Biological Science Technician

Biological Science Technician GS-0404 Position Overview Biological Technicians partner with DOI scientists, applying their technical skills in support of research or other projects. Activities like gathering and processing samples, testing soil or water for toxins, and identifying and propagating native plants contribute to decision-making for the management and protection of natural resources such as wildlife, fish, plants and insects. This position is represented at the following bureaus Bureau of Indian Affairs Bureau of Indian Affairs Bureau of Land Management Bureau of Land Management Bureau of Reclamation Bureau of Reclamation National Park Service National Park Service U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service U.S. Geological Survey U.S. Geological Survey Candidate Description The ideal candidate is interested in animals, plants, or the environment and is also inquisitive and attentive to details, processes, and data. Specialty Areas Microbiology; Animal; Biochemistry; Invertebrates; Plants; Animal Science; Soils; Fisheries; Wildlife Work Environment Work is performed in an office, laboratory, and/or in the field. Lab work may include caring for live animals or handling hazardous chemicals. Field work may include exposure to inclement weather, physical hazards, and wild animals. Minimum Education Requirements Please see the Individual Occupation Requirements and the Technical and Medical Support Positions Group Qualification Standard on the OPM websites. Career Level Requirements Responsibilities by Level Entry: Collect samples and data from field sites Perform lab analyses on samples Data entry, retrieval and record keeping Mid: Help conduct wildlife, fish, invertebrate, and/or plant surveys Prepare charts and illustrations for reports Identify and document plant and/or animal species Collect and process water chemistry data Journey: Analyze experimental data Plan and conduct plant inventories and studies Install, operate and maintain sampling equipment Search literature related to research topics Senior: Design and conduct portions of research and restoration projects Recommend resource management actions based on field observations Develop new sampling and testing procedures and methods Manages data-sets Conduct programmatic activities Strengths by Level Entry 1-4 Mid 5-6 Journey 7-8 Senior 9-11 Accountability Holds self and others accountable for measurable high-quality, timely, and cost-effective results. Determines objectives, sets priorities, and delegates work. Accepts responsibility for mistakes. Complies with established control systems and rules. Show Tool Tip Entry 1-4 Mid 5-6 Journey 7-8 Senior 9-11 Attention to Detail Is thorough when performing work and conscientious about attending to detail. Show Tool Tip Entry 1-4 Mid 5-6 Journey 7-8 Senior 9-11 Compliance Knowledge of procedures for assessing, evaluating, and monitoring programs or projects for compliance with Federal laws, regulations, and guidance. Show Tool Tip Entry 1-4 Mid 5-6 Journey 7-8 Senior 9-11 Creative Thinking Uses imagination to develop new insights into situations and applies innovative solutions to problems; designs new methods where established methods and procedures are inapplicable or are unavailable. Show Tool Tip Entry 1-4 Mid 5-6 Journey 7-8 Senior 9-11 Flexibility Is open to change and new information; adapts behavior or work methods in response to new information, changing conditions, or unexpected obstacles; effectively deals with ambiguity. Show Tool Tip Entry 1-4 Mid 5-6 Journey 7-8 Senior 9-11 Information Management Identifies a need for and knows where or how to gather information; organizes and maintains information or information management systems. Show Tool Tip Entry 1-4 Mid 5-6 Journey 7-8 Senior 9-11 Interpersonal Skills Treats others with courtesy, sensitivity, and respect. Considers and responds appropriately to the needs and feelings of different people in different situations. Show Tool Tip Entry 1-4 Mid 5-6 Journey 7-8 Senior 9-11 Oral Communication Expresses information (for example, ideas or facts) to individuals or groups effectively, taking into account the audience and nature of the information (for example, technical, sensitive, controversial); makes clear and convincing oral presentations; listens to others, attends to nonverbal cues, and responds appropriately. Show Tool Tip Entry 1-4 Mid 5-6 Journey 7-8 Senior 9-11 Organizational Awareness Knows the organization's mission and functions, and how its social, political, and technological systems work and operates effectively within them; this includes the programs, policies, procedures, rules, and regulations of the organization. Show Tool Tip Entry 1-4 Mid 5-6 Journey 7-8 Senior 9-11 Problem Solving Identifies problems; determines accuracy and relevance of information; uses sound judgment to generate and evaluate alternatives, and to make recommendations. Show Tool Tip Entry 1-4 Mid 5-6 Journey 7-8 Senior 9-11 Reasoning Identifies rules, principles, or relationships that explain facts, data, or other information; analyzes information and makes correct inferences or draws accurate conclusions. Show Tool Tip Entry 1-4 Mid 5-6 Journey 7-8 Senior 9-11 Self-Management Sets well-defined and realistic personal goals; displays a high level of initiative, effort, and commitment towards completing assignments in a timely manner; works with minimal supervision; is motivated to achieve; demonstrates responsible behavior. Show Tool Tip Entry 1-4 Mid 5-6 Journey 7-8 Senior 9-11 Teamwork Encourages and facilitates cooperation, pride, trust, and group identity; fosters commitment and team spirit; works with others to achieve goals. Show Tool Tip Entry 1-4 Mid 5-6 Journey 7-8 Senior 9-11 Technical Competence Uses knowledge that is acquired through formal training or extensive on-the-job experience to perform one's job; works with, understands, and evaluates technical information related to the job; advises others on technical issues. Show Tool Tip Entry 1-4 Mid 5-6 Journey 7-8 Senior 9-11 Writing Recognizes or uses correct English grammar, punctuation, and spelling; communicates information (for example, facts, ideas, or messages) in a succinct and organized manner; produces written information, which may include technical material, that is appropriate for the intended audience. Show Tool Tip Entry 1-4 Mid 5-6 Journey 7-8 Senior 9-11 Common Pathways Candidates who made this career change most commonly held these occupations...