Biological Science Technician.

U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service

U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service

United States
Posted on Apr 9, 2025
Duties

This is a temporary appointment intended for seasonal work that is less than 6 months or 1040 hours from the date of appointment/service year. It is expected this position will be terminated upon completion of the seasons work. The agency may non-competitively rehire an eligible temporary seasonal worker in subsequent years who works less than 6 months or 1040 hours in their service year. At management's discretion, this appointment may be extended up to one-year with the possibility of extending an additional one-year.

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

  • Carries out field studies on plants and plant ecology; inventorying and monitoring exotic plants; leading field crews in exotic plant eradication; protecting plants and plant communities; developing improved methods of controlling weeds.
  • Uses hand tools, chainsaws, herbicides, and application equipment to remove or treat identified exotic plants. When herbicide use is indicated, determines the appropriate amount of chemical needed for treatment and mixes the chemical with a dispersant for use in a spray equipment.
  • Maps and gathers pre- and post-treatment data using Service ArcGIS Online data layers, includes weather information, herbicide type and method, digital photos, and other relevant information, and analyzes mapping data and treatment efficacy.
  • Assists in planning, organizes, schedules, and implements refuge natural resource management and habitat restoration projects. Works with regional, complex, and refuge staff and various partner organizations/agencies, seasonal interns/staff, and volunteers to plan and implement habitat restoration projects, serving as lead when applicable.
  • Assists in refuge plant and wildlife inventory and monitoring program including vegetation, bird, small mammal, and invertebrate surveys. Makes field observations of natural resource conditions. Evaluates observed conditions and problems, and interprets variables, trends, correlations, and interrelationships among data and conditions. Recommends management actions based on prescribed guidelines in existing refuge plans.

Requirements

Conditions of Employment

  • Must be a U.S. Citizen or National.
  • Suitability for employment, as determined by background investigation.
  • 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.
  • Uniform: Official U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service uniform is required.
  • Probationary Period: Selectees may be required to successfully complete a probationary period.
  • Individuals assigned male at birth after 12-31-59 must be registered for Selective Service. To verify registration, visit SSS.gov.

Qualifications

Only experience and education obtained by the closing date 04/14/2025 will be considered.

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

Minimum Qualification [GS-7]

  • One (1) year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the GS-6 grade level in the Federal service that equipped you with the particular knowledge, skills and abilities to perform successfully the duties of this position, and that is typically in or related to the work of the position to be filled. Examples of specialized experience may include: 1) basic and applied habitat restoration techniques of wetland habitats for the benefit of various species; 2) experience in the practices/techniques and terminology related to wildlife management and habitats; 3) capturing, handling and monitoring a variety of species; 4) experience working with laws and regulations, as well as policies pertaining to the protection of a variety of federally listed species and their habitat; 5) using computer technology to maintain and retrieve biological and physical environmental data information from automated data systems, and statistical software programs in order to develop reports; 6) working with and leading volunteers in a natural resources setting. NOTE: Your resume must contain sufficient detail of this level of work, i.e., complete begin/end dates, hours worked per week, duties performed, etc. for each timeframe for consideration. OR
  • Possess one (1) full year of graduate level education (18 semester hours) in a discipline that is directly related to this position. NOTE: Transcripts required. OR
  • Combination of successfully completed graduate level education, and specialized experience (both as described above) that, when computed as percentages of their respective requirements, equals at least 100% when combined. NOTE: Transcripts required and your resume must contain sufficient information, e.g., complete begin/end dates, hours worked per week, duties performed, etc., for each period of work for consideration to meet this standard.

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 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

  • No PCS entitlements authorized

Telework

This position is suitable for telework only in an emergency or natural disaster.

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.

Temporary Benefits: Most Federal employees earn both annual and sick leave. For additional information, visit Leave Administration. Effective January 2015, employees on temporary appointments may be eligible for health benefits through the Federal Employees Health Benefits program and, if eligible, will receive the same government contribution as full-time permanent employees. To be eligible for consideration, temporary employees working full-time or part-time must be on appointments expected to last at least 90 days, or be on an intermittent work schedule and expected to work 130 hours per month for at least 90 days. Employees electing to participate in the FEHB will be responsible for the employee share of the premium while on the official agency roles, which is deducted from bi-weekly earnings. After separating from federal employment, employees will be offered to continue participation in FEHB under the Temporary Continuation of Coverage (TCC) option. Employees electing to continue coverage under the TCC provision will be responsible for the full premium amount plus a 2% administration fee.

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. These programs apply to employees who have been involuntarily separated from a Federal service position within the competitive service or Federal service employees whose positions have been deemed surplus or no longer needed. To receive selection priority for this position, you must: (1) meet CTAP or ICTAP eligibility criteria; (2) be rated well-qualified (i.e., meet the minimum qualification requirements, including any selective placement factors; education, and experience requirements) for the position with a score of 85 or above on the assessment questionnaire, and be able to perform the duties of the position upon entry. 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.

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

Cost of Living Allowance: In addition to the yearly salary, this position is entitled to a [8.64 % COLA rate] cost-of-living allowance (COLA) .This allowance is subject to annual review, adjustment, and rate decrease.

  • 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.