Biological Science Technician
Biological Science Technician Standard Duties:
Utilizes databases to enter and organize collected field data and uses standard statistical methods in the preparation of draft reports; enters and retrieves data from a geographic information system (GIS) and other information management systems; uses a variety of computer software programs to prepare graphs, charts and illustrations for reports and technical publications. Recommends modifications to field activity procedures to accomplish project objectives; and prepares draft reports and correspondence relating to field activities and results. Provides logistic support and area orientation for contract or cooperating scientists; and provides technical information to cooperators regarding past and ongoing field activities in their specialty area. Provides advice, assistance, and training to lower graded technicians, volunteers, and/or YCC enrollees in gathering field data, including proper and safe handling of equipment and tools and operation of motorized vehicles and water craft. Assists in preparing draft news releases concerning biological resource issues and in providing information to individuals, local organizations and schools. Interacts with visitors, the general public and attends and participates in meetings with landowners, interest groups and local units of government. Adheres to established control/quality assurance protocols and safety procedures. Additional Duties for the Biological Science Technician Specialties:
Biological Science Technician (Fisheries) Duties:
Positions involved with research, conservation, production, and management of fishes, fishery resources, or determination, establishment, and application of biological facts, methods, techniques, and procedures necessary for research, conservation, and management of fishes and other aquatic animals, such as crustaceans and mollusks, where the work does not principally involve management responsibility for the operation of fish hatcheries. Biological Science Technician (Plants) Duties:
Positions concerned with carrying out field studies on plants and plant ecology; inventorying and monitoring exotic plants; leading field crews in exotic plant eradication; protecting plants by building and maintaining fences; conducting grazing monitoring studies; assisting researchers in vegetation and soils mapping, developing improved methods of controlling weeds and plant diseases; and similar work usually concerned with higher plant life. Biological Science Technician (Wildlife) Duties:
Positions concerned with research, conservation, and management of wildlife; the control of wildlife; or determination, establishment, and application of the biological facts, principles, methods, techniques, and procedures necessary for the conservation, management, and control of wildlife. All qualifications must be met by the closing date of this announcement-11/25/2020-unless otherwise stated in this vacancy announcement. Minimum Qualifications - Experience Statements:
GS-04:
Must possess 6 months of general experience and 6 months of specialized experience for a total of 1 year of experience. General experience includes general nursery or landscaping work; work on a trail or fire crew; work on a crop farm; or other general experience that meets the definition above. Specialized Experience is experience that equips the applicant with the specific knowledge, skills, and abilities to perform the work of the position. To be creditable, this experience must have been equivalent in level of difficulty and responsibility to that of at least the GS-3 grade level in the Federal service. Specialized experience to qualify at the GS-4 level includes assisting with basic vegetation inventories, studies, and surveys; participating in site rehabilitation through soil preparation, native seed dispersal, live planting and weeding; conducting environmental monitoring and management activities, related to fishery, plants and/or wildlife by making field observations; applying/performing a variety of manual, mechanical, chemical, and/or bio-control methods in planned management of plants including:
exotics (non-natives/weeds), and/or native species, etc. (I understand that excess specialized experience can substitute for general experience; but excess general experience cannot be substituted for required specialized experience). For more information on education; OR combining education and experience, reference the Education Section. GS-05:
Must possess 1 year of specialized experience. Specialized Experience is experience that equips the applicant with the specific knowledge, skills, and abilities to perform the work of the position. Creditable specialized experience must have been equivalent in level of difficulty and responsibility to the GS-4 grade level in the Federal service. Specialized experience to qualify at the GS-5 level include:
assisting with basic vegetation inventories, studies, and surveys; participating in site rehabilitation through soil preparation, native seed dispersal, live planting and weeding; conducting environmental monitoring and management activities, related to fishery, plants and/or wildlife by making field observations; applying/performing a variety of manual, mechanical, chemical, and/or bio-control methods in planned management of plants including:
exotics (non-natives/weeds), and/or native species, etc. For more information on education; OR combining education and experience, reference the Education Section. GS-06:
Must possess 1 year of specialized experience. Specialized Experience is experience that equips the applicant with the specific knowledge, skills, and abilities to perform the work of the position. Creditable specialized experience must have been equivalent in level of difficulty and responsibility to the GS-5 grade level in the Federal service. Specialized experience to qualify at the GS-6 level include:
assisting with basic vegetation inventories, studies, and surveys; participating in site rehabilitation through soil preparation, native seed dispersal, live planting and weeding; conducting environmental monitoring and management activities, related to fishery, plants and/or wildlife by making field observations; applying/performing a variety of manual, mechanical, chemical, and/or bio-control methods in planned management of plants including:
exotics (non-natives/weeds), and/or native species, etc. For more information on education; Or combining education and experience, reference the Education Section. GS-07:
