Biological Science Technician Job in Tishomingo, OK

Vacancy No. R2-25-12646263-LL-PLC Department U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
Salary $39,576.00 to $63,733.00 Grade 5 to 7
Perm/Temp Permanent FT/PT Full-time
Open Date 12/19/2024 Close Date 1/2/2025
Job Link Apply Online Who may apply Public
Locations:
Tishomingo, OK


Summary

This position is a Biological Science Technician, GS- 0404-5/6/7 working in Tishomingo, Oklahoma for the Tishomingo National Fish Hatchery (Region 2).

This position is also open to Recent Graduates under announcement R2-25-12646262-LL-RG. You must apply to each announcement separately if you wish to be considered under both recruitment methods.

This job is open to

Clarification from the agency

Open to Public Land Corps (Department of the Interior only); VEOA; and CTAP eligible candidates only. Public Land Corps (PLC) is a work and education program that allows individuals aged 16-30 opportunities to work on the rehabilitation and restoration of public lands. Successful completion of a qualifying PLC project and at least 640 hours of work may qualify applicants for a permanent position in the Department of the Interior.

Duties

Tishomingo National Fish Hatchery (Hatchery), located in Tishomingo, Oklahoma, raises warm water species, predominately the interjurisdictional paddlefish, for re-establishment of populations fragmented by large dams on the Arkansas and Red rivers. The Hatchery also rears alligator snapping turtles and alligator gar, both considered to be imperiled within their native ranges. Some production of channel catfish is undertaken for recreational fishing programs on Tribal lands, National Wildlife Refuges, Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation areas, and military installations.

As a Biological Science Technician your duties may include, but are not limited to, the following:

  • daily caretaking of fish.
  • seasonal spawning and packing of eggs for shipment.
  • counting and sorting fish.
  • routine grounds maintenance, snow removal, and office custodial duties.
  • assisting with education and outreach tours.
  • maintenance of hatchery equipment.
  • construction of egg shipping boxes.
  • routine use of computers to input timesheets, respond to emails, maintenance of electronic data in accordance with policies.

Requirements

Conditions of Employment

  • Must be a U.S. Citizen or National.
  • Suitability for employment, as determined by background investigation.
  • Driver’s License: This position requires the incumbent to operate a government (or private) motor vehicle as part of their official duties. Selectee must hold and maintain a valid state driver’s license throughout their employment in this position.
  • Uniform: Official U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service uniform is required.
  • Probationary Period: Selectees may be required to successfully complete a probationary period.
  • Individuals assigned male at birth after 12-31-59 must be registered for the Selective Service. To verify registration visit SSS.gov.

Qualifications

Only experience and education obtained by 01/02/2025 will be considered.

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

Minimum Qualification [GS-05]:
  1. One year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-04 grade level or higher in the Federal service, or equivalent non-Federal experience. Specialized experience includes: fish surveys and studies; recording information in legible form; accomplishing field assessments; assisting with collection, population determination, migration studies and species identification; participating in fishery management surveys; assisting with preparing plans and presentations. NOTE: Your resume must contain sufficient information in these areas to be found qualified.OR
  2. 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 such as biology, chemistry, statistics, entomology, animal husbandry, botany, physics, agriculture, or mathematics. At least 6 semester hours of courses must have been directly related to the position to be filled such as fishery biology, ichthyology, limnology, aquaculture, etc. OR
  3. A combination of education and experience as described in 1 and 2 above which together equals 100% of the requirement
Minimum Qualification [GS-6]:
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 care and feeding of all life stages of fish. Record and monitor fish health, maintain and update fish culture and water quality records, maintain and improve hatchery infrastructure, equipment and grounds. Rearing, distribution and maintenance of eggs, fry, parr, smolts, yearlings, and broodstock. Collect, process and inventory eggs. Follow established spawning procedures, perform routine health assessments including: necropsies of morbid fish, collecting ovarian fluid samples, external examination of fish for parasites and collecting blood samples. NOTE: Your resume must contain sufficient information in these areas to be found qualified.

Minimum Qualification [GS-7]:
  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. Have successfully completed 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 courses directly related to the occupation, such as fishery biology, ichthyology, limnology, aquaculture, etc.OR
  3. Possess an appropriate 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.

