Biological Science Technician (Wildlife)

MINIMUM ELIGIBLITY REQUIREMENTS:

To qualify, applicants MUST meet all minimum qualification requirements, except Medical Requirements, by the closing date of the announcement. QUALIFICATIONS REQUIRED:

FOR THE GS-05 GRADE: Applicants must have one year of specialized experience (equivalent to the GS-04 level) that may have been obtained in the private or public (local, county, state, Federal) sectors which demonstrates: Experience using lethal and non-lethal wildlife damage control techniques and tools. Experience working within local, state, and national rules and regulations as they apply to wildlife policies and procedures. Experience preparing reports regarding activities, observations, events, and other relevant data collected. Experience identifying various species of wildlife 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. Equivalent combinations of education and experience are qualifying for this grade level. Combination of Education and Experience at the GS-5 Grade Level: Applicants may have combinations of successfully completed education and specialized experience to meet total qualification requirements. The total percentages must equal at least 100 percent to qualify for that grade level. QUALIFICATIONS REQUIRED:

FOR THE GS-06 GRADE: Applicants must have one year of specialized experience (equivalent to the GS-5 level) that may have been obtained in the private or public (local, county, state, federal) sectors which demonstrates experience in:

• Dealing with human-wildlife conflicts and principles of wildlife damage management.

• The requirements of the Migratory Bird Treaty Act (MBTA), Endangered Species Act, and National Environment Policy Act.

• Conducting wildlife damage assessments, counts and abundance surveys.

• The use of firearms, traps, snares, pesticides, immobilizing drugs, pyrotechnics, electronic harassment devices, and other non-lethal control tools.

• Creating/maintaining public contacts to formulate assistance strategies that incorporate technical assistance and operational control techniques. OR Successfully completed 1 year of graduate education (18 semester hours) in wildlife. OR Combination of Education and Experience at the GS-6 Grade Level: Applicants may have combinations of successfully completed education and specialized experience to meet total qualification requirements. The total percentages must equal at least 100 percent to qualify for that grade level. HOW YOU WILL BE EVALUATED Applicants who meet basic minimum qualifications may be referred to the hiring manager for selection. Qualified candidates eligible for veterans’ preference will receive referral and selection priority over non-veterans. OTHER REQUIREMENTS: (if applicable to your position)

• Must obtain or have a valid state driver’s license. Operation of Government-owned or leased vehicles is required.

• As a condition of employment, appropriate security clearance is required for this position.

• Position is subject to random and applicant drug testing.

• Must demonstrate a respect for safety in all operations, including the operation of motor vehicles, firearms, control devices, and equipment.

• To perform the essential duties of this position, you must have the legal and physical ability to possess and discharge firearms. You must be able to pass a government background check and meet any additional requirements to carry and use firearms. A background check will include answering questions about where you’ve lived, worked, went to school, and any military history or police records. Selection and retention in this position is contingent on a successfully adjudicated FBI National Criminal History Check (fingerprint check). Emergency Response – APHIS is an emergency response agency. This means that all Agency employees may be asked or assigned to participate in rotating temporary duty assignments to support emergency programs at some time during their careers with APHIS. It is difficult to predict the frequency with which such emergency situations may occur – and could range from several emergencies in a year to none over the course of many years. In the event that you are called upon to support an emergency program, this may require irregular working hours, including overtime, and may include duties other than those specified in your official position description. While some emergency program support assignments may be able to be performed at the employee’s current duty station, in other cases employees may be asked to go on-site to a temporary duty state location. In addition, it may be necessary for employees to participate in multiple rotations to an emergency program assignment. Attempts will be made to keep disruption to the employee to a minimum. See this link: https://www.usajobs.gov//Help/working-in-government/fair-and-transparent/signature-falsestatements/ NOTE: APPLICANTS FOR THIS POSITION WILL BE REQUIRED TO SUBMIT TO URINALYSIS TO SCREEN FOR ILLEGAL DRUG USE PRIOR TO APPOINTMENT. APPOINTMENT TO THE POSITION WILL BE CONTINGENT UPON A NEGATIVE DRUG TEST RESULT. INCUMBENTS OF THIS POSITION WILL BE REQUIRED TO SUBMIT TO URINALYSIS TO SCREEN FOR ILLEGAL DRUG USE ON AN ONGOING BASIS AFTER APPOINTMENT, AS DIRECTED. Carrying a firearm is a condition of employment – In the passing of the Lautenberg Amendment, Congress passed legislation which prohibits anyone who has been convicted of a misdemeanor crime of domestic violence from possessing a firearm or ammunition. If selected you will be required to sign the form, “Inquiry for Positions Requiring Possession of Firearms,” certifying that you meet these criteria. The United States Government does not discriminate in employment on the basis of race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy and gender identity), national origin, political affiliation, sexual orientation, marital status, disability, genetic information, age, membership in an employee organization, retaliation, parental status, military service, or other non-merit factor.