Must possess 1 year of specialized experience. Specialized Experience is experience that equips the applicant with the specific knowledge, skills, and abilities to perform the work of the position. Creditable specialized experience must have been equivalent in level of difficulty and responsibility to the GS-6 grade level in the Federal service. Specialized experience to qualify at the GS-7 level include:
assisting with basic vegetation inventories, studies, and surveys; participating in site rehabilitation through soil preparation, native seed dispersal, live planting and weeding; conducting environmental monitoring and management activities, related to fishery, plants and/or wildlife by making field observations; applying/performing a variety of manual, mechanical, chemical, and/or bio-control methods in planned management of plants including:
exotics (non-natives/weeds), and/or native species, etc. For more information on education; Or combining education and experience, reference the Education Section. Specialty Experience and Education Statements for the Biological Science Technician (Fisheries, Plants, and Wildlife):
Biological Science Technician (Fisheries):
Must possess the minimum qualifications as depicted above, which includes experience and/or education directly related to research, conservation, production, and management of fishes, fishery resources, or in the determination, establishment, and application of biological facts, methods, techniques, and procedures necessary for research, conservation, and management of fishes and other aquatic animals, such as crustaceans and mollusks, where the work does not principally involve management responsibility for the operation of fish hatcheries. Biological Science Technician (Plants):
Must possess the minimum qualifications as depicted above, which includes experience and/or education directly related to carrying out field studies on plants and plant ecology; inventorying and monitoring exotic plants; leading field crews in exotic plant eradication; protecting plants by building and maintaining fences; conducting grazing monitoring studies; developing improved methods of controlling weeds and plant diseases; and similar work usually concerned with higher plant life. Biological Science Technician (Wildlife):
Must possess the minimum qualifications as depicted above, which includes experience and/or education directly related to applying knowledge of research, conservation, and management of wildlife; the control of wildlife; or the determination, establishment, and application of the biological facts, principles, methods, techniques, and procedures necessary for the conservation, management, and control of wildlife. (Note:
you will still be considered for the Biological Science Technician without the fisheries, plants, or wildlife specialties. These are additional designations applicants can be considered for.) Qualifying experience may be obtained in the private or public sectors. The OPM Qualification Standards Handbook is available for review at:
Biological Science Technician Individual Occupation Requirements Group Coverage Qualification Standards
Estimated Salary: $20 to $28 per hour based on qualifications.
Utilizes databases to enter and organize collected field data and uses standard statistical methods in the preparation of draft reports; enters and retrieves data from a geographic information system (GIS) and other information management systems; uses a variety of computer software programs to prepare graphs, charts and illustrations for reports and technical publications. Recommends modifications to field activity procedures to accomplish project objectives; and prepares draft reports and correspondence relating to field activities and results. Provides logistic support and area orientation for contract or cooperating scientists; and provides technical information to cooperators regarding past and ongoing field activities in their specialty area. Provides advice, assistance, and training to lower graded technicians, volunteers, and/or YCC enrollees in gathering field data, including proper and safe handling of equipment and tools and operation of motorized vehicles and water craft. Assists in preparing draft news releases concerning biological resource issues and in providing information to individuals, local organizations and schools. Interacts with visitors, the general public and attends and participates in meetings with landowners, interest groups and local units of government. Adheres to established control/quality assurance protocols and safety procedures. Additional Duties for the Biological Science Technician Specialties:
Biological Science Technician (Fisheries) Duties:
Positions involved with research, conservation, production, and management of fishes, fishery resources, or determination, establishment, and application of biological facts, methods, techniques, and procedures necessary for research, conservation, and management of fishes and other aquatic animals, such as crustaceans and mollusks, where the work does not principally involve management responsibility for the operation of fish hatcheries. Biological Science Technician (Plants) Duties:
Positions concerned with carrying out field studies on plants and plant ecology; inventorying and monitoring exotic plants; leading field crews in exotic plant eradication; protecting plants by building and maintaining fences; conducting grazing monitoring studies; assisting researchers in vegetation and soils mapping, developing improved methods of controlling weeds and plant diseases; and similar work usually concerned with higher plant life. Biological Science Technician (Wildlife) Duties:
Positions concerned with research, conservation, and management of wildlife; the control of wildlife; or determination, establishment, and application of the biological facts, principles, methods, techniques, and procedures necessary for the conservation, management, and control of wildlife. All qualifications must be met by the closing date of this announcement-11/25/2020-unless otherwise stated in this vacancy announcement. Minimum Qualifications - Experience Statements:
GS-04:
