- Position Title
- Biological Science Technician
- Agency
- U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
- Announcement Number
- R8-22-11405220-LAS-MP Opens in new window
- Open Period
- Thursday, March 3, 2022 to Wednesday, March 9, 2022
For preview purposes only. To apply, please return to the USAJOBS announcement and click the Apply button.
Eligibilities
1.
Do you claim Veterans’ Preference?
2.
Are you a current or former federal employee displaced from the agency hiring for this position?
If yes, confirm:
• you are located in the same local commuting area of the vacancy; AND,
• you are applying to a position that is at or below the grade level of the position from which you were or will be separated; AND,
• you are applying to a position that does not have greater promotion potential than the position from which you were or will be separated; AND,
• your last performance rating of record is at least fully successful or the equivalent.
For more information, review the USAJOBS Help Center.
To verify your eligibility, you must submit supporting documentation such as a Reduction in Force (RIF) separation notice or a Proposed Removal/Separation notice to include your latest performance rating (if the notice does not have this information included, you must submit a copy of your most recent performance appraisal) and a copy of your latest Notification of Personnel Action, Standard Form 50.
If yes, confirm:
• you are located in the same local commuting area of the vacancy; AND,
• you are applying to a position that is at or below the grade level of the position from which you were or will be separated; AND,
• you are applying to a position that does not have greater promotion potential than the position from which you were or will be separated; AND,
• your last performance rating of record is at least fully successful or the equivalent.
For more information, review the USAJOBS Help Center.
To verify your eligibility, you must submit supporting documentation such as a Reduction in Force (RIF) separation notice or a Proposed Removal/Separation notice to include your latest performance rating (if the notice does not have this information included, you must submit a copy of your most recent performance appraisal) and a copy of your latest Notification of Personnel Action, Standard Form 50.
3.
Please select YES to this eligibility if you are ANY of the options below:
- A Current or Former Federal Employee who has held or currently holds a career or career conditional appointment in the competitive service and has never held the full performance level of the position being announced. OR
- Veterans Employment Opportunity Act (VEOA) Eligible OR
- Land Management Workforce Flexibility Act (LMWFA) Eligible
4.
Are you a current or former federal employee displaced from a position in a Federal agency other than the agency hiring for this position? If yes, confirm:
• you are located in the same local commuting area of the vacancy; AND,
• you are applying to a position that is at or below the grade level of the position from which you were or will be separated; AND,
• you are applying to a position that does not have greater promotion potential than the position from which you were or will be separated; AND,
• your last performance rating of record is at least fully successful or the equivalent. For more information, review the USAJOBS Help Center.
To verify your eligibility, you must submit supporting documentation such as a Reduction in Force (RIF) separation notice to include your latest performance rating (if the notice does not have this information included, you must submit a copy of your most recent performance appraisal) and a copy of your latest Notification of Personnel Action, Standard Form 50.
• you are located in the same local commuting area of the vacancy; AND,
• you are applying to a position that is at or below the grade level of the position from which you were or will be separated; AND,
• you are applying to a position that does not have greater promotion potential than the position from which you were or will be separated; AND,
• your last performance rating of record is at least fully successful or the equivalent. For more information, review the USAJOBS Help Center.
To verify your eligibility, you must submit supporting documentation such as a Reduction in Force (RIF) separation notice to include your latest performance rating (if the notice does not have this information included, you must submit a copy of your most recent performance appraisal) and a copy of your latest Notification of Personnel Action, Standard Form 50.
5.
Are you a current or former employee of a Land Management Agency and are serving or served under a time-limited competitive service appointment? You may be eligible to compete under the Land Management Workforce Flexibility Act, P.L. 114-47.
Current land management agency appointees must have initially been hired under competitive procedures for a time-limited appointment; must have served under one or more time-limited appointments by a land management agency for a period totaling more than 24 months without a break in service of two or more years; and must have performed at an acceptable level during each period of service.
