Department of the Interior

Seasonal - Biological Science Technician (Fish)

Kotzebue, Alaska, Grand Junction, Colorado, Michigan City, Indiana, Madison, South Dakota, Pierre, S Full time

Seasonal - Biological Science Technician (Fish)

Department: Department of the Interior

Location(s): Kotzebue, Alaska, Grand Junction, Colorado, Michigan City, Indiana, Madison, South Dakota, Pierre, South Dakota, Yankton, South Dakota, Charles City, Virginia, Essex Junction, Vermont, Leavenworth, Washington, Winthrop, Washington, Iron River, Wisconsin, White Sulphur Springs, West Virginia

Salary Range: $23.94 - $34.79 Per Hour

Job Summary: These positions are Biological Science Technician (Fish), GS- 0404-7. Salary: The salary for each location may vary depending on locality. Locality tables may be found HERE Please see additional information about each vacancy HERE Cost of Living Allowance: In addition to the yearly salary, Alaska positions are entitled to a 3.00% cost-of-living allowance (COLA). This allowance is subject to annual review, adjustment, and rate decrease.

Major Duties:

  • This is a temporary appointment intended for seasonal work that is less than 6 months or 1040 hours from the date of appointment/service year. It is expected this position will be terminated upon completion of the seasons work. The agency may non-competitively rehire an eligible temporary seasonal worker in subsequent years who works less than 6 months or 1040 hours in their service year. As a Seasonal - Biological Science Technician (Fish) your duties will 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. Independently monitors, plans, and implements activities related to conservation, management, and/or control of fish/wildlife. 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. Assists in planning and carrying out hatchery data collection on hatchery populations to study health and propagation methods. Projects planned at this grade level have considerable complexity and often require multiple timelines, coordination with biologists to resolve complex issues related to fish propagation, or long-range projects that span over multiple spawning seasons. Fish hatchery operations and studies on efficiency may cover breeding, rearing, and/or growing fish in tanks or raceways, caring for fertilized eggs in trays, observing fish behavior in response to feeding, cleaning, and husbandry operations, determining feed regiments, treating fish disease, collecting and recording data (hard copy and digital), operating specialized aquaculture equipment such as gates, pumps, valves, filters, alarms, and other support systems to maintain fish health. Reviews data and prepares reports for biologists to analyze and formulate solutions for complex fish health issues in a hatchery environment. Lead a small group of lower-graded technicians in gathering field data and providing training in techniques and procedures. Conduct abundance estimates of resident fish species. Document fish movement using radio telemetry. Sample water quality. Perform fish habitat inventory.

Qualifications: Only experience and education obtained by 12/12/2025 will be considered. In order to qualify for this position, you must possess both the Minimum Qualification. Minimum Qualification [GS-07] One year of specialized experience comparable in scope and responsibility equivalent to grade GS-06 in the Federal service. Specialized experience may include: 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 Successfully completed one year of graduate level education (18 semester/27 quarter hours or the school's equivalent) in an accredited college or university leading to a master's or equivalent graduate degree that included courses directly related to the occupation, such as fishery biology, ichthyology, limnology, aquaculture, etc. OR A combination of education and experience as described in 1 and 2 above which together equals 100% of the requirement 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.

How to Apply: Review the appointment eligibility criteria in the application preview linked below. The eligibility section of the application allows you to choose how you wish to be considered for this vacancy announcement. You will ONLY be considered for the eligibilities that you select "yes" to and submit the required supporting documentation, as listed in the Required Documents section or the application text. To apply for this position, you must provide a complete Application Package. See required documents section. Click 'Apply' to create an account or log in to your existing USAJOBS account. Follow the prompts to complete the assessment questionnaire and upload required documents. To preview the assessment questionnaire, click https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/12837510. Please ensure you check the acknowledgement checkbox then click the Submit Application button to submit your application. Applications must be received by 12/12/2025, 11:59pm ET to receive consideration. Check application status by logging into your USAJOBS account, in Applications tab, click the position title you applied to for the status. For information on what each Application Status means, visit: https://www.usajobs.gov/Help/how-to/application/status/. If you are unable to apply online, you must request an alternative application which is available from the Human Resources Office. Please contact the Human Resources Office via email at fwshiring@fws.gov.

Application Deadline: 2025-12-12