring Authority: Served as a qualified youth on an appropriate conservation project completing a minimum of 640 hours of satisfactory service that included at least 120 hours through the PLC and received a certificate of non-competitive eligibility. Completed most recent Corps service, for which a certificate of non-competitive eligibility was issued, within the last 2 years. Appointment must be effected within the 2 year period.

How you will be evaluated

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

You will be evaluated based on how well you meet the qualifications listed in this vacancy announcement. Your qualifications will be evaluated based on your application materials (e.g., resume, supporting documents), the responses you provide on the application questionnaire, and the result of the online assessments required for this position. You will be assessed on the following competencies (knowledge, skills, abilities, and other characteristics):

Knowledge of the principles, practices/techniques and terminology related to aquatic biology and habitats and familiarity with related disciplines, such as limnology and ichthyology.
Ability to use computer technology to maintain and retrieve information from automated data systems, develop spreadsheets, and use word processing and statistical software programs in order to develop reports.
Ability to capture, handle and monitor a variety of species studied.
Ability to provide work direction and guidance to biological technicians, volunteers, and interns.
Ability to operate cars, trucks, and equipment used for research/studies such as specialized monitoring equipment, fish sampling and limnological equipment for estuarine/river systems.
Skill in communicating information related to fish, wildlife and/or conservation.
Attention to Detail
Flexibility
Integrity/Honesty
Interpersonal Skills
Learning
Reading
Self-Management
Teamwork

In order to be considered for this position, you must complete all required steps in the process. In addition to the application and application questionnaire, this position requires an online assessment. The online assessment measures critical general competencies required to perform the job.

Overstating your qualifications and/or experience in your application materials or application questionnaire may result in your removal from consideration. Cheating on the online assessment may also result in your removal from consideration. Please follow all instructions carefully when applying, errors or omissions may affect your eligibility.

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