Biological Science Aid/Technician Job

Vacancy No. BOR-DO-25-DE-12609702-MM Department Bureau of Reclamation
Salary $16.79 to $21.08 Grade 3 to 5
Perm/Temp Temporary FT/PT Full-time
Open Date 11/20/2024 Close Date 12/13/2024
Job Link Apply Online Who may apply Public
Locations:
Glendive, MTSocorro, NMTruth or Consequences, NM


Summary

Reclamation is seeking a career professional looking for an opportunity to capitalize on their expertise as a Biological Science Aid/Technician. Make a difference in the West by assisting in meeting increasing water demands while protecting the environment.

Duty Location: Glendive, Montana, Socorro, New Mexico, and Truth or Consequences, New Mexico

Duties

- Assists other Reclamation staff in the collection of baseline data and monitoring to ensure compliance with environmental statutes.
-Conducts radio telemetry.
- Glendive/MT location: Conducts In-river sampling and radio telemetry of native fishes (via boat) of the Yellowstone River in Eastern Montana.
- New Mexico locations: Conducts presence/absence surveys and nest monitoring for the Southwestern willow flycatcher and yellow-billed cuckoo within the Rio Grande Basin of New Mexico.
- May assume some additional responsibility as a crew leader, making minor project related decisions in the absence of the Supervisor.

Additional information: We are looking for approximately 26 individuals that will work as part of field crews primarily conducting presence/absence surveys for the federally listed southwestern willow flycatcher and yellow-billed cuckoo within riparian habitat along the Rio Grande in central and southern New Mexico. Daily work will consist of communication with crew members and field supervisors; operation of government vehicles; navigation to and through sites via map, compass and GPS; and compilation and reporting of field data. Individuals will receive survey protocol training, provided by Reclamation and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, for both species. These positions estimated start date May 12, 2025, and work will end on August 8, 2025 (approximately 90 days). Selectees will be required to obtain housing at their project location (either Socorro or Truth or Consequences) during this period.

We are also looking for an individual to work on the Lower Yellowstone River out of Glendive, MT located in the eastern edge of Montana near the North Dakota border. This position estimated start date April 21, 2025, and work will end on October 17, 2025. If selected for this position, individual will be working directly with personnel from Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks and Reclamation. Employee will assist in data collection for fish studies including examining movements, passage proximate to Reclamation structures and habitat use of native fishes on the lower Yellowstone River in Montana. Species include but are not limited to pallid and shovelnose sturgeon, paddlefish, blue sucker and sauger. Work will include collection of large-river fish using accepted protocols and sampling equipment such as electrofishing gear, trammel nets, hoop nets, and trotlines; implantation of external tags, internal PIT tags and transmitters; collection of genetic tissue samples and blood samples from pallid sturgeon; telemetry relocation of native species from jet boat and ground-based stations; collection of blood samples to assess sexual maturity, and collection of tissue samples for genetics. Employee must accurately identify, measure, and record data on all fish captured, operate, and download data from telemetry equipment, complete habitat survey measurements, and take water quality measurements. Employee will enter data into established databases. Employee will be required to maintain equipment and tools without direct supervision.Position will be supervised by a fishery biologist, but work will often be completed independently or with another seasonal employee. Employee will assist with the maintenance, repair, troubleshooting, and replacement of all sampling equipment (e.g. boats, trailers, motors, nets, telemetry equipment, etc.). This work will primarily be conducted via boat and selectees will be required to attend a Department of Interior motorboat operator certification course (MOCC) prior to starting field work. Reclamation will coordinate and pay for this training which will likely be at one of our field offices.

All positions will be based out of Reclamation's Technical Service Center in Denver, Colorado, but individuals will be assigned to a temporary duty station at one of the following locations - Socorro or Truth or Consequences, NM or Glendive, MT. Hourly pay for the respective grade levels will be based on the Denver-Aurora locality pay area. Employees will be in travel status and will receive a reduced meals and incidentals per diem in addition to lodging reimbursement while at field locations that will equate to roughly $48 per day ($1,440 per month). Individuals will be required to produce lodging receipts. Selectees will be expected to arrive at their assigned project location in either New Mexico or Montana on the established start date to begin onboarding and training.

