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Duties
These are permanent, career-seasonal positions and are subject to release and recall procedures. A permanent, career-seasonal position includes all the benefits of permanent employment but do not provide employment on a full year-round basis. As such, selectee will be in a non-pay/non-duty status for at least 2 weeks up to 6 months per year based on project requirements or weather conditions. Selectee(s) are guaranteed to work at least 6 months per year but not more than 50 weeks per year, with the work schedule to be determined upon appointment. Selectee(s) will be in a work/pay status for a specified period each year (generally March through November) and will be in a non-work/non-pay status for the remainder of the year.
As a Biological Science Technician (Fish) your duties will include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Assists in planning and carrying out multifaceted fish and/or wildlife studies, field investigations and surveys by contributing ideas, determining research methods, establishing practical procedures for accomplishing and reporting the work, and determining other needs, such as costs, equipment and personnel. Independently monitors, plans, and implements activities related to conservation, management, and/or control of fish/wildlife.
• Assists in planning multifaceted habitat studies, assessments and monitoring by contributing ideas, determining research methods, establishing practical procedures for accomplishing and reporting the work, and determining other needs, such as costs, equipment and personnel.
• Assists in planning and carrying out hatchery data collection on hatchery populations to study health and propagation methods. Projects planned at this grade level have considerable complexity and often require multiple timelines, coordination with biologists to resolve complex issues related to fish propagation, or long-range projects that span over multiple spawning seasons. Fish hatchery operations and studies on efficiency may cover spawning, rearing, and/or growing fish in tanks or ponds, caring for fertilized eggs in jars, observing fish behavior in response to feeding, cleaning, and husbandry operations, determining feed regiments, treating fish disease, collecting and recording data (hard copy and digital), operating specialized aquaculture equipment such as gates, pumps, valves, filters, alarms, and other support systems to maintain fish health. Reviews data and prepares reports for biologists to analyze and formulate solutions for complex fish health issues in a hatchery environment.
• Lead a group of lower-graded technicians in gathering field data and providing training in techniques and procedures.
• Conduct abundance estimates of resident fish species; document fish movement using various telemetry techniques; perform fish habitat inventory and sample water quality.

Physical Demands: Physical demands will range depending on the project and use of the position. Most locations will be in and around running water and requiring regular and recurring physical activity such as rowing inflatable boats, netting fish, prolonged standing, walking over wet and/or rocky surfaces, stooping, bending, kneeling, climbing, and carrying heavy items may occur.
Work Environment: Most locations will be in and around running water where the incumbent could be exposed to extreme weather conditions, insects/wildlife, and/or other environments that would require the incumbent to use protective clothing or gear such as personal flotation devices, waders, boots, coats, warm synthetic clothing, polarized sunglasses, and earplugs to mitigate risks.
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RequirementsConditions of Employment

• Must be a U.S. Citizen or National.
• Resume (See "Required Documents"). Failure to provide ALL required information on your resume will result in loss of consideration due to an incomplete application package. It is your responsibility to ensure all information is provided on resume.
• Eligibility and Supporting documents - You will ONLY be considered for the eligibilities that you select "yes" to AND submit the required supporting documentation, as listed in the Required Documents section.
• Suitability for employment, as determined by background investigation
• Individuals assigned male at birth after 12-31-59 must be registered for Selective Service. To verify registration visit SSS.gov.
• Driver's License: Selectees are required to possess and maintain a valid State driver's license at all times during their tenure.
• Uniform Required: The position may require wearing a uniform in accordance with U.S. Fish and Wildlife policy.
• Unusual Tour of Duty: Work may require working evenings, weekends, and holidays. Incumbent may need to respond to alarms on the evenings and weekends.
• Incumbent should be able to lift 50 lbs. repetitively throughout an entire workday.
• Probationary Period: Selectees may be required to complete a probationary period.

QualificationsOnly experience and education obtained by 06/17/2024 will be considered.
In order to qualify for this position, you must possess the Minimum Qualifications.Minimum Qualification [GS-06]:

• One full year of specialized experience comparable in scope and responsibility to the GS-05 grade level in the Federal service (obtained in either the public or private sectors). This experience includes activities such as: work assisting in the conduct of biological fish sampling surveys, identifying fish species, collecting, compiling and summarizing biological fish data, and using electrofishing and nets to collect fish. This experience must also include experience with field equipment preparation and maintenance. This experience could also include assisting with the production, rearing, and stocking of fish, as well as assisting with sampling and recording biological data for fish reared in a hatchery. NOTE: Your resume must contain sufficient information in these areas to be found qualified.

Minimum Qualification [GS-07]:

• One full year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-06 grade level or higher in the Federal service, or equivalent non-Federal experience. Specialized experience is defined as work planning and conducting biological fish sampling surveys, identifying fish species, collecting, compiling, analyzing, and interpreting biological fish data, and using electrofishing and nets to collect fish. This experience must also include experience with field equipment preparation and maintenance and experience working on rivers. This experience could also include assisting with the production, rearing, and stocking of fish, as well as assisting with sampling and recording biological data for fish reared in a hatchery. NOTE: Your resume must contain sufficient information in these areas to be found qualified. -OR-
• One year of graduate level education (18 semester/27 quarter hours or the school's equivalent) in an accredited college or university of that included courses directly related to the occupation, such as fishery biology, ichthyology, limnology, aquaculture, etc. -OR-
• A combination of graduate education listed in B above and the specialized experience requirement listed in A above to complete 100% of the experience/education requirement for a GS-07 Biological Science Technician. IMPORTANT NOTE: To qualify under option 2 or 3, you must submit transcripts to verify your education and include proof of your experience in the text of your resume.

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.
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.
Telework Eligibility: 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
Reasonable Accommodation (RA) Requests: If you believe you have a disability (i.e., physical or mental), covered by the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 as amended and Americans with Disabilities Act 1990 as amended, that would interfere with completing the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments, you will be granted the opportunity to request a RA in your online application. Requests for RA for the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments and appropriate supporting documentation for RA must be received prior to starting the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments. Decisions on requests for RA are made on a case-by-case basis. If you meet the minimum qualifications of the position, after notification of the adjudication of your request, you will receive an email invitation to complete the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments. You must complete all assessments within 48 hours of receiving the URL to access the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments, if you received the link after the close of the announcement. To determine if you need a RA, please review the Procedures for Requesting a Reasonable Accommodation for Online Assessments here: https://help.usastaffing.gov/Apply/index.php?title=Reasonable_Accommodations_for_USA_Hire
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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 practices that affect natural resources environments (e.g., fisheries, aquaculture) in order to recognize probable effects on and/or relationship to those resources.
• Knowledge of principles, practices, and terminology of biological sciences and related management practices and a working familiarity with similar disciplines in order to independently plan, lead, and coordinate survey and other biological data collection and analysis projects.
• Ability to capture, handle, and tag or collar various fish/wildlife.
• Ability to communicate orally in order to meet and deal effectively with people of different backgrounds, including representatives of state, Federal, Tribal resource agencies and private agencies and organizations.
• 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.
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, and Qualified.
The category rating process protects the rights of veterans by placing them ahead of non-preference eligibles within each quality category. Veterans' preference eligibles who meet the 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).