Biological Science Tech (Wildlife) TERM

Join the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and support hands-on wildlife conservation through field surveys, wildlife monitoring and tagging, habitat management, data collection, GIS, and biological studies. This position offers the opportunity to work outdoors and contribute directly to protecting wildlife and their habitats. This vacancy is limited to 50 applications and may close early. If the application limit is reached the announcement will close at 11:59pm ET that day. Learn more: USFWS

Major duties

This position is located within the Department of the Interior, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Region 2, Southwest Arizona Refuges Complex, in Cibola, AZ. Major duties include but are not limited to: Assist with planning and conducting wildlife censuses, surveys, and biological studies, including determining methods, establishing protocols, collecting field data, and reporting results. Capture and handle wildlife, apply visual and radio tags, and collect physiological, spatial, and other biological data to support wildlife monitoring and management activities. Monitor and manage wildlife habitat and environmental conditions; assist with water management, including irrigation and moist soil management, and conduct vegetation, mowing, seeding, pest plant, and wildlife/plant disease management activities. Enter, manage, and analyze biological data using databases, GIS, statistical software, and other information systems; prepare graphs, reports, and technical products. Operate vehicles, farm tractors, small watercraft, GPS, radio-tracking, water-monitoring, and other field equipment; provide work direction and guidance to biological technicians, volunteers, and youth crews.

Qualifications

To qualify for this position at the GS-7 grade level you must meet one of the following qualification requirements: Specialized Experience Requirement: 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: conducting wildlife surveys or biological studies; collecting and recording biological, physiological, spatial, or environmental data; capturing, handling, or tagging wildlife; and using field equipment or data systems to collect, manage, or analyze wildlife-related data. Education: Successful completion of at least one full year of graduate-level education in a major that is directly related to the work of the position, such as wildlife biology, wildlife management, zoology, ecology, biology, natural resource management, or a closely related biological or natural resource field that included coursework related to wildlife biology, wildlife management, or wildlife conservation. One year of full-time graduate education is the number of credit hours the school determines represents one year of full-time study. If this information cannot be obtained from the school, 18 semester hours is considered one full year. You must include transcripts. -OR- Combination of education and experience. To combine education and experience, first take the number of semester hours of directly related graduate-level education you have completed and divide by 18 semester hours (or the number of credit hours your school determines represents one year of full-time graduate study). Then take the number of months of qualifying specialized experience and divide by 12 months. Add the two percentages together. The total must equal at least 100 percent to qualify. You must include hours per week and transcripts. 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. 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. All qualifications must be met by the closing date of this announcement-10/15/2026.

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. https://www.ed.gov/about/initiatives/international-affairs/recognition-of-foreign-qualification

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 www.dhs.gov/EVerify/. Must have 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. Incumbent will be required to complete first aid training provided by the agency. As a condition of employment for accepting this position, you will be required to serve a one year probationary period during which your fitness and whether your continued employment advances the public interest will be evaluated. This probation 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.