Biological Science Technician (Fish).

U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS); New Franken (WI); On-site; USD 42,000 - 64,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Federal benefits package

Relocation assistance

Job summary

U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is seeking a data-driven field technician to monitor fish populations and aquatic invasive species. You will assist biologists, plan and lead field surveys, manage equipment, and contribute to reporting and project design, ensuring adherence to safety and protocol standards.

The role emphasizes independent work and team collaboration in field settings, with opportunities to develop data-driven insights, operate small watercraft, and support conservation objectives.

Qualifications

• Experience planning logistics for fish propagation and surveys.
• Ability to collect, organize and summarize biological data.

Responsibilities

• Assist biologists and technicians to monitor fish populations and aquatic invasive species.
• Plan, lead field crews for surveys in rivers and lakes using small watercraft.
• Maintain field equipment and vessels and assist with data reporting and project design.

Skills

Field logistics planning

Lead field crews

Data collection & entry

GIS data handling

Equipment handling

Education

Graduate study in fish biology

Master's in related field

Tools

Fish culture equipment

Job description

Duties

Some of the major duties you will perform include but are not limited to the following:

• Assist biologists and other technicians to monitor fish populations including aquatic invasive species by following strict protocols including environmental DNA and field sampling gears to support conservation and management activities.
• Plan, implement and lead field crews for aquatic invasive species surveys in rivers and lakes on small watercraft with the ability to operate field sampling gears and equipment (such as trawls, gillnets, fyke nets and electrofishing equipment, small watercraft, generators, trucks and water sampling equipment) according to established protocols and safety measures
• Work independently and with a team to carry out assigned surveys or field and laboratory tasks under established protocols to support surveillance of native fish populations and aquatic invasive species population status, trends, movement and behavior.
• Support fishery program by collecting and recording data, assisting and leading field and laboratory operations, maintaining field equipment and vessels (including nets, boats and trailers) managing biological samples, summarizing data (including GIS and databases), assisting biologists by preparing basic report segments and contributing to project objectives and survey designs.
• Collect and document biological and environmental data using established techniques and standard operating procedures, manage samples, enter, organize, and summarize data (including in GIS and databases), assist biologists by preparing basic report segments and contributing ideas on project objectives, design and potential improvements.

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 possess and maintain a valid driver's license throughout employment.

As a condition of employment for accepting this position, you may be required to serve a 1-year probationary period to evaluate your fitness and whether your continuation of employment advances the public interest.

This probationary period is an extension of the appointment process and therefore requires the agency to determine if continued employment would advance the public interest, meet the organization goals and mission of the agency, and/or otherwise promote the efficiency of the service. In determining if your employment advances the public interest, the agency will consider: your performance and conduct; the needs and interests of the agency; whether your continued employment would advance organizational goals of the agency or the Government; and whether your continued employment would advance the efficiency of the Federal service.

Under applicable law, the employment of an individual serving a probationary or trial period automatically terminates when that period ends unless the agency affirmatively certifies, in writing, that the individual's employment should continue and that their appointment should be finalized. In the absence of agency action to affirmatively certify continued employment beyond the probationary or trial period, such appointments are terminated. Upon completion of your probationary period, your employment will be terminated unless you receive certification, in writing, that your continued employment advances the public interest.

Qualifications

All qualifications must be met by the closing date of this announcement - 09/07/2026-unless otherwise stated in this vacancy announcement. Competitive candidates must also meet Time-in-Grade requirements as defined in 5 CFR 300, Subpart F.

For current Federal employees, if hours worked per week are not included on your resume, you must submit a non-award SF-50 as part of your application to be used to validate your work schedule and determine the amount of specialized experience that you will be granted. An award SF-50 will not be acceptable documentation for which to consider your amount of qualifying experience. For periods of time that reflect military service, the DD-214 or Statement of Service is sufficient to meet the work schedule requirement as the service dates will be reflected. For all other applicants who are not current federal employees, your resume must state either "full-time" (or "40 hours a week") or "part-time" with the number of hours worked per week to ensure proper crediting of specialized experience.

