Biological Science Technician (Fish).

Duties

At the full performance level (GS-08) the major duties of this position include, but are not limited to the following:

• Work individually or as part of a team in all aspects of the daily care and production of fish eggs, fry, fingerling and adult brood stock at a large cold water fish production facility.
• Perform assignments and general maintenance required for the upkeep of a fish hatchery including use of simple hand tools and power equipment (mowers, trimmers, hammers, saws) and other tools for minor repairs on hatchery facilities, equipment, and grounds.
• Operate fish distribution tanker units up to 66,000 pounds GVWR.
• Compile and summarize biological and water quality data for analysis as part of monthly sampling procedures.
• Support outreach activities including providing basic information to the public and partners about the fish hatchery and its programs.
  
  

Promotion Potential: This position involves a multi-grade career ladder. The major duties listed represent the full performance level of GS-08. At lower grade levels, you will perform assignments of a more limited scope and with less independence. You will progressively acquire the background necessary to perform at the full performance level of GS-08. Promotion is at the discretion of the supervisor and is contingent upon satisfactory performance, availability of higher level work, and availability of funds. The selectee may be promoted without further competition when all regulatory, qualification, and performance requirements are met. Selection at a lower grade level does not guarantee promotion to the full performance level.

Requirements

Conditions of employment

• Must be a U.S. Citizen or National.
• 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.
• Medical Requirements: Selectees must pass a pre-employment medical examination and may be subject to post-employment medical examinations to determine if they are maintaining the fitness standards for this position.
• Driver’s License: This position requires the incumbent to operate a government (or private) motor vehicle as part of their official duties. Selectee must hold and maintain a valid state driver’s license throughout their employment in this position.
• CDL required within 6 months (and associated drug and medical testing requirements)
• Uniform: Official U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service uniform is required.
• A condition of employment for accepting this position, you will be required to serve a [1-year probationary period OR 2-year trial period] during which your fitness and whether your continued employment advances the public interest will be evaluated.
• TWIC card must be obtained within 6 month
• Merchant Mariner Document must be obtained within 6 months
• Individuals assigned male at birth after 12-31-59 must be registered for the Selective Service. To verify registration visit SSS.gov.
• Working evenings, weekends, and holidays will be required.
  
  

Qualifications

Only experience and education obtained by 07/01/2026 will be considered.

In order to qualify for this position you must possess both the Basic Requirement and Minimum Qualification.

Minimum Qualification [GS-07]:

• Possess one year of specialized experience at or equivalent to the GS-6 grade level in the Federal service obtained in either the public or private sectors performing work in the field of or directly related to biological science. Qualifying experience includes (1) planning the logistics of (e.g., establishing schedules and following procedures to accomplish fish rearing) feeding and caring for fish, and carrying out multi-faceted fish propagation activities (spawning, egg care, sorting, sampling, stocking) at a fish hatchery; (2) use established procedures to collect data daily, weekly, and monthly and organize data and train others in data entry; (3) maintaining and using complex fish culture equipment; and (4) using specialized techniques and methods to culture fish. OR
• Possess one full year of progressively higher-level graduate education leading to a master's or equivalent graduate degree, if directly related to the position. OR
• Possess a combination of graduate level education and specialized experience directly related to the position as described above.
  
  

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.

Minimum Qualification [GS-08]:

• Possess one year of specialized experience at or equivalent to the GS-7 grade level in the Federal service obtained in either the public or private sectors performing work in the field of or directly related to biological science. Qualifying experience includes (1) planning the logistics of (e.g., established schedule?s, and following procedures to accomplish fish rearing) feeding and caring for fish, and leading crews in carrying out multi-faceted fish propagation activities (spawning, egg care, sorting, sampling, stocking) at a fish hatchery; (2) developing and collecting daily, weekly, and monthly data, and training others in data entry and collection; (3) providing guidance and oversight to others on the use and maintenance of fish culture equipment; and (4) using specialized techniques and methods to culture fish. OR
• Possess one full year of progressively higher-level graduate education leading to a master's or equivalent graduate degree, if directly related to the position. OR
• Possess a combination of graduate level education and specialized experience directly related to the position as described above.
  
  

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,

• 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

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 programs and such education has been deemed equivalent to that gained in an accredited U.S. education program; or full credit has been given for the courses at a U.S. accredited college or university. For further information, visit:

Additional information

PCS INFORMATION: Yes, entitlements for payment of basic moving expenses, as required and to the extent allowed by the Federal Travel Regulation (FTR) 302-3.101, are authorized for eligible applicants changing duty station when the change meets the distance tests as provided in FTR 302-1.1 and 302-2.6. All moving expenses are taxable. In addition, relocation discretionary entitlements May be authorized for this position excluding contractor-provided home sale.

If eligible and qualified, you may be offered a recruitment or relocation incentive. The decision to offer an incentive will be made on a case-by-case basis and is neither promised nor guaranteed.

Telework: With supervisory approval, this position is suitable for telework only in an emergency or natural disaster.

Reasonable Accommodation: The USFWS provides reasonable accommodations to applicants with disabilities. Please visit

Applicants who apply under this job opportunity announcement agree to have their application, associated documents and applicable personal information shared with other Bureaus/Offices within the Department of the Interior (DOI) who have vacancies within the same occupational series, grade, full performance level and in the same geographic location(s), including within the same metro/commuting area. Applying to this announcement does not replace the need to apply to other job opportunity announcements for which you wish to receive consideration.

Probation/Trial Period Con't

The [probationary or trial] period is an extension of the appointment process and therefore requires the agency to determine if continued employment would advance the public interest, meet the organization goals and mission of the agency, and/or otherwise promote the efficiency of the service. In determining if your employment advances the public interest, the agency will consider:

• your performance and conduct;
• the needs and interests of the agency;
• whether your continued employment would advance organizational goals of the agency or the Government; and
• whether your continued employment would advance the efficiency of the Federal service.
  
  

Under applicable law, the employment of an individual serving a probationary or trial period automatically terminates when that period ends unless the agency affirmatively certifies, in writing, that the individual's employment should continue and that their appointment should be finalized. In the absence of agency action to affirmatively certify continued employment beyond the probationary or trial period, such appointments are terminated. Upon completion of your [probationary period -OR- trial period] your employment will be terminated unless you receive certification, in writing, that your continued employment advances the public interest.

Candidates should be committed to improving the efficiency of the Federal government, passionate about the ideals of our American republic, and committed to upholding the rule of law and the United States Constitution.

A career with the U.S. government provides employees with a comprehensive benefits package. As a federal employee, you and your family will have access to a range of benefits that are designed to make your federal career very rewarding.

Eligibility for benefits depends on the type of position you hold and whether your position is full-time, part-time or intermittent. Contact the hiring agency for more information on the specific benefits offered.