Biological Science Technician (Fisheries) Job

Vacancy No. PW-1548-SR-25-12593539-DE Department National Park Service
Salary $21.14 to $37.87 Grade 6 to 8
Perm/Temp Temporary FT/PT Full-time
Open Date 11/22/2024 Close Date 12/4/2024
Job Link Apply Online Who may apply Public
Locations:
Baker, NVCrater Lake, ORLongmire, WASedro Woolley, WA


Summary

Pacific West Region is recruiting for summer seasonal at multiple parks for Biological Science Technician (Fisheries), 0404-06/07/08 positions to assist permanent staff. No application limit is indicated.

The typical seasonal period is variable based on duty location and weather conditions, project needs, or funding.

Open to the first 250 applicants or until 12/04/2024 whichever comes first. All applications submitted by 11:59 (EST) on the closing day will receive consideration.

This job is open to

Clarification from the agency

The Pacific West Region is recruiting for TEMPORARY seasonal positions not to exceed 1039 hours work in a service year. Dates of employment will vary depending on funding, weather conditions, and visitation. Within regulatory limitations, the length of initial appointment may be shortened or extended depending on work availability and funding. Under this announcement, we are accepting applications from: 1. All United States Citizens (U.S. Citizens) 2. CTAP/ICTAP Eligibles.

Duties

Crater Lake National Park, Crater Lake, OR--View this link for salary. Grades include GS-06/07. The work season is April-October. Driving record is required before Entry on Duty. Travel may include 2 days per month. Work schedule includes overtime. Uniform will be required. Telework may be available with supervisor approval and emergencies. You must be able to carry up to 50 lbs. Government Housing may be available.
Great Basin National Park, Baker, NV--View this link for salary. Grades include GS-07. The work season is May-November. Driving record is required before Entry on Duty. Travel will include 7 days per month. Work schedule includes overtime. Uniform may not be required. Telework is for emergencies only. Government Housing maybe available.
Mount Rainier National Park, Longmire, WA--View this link for salary. Grades include GS-06/07. The work season is April-October. Driving record is required before Entry on Duty. Travel will include 10 days per month. Work schedule includes weekends, evenings and overtime. Uniform will be required. Work will include multi day backcountry travel, mountainous terrain, and stream crossing. Telework is for situations by hiring manager approval and emergencies. Government Housing maybe available.
North Cascades National Park, Sedro Woolley, WA--View this link for salary. Grades include GS-06/07/08. The work schedule is May-November. Driving record is required before Entry on Duty only for GS 07/08. Travel will include 16 days per month. Work schedule includes weekends, evenings, holidays, and overtime. Uniform may not be required. Work includes multi day backpacking over mountainous terrain. The work schedule may be mixed with Full-time and/or Part-time status. Telework is for situations by hiring manager approval and emergencies. Government Housing maybe available.

GS-06: You will be a field team leader performing the following duties. You will:

  • Perform routine and uncomplicated biological science tasks common to aquatic resource monitoring and management.
  • Follow instructions and standardized procedures to collect, organize, and record freshwater and/or marine observations and data.
  • Assist in planning daily activities and coordinating logistical support needed.
  • Install, operate, and maintain aquatic monitoring equipment (e.g., tools, traps, and sampling, monitoring, photographic, and lab equipment).
  • Use computer programs to compile, store, retrieve, analyze, and report data.
  • Assist with the management of the field component of the projects.
GS-07: You will be a field crew leader for the fisheries program. You will:
  • Perform the duties of the GS-06 position plus work closely with the Aquatic Wildlife/Fisheries Ecologist/Biologist to manage the field component of the project.
  • Serve in a lead role for field data collection, quality control, data entry, data processing, data summaries, and handling administrative processes for their assigned crews.
GS-08:
  • Plans and conducts biological aquatic surveys to obtain information for the management of fish, amphibians, macroinvertebrates, and aquatic ecosystems and for the determination establishment and application of biological facts, principles, methods techniques and procedures for protecting, restoring and managing aquatic resources.
  • Plans field research and resource monitoring programs for evaluating rare threatened and endangered aquatic species, population dynamics, ecosystem relationships exotic aquatic species, and public health/safety issues.
  • Measures physical attributes of lakes and streams including water chemistry and temperature.
  • Conducts surveillance to help detect invasion and new colonization by non-native fish species.
  • Assists in planning the operation of aquatic nuisance species control and working with cooperators and other agencies to monitor nuisance species and the impact on vulnerable native species.
  • Utilizes a variety of computer programs to report data and other resource management information. Installs, operates, and maintains resource management equipment.
  • Prepares a wide variety of correspondence, internal reports, and other documents.
  • Establishes, updates and maintains office records and assists in the operation of the office. Inventories, calibrates and orders equipment and supplies.
  • Works unsupervised.

