Biological Science Technician (Fish) (GS-6)

These positions are Biological Science Technician (Fish), GS- 0404-6.

Cost of Living Allowance: In addition to the yearly salary, this position is entitled to a cost-of-living allowance (COLA) https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/pay-leave/pay-systems/nonforeign-areas/#url=COLA-Rates .This allowance is subject to annual review, adjustment, and rate decrease.

• Anchorage, AK and Fairbanks, AK 1.69% COLA
• Soldotna, AK 3.21%

These are temporary appointments 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.

The Alaska Region Fisheries Branch of the U. S. Fish & Wildlife Service will be hiring numerous temporary/seasonal Biological Science Technicians for the field season to work on a variety of fisheries-related studies. Duty stations are located in Anchorage, Fairbanks, and Soldotna.

Projects involve monitoring salmon runs using fish weirs, digital video equipment, and sonar, conducting abundance estimates of resident fish species, documenting fish movement using radio telemetry, sampling water quality, and performing fish habitat inventories. Technicians will perform fieldwork at various locations throughout the state, including remote areas in the Alaskan bush. Travel to field camps is primarily by small aircraft or boat. Please note that these positions are for the adventurous as harsh weather, an abundance of biting insects, and remote living conditions can be challenging. However, this rare opportunity to work with intact assemblages of native fish species, while surrounded by abundant wildlife and pristine wilderness, will more than compensate the tolerant individual.

• Ensures that camps are properly maintained, dismantled, and the equipment is accounted for and returned.
• Leads small group of technicians in gathering field data and provides necessary training in techniques and procedures.
• Makes surveys to collect and analyze various types of information on fish populations such as habitat use, sex and age structure, seasonal movement, and harvest characteristics.
• Assembles data and evaluates findings.
• Collects anatomical materials and makes preliminary assessment of such things as habitat preference and populations dynamics.