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Biological Science Technician (Fish) (GS-7)

Employer
USFWS
Job Description, Responsibilities and Required Qualifications or Skills

These positions are Biological Science Technician (Fish), GS- 0404-7.

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.

  • Assists the study or project leader in planning the course of the project by contributing ideas; researching methods, costs and needs related to personnel, and equipment; assembling equipment; and establishing practical procedures for accomplishing the work.
  • Participates in fieldwork. This includes independent gathering and documentation of a variety of data and may include training and oversight of lower graded technicians. Work may also include making on-site decisions to adjust location and configuration: setting up and dismantling fish weirs and associated video equipment, and over seeing their operation; setting up, overseeing the operation of, and dismantling sonar equipment; locating, capturing, censusing, marking, and tagging fish; data collection and recording; and related work.
  • Leads a small group of lower graded technicians in gathering field data. Provides training in techniques and procedures, plans work, and provides input to supervisor concerning performance of lower graded technicians.
  • Organizes and performs preliminary analysis of field data. Work may involve automated databases and/or geographic information systems.
  • Makes preliminary determinations of the cause of problems noted, e.g., drought, overpopulation, or toxin.

Conditions 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 will be required to possess and maintain a valid State driver's license at all times during their tenure.
  • Firearm: Selectees will be required to carry a firearm in the performance of their duties.
  • 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.

Qualifications

Only experience and education obtained by 12/02/2024 will be considered.

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

Minimum Qualification [GS-0404-07]:

  1. One year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-06 grade level or higher in the Federal service, or equivalent non-Federal experience. Specialized experience includes: Collects biological information for fish studies, field investigations, and surveys; Provides guidance and technical assistance to field crews; leads fish surveys and field studies; logs data for habitat surveys and records data for laboratory analysis; performs capturing, measuring, counting, weighing, tagging, and tracking fish counting devices (e.g. weirs, sonar, screw traps). NOTE: Your resume must contain sufficient information in these areas to be found qualified. -OR-
  2. 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 at least 6-semester hours of courses directly related to the position being filled, such as fishery biology, ichthyology, limnology, aquaculture, etc. -OR-
  3. Combination of GS-06 level specialized experience and graduate level education, which, when combined, is equivalent to 100% of the qualification requirements (You must provide a copy of your college transcripts).

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.

Job Field:
Fisheries
Job Type:
Full Time
Location Detail:
Many vacancies in the following locations:

Anchorage, AK
Fairbanks, AK
Soldotna, AK
Salary:
$26.53 - $34.50 per hour
Application Deadline:

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