Requirements

Conditions of Employment

  • U.S. Citizenship required.
  • Appointment subject to background investigation and favorable adjudication.
  • Meet Selective Service Registration Act requirement for males.
  • Selectee will be required to participate in the Direct Deposit Electronics Funds Transfer Program.
  • Depending on the duty station, you may be required to operate a government (or private) motor vehicle as part of your official duties; a valid driver's license is required. You will be required to submit a Motor Vehicle Operator's License and Driving Record. You must also submit (within a State sealed envelope or submitted directly by the State authorities), and at your own expense, all certified driving records from all States that disclose all valid driver's licenses, whether current or past, possessed by you.
  • Depending on the duty station, you may be required to wear a uniform and comply with the National Park Service uniform standards. A uniform allowance will be provided.
  • Depending on the duty station, you may be required to work evenings, weekends, holidays, overtime, and shift work.
  • You may be required to travel overnight away from home.
  • At Crater Lake National Park, you may be required to complete a Motorboat Operator Certification Course and operate a motorboat.
  • Travel, transportation & relocation expenses will not be paid. Relocation expenses will be the employee's responsibility

Qualifications

All qualifications must be met by11:59 PM (EST) when the applicant limit is reached which may be sooner than the closing date of this announcement-12/04/2024-.

Credit will be given for all appropriate qualifying experience. To receive credit for experience, your resume MUST clearly indicate the nature of the duties and responsibilities for each position, starting and ending dates of employment (month/year), and the resume must reflect full and/or part-time or total number of hours worked (i.e., work 40+ hours a week, rather than indicating full-time). If part-time, the hours must be annotated to be able to pro-rate the amount of qualified specialized experience.

To qualify for this position at the GS-06 grade level, you must possess one of the following minimum qualifications by close of the announcement:

EXPERIENCE: At least one year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-05 grade level in the Federal service. Specialized experience demonstrates the knowledge, skills, and abilities to successfully perform the duties of a Biological Science Technician. Examples of specialized experience include but are not limited to: 1) identify aquatic or marine wildlife (e.g., amphibians, fish, invertebrates, etc.); 2) survey aquatic wildlife populations; 3) follow field sampling and laboratory standard operating procedures to gather and process data. You must include hours per week worked.

-OR-

EDUCATION: Successfully completion of at least one year (18 semester hours) of graduate level coursework in a field directly related to the work of this position. Examples of directly related fields include limnology, ichthyology, fishery biology, aquatic botany, aquatic fauna, oceanography, fish culture, or related courses in the field of fishery biology. You must submit transcripts. IMPORTANT - PLEASE NOTE: If you are using education to qualify you must document your coursework and/or degree completed in your resume or other application materials you submit. You must submit a copy of your transcripts that identifies for each course the college or university, semester or quarter hours earned, grade received, and date completed. If you are qualifying based on education and you do not submit specific coursework information as described previously, your application will be rated not qualified for consideration. A copy of your official transcripts will be required before entrance on duty, if selected.

-OR-

Successful completion of a COMBINATION of education and experience as described above. For this substitution at the GS-06, one half year (9 semester hours) is equivalent to six months of specialized experience. For example, six months of specialized experience as described above (50% of the experience requirement), and 9 semester hours of graduate coursework (50% of the qualifying education). This totals 100% of the requirements and meets the qualification requirements for GS-06 grade level. You must include transcripts and hours worked per week on your resume.

