Job Title:Biological Science Technician (Fisheries)

Department:Department Of The Interior

Agency:Interior, US Fish and Wildlife Service

Job Announcement Number:R1-15-1440600-DP

JOB SUMMARY:

You too can make a difference in our world. The work of the US Fish and Wildlife Service is meaningful and varied. Want to know more about what it is like to work for us? Click here to watch short podcasts called Meet Your New Boss! and Diversity is our Strength

This is a term position with the Washington Fish and Wildlife Office, located in Seattle, WA. As a Biological Science Technician (Fisheries) you will work closely with National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration staff on studies evaluating biological impacts of storm water. For more information on the Washington Fish and Wildlife Office, visit http://www.fws.gov/wafwo/index.html

This is a TERM position not-to-exceed 13 months, but may be extended without further competition for a total appointment not-to-exceed four years

TRAVEL REQUIRED

• Occasional Travel
• Occasional overnight travel may be required for field studies or training

RELOCATION AUTHORIZED

• No

KEY REQUIREMENTS

• U.S. Citizenship and Background Investigation
• Transcripts required with application (See How to Apply)
• Pre-employment and random drug testing
• Initial Probationary Period, unless already completed
• Valid state driver’s license
• Occasionally wear official U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service uniform
• Motorized boat operation required

DUTIES:

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As a Biological Science Technician (Fisheries) you will perform the following major duties:

• Collect, compile, summarize, and organize data for field studies evaluating storm water impacts on biological resources.
• Coordinate and lead salmon pre-spawn mortality surveys in streams in Western Washington.
• Organize and lead crews, including the supervision of personnel, as required, in expediting field collection of data.
• Collect, sort, and taxonomically identify aquatic macro-invertebrates to the species level.
• Develop of use automated databases to enter, organize, and perform preliminary analysis of collected field data, using standard statistical methods in preparation of fisheries reports.
• Operate cars and light trucks; trailering and using motorized watercraft
• Use a variety of field equipment commonly used in fishery studies, including gillnets, seines, cameras, and electro-shocking equipment.

QUALIFICATIONS REQUIRED:

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You must meet all qualification requirements outlined in this vacancy by 11:59 PM (EST) on the closing date of the announcement. MINIMUM REQUIREMENT: All applicants must meet one of the following:

1. A) Have at least one year of full-time equivalent to the GS-6 grade level in the Federal service, or equivalent non-Federal experience. Specialized experience is defined as leading field crews to conduct field investigations for fish and/or aquatic species and their habitats; assist in planning and conducting biological surveys; collecting water samples, including proper handling techniques to avoid contamination; collect, record, and analyze scientific data using variety of computer software programs. (OR)
2. B) Have successfully completed one full year (18 semester/27 quarter hours or the school’s equivalent) of graduate education in an accredited college or university leading to a master’s or equivalent graduate degree that included successfully completed coursework such as ichthyology, limnology, aquaculture, etc., which has equipped me with the knowledge, skills and ability to successfully perform the duties of this position at grade GS-7, as described. (OR)
   C) Have a combination of specialized experience (as in A above) and education (as in B above), when prorated, combine to meet the qualification requirements of this position. Experience and education are each computed as percentages of their requirements and must equal 100 percent when combined.

Note: All applicants who are using education or a combination of education and experience to qualify must submit copies of transcripts, which include grades, credit hours earned, major(s), and grade point average or class ranking. Even if you are in or have previously held a position in the series, you must submit the required documents to be considered for this position. If any required course work is not easily recognizable on transcripts, you must submit written course descriptions from the school (e.g., from the school catalog, official course syllabus, or course description verified by the school) for those classes to be credited.

EDUCATION

All qualifying education must have been obtained in an accredited college or university recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. You can verify accreditation at http://www.ed.gov/admins/finaid/accred/index.html.

Foreign Education: You can receive credit for education earned outside the United States if you provide evidence that it is comparable to an accredited educational institution, or that full credit has been given by an accredited institution in the United States. For more information, see http://www.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ous/international/usnei/us/edlite-visitus-forrecog.html

It is your responsibility to provide evidence that educational provisions are met when applying.

OTHER KEY REQUIREMENTS (conditions of employment)

Motorboat Operation: You must be able to pass the Department of the Interior/Fish and Wildlife Service Motorboat Operator Course.
Direct deposit of salary payment.

Work Environment: Work is performed in a wide variety of settings ranging from offices and laboratories to streams and wind/rain-tossed boats. May be exposed to extreme weather conditions.

Physical Demands: Field work generally requires strenuous exertion such as regular and reoccurring walking, or climbing over wet, rough, uneven, or rocky surfaces; bending, crouching, stooping, lifting or reaching to observe, collect, or record field data. Filed work involves lifting up to 40 lbs. Office work requires long periods of sitting and intense concentration.
Must apply for Government travel charge card if expected to travel on official business.

HOW YOU WILL BE EVALUATED:

Your application will be evaluated and rated under the Category Rating and Selection Procedures.

If you meet the minimum qualifications for this job, your evaluation will be based on a review of your complete application package and the extent to which your responses to the Questionnaire relate to the knowledge, skills and abilities listed below:

• Knowledge of field study methods needed for studies to evaluate biological impacts of storm water.
  •Ability to plan, organize, and lead crews, including training volunteers and staff in data collection.
  •Ability to conduct fish studies
• Skill in preparing a variety of reports and documenting compliance with scientific collection permit requirements.

To preview the Questionnaire, click View Assessment Questions.

