Biological Science Technician (Wildlife)

USDA Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS); Guam; On-site; USD 50,000 - 68,000; Full time

Job summary

USDA – Animal Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) NWRC Hawaii Field Station seeks a GS-7 wildlife damage management specialist. Duty stations include Hilo, HI or Barrigada, GU. The role supports research and field operations to reduce wildlife damage affecting crops and ecosystems.

Qualified applicants have specialized experience or graduate education emphasizing wildlife, and will work with cooperators on WDM programs and adhere to MBTA/ESA/NEPA regulations.

Qualifications

• One year of specialized experience at GS-6 level in wildlife damage assessments and surveys.
• Experience applying MBTA, Endangered Species Act, and NEPA.
• Experience working with external cooperators on wildlife damage management.

Responsibilities

• Plan and conduct direct control operations to reduce wildlife damage.
• Inspect and survey areas and revise WDM programs.
• Determine strategies and logistics for providing services.
• Use WDM tools and devices as needed.
• Negotiate cooperative service agreements with landowners or administrators.

Skills

Wildlife damage assessments

Regulatory compliance (MBTA/ESA/NEPA)

Collaborating with external cooperors

Education

Graduate education in wildlife

Job description

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

Job Summary

The position is with the National Wildlife Research Center (NWRC) Hawaii Field Station (duty station will be in Hilo, HI or Barrigada, GU.) The Field Station conducts laboratory and field research on the ecology, behavior, and environmental impacts of animals to agricultural crops, natural resources, and other human health interactions in Hawaii and the Pacific basin. The goal of the station is to develop economically feasible and safe methods to reduce or alleviate damage from invasive 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-7 LEVEL: Applicants must have one year of specialized experience (equivalent to the GS-6 level) that may have been obtained in the private or public (local, county, state, Federal) sectors which demonstrates: Conducting wildlife damage assessments, counts, and abundance surveys. Application of regulations such as the Migratory Bird Treaty Act (MBTA), Endangered Species Act, and National Environment Policy Act. Experience working with external cooperators to provide wildlife damage management. OR 1 full year of graduate level education with an emphasis on wildlife. 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. 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-7 GRADE LEVEL: Applicants may have combinations of successfully completed 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:Plans, organizes, and conducts direct control operations to reduce wildlife damage within a geographical area or technical/subject area.Inspects and surveys areas and, as necessary, will revise existing WDM programs.Determines strategies and logistics for providing services.Uses WDM tools/devices which may include some or all of the following depending on need in assigned area: firearms; foothold, body-grip, cage traps; foot snares; neck snares; chemical control methods.Utilizes knowledge of WDM methods and strategies to independently recommend appropriate WDM strategies.Identifies current, and forecasts future, damage problems and relates them to the damage-causing species.Modifies or adapts established damage control techniques as necessary to meet local conditions.Assists in the negotiation of cooperative service agreements with landowners, lessees, or administrators.

Position Start Date

09/25/2026

Position Close Date

10/01/2026

Salary Offered

50460 - 68485 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. For details click: APHIS Emergency Response