To qualify for this position at the GS-07 grade level, you must possess one of the following minimum qualifications by close of the announcement:

EXPERIENCE: At least one year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the GS-06 grade level in the Federal service. Specialized experience demonstrates the knowledge, skills, and abilities to successfully perform the duties of a Biological Science Technician. Examples of specialized experience include but are not limited to: 1) conduct aquatic field studies including installation, operation, and maintenance of testing and sampling equipment in both the field and lab; 2) lead surveys of aquatic wildlife populations; 3) enter, manage and analyze aquatic field data; 4) preparation of field and survey reports; and 5) lead crews conducting aquatic or marine field work. You must include hours per week worked.

-OR-

EDUCATION: Successful completion of at least one year (18 semester hours) of graduate level coursework in a field directly related to the work of this position. Examples of directly related fields include limnology, ichthyology, fishery biology, aquatic botany, aquatic fauna, oceanography, fish culture, or related courses in the field of fishery biology. You must include transcripts.

-OR-

Successful completion of a COMBINATION of education and experience as described above. For this substitution at the GS-07, one half year (9 semester hours) is equivalent to six months of specialized experience. For example, six months of specialized experience as described above (50% of the experience requirement), and 9 semester hours of graduate coursework (50% of the qualifying education). This totals 100% of the requirements and meets the qualification requirements for GS-07 grade level. You must include transcripts and hours worked per week on your resume.

To qualify for this position at the GS-08 grade level, you must possess one of the following minimum qualifications by close of the announcement:

EXPERIENCE: At least one full year of specialized experience comparable in scope and responsibility to the GS-07 grade level in the Federal service (obtained either in the private or public sectors) performing the following: (1) conduct field surveys of fish and other aquatic biota; (2) coordinate field surveys to support project planning required by the National Environmental Policy Act; (3) provide technical advice for aquatic resource protection and mitigations; (4) record observations of wildlife behavior and/or human-wildlife interactions on public lands; (5) analyze data, prepare technical reports, and present findings. You must include hours per week worked.

-OR-

EDUCATION: Successful completion of two full years of graduate education in a field directly related to the work of this position. Examples of directly related fields include limnology, ichthyology, fishery biology, aquatic botany, aquatic fauna, oceanography, fish culture, or related courses in the field of fishery biology. You must submit a copy of your transcripts with your application.

-OR-

Successful completion of a COMBINATION of education and experience as described above. For example, six months of the specialized experience (50% of the experience), and 27 semester hours of directly related graduate coursework from an accredited institution (50% of the education). For this combination, only semester hours beyond the first year of graduate education are credible. You must include transcripts and hours worked per week on your resume.

ICTAP/CTAP Statement: Current surplus and current or former displaced Federal individuals who have special prior­ity selection rights under the Agency Career Transition Assistance Program (CTAP) or the Interagency Career Transition Assistance Program (ICTAP) must be well qualified for the position to receive consideration for special priority selection. Well qualified means that the applicant meets the following: OPM qualification standards for the position; all selective placement factors, where applicable; special qualifying conditions that OPM has approved for the position, where applicable; is physically qualified with reasonable accommodation, where appropriate to satisfactorily perform the duties of the position upon entry; and is rated by the organization at least at the well qualified level on all competencies.

Volunteer Experience: 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

To qualify based on education, you must submit a legible copy of transcripts from an accredited institution with your name, school name, credit hours, course level, major(s), and grade-point average or class ranking. Transcripts do not need to be official, but if you are selected for this position and you used your education to qualify, you must provide official transcripts before you begin work.

If you are using education completed in foreign colleges or universities to meet qualification requirements, you must show that your 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.