PASS/FAIL COURSES: If more than 10 percent of your undergraduate course work (credit hours) were taken on a pass/fail basis, your claim of superior academic achievement must be based upon class standing or membership in an honor society.

GRADUATE EDUCATION: One academic year of graduate education is considered to be the number of credits hours your graduate school has determined to represent one academic year of full-time study. Such study may have been performed on a full-time or part-time basis. If you cannot obtain your graduate school's definition of one year of graduate study, 18 semester hours (or 27 quarter hours) should be considered as satisfying the requirement for one year of full-time graduate study.

FOREIGN EDUCATION: If you are using education completed in foreign colleges or universities to meet the qualification requirements, you must show the education credentials have been evaluated by a private organization that specializes in interpretation of foreign education programs and such education has been deemed equivalent to that gained in an accredited U.S. education program; or full credit has been given for the courses at a U.S. accredited college or university. For further information, visit: Recognition of Foreign Qualifications | International Affairs Office (ed.gov).

Additional information

PCS INFORMATION:
No PCS entitlements authorized

Telework:
This position is suitable for telework only in an emergency or natural disaster.

Additional Vacancies: One or more positions may be filled from applications received under this announcement in the advertised office or other U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service offices in the local commuting area.

Career Transition Assistance Plan (CTAP) or Interagency Career Transition Assistance Plan (ICTAP): Department of Interior (DOI) Career Transition Assistance Plan (CTAP) procedures apply in filling this vacancy. These programs apply to employees who have been involuntarily separated from a federal service position within the competitive service or Federal service employees whose positions have been deemed surplus or no longer needed. To receive selection priority for this position, you must: (1) meet CTAP or ICTAP eligibility criteria; (2) be rated well-qualified (i.e., meet the minimum qualification requirements, including any selective placement factors; education, and experience requirements) for the position with a score of 85 or above on the assessment questionnaire, and be able to perform the duties of the position upon entry. Applicants claiming CTAP/ICTAP eligibility 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.
For more information visit: http://www.opm.gov/rif/employee_guides/career_transition.asp.

Public Land Corps (PLC) Hiring Authority: Served as a qualified youth on an appropriate conservation project completing a minimum of 640 hours of satisfactory service that included at least 120 hours through the PLC and received a certificate of non-competitive eligibility. Completed most recent Corps service, for which a certificate of non-competitive eligibility was issued, within the last 2 years. Appointment must be effected within the 2 year period.

Veterans Employment Opportunity Act (VEOA): To be eligible for a VEOA appointment under Merit Promotion procedures, you must be a preference eligible, or a Veteran separated after 3 years or more of continuous active service performed under honorable conditions.

Reasonable Accommodation: The USFWS provides reasonable accommodations to applicants with disabilities. Please visit USAJOBS Help Center | Reasonable accommodation policy if you need a reasonable accommodation for any part of the application and hiring process.

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.

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

Once the announcement has closed, a review of your resume and supporting documentation will be used to determine whether you meet the qualification requirements listed on this announcement. If you meet the qualifications your resume and supporting documentation will be compared against your responses to the assessment questionnaire to determine your level of experience. Note: If a determination is made that you have inflated your qualifications or experience, your score may be lowered, or you may lose consideration for this position. Please follow all instructions carefully; errors or omissions can affect your rating.

Candidates who apply under Competitive Merit Promotion procedures will undergo a quality review to determine if they are highly qualified based on the content of their resume and their responses to the questionnaire. Best qualified candidates will be referred if all required supporting documentation has been provided.

Candidates who apply under Noncompetitive Merit Promotion procedures will undergo a quality review to determine if they are minimally qualified based on the content of their resume and their responses to the questionnaire. Qualified candidates will be referred if all required supporting documentation has been provided.

Your qualifications will be evaluated on the following competencies (knowledge, skills, abilities and other characteristics):

  • Skill in oral and written communication in order to share pertinent information effectively with others; and design reports and oral presentations to be informative, and clearly convey the intended information and message.
  • Ability to communicate orally in order to meet and exchange information with individuals encountered in the scope of regular duties.
  • Knowledge of the general principles of fish biology.
  • Ability to use computer, automated data systems, and statistical software programs to retrieve information and develop reports.

