Summary –
As a Biological Science Technician within the USDA, APHIS, WS and performs duties relating to wildlife management and use of techniques aimed at controlling damage caused by wildlife to help protect agriculture, natural resources, property, and threats to human health and safety. The work is primarily concerned with wildlife damage management (WDM) operations relating to the assessment, reduction, and/or elimination of problems associated with wild and/or feral animal species
Responsibilities
The duties described are for the full-performance level. At developmental grade levels, assignments will be of more limited scope, performed with less independence and limited complexity.
The duties may include, but are not limited to:
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.
Carries out duties in accordance with program decisions made in compliance with the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) and Endangered Species Act (ESA) under guidance and oversight by supervisor.
Travel Required
Occasional travel – You may be expected to travel for this position.
Supervisory status
No
Requirements
Conditions of Employment
*You must be a US Citizen or US National.
*Males born after 12/31/1959 must be Selective Service registered or exempt.
*Valid state driver’s license is required at the time of application.
*In some situations, travel and work in rough and remote locations may entail horseback riding and operation of 4X4 vehicles (including all-terrain and/or utility task vehicles), boats, or snow mobiles.
*The work may also require the incumbent to actively participate in aerial activities as a passenger and/or crew member of a fixed- or rotary-winged aircraft.
*Appointment to and maintaining the position is contingent upon negative drug test results on applicable applicant drug screenings and all following random or ongoing screening, as directed.
*The incumbent of this position must maintain the required background investigation or security clearance level and any applicable secure access credentials sufficient to perform the essential functions of the position.
*Must possess and maintain a valid State-issued driver’s license in order to operate a Government-owned or leased vehicle.
*Legal and physical ability to possess and discharge firearms appropriately and safely is required.
*Incumbents must be able to comply with both Federal and State statutory requirements to possess and use firearms in the performance of their duties and must maintain state-mandated firearm use certification requirements.
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-06 LEVEL: Applicants must have one year of specialized experience (equivalent to the GS-05 level) that may have been obtained in the private or public (local, county, state, Federal) sectors which demonstrates:
*Experience conducting wildlife counts and abundance surveys.
*Experience working within the requirements of the Migratory Bird Treaty Act (MBTA), Endangered Species Act, and the National Environmental Policy Act.
*Experience in the use of firearms, traps, snares, pesticides, immobilizing drugs, pyrotechnics, electronic harassment devices, and other non-lethal control tools in an airport environment.
*Ability to select appropriate wildlife damage management strategies, techniques, and tools and apply them to specific situations
*Experience collecting scientific data and utilizing various computer software programs to manage, analyze and present data that would include word processing, spreadsheets, databases, presentation and GIS software.
Or
*Successfully completed 1 year of graduate education (18 semester hours) in wildlife.
Or
*COMBINATION OF EDUCATION & EXPERIENCE AT THE GS-06 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.
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
*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.
Education
This position does not have an education qualification requirement.