We will then place you in one of three categories:
Qualified:  Meets minimum qualifications established for the position, but fails to meet the benchmark definition for the Well Qualified category
Well Qualified: Demonstrates overall competency in the knowledge, skills, and abilities of the position.
Best Qualified: Demonstrates high proficiency and comprehensive level of knowledge, skills, and abilities of the position.

Please make sure that your responses to the questionnaire are supported in your resume. Also, follow all instructions carefully as errors and omissions may affect your score.

Note: If a determination is made that you have rated yourself higher than is apparent in your description of experience and/or education, OR that your application is incomplete, you may be rated ineligible, not qualified, or your score may be lowered.

Application of Veterans’ Preference: Category rating and selection procedures place those with veterans’ preference above non-preference eligibles within each category. Veterans who meet the eligibility and qualification requirements and who have a compensable 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-9 grade level or higher.

BENEFITS:

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The Federal government offers a number of exceptional benefits to its employees.  For more information about these benefits, please visit https://help.usajobs.gov/index.php/Pay_and_Benefits.
Travel, transportation, and relocation expenses WILL NOT be paid by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. Any moving expenses associated with reporting for duty in this position will be the responsibility of the selected employee.

OTHER INFORMATION:

HOW TO APPLY:

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To apply for this position, you must complete the Occupational Questionnaire and submit the documentation specified in the Required Documents section below.
Your complete Application Package must be received by 11:59 PM (EASTERN STANDARD TIME)Thursday, July 16, 2015.

*To begin, click Apply Online to create a USAJOBS account or log in to your existing account. Follow the prompts to select your USAJOBS resume and/or other supporting documents and complete the Occupational Questionnaire.
*Click the Submit My Answers button to submit your application package.
*It is your responsibility to ensure your responses and appropriate documentation is submitted prior to the closing date.

*To verify your application is complete, log into your USAJOBS account, https://my.usajobs.gov/Account/Login, select the Application Status link and then select the More Information link for this position. The Details page will display the status of your application, the documentation received and processed, and any correspondence the agency has sent related to this application. Your uploaded documents may take several hours to clear the virus scan process.

*To return to an incomplete application, log into your USAJOBS account and click Update Application in the vacancy announcement.  You must re-select your resume and/or other documents from your USAJOBS account or your application will be incomplete.

REQUIRED DOCUMENTS:

Ensure your application materials DO NOT contain photograph(s).
For this job announcement, the following documents are required:

1. Resume or Application. At a minimum, your resume MUST contain job title (include job series and grade, if federal), duties, starting and ending dates (month and year), hours worked per week, and salary.  USAJOBS has a template to ensure a complete resume.
   2. Responses to the Occupational Questionnaire.
   3. Transcripts, if qualifying based on education. Copies are acceptable but, if selected, you will be required to provide official transcripts.
   4. If claiming veteran’s preference, proof of eligibility (Member 4 copy of DD-214 or equivalent, SF-15 and VA letter, as appropriate); See http://www.fedshirevets.gov/
2. Proof of eligibility for priority placement as a surplus or displaced Federal employee under the Career Transition Assistance Program / Interagency Career Transition Program, if applicable.  You must be rated at 85 or above on the rating criteria for this position. See http://www.opm.gov/rif/employee_guides/career_transition.asp#ictap.

Faxing Applications or Supporting Documents:

You are encouraged to apply online. Applying online will allow you to review and track the status of your application.

NOTE: If you applied online and your application is complete, do not fax the paper application (1203FX) as this will overwrite your prior online responses and may result in you being found ineligible.

If you completed the Occupational questionnaire online and are unable to upload supporting document(s):

1. To fax your documents, you must use this cover page and provide the required information. The vacancy ID is 1440600.
2. Fax your documents to 1-478-757-3144.

If you cannot complete the Application Package online, you may fax all of your materials. The complete application package must be submitted by 11:59 PM (EST) on close date to receive consideration. Keep a copy of your fax confirmation in the event verification is needed.

To complete the Occupational Questionnaire and submit via fax:

1. Click the following link to view and print the Occupational Questionnaire View Occupational Questionnaire
2. Print the 1203FX form, follow the instructions and provide your responses to the Occupational Questionnaire http://www.opm.gov/forms/pdf_fill/OPM1203fx.pdf
3. Fax your completed 1203FX form along with any supporting documents to 478-757-3144.

If you do not submit all the required materials, we will not be able to fully process your application, and you may lose consideration for this position. No additional information will be solicited or accepted after the closing date.

If you have any problems submitting your application, contact the online help at ApplicationManagerHelpDesk@opm.gov.

If you have questions about the vacancy, contact Human Resources at the phone number or email address listed below and reference R1-15-1440600-DP.

AGENCY CONTACT INFO:

Danielle Perkins
Phone: (503)231-6136
Email: DANIELLE_PERKINS@FWS.GOV

Agency Information:
US Fish and Wildlife Service Oregon
911 NE 11th Ave
Portland, OR
97232

WHAT TO EXPECT NEXT:

After you’ve successfully submitted the online Occupational Questionnaire, you will automatically receive an e-mail acknowledging receipt. After the vacancy closes, your application will be reviewed. Within approximately 20 business days, we will notify you of your rating and/or referral to the hiring official. If further evaluation or interviews are required you will be contacted.

REMINDER: It is your responsibility to maintain access to your e-mail account; undelivered e-mails may cause you to lose consideration or not receive information about your application. Be sure to include your full name and vacancy number (R1-15-1440600-DP) in any inquiries regarding this job. Let us know if your contact information changes, or you decide you no longer wish to be considered for the position. If we’re unable to contact you, or you do not respond to requests for information, it may be grounds for not selecting you.

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