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USAJOBS · 19 hours ago

Biological Science Aid/Technician

Multiple Locations, USA

Full-time

Onsite

New Grad, Entry Level

$17.33/hr - $21.76/hr

0+ years exp

Reclamation is seeking a career professional looking for an opportunity to capitalize on their expertise as a Biological Science Aid/Technician. The role involves assisting in the collection of baseline data and monitoring to ensure compliance with environmental statutes, primarily focusing on fish studies and surveys in various locations in New Mexico and Montana.

ConsultingGovernmentHuman ResourcesInformation TechnologyInternetStaffing Agency

No H1B

U.S. Citizen Only

Responsibilities

Assists other Reclamation staff in the collection of baseline data and monitoring to ensure compliance with environmental statutes

Glendive/MT location: Conducts in-river sampling and radio telemetry of native fishes (via boat) of the Yellowstone River in Eastern Montana

New Mexico locations: Conducts presence/absence surveys and nest monitoring for the southwestern willow flycatcher and yellow-billed cuckoo within the Rio Grande Basin of New Mexico

May assume some additional responsibility as a crew leader, making minor project related decisions in the absence of the Supervisor

We are looking for approximately 25 individuals that will work as part of field crews primarily conducting presence/absence surveys for the federally-listed southwestern willow flycatcher and yellow-billed cuckoo within riparian habitat along the Rio Grande in central and southern New Mexico

Daily work will consist of communication with crew members and field supervisors; operation of government vehicles; navigation to and through sites via map, compass and GPS; and compilation and reporting of field data

Individuals will receive survey protocol training, provided by Reclamation and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, for both species

These positions will start on May 11th and work will end on August 7th (approximately 90 days)

Selectees will be required to obtain housing at their project location (either Socorro or Truth or Consequences) during this period

We are also looking for two individuals to work on the Lower Yellowstone River out of Glendive, MT located in the eastern edge of Montana near the North Dakota border

If selected for this position, individuals will be working directly with personnel from Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks and Reclamation

Employee will assist in data collection for fish studies including examining movements, passage proximate to Reclamation structures and habitat use of native fishes on the lower Yellowstone River in Montana

Species include but are not limited to pallid and shovelnose sturgeon, paddlefish, blue sucker and sauger

Work will include collection of large-river fish using accepted protocols and sampling equipment such as electrofishing gear, trammel nets, hoop nets, and trotlines; implantation of external tags, internal PIT tags and transmitters; collection of genetic tissue samples and blood samples from pallid sturgeon; telemetry relocation of native species from jet boat and ground-based stations; collection of blood samples to assess sexual maturity, and collection of tissue samples for genetics

Employee must accurately identify, measure, and record data on all fish captured, operate, and download data from telemetry equipment, complete habitat survey measurements, and take water quality measurements

Employee will enter data into established databases

Employee will be required to maintain equipment and tools without direct supervision

Position will be supervised by a fishery biologist, but work will often be completed independently or with another seasonal employee

Employee will assist with the maintenance, repair, troubleshooting, and replacement of all sampling equipment (e.g. boats, trailers, motors, nets, telemetry equipment, etc.)

This work will primarily be conducted via boat and selectees will be required to attend a Department of Interior motorboat operator certification course (MOCC) prior to starting field work

Reclamation will coordinate and pay for this training which will likely be at one of our field offices

All positions will be based out of Reclamation's Technical Service Center in Denver, Colorado, but individuals will be assigned to a temporary duty station at one of the following locations - Socorro or Truth or Consequences, NM or Glendive, MT

Qualification

Biological science tasksField data collectionFishWildlife managementGPS navigationData recordingTechnical competenceVisual identificationCommunicationTeamworkProblem-solving

Required

You must be a U.S. Citizen or U.S. National

You must be suitable for federal employment, determined by a background investigation

You must submit a resume and supporting documentation (see Required Documents)

You must submit eligibility documents for veterans consideration (see Required Documents)

You must meet any minimum education and/or experience requirements (see Qualifications)

You must submit transcript(s) to verify education requirements (see Qualifications/Education)

