Fish Biologist

Clarification from the agency

Open to all U.S. Citizens. ICTAP/CTAP eligibles.

Duties

The incumbent serves as a staff fishery biologist in the Sea Lamprey Control Program (Program) and conducts sea lamprey control and assessment operations in the United States waters of the Great Lakes at either the Ludington or Marquette Biological Station. The primary focus of the position is in one or more of the following areas: to control sea lamprey populations through the application of lampricides or barrier operation and construction, to implement experimental biological control, to assess non-target effects of control, to assess abundance of adult sea lampreys to measure Program success, or to assess abundance of larval sea lampreys to guide control efforts. The incumbent is part of a team that consists of a team leader and may consist of other full-time career fishery biologist, full-time career biological or physical science technicians, full-time career-seasonal biological science technicians, full-time temporary biological technicians or aids, student trainees and volunteers.

As a Fish Biologist your duties will include, but are not limited to, the following:

Annually drafts plans that describes the field work required, tools needed, and sampling or control locations. Upon supervisory review, this document serves as the annual field guide to scheduled work and includes task description, field operations, and field schedules. Draw conclusions from complex data to recommend control actions. Performs statistical analysis on data to support conclusions and recommendations. Presents results of highly technical content at workshops, professional meetings and symposia. Writes or contributes to administrative and technical reports and scientific papers for publication in peer-reviewed fishery journals. Uses appropriate software tools to draft reports and illustrative materials. Collaborates with partners, investigates new approaches, and assists in development of protocols that standardized techniques as a member of an international subgroup formed by task forces or working groups consisting of U.S. and Canadian federal, provincial, state, tribal, and university representatives. Reviews workplans to ensure techniques are scientifically sound and comprehensive. Cooperates with co-workers in the Fish and Wildlife Service, the Great Lakes Fishery Commission, other U.S. and Canadian agencies, tribes, and contractors to discuss objectives, share information and evaluate the status and progress of Program objectives and tasks. Plans, coordinates, and schedules specific tasks of Program activities throughout the Great Lakes based upon workload and priorities as outlined by team leader. Leads members of team to complete work plan objectives and tasks and other field activities and ensure that members of teams are following appropriate protocols. Ensures inventory and procurement of equipment, materials, and supplies to meet operational needs. Responsible for the proper use, care, maintenance, and safekeeping of equipment used in field operations. Adheres to procurement, contracting, and liability policies in conducting sea lamprey control activities. Ensure appropriate application and operation of highly specialized fishery equipment (e.g. electrofishing gear, electrical/mechanical weirs, nets, traps, water sampling devices, fish holding and hauling facilities, and water filtration apparatus). Promotion Potential: This position involves a multi-grade career ladder. The major duties listed represent the full performance level of GS-11. At lower grade levels, you will perform assignments of a more limited scope and with less independence. You will progressively acquire the background necessary to perform at the full performance level of GS-11. Promotion is at the discretion of the supervisor and is contingent upon satisfactory performance, availability of higher-level work, and availability of funds. The selectee may be promoted without further competition when all regulatory, qualification, and performance requirements are met. Selection at a lower grade level does not guarantee promotion to the full performance level.

Requirements

Conditions of Employment

Must be a U.S. Citizen or National. Resume (See "Required Documents"). Failure to provide ALL required information on your resume will result in loss of consideration due to an incomplete application package. It is your responsibility to ensure all information is provided on resume. Eligibility and Supporting documents - You will ONLY be considered for the eligibilities that you select "yes" to AND submit the required supporting documentation, as listed in the Required Documents section. Suitability for employment, as determined by background investigation. Medical Requirements: Selectees must pass a pre-employment medical examination and may be subject to post-employment medical examinations to determine if they are maintaining the fitness standards for this position. Driver's License: Selectees ARE required to possess and maintain a valid State driver's license at all times during their tenure. Extensive overnight travel (11-20 or more nights per month) is required during the field season (April through October). Uniform: Official U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service uniform may required. Probationary Period: Selectees may be required to successfully complete a probationary period. Individuals assigned male at birth after 12-31-59 must be registered for Selective Service. To verify registration, visit SSS.gov.

Qualifications

Only experience and education obtained by 10/09/2024 will be considered.

