Biological Science Technician (Fish)

Job Details

This position is located within the Department of the Interior, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Fish &W/l Svc Region 6, Ouray Nat Fish Hatch-vernal Ut, Randlett, Utah.

We are seeking motivated applicants with a strong work ethic, integrity, and a commitment to teamwork to support native fish recovery efforts in the Upper Colorado River Basin. Successful candidates will possess sound biological skills, excellent interpersonal abilities, and a willingness to learn, adapt, and contribute to a collaborative work environment.

At the full performance level (GS-07) the major duties of this position include, but are not limited to the following:
 

• Assists in hatchery fish culture operations, including breeding, rearing, feeding, cleaning, caring for fertilized eggs, and observing fish behavior to support propagation programs.
• Collects and records biological and environmental data (hard copy and digital) related to hatchery populations, fish health, husbandry efficiency, and water quality.
• Operates and maintains aquaculture equipment, such as gates, pumps, valves, filters, alarms, and other support systems essential for maintaining optimal fish health.
• Assists with fish disease detection and treatment, including administering treatments as directed and supporting fish health assessments across hatchery systems.
• Participates in data collection and project activities to support fish propagation studies, including coordinating timelines, calibrating equipment, and providing preliminary data summaries for biological review.
• Conducts routine facility, equipment, and grounds maintenance, including minor repairs using hand tools or power equipment and performing general upkeep of hatchery structures and systems.
• Prepares and organizes data for reports, using automated databases and basic statistical methods to support biologists in analyzing fish health, propagation methods, and environmental conditions.
   

Duties will be developmental in nature when filled below the full performance level.

Requirements

Conditions of employment
 

• Must 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
• Must have and maintain a valid driver's license throughout employment.
• You are required to wear a uniform and comply with the uniform standards. A uniform allowance will be provided.
   

As a condition of employment for accepting this position, you will be required to serve a one year probationary during which your fitness and whether your continued employment advances the public interest will be evaluated.

To qualify for this position at the GS-05 grade level:
 

• Specialized Experience Requirement: you must possess at least one full year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-04 level in the Federal service (obtained in either the public or private sectors). Specialized experience is defined as demonstrated experience: (1) collecting and recording biological, physical, or environmental data in an aquatic or fisheries related field setting; (2) operation, maintenance, troubleshooting and repair of sampling devices related to aquatic or fisheries related work; and (3) using computer software to manage and analyze data and draft scientific reports. You must include hours per week worked. -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 must have been directly related to the position to be filled (e.g. fisheries or aquatics). You must include transcripts. -OR-
• Combination of education and experience. To combine education and the number of semester hours (or equivalent) earned towards a bachelor's degree, in excess of 60 semester hours, and divide by 60 semester hours (or equivalent) Then take the number of months of full-time experience and divide by 12 months. Add the percentages together. The total must equal at least 100 percent to qualify. You must have at least 24 semester hours in any combination of courses such as: biology, chemistry, statistics, entomology, animal husbandry, botany, physics, agriculture, mathematics, etc. (You MUST submit a copy of your transcripts indicating the number of credit hours in order to qualify based on the combination option).
   

To qualify for this position at the GS-06 grade level:
 

• Specialized Experience Requirement: you must possess at least one full year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-05 level in the Federal service (obtained in either the public or private sectors). Specialized experience is defined as demonstrated experience:(1) leading others as part of a technical team to accomplish aquatic or fisheries related objectives; (2) collecting, recording and entering biological, physical, or environmental data in an aquatic or fisheries related field setting; (3) operation, maintenance, troubleshooting and repair of sampling devices related to aquatic or fisheries related work; (4) training field staff on standard operating procedures and equipment use; (5) conducting program outreach to user groups and general public; and (6) using computer software to manage and analyze data and draft scientific reports. You must include hours per week worked. -OR-
• Education: Successfully completed one full year of progressively higher-level graduate education leading to a master's or equivalent graduate degree, if directly related to the position. NOTE: To qualify under this option, you must submit transcripts (official or unofficial) to verify your education. OR
• A combination of specialized experience and education as described above. NOTE: Only directed related graduate education is creditable toward meeting this requirement. For example, six months of the specialized experience (50% of the experience requirement), and 9 semester hours of directly related graduate coursework from an accredited institution (50% of the qualifying education). The total percentage must equal at least 100 percent to qualify. You must submit transcripts.
   

To qualify for this position at the GS-07 grade level:
 

• Specialized Experience Requirement: you must possess at least one full year of specialized experience at or equivalent to the GS-6 grade level in the Federal service obtained in either the public or private sectors performing work in the field of or directly related to biological science. Qualifying experience includes (1) planning the logistics of (e.g., establishing schedules and following procedures to accomplish fish rearing) feeding and caring for fish, and carrying out multi-faceted fish propagation activities (spawning, egg care, sorting, sampling, stocking) at a fish hatchery; (2) use established procedures to collect data daily, weekly, and monthly and organize data and train others in data entry; (3) maintaining and using complex fish culture equipment; and (4) using specialized techniques and methods to culture fish. OR
• Education: Successfully completed one full year of progressively higher-level graduate education leading to a master's or equivalent graduate degree, if directly related to the position. NOTE: To qualify under this option, you must submit transcripts (official or unofficial) to verify your education. OR
• A combination of specialized experience and education as described above. NOTE: Only directed related graduate education is creditable toward meeting this requirement. For example, six months of the specialized experience (50% of the experience requirement), and 9 semester hours of directly related graduate coursework from an accredited institution (50% of the qualifying education). The total percentage must equal at least 100 percent to qualify. You must submit transcripts.

Contact Information

close date  09/14/2026