Biological Science Technician (Fish)

U.S.-Fish-; Utah; On-site; USD 43,000 - 64,000; Full time

Job summary

Ouray National Fish Hatchery in Utah is seeking a Biological Science Technician (Fish) to support fish rearing, data collection, and propagation activities. Responsibilities include planning logistics, operating sampling devices, and training staff in standard procedures.

Applicants must meet education or experience requirements for GS-04/05/06/07 levels and submit transcripts as needed. Positions involve on-site work at the hatchery, with emphasis on collecting and recording aquatic data and

Qualifications

• Must have at least one year of specialized experience at GS-04 level or equivalent when applying for GS-05.
• Hours per week must be stated (e.g., full-time 40 hours/week) for crediting experience.
• Education option requires a 4-year bachelor’s degree with relevant coursework; transcripts must be submitted.
• Combination of education and experience may be used to meet requirements at GS-05/06/07 levels; transcripts required.

Responsibilities

• Plan and support logistics for fish rearing, feeding, and propagation activities.
• Collect, record, and manage biological data from aquatic environments.
• Maintain and operate sampling devices and related gear.
• Train staff and oversee field data entry and data quality.

Education

Bachelor’s degree with biology/chemistry/statistics related coursework

Job description

You will serve as a Biological Science Technician (Fish) with the Ouray National Fish Hatchery in Randlett, UT.

Qualifications:

All qualifications must be met by the closing date of this announcement-09/14/2026-unless otherwise stated in this vacancy announcement.

To receive credit for experience, 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. Failure to adequately provide information needed to determine number of hours worked in each position may result in that time not being credited when evaluating qualifying experience. For periods of time that reflect military service, the DD-214 or Statement of Service is sufficient to meet the full and/or part-time hours requirement as the service dates will be reflected.

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.

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.