Former land management agency employees must have initially been hired under competitive procedures for a time-limited appointment; must have served under one or more time-limited appointments by a land management agency for a period totaling more than 24 months without a break in service of two or more years; and must have performed at an acceptable level during each period of service; must have been separated (with respect to their most recent separation) for reasons other than misconduct or performance, and must apply for a position covered by these provisions within two years of their most recent date of separation.
You must provide documentation showing all required periods of service (generally SF-50s) and acceptable performance (generally performance appraisal ratings or references from supervisors if employed for periods of time too short to require an appraisal.)
Current land management agency appointees must have initially been hired under competitive procedures for a time-limited appointment; must have served under one or more time-limited appointments by a land management agency for a period totaling more than 24 months without a break in service of two or more years; and must have performed at an acceptable level during each period of service.
Former land management agency employees must have initially been hired under competitive procedures for a time-limited appointment; must have served under one or more time-limited appointments by a land management agency for a period totaling more than 24 months without a break in service of two or more years; and must have performed at an acceptable level during each period of service; must have been separated (with respect to their most recent separation) for reasons other than misconduct or performance, and must apply for a position covered by these provisions within two years of their most recent date of separation.
You must provide documentation showing all required periods of service (generally SF-50s) and acceptable performance (generally performance appraisal ratings or references from supervisors if employed for periods of time too short to require an appraisal.)
6.
Please select YES to this eligibility if you meet ANY of the eligibilities listed below:
- A Current or Former Federal Employee who has held or currently holds a career or career conditional appointment in the competitive service and has held a permanent (non-temporary) position in the competitive service at the same or higher full performance level as the position being announced
- A Veteran who has a service connected disability of 30% or more
- Certain Military Spouses (Relocating with your spouse under Permanent Change of Station (PCS) orders / a spouse of a service member who is 100% disabled due to a service-connected injury / a spouse of a service member killed while on active duty)
- Certain Overseas Family Members (A family member of a federal employee, or uniformed service member, who has completed 52 weeks of service in a federal position overseas.)
- Peace Corps/VISTA Eligible
- A Foreign Service Employee
- Miscellaneous Authorities not regulated by OPM (Postal Career Service Employee; Postal Rate Commission Employee; Government Accountability Office (GAO) Employee; Administrative Office of the U.S. Courts Employee)
- DOI or FWS Authorities not regulated by OPM
- An Individual with a Disability: Schedule A Disability appointments (Severe Physical, Psychiatric, Mental Disability)
- Interchange agreement with other merit systems Eligible
7.
Do you have a severe physical, psychiatric or mental disability that qualifies you for a Schedule A Disability appointment? For more information, review USAJOBS Individuals with Disabilities resources.
To verify your eligibility, you must provide appropriate medical documentation, i.e., a letter signed by a licensed medical professional or licensed vocational rehabilitation specialist stating your condition and restrictions.
To verify your eligibility, you must provide appropriate medical documentation, i.e., a letter signed by a licensed medical professional or licensed vocational rehabilitation specialist stating your condition and restrictions.
8.
Reasonable Accommodations for taking the online assessments are provided on a case-by-case basis only to qualified individuals with a disability covered by the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, as amended, and the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, as amended.
Do you have a disability (physical or mental) that you believe will interfere with completing the online assessments and require a Reasonable Accommodation?
9.
Are you a veteran who separated from active duty under honorable conditions AND you:
• recently separated (within the past 3 years); OR
• are a disabled veteran; OR
• served on active duty during a war, campaign or expedition; OR,
• received an Armed Forces Service Medal?
For more information, review USAJOBS Veterans resources.
To verify your eligibility, you must submit a copy of your latest Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty, DD-214 (copy indicating character of service) or other proof of your service which includes character of service. If claiming disability preference, you must also submit the disability letter from the Department of Veterans Affairs or Armed Service and the Application for 10-Point Veteran Preference, Standard Form 15.
• recently separated (within the past 3 years); OR
• are a disabled veteran; OR
• served on active duty during a war, campaign or expedition; OR,
• received an Armed Forces Service Medal?
For more information, review USAJOBS Veterans resources.
