Biological Science Technician (Avian) (Seasonal)

Summary

Biological Science Technicians perform field and technical work to monitor, manage, and protect natural resources, including plants, wildlife, avian resources, and their habitats. The typical seasonal entry-on-duty period for Alaska Maritime National Wildlife Refuge is April - October, but can be variable during these months due to weather conditions, project needs, or funding.

Duties

As a Biological Science Technician (Avian) your duties may include, but are not limited to, the following: Collect detailed data on avian populations without direct daily supervision. Data are collected on abundance, behavior, habitat, sex and age structure, and seasonal movements. Work in remote field camps and operate and maintain equipment including, but not limited to: temporary structures, solar powered systems, bear protection tools, fuel-powered systems (e.g. gas generators, kerosene heaters) radios and satellite phones. Collect avian morphometric data, mark/recapture data and biological samples by capturing, measuring, and/or marking birds. Use field equipment including cameras, GPS equipment, binoculars, rangefinders and computers to tabulate, manage and analyze basic data on avian populations without direct daily supervision. Work in an office setting and enter biological and project data into databases and assist in drafting technical reports. Additional duties for GS-05: You may implement established seabird monitoring and management projects; collect, organize, and summarize field data; and assist in the preparation of reports and project documentation. Additional duties for GS-06: You may independently conduct seabird and habitat monitoring and management activities using established methods; operate and maintain specialized field equipment; organize and evaluate project data; and assist with project implementation, data analysis, and preparation of reports and plans. Additional duties for GS-07: As a Crew leader you may be in a remote seabird monitoring site responsible for planning logistics, developing work plans/schedules, providing instruction, and working with others. You may organize, schedule, and execute established seabird monitoring and management projects; train personnel in seabird identification, survey and monitoring methods, data and sample collection, habitat assessment, mapping, and equipment use; ensure quality control of field data; evaluate and summarize project results; and prepare draft project reports and recommendations.

Qualifications

All qualifications must be met by the closing date of this announcement-10/19/2026-unless otherwise stated in this vacancy announcement. Credit will be given for all appropriate qualifying experience. To receive credit for experience, your 2 page resume MUST clearly indicate the nature of the duties and responsibilities for each position, starting and ending dates of employment (month/year), and the resume must reflect full and/or part-time or total number of hours worked (i.e., work 40+ hours a week, rather than indicating full-time). If part-time, the hours must be annotated to be able to pro-rate the amount of qualified specialized experience. Resumes must not exceed two single-sided pages and resumes longer than two pages will not be accepted. You may only submit one resume. Only the document submitted as the "Resume" under the Documents section will be used to determine your qualifications/eligibility and for rating purposes. In the event you submit more than one resume, only the latest submission will be reviewed. To qualify for this position at the GS-05 grade level, you must possess one of the following: A. One year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-4 level in the federal service (obtained in either the public or private sector). Specialized experience is experience that equipped the applicant with the particular knowledge, skills and abilities needed to successfully perform the duties of this position. Examples of specialized experience may include: conducting surveys of avian species or wildlife; recording scientific data and preparing reports; assisting in collecting and recording information on avian species; assisting in banding of avian species; collecting, identifying, marking, sexing, weighing and measuring avian species; and any other work that is performed in a controlled environment which includes research activity or control program work. -OR- B. Successfully completed 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 must have been directly related to this occupation such as avian ecology, ornithology, wildlife biology, animal biology, field zoology, etc.(You must include a copy of your transcripts). -OR- C. Equivalent combination of experience and education that, together, equal 100% of the qualification standards listed above when combined. For example, six (6) months of specialized experience (50% of the experience requirement) combined with one year of education as outlined above (50% of the education above), along with 50% of the course-specific education stated above. To qualify for this position at the GS-06 grade level, you must possess one of the following: A. One year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the GS-05 level in the Federal service (obtained in either the public or private sector). Specialized experience is experience that equipped me with the knowledge, skills, and abilities needed to successfully perform the duties of this position. Examples of specialized experience include: Performing biological studies for determining the manner and extent to which avian populations are affected by management activities; conducting avian surveys; responsibility for field camp logistics; participating in the development of work plans and schedules; leading small groups of technicians and providing the necessary training in techniques and procedures; and any other work that is performed in a controlled environment which includes research activity or control program work. To qualify for this position at the GS-07 grade level, you must possess one of the following: A. One year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the GS-06 level in the Federal service (obtained in either the public or private sector). Specialized experience is experience that equipped me with the knowledge, skills, and abilities needed to successfully perform the duties of this position. Examples of specialized experience include: Providing technical support to professional biologists in completing all phases of a biological study or project including: project planning, logistical arrangements, field work, correlation and analysis of data, and completion of reports or other documents related to the project; leading a group of lower graded technicians in gathering field data; work must be comprised of duties related to avian biology with responsibility for independently preparing final drafts of reports or sections of reports and applying a wide range of conventional, established approaches, methods, techniques and solutions to new situations. -OR- B. Successfully completed one full year (18 semester hours or 27 quarter hours) of graduate level course work, from an accredited college or university, leading to a Master's degree with a major study directly related to the position such as avian ecology, ornithology, wildlife management (birds), etc. -OR- C. Equivalent combination of experience and education that, together, equal 100% of the qualification standards listed above when combined. For example, six (6) months of specialized experience (50% of the experience requirement) combined with one year of education as outlined above (50% of the education above), along with 50% of the course-specific education stated above. N