Biological Science Technician (Wildlife)

About the Role

You will serve as a Biological Science Technician within the USDA, APHIS, Wildlife Services (WS), performing duties related to wildlife management and techniques aimed at controlling damage caused by wildlife. This role helps protect agriculture, natural resources, property, and human health and safety from wildlife-related threats.

Qualifications

Applicants must meet all qualifications and eligibility requirements by the closing date of the announcement, including specialized experience and/or education, as defined below.

• GS-07 Level:
  • One year of specialized experience (equivalent to the GS-06 level) demonstrating:
    • Conducting wildlife damage assessments, counts, and abundance surveys.
    • Knowledge and/or application of the Migratory Bird Treaty Act (MBTA), Endangered Species Act (ESA), and National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA).
    • Experience working with external cooperators to provide wildlife damage management.
  • OR successfully completed 1 year of graduate education (18 semester hours) in wildlife.
  • Equivalent combinations of education and experience are qualifying for this grade level.

Transcripts are required if:

• You are qualifying for the position based on education.
• You are qualifying based on a combination of experience and education.
• This education must have been obtained from an accredited school, college, or university.

Combination of Education & Experience (GS-07 Level): Applicants may combine successfully completed education and specialized experience to meet total qualification requirements. The total percentages must equal at least 100 percent.

Experience refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work (e.g., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizations (e.g., professional, philanthropic, religious, community, student, social). Volunteer work helps build critical competencies and provides valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience.

Responsibilities

• Identify current wildlife damage issues for planning, organizing, and conducting direct control operations within a geographical or technical/subject area.
• Inspect and survey areas, revising existing Wildlife Damage Management (WDM) programs as necessary.
• Use chemical immobilization and euthanasia drugs to capture and handle wildlife when required.
• Operate WDM tools/devices, which may include:
  • Firearms
  • Foothold, body-grip, and cage traps
  • Foot snares and neck snares
  • Chemical control methods
• Utilize knowledge of WDM methods and strategies to independently recommend appropriate solutions for cooperators and the public.
• Maintain working knowledge of program responsibilities under NEPA, ESA, Migratory Bird Treaty Act, and Federal Air Regulations.

Pay

Salary offered: $52,693 – $68,502 USD per year.

Schedule

Position Start Date: 07/31/2026
Position Close Date: 08/06/2026

About the Agency

The U.S. Department of Agriculture's (USDA) Marketing and Regulatory Programs (MRP) facilitates the domestic and international marketing of U.S. agricultural products and protects the health and care of animals and plants. APHIS is an emergency response agency, meaning employees may be assigned to rotating temporary duty assignments to support emergency programs.

To learn more about working at the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, visit the APHIS careers site.