Biological Science Technician (Fish).

About the role

The incumbent serves as a Biological Science Technician (Fish) in support of biological programs responsible for conserving fish, wildlife, and/or plants, their habitats, conservation of at-risk species, mitigation, restoration, and recovery of listed species. This may include work at a Fish and Wildlife Conservation Office, Hatchery, Refuge, or Temporary Field Camp.

Responsibilities

• Assists in hatchery operations and propagation, including collecting data on hatchery populations to study health and propagation methods.
• Cares for fertilized eggs in trays, observes fish behavior in response to feeding, cleans, and maintains fish hatchery upkeep and maintenance.
• Treats fish disease, transports and stocks fish, collects and records data, and performs general maintenance.
• Participates in multifaceted fish and/or wildlife studies, carrying out a variety of research and survey methods, analyzing data, and monitoring environmental elements related to conservation, management, and/or control of fish/wildlife.
• Identifies and collects data for studies, enters samples/data to be used for analysis, uses and maintains a variety of laboratory and field equipment, compiles and summarizes data from surveys, biological evaluations, and tests, runs routine programs and checks resulting data for inconsistencies, assists in preparation of reports, interacts with the public and project partners, operates small motorized watercraft.

Requirements

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.

Qualifications

Only experience and education obtained by 07/13/2026 will be considered. In order to qualify for this position, you must possess the Minimum Qualification.

Promotion Potential

This position involves a multi-grade career ladder GS-5/6/7/8. The full performance level of this position is GS-8. At lower grade levels, you will perform assignments of a more limited scope and with less independence. You will progressively acquire the background necessary to perform at the full performance level of GS-8. Promotion is at the discretion of the supervisor and is contingent upon satisfactory performance, availability of higher level work, and availability of funds. The selectee may be promoted without further competition when all regulatory, qualification, and performance requirements are met. Selection at a lower grade level does not guarantee promotion to the full performance level.

Additional information

No PCS entitlements authorized. Telework: This position is suitable for telework and may be allowed to telework with supervisory approval. 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 rating criteria for this position.

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.

Probation/Trial Period

The [probationary or trial] period is an extension of the appointment process and therefore requires the agency to determine if continued employment would advance the public interest, meet the organization goals and mission of the agency, and/or otherwise promote the efficiency of the service. In determining if your employment advances the public interest, the agency will consider:

• Your performance and conduct;
• The needs and interests of the agency;
• Whether your continued employment would advance organizational goals of the agency or the Government;
• Whether your continued employment would advance the efficiency of the Federal service.