Biologic Science Technician

In addition to pursuing an associate degree at Feather River College, students can pursue certificates, which can be attained instead of or along with the major. These certificates are designed with seasonal employment in mind. The biological science, forestry, and hydrologic  technician certificates were designed to ensure completers have the coursework required to be eligible for employment at the GS-4 level within the US Forest Service.

The Biological Science Technician Certificate, in particular, is designed to provide students with the education and experience to qualify them for a job as a Biologic Science Technician for the US Forest Service. In these and related positions, students will work with wildlife and plant biologists.

StudentLearning Outcomes

·        Demonstrate knowledge of basic plant and animal biology and ecology

·        Demonstrate knowledge about wildlife research and management

·        Achieve preparation for employment as a biological science technician at the GS-4 level for the USFS and in other related positions  

Thiscertificate is not new and currently exists as a local Certificate of Specializationat Feather River College. At this stage, we hope to reward students who havecompleted the program as well as encourage greater participation in thecertificate program by transitioning the certificate to a state-recognized,transcribale Certificate of Achievement. Data about past completion can be seenbelow.

The Biologic Science Technician Certificate currently provides students with hands-on and theoretical education about wildlife and plant biology, ecology, and management. At the completion of this certificate, students meet the requirements to gain employment as a Biologic Science Technician (GS-4) for the US Forest Service, and likewise also meet the requirements to work as a field technician for other local, state, or federal agencies, as well as some private businesses and non-profits. The courses required for this certificate include a traditional,classroom-based educational component, but also emphasize laboratory and field components, which provide students with hands-on experience, in order to expose them to professionals and to help prepare them for jobs in this sector.Students should be able to complete the courses for the program in one year. The program currently exists as a local Certificate of Specialization at Feather River College, but we hope to transition the program to a state-recognized Certificate of Achievement, that will reward students for the work they put in by awarding them a transcribable certificate. 

Focuses of the program will include: 

•       Developing knowledge about plant and animal ecology;

•       Developing knowledge about wildlife and plant management; and

•       Preparing students to work for local, state, or federal agencies, non-profits, or private companies in the field of wildlife and plant management.

This certificate is designed with seasonal employment opportunities in mind. As mentioned above, the requirements for this certificate are designed to ensure that completers meet the qualifications to gain employment as a GS-4 Biological Science Technician for the USFS. Likewise, completion of this degree should prepare students for similar employment opportunities as seasonal technicians for other employers, including local, state, and federal agencies, private entities, and non-profits.

Recently Feather River College has developed a very successful, paid internship program,where students pursuing certificates and associate’s degrees at FRC work for scientists and natural resource managers on the Plumas National Forest for the summer season. This program allows students who have been working to complete this certificate a wonderful opportunity to gain related, environmental employment, which can act as a stepping stone to secure future work in this field.

According to the Program Endorsement Brief created for the Environmental Program at Feather River College by the North/Far North Center for Excellence in 2018, employment in the natural resource sector is typically provided by public sector agencies involved in natural resource protection and public lands management. Our certificate program is designed with that knowledge in mind.

The Program Endorsement Brief finds that in the eight, related Standard Occupational Codes examined, the projected occupational employment in the North Far North region was 1012 jobs (Exhibit 1: Appendix A). In addition, Plumas County is the county with the third highest number of natural resource positions posted (Exhibit 8: Appendix A). The most frequently posted jobs were for forestry technicians and biological science technicians, which are particularly appropriate to completers of this certificate (Exhibit 5: AppendixA), Unfortunately, these often-seasonal, technician positions are among the lower-paid positions within this sector, and many of the higher paid positions typically require a bachelor’s degree or beyond. However, this report finds there are many related positions (biological technicians, forest and conservation workers, forest and conservation technicians, environmental science and protection technicians, fish and game wardens, etc.), which are commonly attained by employees who have completed “some college” and therefore provide important employment opportunities for completers of certificates (Exhibit 9:Appendix A). In addition, many students who come into this program with the initial goal of attaining a certificate, eventually decide to pursue an associate degree. Often students entering this program go on to pursue a bachelor’s degree as well. As such, this certificate and the employment that completers gain, may provide and important stepping stone for students who ultimately decide to pursue goals that may provide additional opportunities for employment. 

This certificate can be gained along with or instead of associates degrees at Feather River College. Past students have gained these certificates as stand-alone certificates, along with an Associate’s Degree in Environmental Studies, and as they complete course-work necessary to pursue related environmental degrees at four-year programs, even if they do not plan to complete an associate degree at FRC.

All the required courses for this certificate are elective courses for the Environmental Studies A.S. degree, so students can use their original work towards a certificate to continue to work towards a degree, if they so choose. Some students arrive planning to gain only a certificate and decide to continue to pursue the associate’s degree once they enter the program.