Overview

  • Accepting applications
  • Open & closing dates

     02/01/2021 to 02/05/2021

  • Service

    Competitive

  • Pay scale & grade

    GS 5 – 7

  • Salary

    $37,634 to $60,605 per year

  • Appointment type

    Temporary – 1 Year

  • Work schedule

    Full-Time

  • Apply Here: https://www.usajobs.gov/GetJob/ViewDetails/590910000

Location

1 vacancy in the following location:

  • Cook, WA
Relocation expenses reimbursed

No

Telework eligible

No

Duties

Summary

What General Information Do I Need To Know About This Position?

This is a temporary appointment not to exceed 12 months that may be extended for 12 additional months without further competition.

GS-05 Salary: $37,634 (Step 01) to $48,927 (Step 10)
GS-06 Salary: $41,952 (Step 01) to $54,536 (Step 10)
GS-07 Salary: $46,618 (Step 01) to $60,605 (Step 10)
NOTE: First time hires to the Federal Government are typically hired at the Step 01.

Learn more about this agency

Responsibilities

As a Biological Science Technician (Fisheries) within the Western Fisheries Research Center, some of your specific duties will include:

  • Assists in conducting field studies and surveys to collect fisheries data and specimens to support scientific studies.
  • Prepares, identifies, dissects, and maintains laboratory records on specimens and samples for reports and preservation.
  • Coordinates the repair and maintenance of research and support equipment such as sampling and photographic equipment, electronic devices, boat motors, and vehicles.
  • Operates a government motor vehicle as an incidental driver.
  • Operates and maintains power boats.

Above duties are for the GS-05 level. At the higher grade levels, less assistance, instruction, guidance, oversight, review, and supervision would be provided.

Conditions of Employment as required by the USGS Watercraft Safety Program:

  • Must be able to take and pass the Motorboat Operator Certification Course (MOCC) within 6 months of employment.
  • Must be able to obtain and maintain First Aid and CPR (Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation for the duration of employment.
  • Must be able to obtain and maintain Wilderness or Advanced First Aid Certification for duration of employment.

Physical Demands:
The work requires some physical exertion, such as regular and recurring running, walking, or bending, walking or climbing ladders or scaffolds to observe, collect or record data.

Work Environment:
The work environment varies from laboratory setting to field sites and offices. The work involves moderate risks and discomforts such as high noise levels and exposure to chemicals, adverse weather conditions, and extreme temperatures that may require following special safety procedures.

There is one vacancy; however, this announcement may be used to fill additional vacancies if they become available.

Travel Required

25% or less – Overnight travel of 1-5 nights per month may be required.

Supervisory status

No

Promotion Potential

7 – There is no promotion potential at either/any grade. The full performance level of this position will be set at the grade level at which you are selected.

  • Job family (Series)

    0404 Biological Science Technician

    Requirements

    Conditions of Employment

    Key Requirements:

    1. Applicants must be U.S. Citizens.
    2. Suitable for Federal employment, as determined by background investigation.
    3. Selectee may be subject to serving a one-year probationary period.
    4. More requirements are listed under Qualifications and Other Information.
    5. Selectee must provide a valid state driver’s license & safe driving record.
    6. Selectee subject to successful completion of a pre-employment medical exam.

    Are There Any Special Requirements For This Position?

    • Taking and passing a pre-employment medical examination at Federal expense is required due to the physical demands of this job.
    • You will be required to operate a government-owned or -leased vehicle in the performance of your official duties. Applicants for this position must meet the following requirements: (1) possess a valid State license, and (2) possess a safe driving record. If selected, you may be required to provide proof of a valid State license and a copy of your driving record.
    • Because this position requires travel for official business, the selectee will be required to apply for a charge card within 30 calendar days of appointment. Individuals who have delinquent account balances from a previous Government charge card will be required to satisfy their existing obligation before a new card can be issued.
    • A background investigation will be required for this position. Continued employment will be subject to the applicant’s successful completion of a background security investigation and favorable adjudication. Failure to successfully meet these requirements will be grounds for termination.
    • Throughout the recruitment and hiring process we will be communicating with you via email; therefore, it is imperative that the email address you provide when applying for this vacancy remains active. Should your email address change, please notify the point of contact identified in the vacancy announcement as soon as possible so that we can update our system.

    Qualifications

    For GS-05:

    Applicants must meet one of the following to qualify for the GS-5 level:

    Possess one year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the GS-04 level in the Federal service that is in or related to the duties of this position.

    Examples of GS-4 level work assignments include: 1) recording instrument readings; 2) collecting a specified amount, quantity, and type of samples; 3) taking measurements; 4) operating basic equipment when performing standardized tests; 5) assisting higher level technicians with the operation of sophisticated equipment; 6) assisting higher level technicians in capturing, tagging, collaring and banding animals or fish. For examples 1-6, a designated authority made continuing assignments by initially indicating such criteria as the amount of work expected, a general explanation of what is to be done, advice on the location of reference material or samples, and the nature of the limits applicable to the assignments. Recurring assignments were carried out independently, within established procedures and with minimal instruction. New, difficult or unusual work assignments were given with specific instructions.

