Biological Science Technician (Fisheries)

Summary This is a Direct Hire Authority (DHA) solicitation utilizing the DHA for Certain Competitive Service Positions to recruit and appoint qualified candidates to positions in the competitive service. About the Position: This position is located at Ice Harbor Dam, Burbank, WA, operated by the US Army Corps of Engineers and situated on the Lower Snake River near the communities of Pasco, Kennewick, and Richland, WA. Learn more about this agency Duties Collecting fish, enumerating juvenile salmonid and non-salmonid fish, identifying species, making standardized observations of weight and growth. Sampling fish at hydroelectric projects by setting up the sampling/recirculating system. Monitor regular fish health and recirculation system. Filling and dewatering the system with water and anesthetic daily, cleaning recirculation filters, and any other preparations as needed before crowding and sampling fish begins and ends. Collect and maintain data associated with the juvenile condition monitoring program. Coordinating with and/or assist researchers working in the wet lab. Lifting and carrying buckets of fish down ramps and stairs to recovery areas of the hydroelectric facility. Standing for long periods of time at the wet separator, collecting fish, anesthetizing the fish collected and examining fish under a dissecting microscope for sign of gas bubble trauma. Making regular facility inspections to monitoring dewatering equipment, pumps, flumes, gatewells and/or tag interrogation equipment. Conduct juvenile and adult fishway inspections of the dam and fish facility to ensure operations follow criteria as set forth in the Fish Passage Plan. Requirements Conditions of employment Appointment may be subject to a suitability or fitness determination, as determined by a completed background investigation. Pre-employment physical is required. Valid state driver's license required. This position requires heavy lifting of up to 45lbs. Qualifications Who May Apply: US Citizens In order to qualify, you must meet the education and/or education requirements described below. 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). You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience. Your resume must clearly describe your relevant experience; if qualifying based on education, your transcripts will be required as part of your application. Additional information about transcripts is in this document. Specialized Experience: One year of specialized experience which includes experience in the collection, holding and sampling of fish to include equipment operation such as crowders, tag interrogation equipment and recirculation systems; and scientific data collection. This definition of specialized experience is typical of work performed at the next lower grade/level position in the federal service (GS-06). OR Education: One full year of graduate level education in a field directly related to the work of the position, such as biology, chemistry, statistics, entomology, animal husbandry, botany, physics, agriculture, or mathematics. OR Combination of Education and Experience: A combination of education and experience may be used to qualify for this position as long as the computed percentage of the requirements is at least 100%. To compute the percentage of the requirements, divide your total months of experience by 12. Then divide the total number of completed graduate semester hours (or equivalent) by 18. Add the two percentages. You will be evaluated on the basis of your level of competency in the following areas: Education FOREIGN EDUCATION: If you are using education completed in foreign colleges or universities to meet the qualification requirements, you must show the education credentials have been evaluated by a private organization that specializes in interpretation of foreign education programs and such education has been deemed equivalent to that gained in an accredited U.S. education program; or full credit has been given for the courses at a U.S. accredited college or university. For further information, visit: https://sites.ed.gov/international/recognition-of-foreign-qualifications Additional information Male applicants born after December 31, 1959, must complete a Pre-Employment Certification Statement for Selective Service Registration. You will be required to provide proof of U.S. Citizenship. One year trial/probationary period may be required. Direct Deposit of Pay is required. Selection is subject to restrictions resulting from Department of Defense referral system for displaced employees. If you have retired from federal service and you are interested in employment as a reemployed annuitant, see the information in the Reemployed Annuitant information sheet. This is a(n) Science, Engineering and Analysis Career Field position. Multiple positions may be filled from this announcement. Salary includes applicable locality pay or Local Market Supplement. When you perform a Civilian Permanent Change of Station (PCS) with the government, the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) considers the majority of your entitlements to be taxable. Visit https://www.dfas.mil/civilianemployees/civrelo/Civilian-Moving-Expenses-Tax-Deduction/ for more information. Permanent Change of Station (PCS) allowances may be authorized, subject to the provisions of the Joint Travel Regulations and an agency determination that a PCS move is in the Government Interest. Incentives may be authorized. Expand Hide  additional information Candidates should be committed to improving the efficiency of the Federal government, passionate about the ideals of our American republic, and committed to upholding the rule of law and the United States Constitution. 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. 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.