You must maintain a valid State Driver's License at all times as the position requires operation of government vehicles on government and public roads. Failure to maintain a valid State Driver's License at all times will result in removal from the position

In order to be rated as qualified for this position, the HR Office must be able to determine that you meet the general and/or specialized experience requirement - this information must be clearly supported in the resume

To qualify at the GS-03 level, you must possess six months of general experience that shows your ability to perform progressively more complex, responsible, or difficult duties, and that shows your ability to learn the specific work of this job. You may combine general experience and education to meet the minimum qualifications

To qualify at the GS-04 level, you must possess six months of general experience that shows your ability to perform progressively more complex, responsible, or difficult duties; and that shows your ability to learn the specific work of this job; and 6 months of specialized experience including performing biological science tasks common to fish and wildlife resource management; supporting senior staff; collecting and organizing field data; recording data to include quality control; providing preliminary assessment and classification of the information; evaluating observed conditions and problems; and making preliminary determinations in the case of problems noted. You may combine experience and education to meet the minimum qualifications

To qualify at the GS-05 level, you must possess one year of specialized experience equivalent in difficulty and complexity to at least the GS-04 level in federal service having demonstrated experience performing biological science tasks common to fish and wildlife resource management; supporting senior staff; collecting and organizing field data; recording data to include quality control; providing preliminary assessment and classification of the information; evaluating observed conditions and problems; and making preliminary determinations in the case of problems noted. You may combine specialized experience and education to meet the minimum qualifications

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

Applicants may also qualify on the basis of education as follows

For GS-03: Successful completion of one year of study that included at least 6 semester hours in any combination of scientific or technical courses such as biology, chemistry, statistics, entomology, animal husbandry, botany, physics, agriculture, or mathematics

For GS-04: Successful completion of 2 years of study that included at least 12 semester hours in any combination of courses such as those shown above for GS-3. At least 6 semester hours of courses must be directly related to the position to be filled. You may combine specialized experience and education to meet the minimum qualifications

For GS-05: Successful completion of a full 4-year course of study leading to a bachelor's degree with major study or at least 24 semester hours in any combination of courses such as those shown above for GS-3. At least 6 semester hours of courses must have been directly related to the position to be filled. The successful completion of a full course of study of at least 12 months in a school for clinical laboratory technicians may be substituted for the 1 year of specialized experience required at the GS-5 level for positions involving microbiology and biochemistry technician work. You may combine specialized experience and education to meet the minimum qualifications

You must meet all Eligibility and Qualification requirements, including any selective placement factors if applicable, by 02/02/2026

This vacancy announcement allows substituting education for experience at the GS-03/04/05 grade levels. You must submit a copy of college transcript(s) (unofficial copy is acceptable) to support claimed education if substituting education for experience. Transcripts must include the name of the college or university and date the degree was conferred

You will be required to provide official college transcripts to verify educational qualifications, if selected. An official transcript must be sent directly from the University's Registrar's office and must be provided from the institution awarding the degree. Academic transcripts certified by notary publics are NOT official. Official transcripts must be submitted prior to reporting to work as a condition of employment. Failure to submit official transcripts may be grounds for dismissal or rescission of the job offer

Only education from an accredited college or university recognized by the Department of Education is acceptable to meet education requirements or to substitute for experience

To receive credit for education completed outside the United States, you must show proof that the education has been submitted to a private organization that specializes in interpretation of foreign educational credentials and such education has been deemed at least equivalent to that gained in conventional U.S. education programs

A valid driver's license is required and will need to be submitted by the date of selection. All positions will also require obtaining government motor vehicle training which is an online course we will provide. Government vehicles will be used for travel to, from, and around field sites

This position is designated as a LOW RISK position. It requires a fully completed and favorably adjudicated SF85 Background Investigation (T1 or equivalent) that is current (within the last 5 years). This is a condition of employment

Male applicants born after December 31, 1959 must certify registration with the Selective Service System or that the applicant is exempt from having to do so under the Selective Service Law

Benefits

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.