Requirements

Conditions of Employment

Please limit your resume to 5 pages. If more than 5 pages are submitted, only the first 5 pages will be reviewed to determine your eligibility/qualifications.

You must be a U.S. Citizen or U.S. National.
You must be suitable for federal employment, determined by a background investigation.
You must submit a resume and supporting documentation (see Required Documents).
You must submit eligibility documents for veterans consideration (see Required Documents).
You must meet any minimum education and/or experience requirements (see Qualifications).
You must submit transcript(s) to verify education requirements (see Qualifications/Education).
You must maintain a valid State Driver's License at all times as the position requires operation of government vehicles on government and public roads. Failure to maintain a valid State Driver's License at all times will result in removal from the position.

Qualifications

Required Experience: In order to be rated as qualified for this position, the HR Office must be able to determine that you meet the general and/or specialized experience requirement - this information must be clearly supported in the resume.

To qualify at the GS-03 level, you must possess six months of general experience that shows your ability to perform progressively more complex, responsible, or difficult duties, and that shows your ability to learn the specific work of this job. You may combine general experience and education to meet the minimum qualifications.

To qualify at the GS-04 level, you must possess six months of general experience that shows your ability to perform progressively more complex, responsible, or difficult duties; and that shows your ability to learn the specific work of this job; and 6 months of specialized experience including performing biological science tasks common to fish and wildlife resource management; supporting senior staff; collecting and organizing field data; recording data to include quality control; providing preliminary assessment and classification of the information; evaluating observed conditions and problems; and making preliminary determinations in the case of problems noted. You may combine experience and education to meet the minimum qualifications.

To qualify at the GS-05 level, you must possess one year of specialized experience equivalent in difficulty and complexity to at least the GS-04 level in federal service having demonstrated experience performing biological science tasks common to fish and wildlife resource management; supporting senior staff; collecting and organizing field data; recording data to include quality control; providing preliminary assessment and classification of the information; evaluating observed conditions and problems; and making preliminary determinations in the case of problems noted. You may combine specialized experience and education to meet the minimum qualifications.
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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.

SUBSTITUTION OF EDUCATION FOR EXPERIENCE: Applicants may also qualify on the basis of education as follows.

For GS-03: Successful completion of one 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.

For GS-04: Successful completion of 2 years of study that included at least 12 semester hours in any combination of courses such as those shown above for GS-3. At least 6 semester hours of courses must be directly related to the position to be filled. You may combine specialized experience and education to meet the minimum qualifications.

For GS-05: Successful completion of a full 4-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 those shown above for GS-3. At least 6 semester hours of courses 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. You may combine specialized experience and education to meet the minimum qualifications.

You must meet all Eligibility and Qualification requirements, including any selective placement factors if applicable, by 12/19/2024.

Education

This vacancy announcement allows substituting education for experience at the GS-3/4/5 grade levels. You must submit a copy of college transcript(s) (unofficial copy is acceptable) to support claimed education if substituting education for experience. Transcripts must include the name of the college or university and date the degree was conferred (if graduated and degree was conferred). A typed list of courses, grades, semester/quarter hours, GPA, etc. will not be accepted. Non-submission may result in being rated not-qualified for the position.

You will be required to provide official college transcripts to verify educational qualifications, if selected. An official transcript must be sent directly from the University's Registrar's office and must be provided from the institution awarding the degree. Academic transcripts certified by notary publics are NOT official. Official transcripts must be submitted prior to reporting to work as a condition of employment. Failure to submit official transcripts may be grounds for dismissal or rescission of the job offer.

