What are the responsibilities and job description for the Biological Science Technician (Wildlife) position at USDA Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS)?
Find Your Future With Us at USDA – Animal Plant Health Inspection Service
Job Summary
The Biological Science Technician is responsible for wildlife management and use of techniques aimed at controlling damage caused by wildlife to help protect agriculture, natural resources, property, and threats to human health and safety. The work is primarily concerned with wildlife damage management (WDM) operations relating to the assessment, reduction, and/or elimination of problems associated with wild and/or feral animal species in urban, suburban, and rural environments.
Qualifications
Applicants must meet all qualifications and eligibility requirements by the closing date of the announcement, including specialized experience and/or education, as defined below. FOR THE GS-06 LEVEL: Applicants must have one year of specialized experience (equivalent to the GS-05 level) that may have been obtained in the private or public (local, county, state, Federal) sectors which demonstrates: Adhering to the requirements of local, state, and national rules and regulations as they apply to wildlife policies and procedures. Contacting and developing working relationships with various parties, including but not limited to farmers, businesses, landowners, airports, natural resources, pest management, civil engineering, and other federal agencies. Proficient with wildlife damage management techniques to carry out a full range of common technical duties such as: exclusion, trapping, snaring, non-lethal harassment, lethal control, and firearms. Preparing reports regarding activities, observations, events, and other relevant data collected and inputting operations data into established and custom databases. OR 1 full year of graduate level education with an emphasis on wildlife management. Equivalent combinations of education and experience are qualifying for this grade level. TRANSCRIPTS are required if: You are qualifying for the position based on education. You are qualifying for this position based on a combination of experience and education This education must have been successfully completed and obtained from an accredited school, college, or university COMBINATION OF EDUCATION & EXPERIENCE AT THE GS-06 GRADE LEVEL: Applicants may have combinations of successfully completed education and specialized experience to meet total qualification requirements. The total percentages must equal at least 100 percent to qualify for that grade level. 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 and can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience.
Major Duties
The duties described are for the full-performance level. At developmental grade levels, assignments will be of more limited scope, performed with less independence and limited complexity.The duties may include, but are not limited to:Plans, organizes, and conducts direct control operations to reduce wildlife damage within a geographical area or technical/subject area.Inspects and surveys areas and, as necessary, will revise existing WDM programs.Determines strategies and logistics for providing services.Uses WDM tools/devices which may include some or all of the following depending on need in assigned area: firearms; foothold, body-grip, cage traps; foot snares; neck snares; chemical control methods.Utilizes knowledge of WDM methods and strategies to independently recommend appropriate WDM strategies.Identifies current, and forecasts future, damage problems and relates them to the damage-causing species.Modifies or adapts established damage control techniques as necessary to meet local conditions.Assists in the negotiation of cooperative service agreements with landowners, lessees, or administrators.
Position Start Date:
04/24/2026
Position Close Date:
04/30/2026
Salary Offered: 45409 - 67543 USD Per Year
You can make a difference! The U.S. Department of Agriculture's (USDA) Marketing and Regulatory Programs (MRP) needs bright, energetic and committed professionals to facilitate the domestic and international marketing of U.S. agricultural products and to protect the health and care of animals and plants in the United States. We operate in domestic and global markets. Be part of an organization that protects the health and agriculture of the American people. Join our team! To learn more about what it's like to work at the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, what the agency does, and the types of careers, please visit the APHIS careers site. APHIS is an emergency response agency. This means that all Agency employees may be asked or assigned to participate in rotating temporary duty assignments to support emergency programs at some time during their careers with APHIS. For details click: APHIS Emergency Response
Please see the full announcement on USAJobs by clicking on the APPLY button!
Job Summary
The Biological Science Technician is responsible for wildlife management and use of techniques aimed at controlling damage caused by wildlife to help protect agriculture, natural resources, property, and threats to human health and safety. The work is primarily concerned with wildlife damage management (WDM) operations relating to the assessment, reduction, and/or elimination of problems associated with wild and/or feral animal species in urban, suburban, and rural environments.
Qualifications
Applicants must meet all qualifications and eligibility requirements by the closing date of the announcement, including specialized experience and/or education, as defined below. FOR THE GS-06 LEVEL: Applicants must have one year of specialized experience (equivalent to the GS-05 level) that may have been obtained in the private or public (local, county, state, Federal) sectors which demonstrates: Adhering to the requirements of local, state, and national rules and regulations as they apply to wildlife policies and procedures. Contacting and developing working relationships with various parties, including but not limited to farmers, businesses, landowners, airports, natural resources, pest management, civil engineering, and other federal agencies. Proficient with wildlife damage management techniques to carry out a full range of common technical duties such as: exclusion, trapping, snaring, non-lethal harassment, lethal control, and firearms. Preparing reports regarding activities, observations, events, and other relevant data collected and inputting operations data into established and custom databases. OR 1 full year of graduate level education with an emphasis on wildlife management. Equivalent combinations of education and experience are qualifying for this grade level. TRANSCRIPTS are required if: You are qualifying for the position based on education. You are qualifying for this position based on a combination of experience and education This education must have been successfully completed and obtained from an accredited school, college, or university COMBINATION OF EDUCATION & EXPERIENCE AT THE GS-06 GRADE LEVEL: Applicants may have combinations of successfully completed education and specialized experience to meet total qualification requirements. The total percentages must equal at least 100 percent to qualify for that grade level. 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 and can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience.
Major Duties
The duties described are for the full-performance level. At developmental grade levels, assignments will be of more limited scope, performed with less independence and limited complexity.The duties may include, but are not limited to:Plans, organizes, and conducts direct control operations to reduce wildlife damage within a geographical area or technical/subject area.Inspects and surveys areas and, as necessary, will revise existing WDM programs.Determines strategies and logistics for providing services.Uses WDM tools/devices which may include some or all of the following depending on need in assigned area: firearms; foothold, body-grip, cage traps; foot snares; neck snares; chemical control methods.Utilizes knowledge of WDM methods and strategies to independently recommend appropriate WDM strategies.Identifies current, and forecasts future, damage problems and relates them to the damage-causing species.Modifies or adapts established damage control techniques as necessary to meet local conditions.Assists in the negotiation of cooperative service agreements with landowners, lessees, or administrators.
Position Start Date:
04/24/2026
Position Close Date:
04/30/2026
Salary Offered: 45409 - 67543 USD Per Year
You can make a difference! The U.S. Department of Agriculture's (USDA) Marketing and Regulatory Programs (MRP) needs bright, energetic and committed professionals to facilitate the domestic and international marketing of U.S. agricultural products and to protect the health and care of animals and plants in the United States. We operate in domestic and global markets. Be part of an organization that protects the health and agriculture of the American people. Join our team! To learn more about what it's like to work at the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, what the agency does, and the types of careers, please visit the APHIS careers site. APHIS is an emergency response agency. This means that all Agency employees may be asked or assigned to participate in rotating temporary duty assignments to support emergency programs at some time during their careers with APHIS. For details click: APHIS Emergency Response
Please see the full announcement on USAJobs by clicking on the APPLY button!