Required Documents

You must submit a complete application package. We will not make assumptions about your experience and/or education.

Required Documents:

1. Resume: Your resume must describe your job-related qualifications (paid and non-paid work experience) that includes job title, beginning and ending dates (month and year), hours worked per week, and description of job duties. You are highly encouraged to use USAJOBS Resume Builder to ensure all required information is included. If you use your own resume, curriculum vitae, or any other written form, you must ensure this information is provided. Your resume must show complete information for each job entry to support minimum qualifications. Failure to provide ALL required information on your resume will result in loss of consideration due to an incomplete application package. Note: Current and former Federal employees should include pay plan, series, and grade level for relevant federal experience.

  • Do not include the following types of information in your resume:
    • Classified or government sensitive information
    • Social Security Number (SSN)
    • Photos of yourself
    • Personal information, such as age, gender, religious affiliation, etc.
    • Encrypted and digitally signed documents.

2. Proof of Eligibility:

  • CTAP Documentation:
  1. Certification of Expected Separation or Reduction-In-Force Separation Notice or Notice of Proposed Removal AND
  2. Most recent Performance Rating AND
  3. Most recent SF-50 noting current position, grade level, and duty location or SF-50 that documents the RIF separation action.
OR
  • Veterans' Preference Documentation: If you are a veteran with preference eligibility and you are claiming 5-point veterans' preference, you must attach a copy of your DD-214 Member Copy 2 or 4 showing you were honorably discharged. If you are claiming 10-point veterans' preference, you must also submit an SF-15, "Application for 10-Point Veterans' Preference" plus the proof required by that form. (i.e. VA letter). You may not be awarded preference if you do not attach the correct Veteran Documentation as specified above.
OR
  • Public Land Corps (PLC) Documentation: Certificate showing you served as a qualified youth on an appropriate conservation project completing a minimum of 640 hours of satisfactory service that included at least 120 hours through the PLC and received a certificate of non-competitive eligibility. Completed most recent Corps service, for which a certificate of non-competitive eligibility was issued, within the last 2 years. Appointment must be effected within the 2 year period.

Additional Documentation if applicable:

  • Cover Letter
  • College Transcripts: A copy of your transcripts may be submitted. Unofficial transcripts are acceptable. A copy of your official transcripts will be required if you are selected.

Failure to submit any of the above-mentioned required documents may result in loss of consideration due to an incomplete application package. It is your responsibility to ensure all required documents have been submitted.

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

Review the appointment eligibility criteria in the application preview linked below. The eligibility section of the application allows you to choose how you wish to be considered for this vacancy announcement. 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 or the application text. You may qualify for more than one eligibility, so please choose carefully. If you respond that you do not meet any of the eligibility criteria, you will not be considered for this position under this announcement.

To apply for this position, you must provide a complete Application Package. See required documents section.

Click 'Apply' to create an account or log in to your existing USAJOBS account.

  1. Follow the prompts to complete the assessment questionnaire and upload required documents. To previous the assessment questionnaire, click https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/12646263.
  2. Please ensure you check the acknowledgement checkbox then click the Submit Application button to submit your application.
  3. Applications must be received by 01/02/2025, 11:59pm ET to receive consideration.
  4. Check application status by logging into your USAJOBS account, in Applications tab, click the position title you applied to for the status. For information on what each Application Status means, visit: https://www.usajobs.gov/Help/how-to/application/status/.

If you are unable to apply online, you must request an alternative application which is available from the Human Resources Office. Please contact the Human Resources Office via email at fwshiring@fws.gov.

Agency contact information

Human Resources Staffing Division
Address
Division of Human Resources
Division of Human Resources
500 Gold Avenue, SW Room 5222
Albuquerque, NM 87103
US
Learn more about this agency

Next steps

Once you submit all the required documents and the online application in USAJOBS, you will receive an acknowledgement email that your submission was successful. After the evaluation process is complete, you will be notified of your status and/or referral to the hiring official. If further evaluation or interviews are required, you will be contacted by the hiring official.

You will be notified if this job is filled or canceled. Timelines for this process vary widely.

You may check the status of your application at any time by logging in to your USAJOBS account as we will not be responding to inquiries about the status of applications as long as the system has been updated.


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


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