FUL - Biological Science Technician (Fish).

U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS); Red Bluff (CA); On-site; USD 41,000 - 59,000; Full time

Job summary

U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) in Red Bluff, CA seeks a GS-05/06 Fisheries Technician to conduct fish surveys, collect biological data, and support conservation projects. The role includes field and office work, with a probationary period and compliance with federal requirements.

The position emphasizes data quality, cross-agency collaboration, and preparation of reports to guide management decisions and restoration efforts.

Qualifications

• 1) At least a full year of specialized experience at GS-04 level or equivalent for GS-05. 2) Experience collecting and recording biological data. 3) Experience capturing, handling, tagging, or marking fish.
• Graduate education or combination of education and experience may qualify per federal guidance.

Responsibilities

• Conduct fish population surveys and habitat assessments.
• Capture, handle, tag, and process fish and collect samples.
• Analyze and summarize biological data using databases and software.
• Prepare technical reports and data summaries.
• Coordinate field activities with Federal, Tribal, State, and local partners.

Skills

Field data collection

Biological survey

Data analysis

Education

Bachelor’s degree with biology/chemistry/statistics

Tools

Automated databases

Job description

Duties (GS-07)

• Conduct fish population surveys, habitat assessments, monitoring projects, and related field investigations.
• Capture, handle, tag, and process fish and collect biological, environmental, and spatial data.
• Analyze, summarize, and maintain biological data using automated databases and software applications.
• Collect and process biological samples in accordance with established protocols and quality standards.
• Support fisheries conservation, habitat restoration, and resource management projects through field and office activities.
• Prepare technical reports, data summaries, and recommendations based on study findings.
• Coordinate field activities and collaborate with Federal, Tribal, State, and local partners to support fisheries management objectives.

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
• As a condition of employment for accepting this position, you will be required to serve a 1-year probationary period during which your fitness and whether your continued employment advances the public interest will be evaluated.
• Must possess and maintain a valid driver’s license throughout employment.
• You are required to wear a uniform and comply with the uniform standards. A uniform allowance will be provided.
• You are required to obtain and maintain a Motorboat Operator Certification Course (MOCC).
• You are required to pass and maintain Swiftwater Rescue Technician Level 1 certification.
• Must be at least 18 years of age or older to operate government vehicles.

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-11/16/2026-unless otherwise stated in this vacancy announcement. All candidates must also meet Time-in-Grade requirements.

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.

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

GS-05

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 at least the GS-04 grade level in the Federal service, or comparable experience not gained through Federal service. Specialized experience is experience that equipped the applicant with the particular knowledge, skills, and abilities to perform successfully the duties of the position, and that is typically in or related to the work of the position to be filled. Specialized experience may include:
• Assisting with fisheries or aquatic resource surveys and investigations.
• Collecting and recording biological and water resource data.
• Capturing, handling, tagging, or marking fish.
• Identifying fish species commonly encountered in survey areas.
• Maintaining records and automated data systems
• Using computer software to compile information and support report preparation.

Note: If qualifying on experience for the GS-05 grade level, you MUST meet 4 of the 6 Specialized Experience statements above. NOTE: Your resume must contain sufficient information in these areas to be found qualified. 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 have been directly related to the position to be filled. NOTE: To qualify under this option you must submit transcripts to verify your education.

OR- Combination of Education and Experience: A combination of education and experience as described above which together equals 100% of the requirement; including at least 6-semester hours of coursework directly related to the position being filled (Only education in excess of the first 60 semester hours may be used in this calculation).

GS-06

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 may include:
• Independently conducting fisheries or aquatic resource surveys and investigations.
• Collecting, compiling, and reporting biological and water resource data.
• Capturing, handling, tagging, or marking fish using established protocols.
• Identifying fish species within assigned survey areas.
• Maintaining data quality in automated databases.
• Using spreadsheet, word processing, and statistical software to analyze and summarize information.
• Preparing reports and communicating findings to support program objectives.

If qualifying on experience for the GS-06 grade level, you MUST meet 5 of the 7 Specialized Experience statements above. NOTE: Your resume must contain sufficient information in these areas to be found qualified. You must include hours per week worked.

-OR- 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.

-OR- Education: Successfully completed (1) full year of graduate level education (18 semester/27 quarter hours or the school’s equivalent) in an accredited college or university of that included courses directly related to the occupation. NOTE: To qualify under this option you must submit transcripts to verify your education.

-OR- Combination of education and experience: A combination of education and experience as described above which together equals 100% of the requirement; including at least 6-semester hours of coursework directly related to the position being filled (Only education in excess of the first 60 semester hours may be used in this calculation). You must include transcripts.

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. Recognition of Foreign Qualifications | U.S. Department of Education.

Additional information

This position will be filled under the Field Unit Local Hiring Authority. Eligibility is limited to applicants who reside within the defined local commuting area at the time of application. For this announcement, the local commuting area is the area from which individuals can reasonably commute to the duty station under normal conditions. The defined vicinity for this position is: 75 miles. You must provide proof of residency within the defined vicinity (e.g. mortgage or property deed, lease/rental agreement, utility bill, insurance policy, etc.). See the Required Documents section for information on how to verify current residence.

Additional vacancies may be filled using this job announcement.

Salary Range Information (Per Annum)

• First time hires to the federal government typically start at the beginning salary in the range for their respective grade level.

GS-05: $40,736 - $52,957

GS-06: $45,409 - $59,031

EXPLORE Act Veteran Hiring Pilot Program

The Department of the Interior has created a two-year Veteran Hiring Pilot as established by the Expanding Public Lands Outdoor Recreation Experiences (EXPLORE) Act that aims to expand employment opportunities for Veterans (and eligible transitioning Service Members). This position has been identified as EXPLORE Act Veteran Hiring Pilot eligible. The pilot supports DOI's conservation and resource management mission by connecting qualified Veterans with career opportunities across the Department. To learn more, visit

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.

All Department of Interior (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.