POSITION TITLE biological science technician

Hiring Organization/Employer: USDA 
Application Deadline:  5/18/2026
Education Required:  none
Location:  Negotiable, New Jersey

Description:  

 As a Wildlife Biological Science Technician, you will perform 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.

Compensation & Benefits:  

 $19.52 - $35.36 per hour

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:
• Inspects and surveys areas and, as necessary, will revise existing WDM programs in close consultation with higher-level management.
• 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.
• Enters data into established WDM database/system of record. Uses data to prepare and submit routine reports regarding daily, weekly or monthly activities, observations, and events.
• Responsible for organizing and conducting direct control operations to reduce wildlife damage within a geographical area or technical/subject area of program involvement.

Preferred Qualifications:  

• You must be a US Citizen or US National.
• Individuals who were born male after 12/31/1959 must be Selective Service registered or exempt.
• Subject to satisfactory adjudication of background investigation and/or fingerprint check.
• Direct Deposit: Per Public Law 104-134 all Federal employees are required to have federal payments made by direct deposit to their financial institution.
• Successfully pass the E-Verify employment verification check. To learn more about E-Verify, including your rights and responsibilities, visit E-Verify at https://www.e-verify.gov/
• Testing Designated Position: Selectee must submit to a urinalysis to screen for illegal drug use prior to appointment and random testing thereafter. Final appointment and continued employment is conditional on negative results for illegal drug use.
• Valid state driver's license is required at the time of application.
• All USDA employees are required to be enrolled in Continuous Vetting, which authorizes government agencies to receive notifications of criminal activity on individuals who hold low risk, public trust, or national security positions.
• As a condition of employment for accepting this position, you will be required to serve a 2-year trial period during which we will evaluate your fitness and whether your continued employment advances the public interest.
• Must demonstrate a respect for safety in all operations, including the operation of motor vehicles, firearms, control devices, and equipment.
• Occasional travel may be required
• You must have the legal and physical ability to possess and discharge firearms. You must be able to pass a government background check and meet any additional requirements to carry and use firearms.
• You must be able to pass a government background check and meet any additional requirements to carry and use firearms.
• A background check will include answering questions about where you’ve lived, worked, went to school, and any military history or police records

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-5 LEVEL: Applicants must have one year of specialized experience (equivalent to the GS-4 level) that may have been obtained in the private or public (local, county, state, Federal) sectors which demonstrates:

• Experience in wildlife damage mitigation methods and techniques.
• Experience using lethal and non-lethal animal control techniques.
• Conducting basic computer operations for record keeping, data analysis, report writing and correspondence;

OR

Successful completion of 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 scientific or technical courses such as biology, chemistry, entomology, animal husbandry, botany, physics, agriculture, or mathematics, with at least 6 semester hours in wildlife.

Equivalent combinations of education and experience are qualifying for this grade level.

For the GS-6 Grade Level:
Applicants must have one year of specialized experience (equivalent to the GS-5 level) that may have been obtained in the private or public (local, county, state, federal) sectors which demonstrates experience in:

• Dealing with human-wildlife conflicts and principles of wildlife damage management.
• The requirements of the Migratory Bird Treaty Act (MBTA), Endangered Species Act, and National Environment Policy Act.
• Conducting wildlife damage assessments, counts and abundance surveys.
• The use of firearms, traps, snares, pesticides, immobilizing drugs, pyrotechnics, electronic harassment devices, and other non-lethal control tools.
• Creating/maintaining public contacts to formulate assistance strategies that incorporate technical assistance and operational control techniques.

OR

Successfully completed 1 year of graduate education (18 semester hours) in wildlife.

OR

Combination of Education and Experience at the GS-6 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

How to Apply:  

 Please read the entire announcement and instructions before you begin an application. To apply and be considered, you must complete all required questionnaires, assessments, and required documentation. Human Resources will pull applications weekly or as requested by the Hiring Official. If your USA Hire assessments are not complete when the applications are pulled, you will be considered in the next round of pulled applications. The complete application package must be submitted by 11:59 PM (ET) on the closing date of the announcement to receive consideration. Resume cannot exceed two pages.