Must possess 6 months of general experience and 6 months of specialized experience for a total of 1 year of experience. General experience includes general nursery or landscaping work; work on a trail or fire crew; work on a crop farm; or other general experience that meets the definition above. Specialized Experience is experience that equips the applicant with the specific knowledge, skills, and abilities to perform the work of the position. To be creditable, this experience must have been equivalent in level of difficulty and responsibility to that of at least the GS-3 grade level in the Federal service. Specialized experience to qualify at the GS-4 level includes assisting with basic vegetation inventories, studies, and surveys; participating in site rehabilitation through soil preparation, native seed dispersal, live planting and weeding; conducting environmental monitoring and management activities, related to fishery, plants and/or wildlife by making field observations; applying/performing a variety of manual, mechanical, chemical, and/or bio-control methods in planned management of plants including:
exotics (non-natives/weeds), and/or native species, etc. (I understand that excess specialized experience can substitute for general experience; but excess general experience cannot be substituted for required specialized experience). For more information on education; OR combining education and experience, reference the Education Section. GS-05:
Must possess 1 year of specialized experience. Specialized Experience is experience that equips the applicant with the specific knowledge, skills, and abilities to perform the work of the position. Creditable specialized experience must have been equivalent in level of difficulty and responsibility to the GS-4 grade level in the Federal service. Specialized experience to qualify at the GS-5 level include:
assisting with basic vegetation inventories, studies, and surveys; participating in site rehabilitation through soil preparation, native seed dispersal, live planting and weeding; conducting environmental monitoring and management activities, related to fishery, plants and/or wildlife by making field observations; applying/performing a variety of manual, mechanical, chemical, and/or bio-control methods in planned management of plants including:
exotics (non-natives/weeds), and/or native species, etc. For more information on education; OR combining education and experience, reference the Education Section. GS-06:
Must possess 1 year of specialized experience. Specialized Experience is experience that equips the applicant with the specific knowledge, skills, and abilities to perform the work of the position. Creditable specialized experience must have been equivalent in level of difficulty and responsibility to the GS-5 grade level in the Federal service. Specialized experience to qualify at the GS-6 level include:
assisting with basic vegetation inventories, studies, and surveys; participating in site rehabilitation through soil preparation, native seed dispersal, live planting and weeding; conducting environmental monitoring and management activities, related to fishery, plants and/or wildlife by making field observations; applying/performing a variety of manual, mechanical, chemical, and/or bio-control methods in planned management of plants including:
exotics (non-natives/weeds), and/or native species, etc. For more information on education; Or combining education and experience, reference the Education Section. GS-07:
Must possess 1 year of specialized experience. Specialized Experience is experience that equips the applicant with the specific knowledge, skills, and abilities to perform the work of the position. Creditable specialized experience must have been equivalent in level of difficulty and responsibility to the GS-6 grade level in the Federal service. Specialized experience to qualify at the GS-7 level include:
assisting with basic vegetation inventories, studies, and surveys; participating in site rehabilitation through soil preparation, native seed dispersal, live planting and weeding; conducting environmental monitoring and management activities, related to fishery, plants and/or wildlife by making field observations; applying/performing a variety of manual, mechanical, chemical, and/or bio-control methods in planned management of plants including:
exotics (non-natives/weeds), and/or native species, etc. For more information on education; Or combining education and experience, reference the Education Section. Specialty Experience and Education Statements for the Biological Science Technician (Fisheries, Plants, and Wildlife):
Biological Science Technician (Fisheries):
Must possess the minimum qualifications as depicted above, which includes experience and/or education directly related to research, conservation, production, and management of fishes, fishery resources, or in the determination, establishment, and application of biological facts, methods, techniques, and procedures necessary for research, conservation, and management of fishes and other aquatic animals, such as crustaceans and mollusks, where the work does not principally involve management responsibility for the operation of fish hatcheries. Biological Science Technician (Plants):
Must possess the minimum qualifications as depicted above, which includes experience and/or education directly related to carrying out field studies on plants and plant ecology; inventorying and monitoring exotic plants; leading field crews in exotic plant eradication; protecting plants by building and maintaining fences; conducting grazing monitoring studies; developing improved methods of controlling weeds and plant diseases; and similar work usually concerned with higher plant life. Biological Science Technician (Wildlife):
Must possess the minimum qualifications as depicted above, which includes experience and/or education directly related to applying knowledge of research, conservation, and management of wildlife; the control of wildlife; or the determination, establishment, and application of the biological facts, principles, methods, techniques, and procedures necessary for the conservation, management, and control of wildlife. (Note:
you will still be considered for the Biological Science Technician without the fisheries, plants, or wildlife specialties. These are additional designations applicants can be considered for.) Qualifying experience may be obtained in the private or public sectors. The OPM Qualification Standards Handbook is available for review at:
Biological Science Technician Individual Occupation Requirements Group Coverage Qualification Standards
- Department:
0404 Biological Science Technician - Salary Range:
$14.95 to $20.72 per hour
Estimated Salary: $20 to $28 per hour based on qualifications.
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