About this role
Job SummaryYou will serve as a FUL-Biological Science Technician working for the Arcata Fish and Wildlife Office in Arcata, California or Yreka, California. This vacancy uses the Field Unit Local Hiring (FUL) Authority. Applicants must reside within 50 miles of the duty location. Pay will vary based on grade level and/or duty location for which you're selected. First time hires to the Federal government normally start at the step 1 rate.
QualificationsAll qualifications must be met by the closing date of this announcement-09/24/2026-unless otherwise stated in this vacancy announcement. All candidates must also meet Time-in-Grade requirements. 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. Conducting surveys of fish/aquatic species and their habitat 2. Assisting in the collection, recording and summarizing of data collected during fish and aquatic surveys 3) Using a variety of databases and reporting systems to store, compile, and analyze data from fish and aquatic studies. If qualifying on experience for the GS-05 grade level, you MUST meet 2 of the 3 Specialized Experience statements above. NOTE: Your resume must contain sufficient information in these areas to be found qualified. -OR- Education: 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 courses such as biology, chemistry, statistics, entomology, animal husbandry, botany, physics, agriculture, or mathematics. At least 6 semester hours of courses have been directly related to the position to be filled. NOTE: To qualify under this option you must submit transcripts to verify your education -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 (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. Experience using water quality sampling and survey equipment to conduct field surveys to investigate distributions of fish and their habitats 2. Collecting, recording and summarizing data collected during fish and aquatic surveys and entering it into a computer based data entry system 3. Identifying fish 4. Utilizing technical equipment such as GPS Units, microscopes, tag detection equipment, data loggers, and electronic data collectors. To qualify for the GS-06 grade level, you MUST meet 3 of the 4 Specialized Experience statements above. NOTE: Your resume must contain sufficient information in these areas to be found qualified. -OR- Education: Successfully completed (1) full year of graduate level education (18 semester/27 quarter hours or the school's equivalent) in an accredited college or university of that included courses directly related to the occupation. NOTE: To qualify under this option you must submit transcripts to verify your education -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 (Only education in excess of the first 60 semester hours may be used in this calculation). 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. Experience in leading field crews conducting field surveys to investigate distributions of fish and their habitats. 2. Collecting, recording and summarizing data collected during fish and aquatic surveys and entering it into a computer based data entry system and drafting reports 3. Communicating (written or verbal) with internal and external partners the outcomes and results of field studies 4. Identifying fish 5. Utilizing technical equipment such as GPS Units, microscopes, tag detection equipment, data loggers, and electronic data collectors. If qualifying on experience for the GS-07 grade level, you MUST meet all of the Specialized Experience statements listed above. NOTE: Your resume must contain sufficient information in these areas to be found qualified. -OR- Education: Successfully completed (1) full year of graduate level education (18 semester/27 quarter hours or the school's equivalent) in an accredited college or university of that included courses directly related to the occupation. NOTE: To qualify under this option you must submit transcripts to verify your education -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.
Major DutiesAt the full performance level (GS-07) the major duties of this position include, but are not limited to the following: Conducts fish and aquatic habitat studies and aquatic species surveys using active sampling such as beach seining and operating rotary screw traps, and passive sampling such as snorkel surveys and raft-based redd surveys. Utilizes and maintains technical equipment such as GPS units, microscopes, tag detection equipment, data loggers and electronic data collectors, water quality sampling and survey equipment to conduct field surveys to investigate distribution of fish and assess quality of aquatic habitats. Collects, stores, organizes, and transfers raw data sheets to digital files and inputs data into computer databases. Prepares charts, graphs, and/or reports on data collected. Provides work direction and guidance to lower graded technicians, volunteers, or partners in gathering field data and maintaining safe working environment. Duties will be developmental in nature when filled below the full performance level.RequirementsMust be a U.S. Citizen or National. 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 www.dhs.gov/EVerify/. Must possess and maintain a valid driver's license throughout employment. Pre-employment and random drug testing are required. You will not be appointed to the position if a verified positive drug test is received. As a condition of employment for accepting this position, you will be required to serve a 1-year probationary period during which your fitness and whether your continued employment advances the public interest will be evaluated. 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.