Biological Science Technician (Fisheries)

Biological Science Technician (Fisheries)

• Open & closing dates

09/02/2024 to 09/20/2024

• Salary

$49,262 - $79,331 per year

• Pay scale & grade

GS 5 - 7

• Location

2 vacancies in the following location:

Byron, CA

Duties

The Bureau of Reclamation (Bureau) operates the Tracy Fish Collection Facility (TFCF), a fish diversion facility at the head of the Delta-Mendota Canal (DMC) in Tracy, California, in the Sacramento-San Joaquin River Delta (Delta), as part of the Central Valley Project (CVP). This facility operates 24 hours a day, 365 days a year to salvage fish from the water that is pumped through the DMC to the Central Valley and Southern California. The salvaged fish are trucked to other locations in the Delta. The purpose of the position will be to provide assistance to facility operations by performing fish identification and data collection; operation and maintenance of the TAF and fish in aquaria and reference collections; and assisting principal investigators or fish biologists with research sampling, and sorting of juvenile and adult, fish larvae, and fish eggs.

Major Duties:

• Perform monitoring of salvaged fish that includes adjusting hydraulics to be within regulatory flow criteria, identifying fish, implementing acceptable fish handling techniques, and processing listed fish species following latest approved protocols. Night shifts and weekend shift are required.
• Perform daily operation and maintenance of the facility (i.e. cleaning tanks and floors; feeding fish and other aquatic organisms in tanks and aquaria; conducting water quality tests; operating small water pumps, air compressors, blowers, and ultra violet light sterilizers; collecting and recording data; ordering fish food and general lab supplies; and operating a complex computerized alarm system).
• Develop and maintain the ability to identify common fish species of juvenile size and larger and shares this expertise and workload with other technicians and equipment operators.
• Assist with the workload by measuring and recording the fish and/or collecting DNA samples, and assisting with the QAQC of daily biological and operational data.
• Assist with the data collection consequent to research sampling.

RequirementsConditions of Employment

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).
The shift schedule is rotational and includes day, swing, graveyard, and weekends.
 

Qualifications

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

GS-05: At least one full year of specialized experience comparable in scope and responsibility at the GS-04 grade level in the Federal service (obtained in either the public or private sectors). This experience includes one year of experience equivalent to at least the GS-04 grade level or equivalent pay band in the Federal Service. Specialized Experience is defined as: Performing fish biology and aquaculture operations and maintenance of the facility (i.e., cleaning tanks and floors; feeding fish and crabs in tanks and aquaria; conducting water quality tests; operating small water pumps, air compressors, blowers, and ultraviolet light sterilizers; collecting and recording data; ordering fish food and general lab supplies; and operating a complex computerized alarm system).
OR
Successful completion of at least four years of education above high school (120 semester hours or 180 quarter hours) leading to a bachelor's degree with major study or 24 semester hours in any combination of courses such as in biology, chemistry, statistics, entomology, animal husbandry, botany, physics, agriculture, ecology, or mathematics, or other directly-related subject matter; and at least 6 semester hours of courses must be directly related to fishery subjects, such as fishery biology, ichthyology, limnology, aquaculture, etc.
OR
Successful completion of a combination of education and experience as described above. To combine education and experience. NOTE: Only education in excess of the first 60 semester hours of a course of study leading to a bachelor's degree is creditable toward meeting the specialized experience requirements. Two full academic years of study, or 60 semester hours, beyond the second year, is equivalent to l year of specialized experience.

GS-06: At least one full year of specialized experience comparable in scope and responsibility at the GS-05 grade level in the Federal service (obtained in either the public or private sectors). This experience includes one year of experience equivalent to at least the GS-05 grade level or equivalent pay band in the Federal Service. Specialized Experience is defined as: Experience in the collection, holding and transportation of fish to include equipment operation such as electronic fish counters, electronic valves and pneumatic gates; and scientific data collection. Record and monitor fish health, maintain and update fish culture and water quality records, maintain and improve hatchery infrastructure, equipment and grounds. Rearing, distribution and maintenance of eggs, fry, parr, smolts, yearlings, and broodstock.
OR
One full year (18 semester/27 quarter hours) of successfully completed graduate level coursework that is directly related to the work of the position (such as biology, chemistry, statistics, entomology, animal husbandry, botany, physics, agriculture);
OR
Combinations of graduate level education that is directly related to the position and specialized experience. The education must have been obtained in an accredited college or university.

GS-07: At least one full year of specialized experience comparable in scope and responsibility at the GS-06 grade level in the Federal service (obtained in either the public or private sectors). This experience includes one year of experience equivalent to at least the GS-06 grade level or equivalent pay band in the Federal Service. Specialized Experience is defined as: Care and feeding of all life stages of fish. Record and monitor fish health, maintain and update fish culture and water quality records, maintain and improve hatchery infrastructure, equipment and grounds. Rearing, distribution and maintenance of eggs, fry, parr, smolts, yearlings, and broodstock. Collect, process and inventory eggs. Follow established spawning procedures, perform routine health assessments including: necropsies of morbid fish, collecting ovarian fluid samples, external examination of fish for parasites and collecting blood samples.
OR
One full year (18 semester/27 quarter hours) of successfully completed graduate level coursework that is directly related to the work of the position (such as biology, chemistry, statistics, entomology, animal husbandry, botany, physics, agriculture);
OR
Combinations of graduate level education that is directly related to the position and specialized experience. The education must have been obtained in an accredited college or university.

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.

You must meet all Eligibility and Qualification requirements, including any selective placement factors if applicable, by 09/20/2024.

Education

This vacancy announcement allows substituting education for experience. 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. A typed list of courses, grades, semester/quarter hours, GPA, etc. will not be accepted. Non-submission may result in being rated not-qualified for the position.

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.