Additional information

For additional information regarding this position, please contact:
North Cascades National Park
Hugh Anthony, Aquatic Ecologist
hugh_anthony@nps.gov

Mount Rainier National Park
Rebecca Lofgren, Aquatic Ecologist
rebecca_a_lofgren@nps.gov

Crater Lake National Park
Joshua Sprague, Fisheries Biologist
joshua_sprague@nps.gov
541-594-3077

Great Basin National Park
Jonathan Reynolds, Fish Biologist
jonathan_reynolds@nps.gov

A selectee receiving a first appointment to the Federal Government (Civil Service) is entitled only to the lowest step of the grade for which selected. The display of a salary range on this vacancy shall not be construed as granting an entitlement to a higher rate of pay.

A Recruitment Incentive May Be Authorized for a newly selected employee when appointed to a permanent, temporary, or term position. A Federal employee who is transferring to the National Park Service from another component, bureau or Federal agency and who does not meet the conditions under 5 CFR §575.102 is not eligible for a recruitment incentive.

This announcement may be used to fill additional positions if identical vacancies occur within 90 days of the issue date of the referral certificate.

Non-Competitive Rehire Eligibility: Temporary seasonal employees can only maintain their non-competitive rehire eligibility if they work no more than a combined total of Temporary NTE less than 1040 hours anywhere in the National Park Service (NPS) within their established service year. Accordingly, non-competitive rehire eligibility allows for re-appointment to the same position or another position appropriate for temporary appointment with the same qualification requirements (5 CFR 316.402[b][7]), based on series and grade, anywhere in the major subdivision (NPS).

If you have held a temporary seasonal appointment in the past 12 months and have already worked the maximum temporary appointment less than 1040 hours during that period, you are still welcome to apply. However, please be aware that exceeding the limit of 1040 hours in your established service year will result in the loss of your non-competitive rehire eligibility.

The limit can be exceeded by working multiple temporary seasonal positions that result in a combined total greater than 1040 hours. The limit also can be exceeded by working a single temporary seasonal appointment that exceeds 1040 hours, unless granted an exception by OPM.

Employment may be terminated at any time due to fluctuations in funding levels, project needs, employee performance, or other considerations.

Physical Demands: The work requires physical exertion such as regular and recurring walking, hiking, or climbing over wet, rough, uneven, or rocky surfaces; bending; crouching, stooping, lifting or reaching to observe, collect, or record field data; or in some situations the work may require physical exertion to scuba dive or operate boat. Heavy items (e.g., equipment and packs up to 50 pounds) must be lifted and carried on a routine basis.

Working Conditions: The work is performed in an office or outdoors. The work performed involves regular and recurring exposure to extreme weather conditions and terrain, poisonous plants, biting, insects, and wild animals. Conditions may include multi day backcountry travel, mountainous terrain, stream crossing, and swift water swimming.

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 based on how well you meet the qualifications listed in this vacancy announcement. Your qualifications will be evaluated based on your application materials (e.g., resume, supporting documents), the responses you provide on the application questionnaire, and the result of the additional assessments required for this position. A review of your resume and supporting documentation will be made and compared against your responses to the Assessment Questionnaire to determine if you are qualified for this job. If your resume is incomplete or does not support the responses provided in the Assessment Questionnaire, or if you fail to submit all required documentation, you will be rated 'ineligible', 'not qualified', or your score will be adjusted accordingly. If a determination is made that you have inflated your qualifications or experience, you can lose consideration for this position. Please follow all instructions carefully; errors or omissions can affect your rating.

Candidates will be rated and ranked using Category Rating procedures. These procedures place candidates with veteran's preference above non-preference eligibles within each category. Veterans with a service-connected disability of at least 10 percent are listed in the highest quality category, except when the position being filled is scientific or professional at the GS-09 grade level or higher. Under Category Rating, candidates will be rated and ranked into one of two categories:

  • Well Qualified - applicants possessing experience that exceeds the minimum qualifications of the position including all selective factors and are proficient in most of the requirements of the job
  • Qualified - applicants possessing experience that meets the minimum qualifications of the position including all selective factors and are proficient in some, but not all of the requirements of the job.
You will be evaluated on the following competencies:
  • Fishery Biology
  • Information Technology Research and Development
  • Oral Communication
  • Technology Application
  • Writing
  • Ecology - GS-07 and GS-08 Only
  • Leadership - GS-08 Only

