Biological Science Technician (Fish).

About the Role

The Red Bluff Fish and Wildlife Office monitors populations of salmon, steelhead, and sturgeon in the Northern Central Valley of California and evaluates fish restoration actions and hatchery operations. These positions are part of the Mainstem Operations' and Hatchery Evaluation Programs, focusing on rotary trapping, seasonal green sturgeon research, acoustic telemetry array maintenance, or hatchery assessments and carcass surveys.

Up to 95% of work is field-based, including sampling by rotary-screw trap for Federally-listed threatened and endangered fish species in the Mainstem Sacramento River, maintaining an extensive acoustic telemetry array covering approximately 200 river kilometers, or evaluating operations at two Federal fish hatcheries. Additional duties may include data entry and equipment maintenance. Field work involves operating inboard and outboard jet boats under various environmental conditions.

Responsibilities

• Assists in planning and executing multifaceted fish and/or wildlife studies, field investigations, and surveys by contributing ideas, determining research methods, establishing procedures, and identifying resource needs (e.g., costs, equipment, personnel).
• Assists in planning habitat studies, assessments, and monitoring by contributing ideas, determining research methods, and establishing practical procedures for accomplishing and reporting work.
• Collects biological samples, ensuring correct documentation, reporting, storage, transport, and delivery.
• Uses specialized techniques and methods to collect biological and physical environmental data from field and/or facility investigations, reporting findings to assess impacts on fish, wildlife, or plant resources from aquaculture, research, restoration projects, or habitat improvement projects.
• Performs developmental duties when filled below the full performance level (GS-07).

Requirements

• Must provide proof of U.S. citizenship.
• Appointment subject to background investigation and favorable adjudication.
• Males born after December 31, 1959, must be registered for Selective Service.
• Must participate in Direct Deposit and successfully pass the E-Verify employment verification check.
• Must have and maintain a valid driver’s license throughout employment.
• Must obtain a Swiftwater Rescue Technician 1 Certification within 12 months of employment.
• May be required to work on-call, evenings, weekends, holidays, overtime, and shift work.
• Must wear a uniform and comply with uniform standards; a uniform allowance will be provided.
• Must obtain and maintain a Motorboat Operator Certification Course (MOCC).
• Must be at least 18 years of age or older to operate government vehicles.
• Must serve a 1-year probationary period, during which continued employment is contingent upon performance and agency needs.

Qualifications

All qualifications must be met by the closing date of this announcement (08/19/2026).

GS-5 Level

• One year of specialized experience comparable to GS-4 in the Federal service, including:
  • Performing work in outdoor settings across various weather and terrain conditions, including water.
  • Handling juvenile and adult fish.
  • Using computer applications.
• OR four years of education above high school (120 semester hours or 180 quarter hours) leading to a bachelor’s degree in biological sciences (e.g., biology, chemistry, statistics, entomology, animal husbandry, botany, physics, agriculture, mathematics). Transcripts must be submitted.
• OR a combination of education and experience. To qualify, the total must equal at least 100% when combining:
  • Education beyond 60 semester hours (divide excess hours by 60).
  • Months of full-time experience (divide by 12).
  At least 24 semester hours must be in biological sciences or related fields. Transcripts must be submitted.

GS-6 Level

• One year of specialized experience comparable to GS-5 in the Federal service, including:
  • Performing work in outdoor settings across various weather conditions, swiftwater, rough terrain, and river wading.
  • Handling juvenile and adult fish.
  • Using Microsoft Suite applications.
• OR one-half year of graduate education (9 semester/13.5 quarter hours) in an accredited college or university with coursework directly related to the occupation (e.g., fishery biology, ichthyology, limnology, aquaculture). Transcripts must be submitted.
• OR a combination of specialized experience and education that, when prorated, equals 100%. Only education beyond the second year is creditable. Transcripts and proof of experience must be submitted.

Volunteer experience, including work through National Service programs (e.g., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) or other organizations, may be credited if it builds relevant competencies, knowledge, or skills.

Education

• Transcripts must be submitted if using education to qualify. Transcripts must include your name, school name, grades, credit hours earned, major(s), GPA or class ranking, and date of degree conferral (if applicable). Unofficial transcripts are acceptable for application, but official transcripts are required before starting work if selected.
• Foreign education must be evaluated by a private organization specializing in interpretation of foreign credentials and deemed equivalent to U.S. education programs. Proof of equivalency must be provided.

Additional Information

• Additional vacancies may be filled using this job announcement.
• Promotion to the full performance level (GS-07) is neither guaranteed nor implied and depends on performance, existing work at the higher grade level, and supervisor recommendation.
• Reasonable accommodations for disabilities covered under the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 may be requested for USA Hire Competency Based Assessments. Requests must be submitted prior to starting assessments.
• Department of Interior employees, their spouses, and minor children may not acquire or retain claims, permits, leases, or other rights granted by the agency.