Biological Science Technician - Davis, United States - US Geological Survey

US Geological Survey

Verified Company

Davis, United States

3 weeks ago

Posted by:

Mark Lane

beBee recruiter

Description

Duties:

As a Biological Science Technician within the Western Ecological Research Center, some of your specific duties will include:

Collect biological data from waterfowl and other waterbirds.
Perform technical work in a laboratory or field environment in support of biological data collection actions on waterfowl/waterbirds.
Capture, band/collar, measure and collect oralcloacal swabs and blood for avian influenza virus.
Operate, maintain, and service a variety of biological recording and measuring instruments.
Operate a government owned or leased vehicle as an incidental driver.
Operate and maintain outboard powered boats.

Physical Demands

Field work is physically demanding and includes walking, bending, climbing, and lifting of equipment up to 50 pounds (or heavier equipment, with assistance) when in the field, sometimes during adverse conditions.

Lab work requires long periods of standing, agility and dexterity in handling samples, and hand-eye coordination.

Work Environment
The work is performed in a laboratory or field environment.

Field work involves moderate or sometimes extreme exposure to the discomforts of rain, cold/hot weather, and rapidly running or icy streams and rivers.

Special safety precautions are required in many cases for both field and lab work, and the employee may typically wear life jackets; special safety boots, gloves, and goggles; waders; and special organism handling gear.

Conditions of Employment of the USGS Watercraft Safety Program:

Motorboat Operator Certification - You must be able to take and pass the USGS Motorboat Operator Certification Course (MOCC) within six (6) months of employment.

CPR Certification - Must be able to obtain and maintain First Aid and CPR (Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation) certification for the duration of employment.

First Aid Certification - Must be able to obtain and maintain Wilderness or Advanced First Aid certification for duration of employment

(Note:

Only if the employee will be over an hour away from emergency services while on a boat.)

There is currently one vacancy to be filled at the following locations: Davis, CA or Dixon, CA; however, this announcement may be used to fill additional vacancies if they become available.

Requirements:

Conditions of Employment:

Key Requirements:

Applicants must be U.S. Citizens.
Suitable for Federal employment, as determined by background investigation.
Selectee must provide a valid state driver's license & safe driving record.
More requirements are listed under Qualifications and Other Information.

Are There Any Special Requirements For This Position?

You will be required to operate a governmentowned or leased vehicle in the performance of your official duties.

Applicants for this position must meet the following requirements:
(1) possess a valid State license, and (2) possess a safe driving record. If selected, you will be required to provide proof of a valid State license & a copy of your driving record.

Qualifications:

Applicants must meet one of the following to qualify for the GS-5 level:

One year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the GS-04 level in the Federal service that is in or related to the duties of this position.

Specialized experience may include work as a technician or aid in a research activity or control program work, nursery work that required the growing and maintenance of plants in a controlled environment, or 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 if it equipped the applicant with the knowledge, skills and abilities to perform successfully the duties of this position.

Farming experience that was not performed in a controlled environment, or experience as a laborer who was not responsible for planning and scheduling his/her own work, but only performed assigned tasks, would not qualify as specialized experience.

Examples of GS-4 level work assignments include: 1) recording instrument readings; 2) collecting a specified amount, quantity, and type of samples; 3) taking measurements; 4) operating basic equipment when performing standardized tests; 5) assisting higher level technicians with the operation of sophisticated equipment; 6) assisting higher level technicians in capturing, tagging, collaring and banding animals or fish.

For examples 1-6, a designated authority made continuing assignments by initially indicating such criteria as the amount of work expected, a general explanation of what is to be done, advice on the location of reference material or samples, and the nature of the limits applicable to the assignments.

Recurring assignments were carried out independently, within established procedures and with mínimal instruction. New, difficult or unusual work assignments were given with specific instructions.

OR applicants may substitute successful completion