Required Documents

The following documents are required and must be submitted by 11:59 PM (EST) when the applicant limit is reached which may be sooner than on 12/04/2024:

  1. Resume which includes a list of all significant jobs held and duties performed, dates specified in month and year format, and the resume must reflect full and/or part-time or total number of hours worked (i.e., work 40+ hours a week, rather than indicating full-time). If part-time, the hours must be annotated to be able to pro-rate the amount of qualified specialized experience. If military or civilian, please include your rank and/or grade.
  2. Complete All Required Assessments.
  3. College transcripts, if qualifying based on education
  4. Other Supporting Documents, if applicable, such as:
    • Veterans Preference Documentation:
      • If you are a Discharged, Non-Disabled Veteran, you must submit a copy of your DD-214 showing character of discharge (Member 4 copy), or other Documentation of Service and Separation under Honorable Conditions, as listed on the SF15. If you don't have your DD-214, you may request it after discharge from the National Archives.
      • If you are a veteran within 120 days of discharge, you must submit signed documentation from the Armed Forces certifying: 1) your expected release/retirement from active duty, 2) under honorable conditions, 3) your pay grade/rank/rate at time of discharge, 4) dates of active duty service, 5) any campaign or expeditionary medals received, & 6) dated within 120 days of your separation.
      • If you are a Disabled Veteran, Purple Heart Recipient, or Mother or Spouse of a Disabled or Deceased Veteran, you must submit all additional proof required by the SF15, and if applicable, a completed SF15. You may request a copy of your Department of Veterans Affairs letter from www.ebenefits.va.gov or call 1-800-827-1000 to establish proof of disability.
  5. Documentation for Interagency/Career Transition Assistance Plan consideration if you are a displaced Federal employee within the local commuting area. You must include: 1) Proof you are a displaced Federal employee, e.g., RIF Separation Notice, Notice of Proposed Removal, etc; 2) SF-50s (Notifications of Personnel Action) showing career/conditional tenure competitive status, promotion potential and duty location; and 3) your most recent performance appraisal. To exercise selection priority, displaced or surplus Federal employees must be rated well-qualified or above 90 on the rating criteria for this position.
Do not submit photographs with your application package. Documents with photographs may not be seen by hiring officials - you must remove your image from any badges, licenses, etc.

Do not upload Adobe portfolio documents. Adobe portfolio documents are not viewable by our agency's staffing offices.

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

To apply for this position: You must complete the occupational questionnaire and submit the documentation specified in the Required Documents section below. To receive consideration, the complete application package must be submitted by 11:59 PM (EST) when the applicant limit is reached which may be sooner than on 12/04/2024. You must provide documentation to support your claim for each eligibility selected. Please review the required documentation listed in the eligibilities language to ensure you submit the appropriate information. Note: You will only be marked eligible for those eligibilities that you selected and provided the appropriate supporting documentation.

WE DO NOT ACCEPT HARD-COPY OR E-MAIL APPLICATION PACKAGES.

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  5. Review package to acknowledge your documents were reviewed.
  6. Select if you want to include your demographic information.
  7. After reading and certifying the application is true and submitted in good faith, select "Continue to Agency Site."
  8. Follow onscreen prompts and instructions to complete your application.
  9. Add the supporting documents by indexing your documents with the dropdown.
    • Upload any missing required documents or optional documents.
  10. Review and Submit Application.
  11. While logged in, you can check the status of your application by selecting "+" next to the job title for this position.
  12. You can review or revise your application at any point during the open period of the announcement.
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Agency contact information

Patricia Gerhardt
Address
PWR Seasonal Recruitment
333 Bush Street
Suite 500
San Francisco, CA 94104
US
Learn more about this agency

Next steps

Once the Occupational Questionnaire is received you will receive acknowledgement that your submission was successful. If you are among the most qualified candidates and your name is referred to the hiring official, you may be contacted directly for a possible interview. You will be notified of the status of your Application Package at the time candidates are referred for consideration, and when the selection process is complete.


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


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