Biological Science Technician (Fish)
What you'd do
This position serves as a Biological Science Technician (Fish) with the Department of the Interior, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Fish and Wildlife Service Region 6, Fisheries and Aquatic Conservation, Valley City National Fish Hatchery. This vacancy uses the Field Unit Local Hiring (FUL) Authority. Applicants must reside within 30 miles of the duty location.
Major duties
This position is located within the Department of the Interior, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Fish and Wildlife Service Region 6, Fisheries and Aquatic Conservation, Valley City National Fish Hatchery, duty stationed in Valley City, North Dakota. At the full performance level (GS-07) the major duties of this position include, but are not limited to the following: 1. Assist in planning and carrying out hatchery data collection on hatchery populations to study health and propagation methods. 2. Review data and prepare reports for biologists to analyze and develop solutions for complex fish propagation issues in a hatchery environment. 3. Collects, analyzes, and maintains biological, water quality, fish health, production, and PIT tag data; prepares technical reports; and adjusts production plans based on biological performance of fish species. 4. Capture fish, applies visual and radio tags, and gathers biological, physiological, and spatial data. 5. Develops and uses automated databases to enter, organize, and perform preliminary analysis of collected data Physical Demands Physical demands will range depending on the project and use of the position. Most locations will be in locations around running water and requiring regular and recurring physical activity such as prolonged standing, walking over wet and/or rocky surfaces, stooping, bending, kneeling, climbing, and carrying heavy items may occur. The incumbent will must be able to lift 50lbs. Weekend Work You will be required to work rotating weekends. Work Environment Most locations will be in locations in and around running water where the incumbent could be exposed to extreme weather conditions, insects/wildlife, and/or other environments that would require the incumbent to use protective clothing or gear such as hard hats, masks, gowns, ear plugs, coats, boots, goggles, gloves, or shields to mitigate risks. Uniform Depending on the location, the position may require wearing a uniform in accordance with U.S. Fish and Wildlife policy. Driver's License Drivers License Depending on the location, a driver's license may required. Salary Range Information (Per Annum): *First time hires to the federal government typically start at the beginning salary in the range for their respective grade level. GS-05: $40,736 - $52,957 GS-06: $45,409 - $59,031 GS-07: $50,460 - $65,599 This vacancy is also announced as FWS-FF06-26-FS-001(DE) for those applicants who wish to apply and be considered under Competitive Examining procedures.
What you need to qualify
All qualifications must be met by the closing date of this announcement-08/12/2026-unless otherwise stated in this vacancy announcement. To receive credit for experience, your resume MUST state either "full-time" (or "40 hours a week") or "part-time" with the number of hours worked per week to ensure proper crediting of specialized experience. Failure to adequately provide information needed to determine number of hours worked in each position may result in that time not being credited when evaluating qualifying experience. For periods of time that reflect military service, the DD-214 or Statement of Service is sufficient to meet the full and/or part-time hours requirement as the service dates will be reflected. Minimum Qualifications GS-05 To qualify for the GS-05, you must possess at least one full year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the GS-04 grade level in the Federal service, or comparable experience not gained through Federal service. Specialized experience is experience that equipped the applicant with the particular knowledge, skills, and abilities to perform successfully the duties of the position, and that is typically in or related to the work of the position to be filled. Specialized experience is defined as demonstrated experience: 1. Assisting with daily feeding, tank cleaning and basic water quality measurements (such as temperature, dissolved oxygen, pH, and similar parameters.) 2. Assisting with fish handling, gamete collection and egg incubation of multiple strains of fish to support station and Service priorities. 3. Accurately recording biological fish data (lengths, counts and weights) to support hatchery operations, fish health monitoring, and management decisions. 4. Performing routine hatchery operations and facility maintenance required for safe and efficient operation, including operation of hatchery water systems, pumps, valves, feeders, alarms and other equipment as well as hand tools and power equipment to maintain buildings and grounds. 5. Experience utilizing fish culture equipment including water quality meters, nets, seines, tagging equipment and ultrasound. If qualifying on experience for the GS-05 grade level, you MUST meet 3 of the 5 Specialized Experience statements above. -OR- Education: 4-year course of study above high school leading to a bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university that included at least 6-semester hours of coursework directly related to the position being filled, such as fishery biology, ichthyology, limnology, aquaculture, etc. -OR- Combination of Education and Experience: A combination of education and experience as described above which together equals 100% of the requirement; including at least 6-semester hours of coursework directly related to the position being filled, such as fishery biology, ichthyology, limnology, aquaculture, etc. (Only education in excess of the first 60 semester hours may be used in this calculation). GS-06 To qualify for the GS-06, you must possess at least one full year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the GS-05 grade level in the Federal service, or comparable experience not gained through Federal service. Specialized experience is experience that equipped the applicant with the particular knowledge, skills, and abilities to perform successfully the duties of the position, and that is typically in or related to the work of the position to be filled. Specialized experience is defined as demonstrated experience: 1. Assisting with daily feeding, tank cleaning and basic water quality measurements (such as temperature, dissolved oxygen, pH, and similar parameters.) 2. Assisting with fish handling, gamete collection and egg incubation of multiple strains of fish to support station and Service priorities. 3. Accurately recording biological fish data (lengths, counts and weights) to support hatchery operations, fish health monitoring, and management decisions. 4. Performing routine hatchery operations and facility maintenance required for safe and efficient operation, including operation of hatchery water systems, pumps, valves, feeders, alarms and other equipment as well as hand tools and power equipment to maintain buildings and grounds. 5. Experience utilizing fish culture equipment including water quality meters, nets, seines, tagging equipment and ultrasound. To qualify for the GS-06 grade level, you MUST meet 4 of the 5 Specialized Experience statements above. GS-07 To qualify for the GS-07, you must possess at least one full year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the GS-06 grade level in the Federal service, or comparable experience not gained through Federal service. Specialized experience is experience that equipped the applicant with the particular knowledge, skills, and abilities to perform successfully the duties of the position, and that is typically in or related to the work of the position to be filled. Specialized experience is defined as demonstrated experience: 1. Independently feeding, tank cleaning and basic water quality measurements (such as temperature, dissolved oxygen, pH, and similar parameters.) 2. Independently conducting fish handling, gamete collection and egg incubation of multiple strains of fish to support station and Service priorities. 3. Accurately recording biological fish data (lengths, counts and weights) to support hatchery operations, fish health monitoring, and management decisions. 4. Performing routine hatchery operations and facility maintenance required for safe and efficient operation, including operation of hatchery water systems, pumps, valves, feeders, alarms and other equipment as well as hand tools and power equipment to maintain buildings and grounds. 5. Experience with the use of fish culture equipment including water quality meters, nets, seines, tagging equipment and ultrasound. If qualifying on experience for the GS-07 grade level, you MUST meet all of the Specialized Experience statements listed above. -OR- Education: One full year of graduate-level education that is directly related to the work of the position (e.g., major study in fish biology, aquaculture or fish culture, limnology, ichthyology, etc.) One year of full-time graduate education is considered to be the number of credit hours that the school attended has determined to represent 1 year of full-time study. If that information cannot be obtained from the school, 18 semester hours should be considered as satisfying the 1 year of full-time study requirement. Part-time graduate education is creditable in accordance with its relationship to a year of full-time study at the school attended. -OR- Combination of Education and Experience: A combination of education and experience as described above which together equals 100% of the requirement. Volunteer Experience: 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.
Before you apply
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