Biological Science Technician (Wildlife)

USDA Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS); Salt Lake City (UT); On-site; USD 41,000 - 55,000; Full time

Job summary

USDA APHIS in Salt Lake City seeks a Wildlife Damage Management professional at the GS-5 level to reduce wildlife damage through direct control operations within a defined area. The role supports higher-level management and may involve chemical immobilization and euthanasia where appropriate, with responsibilities spanning field surveys, program revisions, and partner coordination.

The position emphasizes collaboration with Wildlife Biologists, data collection, and public-land agreements, with

Qualifications

• Experience in wildlife damage mitigation methods and techniques.
• Experience using lethal and non-lethal animal control techniques.
• Basic computer operations for record keeping, data analysis, report writing and correspondence.
• Education may be combined with experience to meet qualification requirements; transcripts may be required.

Responsibilities

• Organize and conduct direct control operations to reduce wildlife damage within a geographic area.
• Inspect and survey areas and revise WDM programs with higher-level management.
• May use chemical immobilization and euthanasia drugs to capture and handle wildlife.
• Assist Wildlife Biologists by identifying current and forecasting future damage related to species.
• Adapt established damage control techniques to local conditions and considerations.
• Negotiate cooperative service agreements with landowners, lessees, or administrators.
• Help conduct demonstrations and training on WDM methods and objectives.

Skills

Wildlife damage mitigation methods

Lethal and non-lethal animal control

Basic data handling and reporting

Education

Bachelor's degree in a scientific/technical field

Job description

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

Job Summary

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. **Please see additional information section for location details**

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-5 LEVEL: Applicants must have one year of specialized experience (equivalent to the GS-4 level) that may have been obtained in the private or public (local, county, state, Federal) sectors which demonstrates: Experience in wildlife damage mitigation methods and techniques. Experience using lethal and non-lethal animal control techniques. Conducting basic computer operations for record keeping, data analysis, report writing and correspondence. OR 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 scientific or technical courses such as biology, chemistry, entomology, animal husbandry, botany, physics, agriculture, or mathematics, with at least 6 semester hours in wildlife 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-5 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

• Responsible for organizing and conducting direct control operations to reduce wildlife damage within a geographical area or technical/subject area of program involvement.
• Inspects and surveys areas and, as necessary, will revise existing WDM programs in close consultation with higher-level management.
• May be required to use chemical immobilization and euthanasia drugs to capture and handle wildlife.
• Assists Wildlife Biologists by correctly identifying current, and forecasting future damage, problems and relating them to the damage-causing species.
• Modifies or adapts established damage control techniques as necessary to meet local conditions and address specific environmental, economic or political considerations.
• Assists in the negotiation of cooperative service agreements with landowners, lessees, or administrators to accomplish the goals outlined for the WS program.
• Assists in conducting demonstrations and training for others, including other cooperators or other interested groups, on WDM methods, procedures, and program objectives.

Position Start Date: 09/18/2026

Position Close Date: 09/24/2026

Salary Offered: 40736 - 55296 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