FUL-Biological Science Technician (Wildlife).

U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS); Winona (MN); On-site; USD 60,000 - 70,000; Full time

Job summary

U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) in Winona, Minnesota seeks a wildlife support specialist to assist in planning and implementing censuses, surveys, and related studies.

You will help determine research methods, equipment needs, and reporting procedures, while monitoring wildlife and vegetation management activities. You will develop databases, analyze data, and prepare reports with charts and graphics.

Qualifications

• Experience planning wildlife censuses or surveys and reporting results.
• Ability to analyze ecological data and generate clear reports.
• Experience working with volunteers or teams in field settings.

Responsibilities

• Assist in planning and implementing wildlife censuses and surveys.
• Plan multifaceted wildlife studies and report methods and needs.
• Monitor wildlife, disease outbreaks, and vegetation management activities.
• Develop databases and analyze data for reports.
• Enter/retrieve data in GIS and other systems.
• Create graphs and illustrations for reports using PowerPoint/graphics tools.
• Operate equipment and provide guidance to technicians and volunteers.

Skills

Wildlife census planning

Field data collection

Data analysis

GIS data handling

Team leadership

Report writing

Tools

GIS

PowerPoint

Harvard graphics

Job description

Duties

• The employee assists in the planning and implementation of wildlife censuses and surveys and recommends wildlife management practices.
• Assists in planning multifaceted wildlife studies by contributing ideas, determining research methods, establishing practical procedures for accomplishing and reporting the work and determining other needs, such as costs, equipment and personnel.
• Monitors and assists in control of wildlife, plant disease outbreaks, pest plant control, mowing/seeding activities and vegetation removal. Captures, applies visual and radio tags, and gathers physiological and spatial data on wildlife.
• Monitors elements of the physical environment, such as temperature, precipitation, stream flow, snow depth, wind speed, and humidity. Develops databases and analyzes data using standard statistical methods and procedures in preparation of wildlife reports.
• Enters and retrieves data from the Geographic Information System and/or other information management systems.
• Develops graphs, charts and illustrations for reports and technical publications using computer software, such as Microsoft PowerPoint and Harvard graphics.
• Operates farm tractors, light trucks, vehicles, small water craft and various other equipment such as generators, radios, radio tracking equipment, water monitoring equipment, global positioning systems and cameras.
• Provides work direction and guidance to biological technicians and volunteers and YCC enrollees, including safe handling of tools and operation of motorized vehicles and water craft.

Requirements

• 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
• You are required to wear a uniform and comply with the uniform standards. A uniform allowance will be provided.
• You may be required to complete training and obtain/maintain a government charge card with travel and/or purchase authority.
• You must be at least (1)18 years old or (2) at least 16 years old and: (a) Have graduated from high school or been awarded a certificate equivalent to graduating from high school; or (b) Have completed a formal vocational training program; or (c) Have received a statement from school authorities agreeing with their preference for employment rather than continuing their education; or (d) Be currently enrolled in a secondary school and either work only during school vacation periods or work part-time during the school year under a formal student employment program.

This trial 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;
• 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 trial 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-10/15/2026-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.

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

• Individual Occupational Requirement Experience for the 0404 series. Specialized Experience Requirement: Experience must have been related to the work of the position for which application is made. The specialized experience required for some positions in this series is normally work performed in a controlled environment. Examples of qualifying specialized experience include:
  • Research activity or control program work.
  • Nursery work that required the growing and maintenance of plants in a controlled environment.
  • Work comparable to that with a large dairy farm where production records, animal environment, and sanitary conditions were kept in accordance with modern dairy practice.

Additional Qualifications Required At The GS-07 Level

• Specialized Experience: 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: basic and applied habitat restoration techniques of wetland habitats for the benefit of various species; experience in the practices/techniques and terminology related to wildlife management and habitats; capturing, handling and monitoring a variety of species; knowledge and experience working with laws and regulations, as well as policies pertaining to the protection of a variety of federally listed species and their habitat; using computer technology to maintain and retrieve information from automated data systems, and statistical software programs in order to develop reports; working with and leading volunteers in a natural resource environment. You must include hours per week worked. -OR
• Education: Successful completion of at least One year (18 semesters) of graduate education in courses in a field of study directly related to the position to be filled (for example, biology or wildlife management). You must include transcripts. You must include transcripts. -OR
• Combination of education and experience. To combine education and experience as described above. For example, 6 months of specialized experience and half a year of directly related graduate level education. The total must equal at least 100 percent to qualify. Yor resume must include hours per week. You must include 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.

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: Winona, Minnesota. 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.

Field Unit Local (FUL) Hiring is defined as 50 miles from the job announcement location. Location: Winona, Minnesota.

Additional vacancies may be filled using this job announcement.

Physical Demands

Field work requires strenuous activity for significant periods of time, often walking over rough terrain and in muddy conditions; on rough or uneven surfaces; wading through vegetation choked marshes, lifting and carrying heavy objects, and in many instances during difficult weather conditions. Collection of bird survey data requires good vision and field work results in exposure to such things as: poison ivy insects, sun, wind, temperature variation and many varieties of pollen. Data interpretation and processing require extensive time at a computer terminal. Seasonal field studies involve considerable physical demands, such as frequent, extensive travel on foot; bending; crouching; and climbing; exertion from lifting and carrying equipment; and energy drain from cold, wet and windy weather. The incumbent must be in good physical condition and anticipate the demands of each field trip. Occasionally lifts containers weighing up to 35 pounds.- additional 30 points for wild land fire fighting duties, when considered a major job requirement: Subject to extreme physical effort and may be required to lift objects weighing over 50 pounds.

Working Conditions

Work includes office and outdoor settings. There is regular exposure to high and low temperature extremes, inclement weather, dusty/noisy environments, working near heavy equipment, The incumbent is expected to perform duties in a safe and orderly manner, so as not to endanger self, fellow workers, or property. Field activities are normally conducted in remote locations and often under primitive living conditions. Small boats, canoes, or small aircraft may be used for travel or as a survey platform.- firefighting, exposure to intense heat, inhalation of smoke, etc; long and exhausting work hours- Additional 30 points for wild land fire fighting duties, when considered a major job requirement: Subject to high risks with regular and recurring exposure to potentially dangerous situations that can’t necessarily be controlled.

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.