Biological Science Technician (Fish)
What you'd do
These positions are Biological Science Technicians (Fish), GS- 0404-5/6, with a full performance GS-07 working in Red Bluff, CA for the R8-Red Bluff Fish and Wildlife Office. Salary Range Information (Per Annum): GS-05, Step 01- $40,736- Step 10 $52,957 GS-06, Step 01- $45,409- Step 10 $59,031 *First time hires to the federal government typically start at the beginning salary in the range for their respective grade level.
Major duties
The Red Bluff Fish and Wildlife Office monitors populations of salmon, steelhead, and sturgeon in the Northern Central Valley of California and evaluates fish restoration actions and hatchery operations. These positions are for the Mainstem Operations' and Hatchery Evaluation Programs performing rotary trapping, seasonal green sturgeon research, acoustic telemetry array maintenance or hatchery assessments and carcass surveys. Up to 95% of work is in the field sampling by rotary-screw trap for Federally-listed threatened and endangered fish species native to the Mainstem Sacramento River, maintaining an extensive acoustic telemetry array covering ~200 rkm, or working on various projects to evaluate the operations of two Federal fish hatcheries. Additional duties may include data entry and equipment interrogation/maintenance. Field work involves operation of inboard and outboard jet boats under various environmental conditions. At the full performance level (GS-07) the major duties of this position include, but are not limited to the following: Assists in planning and carrying out multifaceted fish and/or wildlife studies, field investigations and surveys by contributing ideas, determining research methods, establishing practical procedures for accomplishing and reporting the work, and determining other needs, such as costs, equipment, and personnel. Assists in planning multifaceted habitat studies, assessments, and monitoring by contributing ideas, determining research methods, establishing practical procedures for accomplishing and reporting the work, and determining other needs, such as costs, equipment, and personnel. Collects biological samples ensuring correct documentation, reporting, storage, transport, and delivery of samples taken. Uses specialized techniques and methods to collect biological and physical environment data from field and/or facility investigations and reports findings to determine actual and potential impact on fish, wildlife, or plant resources from aquaculture, research, restoration projects or habitat improvement projects. Duties will be developmental in nature when filled below the full performance level.
What you need to qualify
Qualifications: All qualifications must be met by the closing date of this announcement-08/19/2026-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 Qualification Requirements: To qualify for this position, you must meet the following minimum qualifications: Minimum Qualifications [GS-5] A) One year of specialized experience comparable in scope and responsibility equivalent to grade GS-4 in the Federal service. Examples of specialized experience may include: 1) Performing work in an outdoor setting including all types of weather and terrain to include water; 2) Handling juvenile and adult fish; and 3) Use of computer applications. OR B) Possess four years of education above high school (120 semester hours or 180 quarter hours) leading to a (full four-year course of study) bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university, with coursework related to the biological sciences such as: biology, chemistry, statistics, entomology, animal husbandry, botany, physics, agriculture, mathematics, etc. (You MUST submit a copy of your transcripts indicating the degree earned, credit hours, and course titles in order to qualify based on education). You must include transcripts. OR C) Possess a combination of education and experience as described above. To combine education and the number of semester hours (or equivalent) earned towards a bachelor's degree, in excess of 60 semester hours, and divide by 60 semester hours (or equivalent) Then take the number of months of full-time experience and divide by 12 months. Add the percentages together. The total must equal at least 100 percent to qualify. You must have at least 24 semester hours in any combination of courses such as: biology, chemistry, statistics, entomology, animal husbandry, botany, physics, agriculture, mathematics, etc. (You MUST submit a copy of your transcripts indicating the number of credit hours in order to qualify based on the combination option). Minimum Qualifications [GS-6] A) One year of specialized experience comparable in scope and responsibility equivalent to grade GS-5 in the Federal service. Examples of specialized experience may include: 1) Performing work in an outdoor setting including all types of weather, swiftwater, rough terrain, and river wading; 2) Handling juvenile and adult fish; and 3) Use of Microsoft Suite applications. OR B) Successfully completed one-half year of graduate education (9 semester/13.5 quarter hours, or the school's equivalent) in an accredited college or university that included courses directly related to the occupation, such as fishery biology, ichthyology, limnology, aqua culture, etc. NOTE: To qualify under this option, you must submit transcripts (official or unofficial) to verify your education. OR C) A combination of specialized experience (as described in A above) and education (as described in B above,) that, when prorated, combine to meet the qualification requirements for this position. Experience and education are each computed as percentages of their respective requirements and must equal 100 percent when combined. (Only education beyond the second year is creditable to meet this standard.)NOTE: To qualify under this option you must submit transcripts to verify your education and include proof of your experience in the text of your resume. 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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