Accreditation: Only education from an accredited college or university recognized by the Department of Education is acceptable to meet education requirements or to substitute for experience, if applicable. For additional info, refer to the Office of Personnel Management and U.S. Department of Education.

Foreign Education: To receive credit for education completed outside the United States, you must show proof that the education has been submitted to a private organization that specializes in interpretation of foreign educational credentials and such education has been deemed at least equivalent to that gained in conventional U.S. education programs. For additional info, refer to the U.S. Network for Education Information.

Additional information

A valid driver's license is required and will need to be submitted by the date of selection. All positions will also require obtaining government motor vehicle training which is an online course we will provide. Government vehicles will be used for travel to, from, and around field sites.

At the present time we have 26 vacancies, and additional vacancies may be filled using this job announcement.

Locations:
Glendive/Montana: We have 1 vacant position. Work will be from April 21, 2025, and work will end on October 17, 2025. The position will require the operation of a boat, and the employee will be required to take a Motorboat Operator Certification Course (MOCC) when onboard.

Socorro and Truth or Consequences/New Mexico: We have 25 vacant positions, and the work will be from May 12, 2025, and work will end on August 8, 2025.

Salary:
Grade 03: $16.79
Grade 04: $18.84
Grade 05: $21.08

DOI uses E-Verify to confirm the employment eligibility of all newly hired employees. To learn more about E-Verify, including applicant rights and responsibilities, please visit https://www.e-verify.gov/

This position is designated as a LOW RISK position. It requires a fully completed and favorably adjudicated SF85 Background Investigation (T1 or equivalent) that is current (within the last 5 years). This is a condition of employment.

Male applicants born after December 31, 1959 must certify registration with the Selective Service System or that the applicant is exempt from having to do so under the Selective Service Law. Go to: https://www.sss.gov

This is a bargaining unit position represented by a Union- IFPTE Local 128.

Additional vacancies may be filled using this job announcement.

Benefits

A career with the U.S. government provides employees with a comprehensive benefits package. As a federal employee, you and your family will have access to a range of benefits that are designed to make your federal career very rewarding. Opens in a new windowLearn more about federal benefits.

Review our benefits

Eligibility for benefits depends on the type of position you hold and whether your position is full-time, part-time or intermittent. Contact the hiring agency for more information on the specific benefits offered.

How You Will Be Evaluated

You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.

Category rating and selection procedures will be used to evaluate applications from this announcement. If an applicant meets the basic qualification requirements, his/her on-line responses to the vacancy assessment questionnaire will be used to determine the quality and extent of his/her experience, education, training, etc., for placement in one of the following categories: 1) Best Qualified, 2) Well Qualified, and 3) Qualified. Qualified candidates will be assigned a numerical score on a scale of 70-100. The Category Rating Process does not add veterans' preference points or apply the "rule of three" but protects the rights of Veterans by placing them ahead of non-preference eligibles within each quality category. Veterans' preference eligibles who meet the minimum qualification requirements and who have a compensable service-connected disability of at least 10 percent will be listed in the highest quality category (except in the case of scientific or professional positions at the GS-09 level or higher). The assessment questionnaire will take approximately 20 minutes to complete.

Your qualifications will be evaluated based on your application materials (e.g., resume, supporting documents), the responses you provide to the application questionnaire, and the result of the additional assessments required for this position. You will be assessed on the following Competencies (knowledge, skills, abilities, and other characteristics):

  • Biology
  • Technical Competence
  • Visual Identification
  • Writing

In order to be considered for this position, you must complete all required steps in the process.

The application questionnaire can be previewed here: https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/12609702

Your answers will be verified against information provided in your resume. Your resume must clearly support the responses to all the questions by addressing experience, education, and/or training relevant to this position. You must make a fair and accurate assessment of your qualifications. If a determination is made that you have rated yourself higher than what is apparent in the description of your experience, competencies, skills, and/or education/training (or that your resume/application is incomplete), you could be rated ineligible, or your score could be lowered.

