Biological Science Technician (Fish)

This position is a permanent, career-seasonal, Biological Science Technician (Fish), GS-0404-06 working at the Green River Basin Fish and Wildlife Conservation Office in Vernal, Utah.

This position is also open to the public under announcement R6-24-12402182-LP-DE. You must apply to each announcement separately if you wish to be considered under both recruitment methods.This is a Career-Seasonal position and subject to release and recall procedures.

A permanent career-seasonal position includes all the benefits of permanent employment but does 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 to 6 months per year based on project requirements or weather conditions. Selectee is 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.

This is a Career/Career-Conditional Full-time appointment. Selectee(s) will be in a work/pay status for a specified period each year (generally March through September) and will be in a non-work/non-pay status for the remainder of the year.

The broad mission of the Green River Basin Fish and Wildlife Conservation Office is the identification and implementation of means to recover three endangered fishes native to the upper Colorado River basin. These fishes, listed as endangered under the 1973 Endangered Species Act are Colorado pike minnow (Ptychocheilus lucius), bonytail (Gila elegans) and razorback sucker (Xyrauchen texanus). The incumbent is responsible for recovery activities on the Yampa River, the White River, and the Green River in Colorado and Utah.

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

Fish Surveys, Studies, and Field Investigations: The incumbent participates in multifaceted fish studies, including carrying out a variety of research and survey methods, analyzing established data, and monitoring environmental elements related to conservation, management, and/or control of fish.

Identifies and collects data for studies. Logs samples/data to be used for analysis. Uses a variety of laboratory and equipment to perform standardized tasks for studies.

Compiles and summarizes data from surveys, biological evaluations, and tests. Runs routine programs and checks resulting data for inconsistencies. Assists in preparation of reports.

Physical Demands:

Physical demands will range depending on the project and use of the position. Most locations will be in locations 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 locations 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.Only experience and education obtained by 05/16/2024 will be considered.

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

Minimum Qualification [GS-06]

• One year of specialized experience comparable in scope and responsibility equivalent to grade GS-05 in the Federal service assisting with sampling and recording biological data for fish and assisting with fish biological surveys. This experience must also include using seines and nets to collect fish and experience securing, transporting/trailering, loading/packing, launching/retrieving, and maneuvering/operating watercraft safely for electrofishing and/or netting on large rivers, reservoirs, lakes, and ponds. NOTE: Your resume must contain sufficient information in these areas to be found qualified.

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.

Time In Grade Requirement: Applicants must meet both eligibility and qualification requirements for the position of interest by the closing date of the JOA. Specifically,

i. Area of Consideration.

ii. Time-in-grade (TIG) requirements as specified in 5 CFR 300, Subpart F.

iii. Time after competitive appointment as specified in 5 CFR 330.502.

iv. Qualification requirements outlined in OPM's Qualifications Standards for General Schedule Positions or for Federal Wage System (FWS), wage grade positions, applicants are evaluated using the OPM Job Qualification System for Trades and Labor Occupations and the job element examining method.

Your SF-50 will be used to confirm you meet all requirements.