Biological Science Technician (Animal)

USDA Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS); Fort Collins (CO); On-site; USD 56,000 - 73,000; Full time

Job summary

USDA APHIS is seeking personnel to manage wildlife-related issues, protect agriculture and natural resources, and ensure health and safety through wildlife damage management. The position focuses on assessment, reduction, and elimination of problems caused by wild and feral animals.

GS-07 level requires specialized experience or graduate education related to animal science, physiology, or veterinary medicine, with combinations possible to meet qualifications. Transcripts may be required.

Qualifications

• Specialized experience or education required for GS-07 level.
• Education may substitute experience with graduate coursework related to the position.
• Combination of education and experience to total 100% qualifying for GS-07.

Responsibilities

• Care for caged or penned captive animals independently and with the team.
• Review records and ensure accuracy and security during rotations.
• Maintain written records for research and archival purposes per GLP and AW Act provisions.
• Ensure veterinary care is followed as determined by a veterinarian.
• Monitor animal behavior and environmental enrichment and schedule accordingly.
• Operate autoclaves, cage racks, and anesthetic gas equipment.
• Provide care and solve problems arising during animal care.
• Operate large disinfection equipment in animal care settings.

Skills

Wildlife handling

Animal handling

Recordkeeping

Safety practices

Education

Animal Science

Animal Physiology

Veterinary Medicine

Job description

Find Your Future With Us at USDA – Animal Plant Health Inspection Service

Job Summary

This position involves wildlife management and use of techniques to control damage caused by wildlife to help protect agriculture, natural resources, property, and threats to human health and safety. The work is concerned with wildlife damage management operations relating to the assessment, reduction, and/or elimination of problems associated with wild and/or feral animal species.

Qualifications

Applicants must meet all qualifications and eligibility requirements by the closing date of the announcement, including specialized experience and/or education, as defined below. FOR THE GS-07 LEVEL: Applicants must have one year of specialized experience (equivalent to the GS-06 level) that may have been obtained in the private or public (local, county, state, Federal) sectors which demonstrates: Capturing and restraining 2 different mammalian wildlife species for examinations and transportation; Capturing and restraining 2 different avian wildlife species for examinations and transportation; Monitoring at least 3 wildlife species in captivity for evidence of illness. OR Education: Successful completion of one (1) full year of graduate education directly related to the position. Related degrees may include Animal Science, Animal Physiology, Veterinary Medicine. Equivalent combinations of education and experience are qualifying for this grade level. TRANSCRIPTS are required if: You are qualifying for the position based on education. You are qualifying for this position based on a combination of experience and education. This education must have been successfully completed and obtained from an accredited school, college, or university. COMBINATION OF EDUCATION & EXPERIENCE AT THE GS-07 GRADE LEVEL: Applicants may have combinations of successfully completed graduate education and specialized experience to meet total qualification requirements. The total percentages must equal at least 100 percent to qualify for that grade level. 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 and can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience.

Major Duties

The duties may include, but are not limited to: Works independently and with other team members to provide care for caged or penned captive animals. Reviews records for which they have assigned responsibility and ensure records are clear, accurate, and secured when personnel rotations occur. Complete written records on animals used for research and are used for archival purposes as part of Good Laboratory Practice and Animal Welfare Act provisions. Ensures that appropriate veterinary medical care, as determined by a veterinarian, is followed. Collects daily records of animal behavior, response to environmental enrichment, and for forming and following an environmental enrichment schedule. When engaged in providing care and in the handling of animals, observe proper safety precautions required to prevent disease transmission and injury. Collects, prepares, evaluates, and verifies samples and supporting records, maintains records, and locates and compiles data and other information from various sources. Monitors and operates a variety of computer driven autoclaves, ventilated cage racks, rack washers, and anesthetic gas equipment. Provides care for and solving problems that arise during care of caged or penned captive animals. Operates large machines used for disinfection in animal care (e.g. commercial autoclaves, whole-room aerosol foggers, and large motorized sanitizing sprayers).

Position Start Date

09/25/2026

Position Close Date

10/01/2026

Salary Offered

56262 - 73142 USD Per Year

You can make a difference! The U.S. Department of Agriculture's (USDA) Marketing and Regulatory Programs (MRP) needs bright, energetic and committed professionals to facilitate the domestic and international marketing of U.S. agricultural products and to protect the health and care of animals and plants in the United States. We operate in domestic and global markets. Be part of an organization that protects the health and agriculture of the American people. Join our team! To learn more about what it's like to work at the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, what the agency does, and the types of careers, please visit the APHIS careers site. 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.