Applicants who apply under this job opportunity announcement agree to have their application, associated documents and applicable personal information shared with other Bureaus/Offices within the Department of the Interior (DOI) who have vacancies with the same occupational series, grade, full performance level and in the same geographic location(s). Applying to this announcement does not replace the need to apply to other job opportunity announcements for which you wish to receive consideration. You may choose to opt in of having your information shared with other agencies when applying for this position. If an agency requests a copy of a certificate you are on, you will be notified.

Required Documents

Please submit the supporting documents outlined below applicable to your claimed eligibility status and the position and grade to which you are applying. Failing to submit required documents will result in non-consideration due to an incomplete application package.

RESUME: You must submit a resume that demonstrates how skills and experiences through job duties meet the qualifications and requirements listed in the job announcement to be considered for the job. Each job experience must include dates of employment including start and end dates (month and year), work schedule (full-time or part-time), and hours worked per week. For more information, click here.

TRANSCRIPTS: Required for candidates using education as a basis for qualifications. Transcripts must include the name of the college or university, specific courses, and the number of semester/quarter hours currently enrolled (if graduated and conferred must have that date). A typed list of courses, grades, semester/quarter hours, GPA, etc. will not be accepted. If selected, applicants will be required to provide official college transcripts to verify educational qualifications prior to reporting for work.

VETERANS: If you are entitled to veterans' preference, you must submit a copy of your latest Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty, DD-214 (copy indicating character of service) or other proof of your service which includes character of service. If claiming disability preference, you must also submit the disability letter from the Department of Veterans Affairs or Armed Service and the Application for 10-Point Veteran Preference, Standard Form 15. For more information, click here.

CAREER TRANSITION PROGRAMS: Permanent Federal employees who are surplus, displaced, or involuntarily separated. You must submit a copy of their most recent performance appraisal, proof of eligibility, and most current SF-50 noting position, grade level, and duty location with their application. To be considered under CTAP/ICTAP, you must be well-qualified (i.e., meet the minimum qualification requirements, including selective factors, education and experience requirements) and score at least 85.0 on the assessment questionnaire as established, and be able to perform the duties of the position upon entry. For more information, click here.

If you are relying on your education to meet qualification requirements:

Education must be accredited by an accrediting institution recognized by the U.S. Department of Education in order for it to be credited towards qualifications. Therefore, provide only the attendance and/or degrees from schools accredited by accrediting institutions recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.

Failure to provide all of the required information as stated in this vacancy announcement may result in an ineligible rating or may affect the overall rating.

How to Apply

Applications (resume, assessment questionnaire, and supporting documentation) for this vacancy MUST be received online BEFORE midnight Eastern Time (Washington, DC time) on 12/19/2024. To apply, click the blue APPLY ONLINE button at the top of the page.

Do not submit photographs with the application package. Documents with photographs may not be seen by hiring officials - applicant must remove any images from badges, licenses, etc.

Agency contact information

Melinda Mullenax
Address
Technical Service Center
Bureau of Reclamation
Denver Federal Center
P.O. BOX 25007
Denver, CO 80225-0007
US
Learn more about this agency

Next steps

Upon successful submission of the application packet, applicants will receive a confirmation email from USAJOBS. If this email confirmation is not received by the applicant, the application has not yet been accepted by the system.

After all application packages have been received, resumes and supporting document(s) will be reviewed to ensure applicants meet the basic qualification requirements. Each applicant who meets the basic qualifications will be further evaluated on the information provided in the resume, application questionnaire, and other assessment criteria identified in the "How You Will Be Evaluated" section above. Best-qualified applicants will be referred to the selecting official. After making a tentative job offer, a suitability and/or security background investigation will be conducted. A final job offer is typically made within 40 days after the deadline for applications. Applicants should monitor their status for positions with the Bureau of Reclamation by regularly checking their public status notifications in the USAJOBS profile.


Note: We cannot accept applications on behalf of Federal Agencies. Application instructions are listed within the Job Description.


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