Biological Science Technician (Fish)

Help Help

Duties

Skills

The Arizona Fish and Wildlife Conservation Office (AZFWCO) Whiteriver station is located in east-central Arizona in the White Mountains. The White Mountains of Arizona is a mountain range and mountainous region in the eastern part of the state, near the border with New Mexico. There are extensive hiking, fishing, hunting, and camping opportunities throughout the area including the Fort Apache Indian Reservation, Apache-Sitgreaves National Forests, and Arizona State Parks. We have a diverse team of individuals working on a range of projects involving native fish conservation (including Apache Trout recovery), sportfish management, and invasive species control. We are seeking to recruit a GS-6 Biological Science Technician to help lead our Apache Trout Crew in completing important recovery projects and monitoring Apache Trout populations on White Mountain Apache tribal lands, where over 80% of all wild Apache Trout exist. We are seeking candidates with strong leadership and communication skills, ability to lead individuals with diverse backgrounds, devising solutions to complex biological issue, and working as part of a team. Key duties for this position are:

• Provide technical guidance, training, and primary staff support to seasonal staff conducting fieldwork.
• Foster and coordinate diverse teams implementing surveys and other recovery work.
• Maintain and build key partnerships.
• Provide guidance and training in the use of internal training, payroll, and travel systems.
• Maintain gear, equipment, and vehicles or arrange for their maintenance.
  
  

Help Help

Requirements

Conditions of Employment

• Must be a U.S. Citizen or National.
• Resume (See "Required Documents"). Failure to provide ALL required information on your resume will result in loss of consideration due to an incomplete application package. It is your responsibility to ensure all information is provided on resume.
• Eligibility and Supporting documents - You will ONLY be considered for the eligibilities that you select "yes" to AND submit the required supporting documentation, as listed in the Required Documents section.
• Suitability for employment, as determined by background investigation.
• Driver's License: Selectees MAY be required to possess and maintain a valid State driver's license at all times during their tenure.
• Uniform: Official U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service uniform may required.
• Probationary Period: Selectees may be required to successfully complete a probationary period.
• Individuals assigned male at birth after 12-31-59 must be registered for Selective Service. To verify registration, visit SSS.gov.
  
  

Qualifications

Only experience and education obtained by 05/20/2024 will be considered.

In order to qualify for this position you must possess Minimum Qualification.

Minimum Qualification [GS-06]

• One year of specialized experience comparable in scope and responsibility equivalent to grade GS-05 in the Federal service assisting with sampling and recording biological data for fish and assisting with fish biological surveys. This experience must also include using seines and nets to collect fish and experience securing, transporting/trailering, loading/packing, launching/retrieving, and maneuvering/operating watercraft safely for electrofishing and/or netting on large rivers, reservoirs, lakes, and ponds. NOTE: Your resume must contain sufficient information in these areas to be found qualified.
  
  

Experience refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service programs (e.g., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizations (e.g., professional; philanthropic; religious; spiritual; community, student, social). Volunteer work helps build critical competencies, knowledge, and skills and can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience.

Education

There is no substitution of education for experience at this grade level.

Additional information

Pcs 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. CTAP/ICTAP provides placement assistance to permanent Federal employees who are surplus, displaced, or involuntarily separated. Applicants claiming CTAP/ICTAP eligibility must submit a copy of their most recent performance appraisal, proof of eligibility, and most current SF-50 noting position, grade level, and duty location with their application. To be considered under CTAP/ICTAP, applicants must be well-qualified (i.e., meet the minimum qualification requirements, including any selective placement factors; education, and experience requirements), score at least 85 on the assessment questionnaire, and be able to perform the duties of the position upon entry.

For information on CTAP and ICTAP visit: https://www.usajobs.gov/Help/working-in-government/unique-hiring-paths/federal-employees/career-transition/"

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.

Read more

• Help Help A career with the U.S. government provides employees with a comprehensive benefits package. As a federal employee, you and your family will have access to a range of benefits that are designed to make your federal career very rewarding. Opens in a new windowLearn more about federal benefits.
  
  

Review our benefits

Eligibility for benefits depends on the type of position you hold and whether your position is full-time, part-time or intermittent. Contact the hiring agency for more information on the specific benefits offered.

How You Will Be Evaluated

You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.

Once the announcement has closed, a review of your resume and supporting documentation will be used to determine whether you meet the qualification requirements listed on this announcement. If you meet the qualifications your resume and supporting documentation will be compared against your responses to the assessment questionnaire to determine your level of experience. Note: If, after reviewing your resume and supporting documentation, a determination is made that you have inflated your qualifications which resulted in you being listed in the highest quality category, you may lose consideration, or be assigned to a lower quality category for this position. Please follow all instructions carefully when applying, errors or omissions may affect your eligibility.

Your qualifications will be evaluated on the following competencies (knowledge, skills, abilities and other characteristics):

• Knowledge of standard methods, techniques, tools, and equipment used in fish surveys, fish studies and fish management.
• Knowledge and experience in fish culture practices and techniques necessary to operate water reuse systems for intensively rearing endangered fish.
• Experience in operating motorized boats (jet shoe and/or prop-driven) and rafts in large rivers, lakes and ponds to collect biological field data.
• Knowledge of statistical data analysis techniques and microcomputer use for data management.
• Skill in working with a group of individuals as a team member to conduct field work in a harsh environment.
  
  

All qualified candidates will be assigned to a quality category. The category assignment is a measure of the degree in which your background matches the competencies required for this position. The category ratings for this position are: Best Qualified, Well Qualified, and Qualified

The category rating process protects the rights of veterans by placing them ahead of non-preference eligibles within each quality category. Veterans' preference eligibles who meet the qualification requirements and who have a compensable service-connected disability of at least 10 percent will be listed in the highest quality category (except in the case of scientific or professional positions at the GS-09 level or higher).