Biological Science Aid​/Technician

Overview

Reclamation is seeking a career professional looking for an opportunity to capitalize on their expertise as a Biological Science Aid/Technician. Make a difference in the West by assisting in meeting increasing water demands while protecting the environment.

Glendive, Montana;
Socorro, New Mexico;
Truth or Consequences, New Mexico

• Assists other Reclamation staff in the collection of baseline data and monitoring to ensure compliance with environmental statutes.
• Glendive/MT location:
  Conducts in-river sampling and radio telemetry of native fishes (via boat) of the Yellowstone River in Eastern Montana.
• New Mexico locations:
  Conducts presence/absence surveys and nest monitoring for the southwestern willow flycatcher and yellow-billed cuckoo within the Rio Grande Basin of New Mexico.
• May assume some additional responsibility as a crew leader, making minor project related decisions in the absence of the Supervisor.

We are looking for approximately 25 individuals to work as part of field crews primarily conducting presence/absence surveys for the federally-listed southwestern willow flycatcher and yellow-billed cuckoo within riparian habitat along the Rio Grande in central and southern New Mexico. Daily work will consist of communication with crew members and field supervisors; operation of government vehicles; navigation to and through sites via map, compass and GPS;

and compilation and reporting of field data. Individuals will receive survey protocol training, provided by Reclamation and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, for both species. These positions will start on May 11th and work will end on August 7th (approximately 90 days). Selectees will be required to obtain housing at their project location (either Socorro or Truth or Consequences) during this period.

We are looking for two individuals to work on the Lower Yellowstone River out of Glendive, MT located in the eastern edge of Montana near the North Dakota border. If selected for this position, individuals will work directly with personnel from Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks and Reclamation, assisting in data collection for fish studies including examining movements, passage proximate to Reclamation structures and habitat use of native fishes on the lower Yellowstone River in Montana.

Species include but are not limited to pallid and shovel nose sturgeon, paddle fish, blue sucker and sauger. Work will include collection of large-river fish using accepted protocols and sampling equipment such as electrofishing gear, trammel nets, hoop nets, and trotlines; implantation of external tags, internal PIT tags and transmitters; collection of genetic tissue samples and blood samples from pallid sturgeon; telemetry relocation of native species from jet boat and ground-based stations;

collection of blood samples to assess sexual maturity; and collection of tissue samples for genetics. The employee must accurately identify, measure, and record data on all fish captured, operate, and download data from telemetry equipment, complete habitat survey measurements, and take water quality measurements. Data will be entered into established databases. The employee will be required to maintain equipment and tools without direct supervision.

Position will be supervised by a fishery biologist, but work will often be completed independently or with another seasonal employee. Employees will assist with the maintenance, repair, troubleshooting, and replacement of all sampling equipment (e.g. boats, trailers, motors, nets, telemetry equipment, etc.). This work will primarily be conducted via boat and selectees will be required to attend a Department of Interior motorboat operator certification course (MOCC) prior to starting field work.

Reclamation will coordinate and pay for this training, which will likely be at one of our field offices.

All positions will be based out of Reclamation's Technical Service Center in Denver, Colorado, but individuals will be assigned to a temporary duty station at one of the following locations:
Socorro or Truth or Consequences, NM or Glendive, MT. Hourly pay for the respective grade levels will be based on the Denver-Aurora locality pay area. Employees will be in travel status and will receive a reduced meals and incidentals per diem in addition to lodging reimbursement while at field locations that will equate to roughly $48 per day ($1,440 per month).

Individuals will be required to produce lodging receipts. Selectees will be expected to arrive at their assigned project location in either New Mexico or Montana on the established start date to begin onboarding and training.

• U.S. Citizenship or U.S. National.
• Suitable for federal employment, determined by a background investigation.
• Resume and supporting documentation (see Required Documents).
• Eligibility documents for veterans consideration…