Summary This position is a Biological Science Technician (Fish), GS-0404-5/6/7 working in Onalaska, Wisconsin for the R3-Whitney Genetics Lab. The full performance level of this position is GS-7. These positions are being filled under the Pathways Recent Graduate Program and is for recently graduated or graduating individuals who are looking for developmental experiences in the Federal Government intended to promote possible careers in the civil service. Responsibilities The Pathways Recent Graduate Program is for recently graduated or graduating individuals who are looking for developmental experiences in the Federal Government intended to promote possible careers in the civil service. Recent Graduates will serve on this appointment for one year. During the first year the selectee will perform developmental activities designed to help them acquire the competencies of the target position in which they may be placed upon completion of the program. Participants who successfully complete the Recent College Graduates Program may be eligible for conversion to the target position on a permanent or term (more than one to four years in duration) basis without further competition. For more information on the Pathways Recent Graduate Program, please visit https://www.usajobs.gov/StudentsAndGrads. As a Biological Science Technician (Fish) your duties may include, but are not limited to, the following: Interpret genetic assignment results in the context of a genetic baseline to propose movement of individual fish or other organisms to reporting group or population of origin. Analyze biological samples using microscopes and other standard laboratory equipment. Operates and assists with the standard aspects of maintaining specialized genetic laboratory equipment (e.g. thermocyclers, next-gen sequencers, centrifuges). Apply formal quality assessment and quality control (QA/QC) protocols to measure the accuracy of genetic results. You MUST submit official or unofficial College Transcript(s) showing the date degree or certificate is conferred. If your degree or certificate has not been conferred, you must provide a letter from the school documenting current standing, degree being obtained and expected graduation date, with your application package, in addition to your most recent College Transcript(s) A firm job offer will not be presented until receipt of official transcripts showing degree conferred. Requirements Conditions of Employment Qualifications Only experience and education obtained by 07/10/2024 will be considered. OPM's Qualification standard: http://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/classification-qualifications/general-schedule-qualification-standards/final-groupcoveragequalificationstandardforpathwaysprogramschedule-20d.pdf. Applicants meet the following eligibility requirement, and provide documentation such as a copy of your official transcript and/or veteran's documentation by the closing date of the announcement to be considered: In order to qualify for this position you must possess both the Basic Requirement and Minimum Qualification. Basic Requirement: Obtained, within the previous two years, a qualifying associate's, bachelor's, master's, professional, doctorate, vocational or technical degree or certificate from a qualifying educational institution; OR Are a Veteran who entered active military duty after completion of my educational requirements and completed my degree within the past 6 years. Minimum Qualification [GS-5] 1 year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the GS-04 grade level in the Federal service. Specialized experience may include: 1) With supervision, prepares laboratory reagents, assists in extracting DNA from samples; 2) Cleans and maintains work and storage spaces; 3) With supervision, conducts data collection, entry, and assists a biologist with basic statistical and genetic analysis; OR Successfully completed 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 and at least 6 semester hours of courses such as limnology, ichthyology, fishery biology, aquatic botany, aquatic fauna, oceanography, fish culture, or related courses in the field of fishery biology; OR Combination of education and experience: I have less than one year of specialized work experience as described in A and have not yet completed four years of education above high school as described in B. I do have, however, a combination of experience as described under letter A above and education as described under letter B above which, when combined, is equivalent to 100% of the qualification requirement. (Only education in excess of the first 60 semester hours may be used in this calculation). To calculate your percentage of education, first determine the total number of semester hours that exceed 60 semester hours (or your school's definition of one year of study), then divide the total number of your excess semester hours by 60 (or your school's definition of two years of study). To calculate your percentage of qualifying experience, divide your total number of months of qualifying experience by 12. Now, add the two percentages together. The sum of the percentages must equal at least 100%. Minimum Qualification [GS-6] 1 year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the GS-05 grade level in the Federal service. Specialized experience may include: 1) Assists with preparing laboratory reagents; 2) Assists with conducting data collection; 3) Assists with the standard aspects of maintaining specialized genetic laboratory equipment; 4) Assists with collecting biological samples; OR possess one full year of progressively higher-level graduate education (18 semester hours) leading to a master's or equivalent graduate degree, in a field related to fisheries; OR Combination of specialized experience and graduate education as described above that, when combined, equals 100% of the total requirement. Minimum Qualification [GS-7] 1 year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the GS-06 grade level in the Federal service. Specialized experience may include: 1) Prepares laboratory reagents, assists in extracting DNA from samples, prepares samples for polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and/or sequencing; 2) Operates and assists with the standard aspects of maintaining specialized genetic laboratory equipment; 3) Conducts data collection, entry, and assists a biologist with basic statistical and genetic analysis; 4) Collects biological samples ensuring correct documentation, reporting, storage, transport and delivery of samples taken; OR Successful completion of 1 full year (18 semester hours) of graduate education related to the occupation, such as fishery, aquaculture, limnology, ichthyology, or other areas such as biology, chemistry, statistics, entomology, animal husbandry, botany, physics, agriculture, or mathematics.; OR Combination of specialized experience and graduate education as described above that, when combined, equals 100% of the total 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. Promotion Potential: This position involves a multi-grade career ladder. The major duties listed represent the full performance level of GS-5/6/7. At lower grade levels, you will perform assignments of a more limited scope and with less independence. You will progressively acquire the background necessary to perform at the full performance level of GS-5/6/7. Promotion is at the discretion of the supervisor and is contingent upon satisfactory performance, availability of higher level work, and availability of funds. The selectee may be promoted without further competition when all regulatory, qualification, and performance requirements are met. Selection at a lower grade level does not guarantee promotion to the full performance level. (NOTE: You must attach a copy of your transcripts. Failure to submit transcripts will result in an ineligible rating.) Education PROOF OF EDUCATION: All applicants 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. Failure to submit transcripts will result in an ineligible rating. 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 Education Status: Completed all requirements for an associates, bachelors, masters, professional, doctorate, vocational, or technical degree or certificate from a qualifying educational institution within the previous two (2) years; or individuals who, due to military service obligation, were precluded from applying to the Recent Graduates Program during any portion of the 2-year eligibility period described above shall have a full 2-year period of eligibility upon release or discharge from active duty. This eligibility period cannot extend more than 6 years from the date on which the requirements for the academic course of study were met. Recent Graduate appointments may not exceed two years. Recent Graduates who satisfactorily complete all the Program requirements may be non-competitively converted to a Term or Permanent appointment in the competitive service. Conversion is not guaranteed. Recent Graduates converted to Term appointments may later be non-competitively converted to a Permanent competitive service position. To register or verify your registration go to the Selective Service System at: Link Telework: This position is suitable for telework and may be allowed to telework with supervisory approval. 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. PCS INFORMATION: -Yes, entitlements for payment of basic moving expenses, as required and to the extent allowed by the Federal Travel Regulation (FTR) 302-3.101, are authorized for eligible applicants changing duty station when the change meets the distance tests as provided in FTR 302-1.1 and 302-2.6. All moving expenses are taxable. 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.