About this role
Job SummaryYou will serve as a Biological Science Technicianwith US Fish and Wildlife Service . This position is a Biological Science Technician, GS-0404-05,06,07, located in Decatur, Alabama, in Region 4 of the Department of the Interior, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.
QualificationsAll qualifications must be met by the closing date of this announcement - 08/02/2026-unless otherwise stated in this vacancy announcement. Competitive candidates must also meet Time-in-Grade requirements as defined in 5 CFR 300, Subpart F. For current Federal employees, if hours worked per week are not included on your resume, you must submit a non-award SF-50 as part of your application to be used to validate your work schedule and determine the amount of specialized experience that you will be granted. An award SF-50 will not be acceptable documentation for which to consider your amount of qualifying experience. For periods of time that reflect military service, the DD-214 or Statement of Service is sufficient to meet the work schedule requirement as the service dates will be reflected. For all other applicants who are not current federal employees, 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. Minimum Qualification Requirements: To qualify for this position, you must meet the following minimum qualifications: Minimum Qualification for GS-5: One (1) year of specialized experience equivalent to at least GS-4 level. Examples of specialized experience may include experience related to plant studies such as inventorying rare and endangered plants and species habitat based on guidelines; taking soil samples by layer; and taking root samples. -OR- 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 scientific or technical courses such as biology, chemistry, statistics, entomology, animal husbandry, botany, physics, agriculture, or mathematics. At least 6 semester hours of courses must have been directly related to the position to be filled. -OR- A combination of experience and education to meet total experience. Minimum Qualification for GS-6: One (1) year of specialized experience equivalent to GS-5 level. Examples of specialized experience may include experience related to plant studies such as surveying, mapping and documenting a variety of plant species and habitat conditions; compiling occurrence and distribution data, cover maps, and herbarium study mounts; assisting in performing habitat studies and in constructing habitat improvement structures; and compiling data obtained through soil inventory and assembling data into a logical sequence for review. -OR- Successful completion of one full year of graduate education directly related to the work of the position. -OR- A combination of experience and education to meet total experience. Minimum Qualification for GS-7: One (1) year of specialized work experience equivalent to GS-6 level. Examples of specialized experience may include experience related to plant studies such as surveying, mapping and documenting a variety of plant species and habitat conditions; compiling occurrence and distribution data, cover maps, and herbarium study mounts; assisting in performing botanical studies and in constructing habitat improvement structures; compiling data obtained through soil inventory; and assembling data into a logical sequence for review. -OR- Successful completion of one full year of graduate education directly related to the work of the position. -OR- A combination of experience and education to meet total experience. 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.
Major DutiesAs a Biological Science Technician your duties will include but are not limited to the following: GS-5 - Major Duties Assist in propagation and planting of rare/native plant species and maintain greenhouse facilities. Help conduct wildlife and plant surveys, collect field data, and maintain databases. Assist with downloading and organizing wildlife camera images. Support environmental monitoring (temperature, precipitation, etc.) and basic GIS data entry. Perform basic habitat restoration, vegetation removal, and occasional public outreach tasks. GS-6 - Major Duties Conduct propagation of rare/native plant species and prepare habitat restoration plans. Independently perform wildlife and plant surveys and manage associated data systems. Download, analyze, and interpret wildlife camera images to assess wildlife activity. Monitor environmental conditions, enter data in GIS, and prepare charts, graphs, and reports. Carry out vegetation removal, re-vegetation efforts, and limited environmental outreach. GS-7 - Major Duties Lead propagation efforts for rare/native plant species and coordinate with partners on habitat restoration. Independently conduct advanced wildlife and plant surveys and maintain comprehensive biological datasets. Review and interpret wildlife monitoring camera data to evaluate patterns and activity trends. Oversee environmental monitoring, GIS data management, and creation of technical visualizations for reports. Perform and guide habitat restoration activities and support public outreach and education efforts. This position involves a multi-grade career ladder. The major duties listed represent the full performance level of GS-07. At the lower grade levels, you will perform assignments of a more limited scope and with less independence. You will progressively acquire the background necessary to perform at the full performance level of GS-07. Promotion is at the discretion of the supervisor and is contingent upon satisfactory performance, availability of higher level work, and availability of funds. The selectee may be promoted without further competition when all regulatory, qualification, and performance requirements are met. Selection at a lower grade level does not guarantee promotion to the full performance level.RequirementsMust provide proof of U.S. citizenship. Appointment subject to background investigation and favorable adjudication. Males born after 12-31-59 must be registered for Selective Service. Direct Deposit participation required. Successfully pass the E-Verify employment verification check. To learn more, visit https://www.e-verify.gov/. Must possess and maintain a valid driver's license throughout employment. You are required to wear a uniform and comply with uniform standards. A uniform allowance will be provided. As a condition of employment for accepting this position, you may be required to serve a 1 year probationary period to evaluate your fitness and whether your continuation of employment advances the public interest. This probationary period is an extension of the appointment process and therefore requires the agency to determine if continued employment would advance the public interest, meet the organization goals and mission of the agency, and/or otherwise promote the efficiency of the service. In determining if your employment advances the public interest, the agency will consider: your performance and conduct; the needs and interests of the agency; whether your continued employment would advance organizational goals of the agency or the Government; and whether your continued employment would advance the efficiency of the Federal service. Under applicable law, the employment of an individual serving a probationary or trial period automatically terminates when that period ends unless the agency affirmatively certifies, in writing, that the individual's employment should continue and that their appointment should be finalized. In the absence of agency action to affirmatively certify continued employment beyond the probationary or trial period, such appointments are terminated. Upon completion of your probationary period your employment will be terminated unless you receive certification, in writing, that your continued employment advances the public interest.