    **OR Applicants may substitute successful completion of a full four year course of study leading to a bachelor’s degree (a) with major study in an appropriate field of science (i.e., biology, chemistry, statistics, entomology, animal husbandry, botany, physics, agriculture, or mathematics) or (b) that included at least 24 semester hours, or the equivalent, in any combination of courses such as biology, chemistry, statistics, entomology, animal husbandry, botany, physics, agriculture, or mathematics. At least 6 semester hours, or the equivalent, must have been directly related to the position to be filled. The successful completion of a full course of study of at least 12 months in a school for clinical laboratory technicians may be substituted for the 1 year of specialized experience required at the GS-5 level for positions involving microbiology and biochemistry technician work.

    **OR Possess a combination of successfully completed post-high school education and specialized experience may be used to meet the qualification requirements for GS-5. Only progressive education in excess of the first 60 semester hours or 90 quarter hours (i.e., beyond the first two years) of a course of study leading to a bachelor’s degree is creditable toward meeting the specialized experience requirement, assuming the education includes the appropriate number of directly related semester hours, or the equivalent, in any combination of courses such as biology, chemistry, statistics, entomology, animal husbandry, botany, physics, agriculture, or mathematics. (CLICK HERE FOR DETAILS ON HOW TO COMBINE UNDERGRADUATE EDUCATION AND SPECIALIZED EXPERIENCE)

    For GS-06:

    Applicants must meet one of the following to qualify for the GS-06 level:

    Possess one year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the GS-05 level in the Federal service that is in or related to the duties of this position.

    Examples of GS-05 level assignments include: 1) collecting insect and disease samples and assisting in the identification & damage assessment of any problems they have caused; compiling and summarizing data from surveys, biological evaluations, and pilot tests; and running routine computer programs and checking resulting data for inconsistencies; 2) assembling basic information on fish and/or wildlife populations such as habitat use, sex and age structure, seasonal movement and harvest characteristics; 3) assuming responsibility for limited projects such as maintaining a network of seasonal traps; 4) collecting anatomical materials and making preliminary assessments of such things as habitat preference and population dynamics. For examples 1-4, a designated authority made continuing assignments by initially indicating the amount of work expected, general explanation of what is to be done, advice on the location of reference material or samples, and the nature of the limits applicable to the assignments. Recurring assignments were carried out independently, within established procedures and without specific instructions. New, difficult or unusual work assignments were given with specific instructions.

    **OR Applicants may substitute successful completion of 1 year of appropriate graduate level education (18 semester hours, 27 quarter hours or the equivalent) in biology, chemistry, statistics, entomology, animal husbandry, botany, physics, agriculture, or mathematics or other field of study directly related to the work of this position for the required 1 year of specialized experience if it provided the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to perform the work of this position.

    **OR Applicants may substitute a combination of appropriate specialized experience (as described above) and appropriate graduate level education (as described above) that is beyond the first 1/2 year of progressive graduate study to meet the qualification requirements.

    For GS-07:

    Applicants must meet one of the following to qualify for the GS-07 level:

    Possess one year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the GS-06 level in the Federal service that is in or related to the duties of this position.

    Examples of GS-06 level assignments include: 1) collecting insect and disease samples and assisting in the identification & damage assessment of any problems they have caused; compiling and summarizing data from surveys, biological evaluations, and pilot tests; and/or running routine computer programs and checking resulting data for inconsistencies; 2) assembling basic information on fish and/or wildlife populations such as habitat use, sex and age structure, seasonal movement and harvest characteristics; 3) assuming responsibility for limited projects such as maintaining a network of seasonal traps; 4) collecting anatomical materials and making preliminary assessments of such things as habitat preference and population dynamics. For examples 1-4, a designated authority initially provided direction on the priorities and objectives for work assignments and assisted with any unusual situations that did not have clear precedents.

    **OR Applicants may substitute successful completion of 1 year of appropriate graduate level education (18 semester hours, 27 quarter hours or the equivalent) in biology, chemistry, statistics, entomology, animal husbandry, botany, physics, agriculture, or mathematics or other field of study directly related to the work of this position for the required 1 year of specialized experience if it provided the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to perform the work of this position.

    **OR Applicants may substitute a combination of appropriate specialized experience (as described above) and appropriate graduate level education (as described above) that is beyond the first 1/2 year of progressive graduate study to meet the qualification requirements.

    You must meet all qualification and eligibility requirements for the position by the closing date of the announcement.

    Education

    • 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 completed in colleges or universities outside the United States may be used to meet the above requirements. You must provide acceptable documentation that the foreign education is comparable to that received in an accredited educational institution in the United States. For more information on how foreign education is evaluated, visit: https://www.usgs.gov/about/organization/science-support/human-capital/how-foreign-education-evaluated-federal-jobs .