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Biological Science Technician (Wildlife)

Employer
USDA APHIS Wildlife Services
Job Description, Responsibilities and Required Qualifications or Skills

The technician is responsible for conducting wildlife damage management operations, primarily for beaver, that are causing damage to roads/bridges, property, agriculture, and natural resources through direct control lethal trapping and firearm methods.   Incumbent will use WDM tools/devices which may include some or all of the following depending on need in assigned area: firearms; foothold, body-grip, cage traps, neck snares; hand tools, explosives; chemical control methods; pyrotechnics; noise cannons/exploders; drop nets; rocket/cannon nets; various other scaring devices.

Assists Wildlife Biologists or higher-graded staff by correctly identifying common, current or recent damage problems and relating them to the damage-causing species.  Provides appropriate technical assistance recommendations on typical wildlife and WDM issues on a limited basis. Appropriate recommendations require a general knowledge of Federal, State and local wildlife and WDM specific regulations and policies.

Please contact for full job announcement and any questions regarding the position.  Send resume and other required documents before end of closing date (11/1/24).

Michael.g.waller@usda.gov

QUALIFICATIONS REQUIRED:

FOR THE GENERALIZED EXPERIENCE AT THE GS-3 GRADE LEVEL:

Applicants must have 6 months of work experience that demonstrates the applicant's ability to perform the work of the position or experience that provided a familiarity with the subject matter or processes of the broad subject area of the occupation.

OR

EDUCATION SUBSTITUTION AT THE GS-3 GRADE LEVEL:

Successful completion of l year of study that included at least 6 semester hours in any combination of scientific or technical courses such as biology, chemistry, statistics, entomology, animal husbandry, botany, physics, agriculture, or mathematics.


SPECIALIZED EXPERIENCE AT THE GS-4 GRADE LEVEL:

  • Applicants must have 6 months of general experience and 6 months of specialized experience (equivalent to the GS-03 level) that may have been obtained in the private or public (local, county, state, Federal) sectors which demonstrates:
  • Experience using damage control techniques, including, but not limited to, predator, rodent and bird control toxicants, techniques, traps, snares and formulating scents and baits;
  • Inspecting and surveying areas with the ability to recognize various wildlife species.
  • Meeting and communicating with individuals or groups.
  • Recognize habits, characteristics, and habitats occupied by a variety of avian and mammalian wildlife species.

OR

EDUCATION SUBSTITUTION AT THE GS-4 GRADE LEVEL:

Successful completion of 2 years of study that included at least 12 semester hours in any combination of courses such as biology, chemistry, statistics, entomology, animal husbandry, botany, physics, agriculture, or mathematics. At least 6 semester hours of courses must be directly related to the position to be filled.


SPECIALIZED EXPERIENCE AT THE GS-5 GRADE LEVEL:

Applicants must have 1 year of specialized experience equivalent in level of difficulty and responsibility to the next lower level (GS-4) in the Federal service. This experience may have been obtained in the private or public (local, county, state, Federal) sectors which demonstrates experience in:

  • Using damage control techniques, including, but not limited to, predator, rodent and pest bird control techniques utilizing harassment devices, traps, and other migratory bird damage management techniques, including but not limited to, pyrotechnics, scare devices, and other various techniques as required.
  • Using specialty equipment such as firearms, ATV’s, watercraft, trucks, etc.
  • Preparing reports regarding activities, observations, events, and other relevant data collected. Input operations data into established and custom databases.
  • Training on the control methods, procedures, technical aspects, and objectives used for wildlife damage management.
  • Meeting and communicating with individuals or groups in order to mitigate wildlife conflicts.

OR

EDUCATION SUBSTITUTION AT THE GS-5 LEVEL:

Successful completion full four-year course of study leading to a bachelor’s degree with major study or at least 24 semester hours in any combination of courses, such as biology, chemistry, statistics, entomology, animal husbandry, botany, physics, agriculture, or mathematics. At least 6 semester hours of courses must have been in wildlife biology, ecology, or management.


COMBINATION OF EDUCATION & EXPERIENCE AT THE GS-03/04/05 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.

Job Field:
Wildlife
Job Type:
Full Time
Location Detail:
Chesterfield County, SC
Salary:
GS-0404-3/4/5
$35,499.00 – $51,446.00 per year
Job Benefits:

Eligible for federal benefits (Health, dental, vision, life, retirement)  

REQUIRED DOCUMENTS:

  • Resume (include days/months/years worked, work schedule, and grade level if federal)
  • Personal information such as name, address, contact information
  • Education
  • Detailed work experience related to this position as described in the announcement including
    - Work schedule,
    - Hours worked per week
    - Dates of employment
    - Title, series, grade (if applicable)
  •  All supervisors' phone numbers and if they may be contacted
  • Other qualifications, such as transcripts (if qualifying on education)
  • Transcripts (if qualifying on education)
  • DD-214 (Member 4 copy), if applicable for Veteran’s Preference
  • VA letter required if claiming disabled Veteran’s Preference
  • Current active-duty members must submit a certification that they are expected to be discharged or released from active duty under honorable conditions not later than 120 days after the date the certification is submitted.
Application Deadline:

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