Biological Science Technician (Fish)

The Lake Tahoe Basin Management Unit is hiring aquatics crew member (GS-05 level) and aquatics crew lead (GS-07 level) positions for the 2024 field season. These positions are available at the duty station of South Lake Tahoe, CA, on the southern shore of the picturesque Lake Tahoe. Successful applicants will conduct surveys and habitat restoration work for sensitive fish, amphibians, and invertebrates throughout the Lake Tahoe Basin. Qualified applicants must be able to collect detailed and accurate field data, work in remote field locations, hike on steep slopes and uneven terrain, and work 10-hour days (40 hours per week) in all types of weather. Backpacking for an 8 days on/6 days off schedule is required for a portion of the field season.

Additional activities may include conducting visual encounter surveys for amphibians; fish surveys using backpack electrofishers, minnow traps, snorkeling, and/or seine netting; stream habitat restoration work using gas-powered water pumps, chainsaws, and hand tools; and stream temperature monitoring using Onset HOBO water temperature loggers. Ability to sacrifice non-native species is required.

Expected duties will include navigating forest roads and off-trail terrain using maps and GIS technology, recording a variety of environmental and habitat characteristics for use in survey reports, identifying aquatic wildlife to species level in the field, and data entry.

Preferred qualifications include prior experience or college coursework in ecology, fisheries, aquatic science, herpetology, hydrology, or environmental science; prior backpacking experience; ability to identify aquatic wildlife of the Lake Tahoe Basin; ability to interpret maps and GPS devices; active U.S. driver’s license. Higher GS levels (GS-07) require progressively more demonstrated experience with both aquatic science and leadership skills; make sure these are accurately reflected in your resume.

Further information can be found at USAjobs.gov. Search Biological Science Technician (Fish) with a duty station of South Lake Tahoe, CA.

Application period opens January 25 and closes February 7.