In order to qualify for this position, you must possess both the Basic Requirement and Minimum Qualification:

Basic Requirement: A Bachelor's degree with a major in biological science that included: At least 6 semester hours in aquatic subjects such as limnology, ichthyology, fishery biology, aquatic botany, aquatic fauna, oceanography, fish culture, or related courses in the field of fishery biology; and at least 12 semester hours in the animal sciences in such subjects as general zoology, vertebrate zoology, comparative anatomy, physiology, entomology, parasitology, ecology, cellular biology, genetics, or research in these fields. (Excess course work in aquatic subjects may be used to meet this requirement when appropriate.) NOTE: You must submit copies of your college transcripts to support your educational claims. -OR- A combination of education and experience: courses equivalent to a major in biological science (i.e., at least 30 semester hours), of which a minimum of 6 semester hours were in aquatic subjects and 12 semester hours were in the animal sciences, as shown in A above, plus appropriate experience or additional education. NOTE: You must submit copies of your college transcripts to support your educational claims, and your resume must contain sufficient information in these areas to be found qualified. Minimum Qualification [GS-09]: One year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-07 grade level in the Federal service. Specialized experience may include (1) implementing work plans; (2) participating in assessment and/or control of invasive species; (3) completing biological surveys and recording data, ensuring equipment is maintained; (4) assist with managing data to support program delivery and drafting reports; (5) participating on programmatic groups with diverse participants. NOTE : Your resume must contain sufficient information in these areas to be found qualified. -OR- Successfully completed 2 years (36 semester hours) of graduate-level education or a master's degree in fisheries or aquatics. NOTE: You must submit copies of your college transcripts to support your educational claims. -OR- An equivalent combination of professional experience and graduate level education beyond the second year which together equals 100% of the requirements. NOTE: You must submit copies of your college transcripts to support your educational claims, and your resume must contain sufficient information in these areas to be found qualified. Minimum Qualification [GS-11]: One year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-09 grade level in the Federal service. Specialized experience may include (1) Assists with development of work plans; (2) leading field teams in assessment and/or control of invasive species; (3) completing biological surveys and recording data, ensuring standard operating procedures are followed and equipment is maintained; (4) Assists with managing and analyzing data to make program recommendations and including drafting reports, presenting findings; (5) collaborating with diverse groups on programmatic natural resources issues. NOTE: Your resume must contain sufficient information in these areas to be found qualified. -OR- Successfully completed 3-years of progressively higher-level graduate level education leading to a Ph.D. or equivalent degree in a major study related to fisheries/aquatics. NOTE: You must submit copies of your college transcripts to support your educational claims. -OR- An equivalent combination of professional experience and graduate level education beyond the second year which together equals 100% of the requirements. NOTE: You must submit copies of your college transcripts to support your educational claims, and your resume must contain sufficient information in these areas to be found qualified. Experience refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service programs (e.g., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizations (e.g., professional; philanthropic; religious; spiritual; community, student, social). Volunteer work helps build critical competencies, knowledge, and skills and can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience.

Education

PROOF OF EDUCATION: All applicants who are using education or a combination of education and experience to qualify must submit copies of official or unofficial transcripts which include grades, credit hours earned, major(s), grade point average or class ranking, institution name, and student name. If any required coursework is not easily recognizable on transcripts, or if you believe a portion of a particular course can be credited toward meeting an educational requirement, you must also provide a memorandum on letterhead from the institution's registrar, dean, or other appropriate official stating the percentage of the course that should be considered to meet the requirement and the equivalent number of units. Unofficial transcripts are acceptable; however, if you are selected for the position, you will be required to produce the original official transcripts.

PASS/FAIL COURSES: If more than 10 percent of your undergraduate course work (credit hours) were taken on a pass/fail basis, your claim of superior academic achievement must be based upon class standing or membership in an honor society.

GRADUATE EDUCATION: One academic year of graduate education is considered to be the number of credits hours your graduate school has determined to represent one academic year of full-time study. Such study may have been performed on a full-time or part-time basis. If you cannot obtain your graduate school's definition of one year of graduate study, 18 semester hours (or 27 quarter hours) should be considered as satisfying the requirement for one year of full-time graduate study.

FOREIGN EDUCATION: If you are using education completed in foreign colleges or universities to meet the qualification requirements, you must show the education credentials have been evaluated by a private organization that specializes in interpretation of foreign education. For further information, visit:

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