To verify your eligibility, you must submit a copy of your latest Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty, DD-214 (copy indicating character of service) or other proof of your service which includes character of service. If claiming disability preference, you must also submit the disability letter from the Department of Veterans Affairs or Armed Service and the Application for 10-Point Veteran Preference, Standard Form 15.
Preferences
1.
Select the lowest grade you are willing to accept for this position.
Assessment 1
Minimum Qualification [GS-06]
For each question, choose the response that best describes your experience and training. Mark only one response for each question. Please note that your answers will be verified against the information you provided in your resume or application and information provided by your references.
1.
Choose the response that best describes how your experience meets the requirements for the 0404 Occupational Series at the GS-6 grade level.
Minimum Qualification [GS-07]
2.
Choose the response that best describes how your experience meets the requirements for the 0404 Occupational Series at the GS-7 grade level.
Knowledge of the principles, practices/techniques and terminology related to aquatic biology and habitats and familiarity with related disciplines, such as limnology and ichthyology.
Select the one statement that most accurately describes your training and experience carrying out each task using the scale provided.
3.
Independently monitor, plan, and implement activities related to conservation, management, and/or control of fish/wildlife.
4.
Assist in planning and carrying out multifaceted fish and/or wildlife studies, field investigations and surveys.
5.
Work with individuals from diverse cultural backgrounds
6.
Participate in investigations of moderate complexity to determine fish population status, trends, age and growth, movement, survival, and behavior.
Ability to use computer technology to maintain and retrieve information from automated data systems, develop spreadsheets, and use word processing and statistical software programs in order to develop reports.
Select the one statement that most accurately describes your training and experience carrying out each task using the scale provided.
7.
Produce charts, graphs and reports using various computer programs such as excel, word
8.
Summarize data into simple repetitive reports for inclusion in case history files for computer entry.
9.
Enter, store and retrieve field investigation data using standard database management and spreadsheet software packages
10.
Extract data and prepare summaries in a variety of formats such as queries, spreadsheets, and/or graphs using standard software applicable to fisheries data
Ability to caputre, handle and monitor a variety of species studied.
Select the one statement that most accurately describes your training and experience carrying out each task using the scale provided.
11.
Gather and record biological, physiological and spatial data on fish/wildlife.
12.
Capture fish using nets (gill net, dip-net, seine, trawls) and/or back pack or boat mounted electro-fishing equipment for biological study and measurement.
13.
Collect data for surveys or reports using fish tagging, such as with passive integrated transponders (PIT) and coded wire.
Ability to provide work direction and guidance to biological technicians, volunteers, and interns.
Select the one statement that most accurately describes your training and experience carrying out each task using the scale provided.
14.
Provide leadership when determining safe working conditions in the field, in writing, or conducting tail-gate safety sessions
15.
Provide technical guidance and direction in all phases of field projects, including necessary training in techniques and procedures.
16.
Collaborate work efforts within teams and/or with individuals to accomplish work-related activities in an organized and efficient manner
Ability to operate cars, trucks, and equipment used for research/studies such as specialized monitoring equipment, fish sampling and limnological equipment for estuarine/river systems.
Select the one statement that most accurately describes your training and experience carrying out each task using the scale provided.
17.
Operate small watercraft, cars, and trucks.
18.
Operate motorized boats for use in sampling freshwater systems
19.
Maintain equipment used to collect water quality data (hobo temperature loggers, oxygen probes, dissolved gas meters/loggers, turbidity meters, flow meters)
Skill in communicating information related to fish, wildlife and/or conservation.
Select the one statement that most accurately describes your training and experience carrying out each task using the scale provided.
20.
Provide basic information on fish and wildlife resources to groups and individuals.
21.
Develop and deliver informational and/or environmental education programs related to fish and/or wildlife to individuals, local organizations, and schools.
22.
Communicate in writing using, for example, databases, electronic mail and word processing.
23.
Develop reports related to fish and/or wildlife to be used in decision making and technical publications through the use of Microsoft Word, Excel, and Power Point.
24.
Convey technical information related to fish and/or wildlife to representatives of state, Federal and private agencies and organizations.