Minimum Qualification Requirements

To qualify for this position, you must meet the following minimum qualifications:

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

Experience

To qualify, you must possess at least one full year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-06 level in the Federal service (obtained in either the public or private sectors). Specialized experience is defined as demonstrated experience: (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. NOTE: Your resume must contain sufficient information in these areas to be found qualified. You must include hours per week worked.

Education

Successful completion of at least one full year of graduate-level education that is directly related to the work of the position (e.g., major study in fish biology, aquaculture or fish culture, limnology, ichthyology, etc.) One year of full-time graduate education is considered to be the number of credit hours that the school attended has determined to represent 1 year of full-time study. If that information cannot be obtained from the school, 18 semester hours should be considered as satisfying the 1 year of full-time study requirement. Part-time graduate education is creditable in accordance with its relationship to a year of full-time study at the school attended. You must include transcripts.

Combination

A combination of education and experience as described in 1 and 2 above which together equals 100% of the requirement.

To qualify for this position at the GS-08 grade level:

Experience

To qualify, you must possess at least one full year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-07 level in the Federal service (obtained in either the public or private sectors). Specialized experience is defined as demonstrated experience: 1) Preparing, maintaining or using fish and wildlife propagation equipment; 2) Leading all activities of fish propagation; 3) Collecting and preparing biological and water quality data; 4) Communicating with others to exchange information regarding changes in fish production strategies and implementation. NOTE: Your resume must contain sufficient information in these areas to be found qualified. You must include hours per week worked.

Education

Two years of progressively higher-level graduate education leading to a master's degree -or- possess a master's or equivalent graduate degree that is directly related to the work of the position (e.g., major study in fish biology, aquaculture or fish culture, limnology, ichthyology, etc.). One year of full-time graduate education is considered to be the number of credit hours that the school attended has determined to represent 1 year of full-time study. If that information cannot be obtained from the school, 18 semester hours should be considered as satisfying the 1 year of full-time study requirement. Part-time graduate education is creditable in accordance with its relationship to a year of full-time study at the school attended. You must include transcripts.

Combination

A combination of education and experience as described in 1 and 2 above which together equals 100% of the requirement.

Volunteer Experience

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

You must submit a copy of your transcript(s) to support claimed education if substituting education for experience. Transcripts must include your name, school name, grades, credit hours earned, major(s), grade point average or class ranking, and date the degree was conferred, if applicable. A typed list of courses, grades, semester/quarter hours, GPA, etc. will not be accepted. Non-submission may result in being rated not qualified for the position. Unofficial transcripts are acceptable, but if you are selected for this position and you used your education to qualify, you must provide official transcripts before you begin work.

Foreign Education

To receive credit for education completed outside the United States, you must show proof that the education has been submitted to a private organization that specializes in interpretation of foreign educational credentials and such education has been deemed at least equivalent to that gained in conventional U.S. education programs. For more information on how foreign education is evaluated, visit:

Additional information

Additional vacancies may be filled using this job announcement.

Promotion to the full performance level is neither guaranteed nor implied and will be based solely on your ability to satisfactorily perform the work of the position, existing work at the higher grade level, and recommendation by the position's supervisor

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. In addition, relocation discretionary entitlements may be authorized for this position excluding contractor-provided home sale.

All DOI employees, their spouses, and minor children may not acquire or retain any claim, permit, lease, small tract entry, or other rights granted by the Department in Federal lands, with limited exceptions. Additional ethics prohibitions can be found here,

Candidates should be committed to improving the efficiency of the Federal government, passionate about the ideals of our American republic, and committed to upholding the rule of law and the United States Constitution.

A career with the U.S. government provides employees with a comprehensive benefits package. As a federal employee, you and your family will have access to a range of benefits that are designed to make your federal career very rewarding.

Eligibility for benefits depends on the type of position you hold and whether your position is full-time, part-time or intermittent. Contact the hiring agency for more information on the specific benefits offered.