Summary These positions are for the Biological Science Technician (General), GS- 0404-4 located in the following locations: - Coleharbor ND, R6-Audubon National Wildlife Refuge - Columbia SD, R6-Sand Lake National Wildlife Refuge - Madison SD, R6-Madison Wetland Management District - Moffit ND, R6-Sand Lake National Wildlife Refuge - Waubay SD, R6-Waubay National Wildlife Refuge Responsibilities 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. At management's discretion, this appointment may be extended up to one-year with the possibility of extending an additional one-year. As a Biological Science Technician (General) your duties will include, but are not limited to, the following: Assist with conducting a variety of biological field work to include operating the Refuge Hunt Check Stations for waterbirds. Measure waterbirds characteristics, records, and organizes data. Maintain accurate records of observations made or data collected. Perform, prescribed fire practices gained through experience gained during Wildland Firefighting Training and Certification process. Navigates to field locations using maps, compass, and Global Positioning Systems. Utilizes various software, including GPS and GIS technologies, to transfer locational data and other biological and resource information into various formats. Prepares field data and notes to support biological reports. Gathers and collates technical information from files and puts it into the desired format. Assists with copying, filing, mail management, phone reception, and general office work. Requirements Conditions of Employment Qualifications Only experience and education obtained by 02/02/2024 will be considered. In order to qualify for this position you must possess the Minimum Qualification. Minimum Qualification [GS-4] A. Six months of General Experience and Six months of Specialized Experience that is equivalent to the GS-3 in the federal service, which could have been obtained in the private or public sectors. GENERAL EXPERIENCE is experience that provided a familiarity with biological work. SPECIALIZED EXPERIENCE demonstrates the knowledge, skills, and abilities to successfully perform the duties of a Biological Science Technician. Qualifying specialized experience includes all of the following: experience taking and collecting data, taking measurements and assembling information. Assisting in biological programs by identifying and recording types of vegetation, to include invasive species and/or wildlife common to the field site, habitat conditions and trends, noxious or undesirable plants. OR B. Successful completion of two years of study above high school that included at least 12 semester hours in any combination of courses in scientific or technical courses such as biology, chemistry, statistics, entomology, animal husbandry, botany, physics, agriculture, or others that are directly related to the position to be filled. PLEASE NOTE: If you are using education to qualify, you must submit a copy of your college transcripts; OR C. Combination of experience as described in A above and education as described in B above which total at least one year. For example, 6 months of experience (50% of the experience) and one year of study above high school (50% of the education), would qualify an applicant for this position. PLEASE NOTE: If you are using education to qualify, you must submit a copy of your college transcripts.Only experience and education obtained by will be considered. 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. Education PROOF OF EDUCATION: All applicants who are using education or a combination of education and experience to qualify must submit copies of official or unofficial transcripts which include grades, credit hours earned, major(s), grade point average or class ranking, institution name, and student name. If any required coursework is not easily recognizable on transcripts, or if you believe a portion of a particular course can be credited toward meeting an educational requirement, you must also provide a memorandum on letterhead from the institution's registrar, dean, or other appropriate official stating the percentage of the course that should be considered to meet the requirement and the equivalent number of units. Unofficial transcripts are acceptable; however, if you are selected for the position, you will be required to produce the original official transcripts. PASS/FAIL COURSES: If more than 10 percent of your undergraduate course work (credit hours) were taken on a pass/fail basis, your claim of superior academic achievement must be based upon class standing or membership in an honor society. GRADUATE EDUCATION: One academic year of graduate education is considered to be the number of credits hours your graduate school has determined to represent one academic year of full-time study. Such study may have been performed on a full-time or part-time basis. If you cannot obtain your graduate school's definition of one year of graduate study, 18 semester hours (or 27 quarter hours) should be considered as satisfying the requirement for one year of full-time graduate study. FOREIGN EDUCATION: If you are using education completed in foreign colleges or universities to meet the qualification requirements, you must show the education credentials have been evaluated by a private organization that specializes in interpretation of foreign education. For further information, visit: Recognition of Foreign Qualifications | International Affairs Office (ed.gov) Additional Information PCS - Not Authorized Telework: These positions are not suitable for telework. Additional Vacancies: One or more positions may be filled from applications received under this announcement in the advertised office or other U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service offices in the local commuting area. Temporary Benefits: Most Federal employees earn both annual and sick leave. For additional information, visit Leave Administration. Effective January 2015, employees on temporary appointments may be eligible for health benefits through the Federal Employees Health Benefits program and, if eligible, will receive the same government contribution as full-time permanent employees. To be eligible for consideration, temporary employees working full-time or part-time must be on appointments expected to last at least 90 days, or be on an intermittent work schedule and expected to work 130 hours per month for at least 90 days. Employees electing to participate in the FEHB will be responsible for the employee share of the premium while on the official agency roles, which is deducted from bi-weekly earnings. After separating from federal employment, employees will be offered to continue participation in FEHB under the Temporary Continuation of Coverage (TCC) option. Employees electing to continue coverage under the TCC provision will be responsible for the full premium amount plus a 2% administration fee. Career Transition Assistance Plan (CTAP) or Interagency Career Transition Assistance Plan (ICTAP): CTAP/ICTAP provides placement assistance to permanent Federal employees who are surplus, displaced, or involuntarily separated. Applicants claiming CTAP/ICTAP eligibility must submit a copy of their most recent performance appraisal, proof of eligibility, and most current SF-50 noting position, grade level, and duty location with their application. To be considered under CTAP/ICTAP, applicants must be well-qualified (i.e., meet the minimum qualification requirements, including any selective placement factors; education, and experience requirements), score at least 85 on the assessment questionnaire, and be able to perform the duties of the position upon entry. For information on CTAP and ICTAP visit: OPM's Employee Guide to Career Transition Reasonable Accommodation: The USFWS provides reasonable accommodations to applicants with disabilities. Please visit USAJOBS Help Center | Reasonable accommodation policy if you need a reasonable accommodation for any part of the application and hiring process.