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. This position is also open to status candidates under announcement R3-24-12450126-MSK-MP. You must apply to each announcement separately if you wish to be considered under both recruitment methods. Responsibilities As a Biological Science Technician (Fish) your duties will 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. Shared Certificate: Applicants who apply under this job opportunity announcement agree to have their application, associated documents and applicable personal information shared with other Bureaus/Offices within the Department of the Interior (DOI) who have vacancies within the same occupational series, grade, full performance level and in the same geographic location(s), including within the same metro/commuting area. Applying to this announcement does not replace the need to apply to other job opportunity announcements for which you wish to receive consideration. Requirements Conditions of Employment Qualifications Only experience and education obtained by 07/10/2024 will be considered. In order to qualify for this position you must possess the Minimum Qualification. 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. 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 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. 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. Career Transition Assistance Plan (CTAP) or Interagency Career Transition Assistance Plan (ICTAP):Department of Interior (DOI) Career Transition Assistance Plan (CTAP) procedures apply in filling this vacancy. 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 click here 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. Reasonable Accommodation (RA) Requests: If you believe you have a disability (i.e., physical or mental), covered by the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 as amended and Americans with Disabilities Act 1990 as amended, that would interfere with completing the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments, you will be granted the opportunity to request a RA in your online application. Requests for RA for the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments and appropriate supporting documentation for RA must be received prior to starting the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments. Decisions on requests for RA are made on a case-by-case basis. If you meet the minimum qualifications of the position, after notification of the adjudication of your request, you will receive an email invitation to complete the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments. You must complete all assessments within 48 hours of receiving the URL to access the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments, if you received the link after the close of the announcement. To determine if you need a RA, please review the Procedures for Requesting a Reasonable Accommodation for Online Assessments here: https://help.usastaffing.gov/Apply/index.php?title=Reasonable_Accommodations_for_USA_Hire