Fish Biologist

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

• Lead and/or participate in the application of various fishery field techniques in support of carrying out complex biological studies pertaining to aquatic invasive species early detection and monitoring native fish and mussel species rehabilitation and/or aquatic habitat restoration.
• Work with supervisor and biologists to develop and implement studies by contributing ideas determining methods establishing sampling procedures and protocols for accomplishing and reporting findings as well as identifying other needs such as funding equipment and personnel.
• Compile analyze and interpret biological data in support of cooperative fish and aquatic species population and habitat conservation and management projects and studies.
• Prepare reports on progress and completion of activities and formulate recommendations that guide future programs and influence the continued conservation and management of federal trust species and the habitats they rely on.
• Present results of projects and biological studies at public and scientific meetings and conferences.

• Must be a U.S. Citizen or National.
• Appointment subject to background investigation and favorable adjudication.
• Males born aftermust be registered for Selective Service.
• Direct Deposit participation required.
• Successfully pass the E-Verify employment verification check. To learn more visit possess and maintain a valid drivers license throughout employment.
• You are required to wear a uniform and comply with uniform standards. A uniform allowance will be provided.

As a condition of employment for accepting this position you may be required to serve a 1-year probationary period to evaluate your fitness and whether your continuation of employment advances the public interest.

This probationary period is an extension of the appointment process and therefore requires the agency to determine if continued employment would advance the public interest meet the organization goals and mission of the agency and/or otherwise promote the efficiency of the determining if your employment advances the public interest the agency will consider: your performance and conduct; the needs and interests of the agency; whether your continued employment would advance organizational goals of the agency or the Government; and whether your continued employment would advance the efficiency of the Federal service.

Under applicable law the employment of an individual serving a probationary or trial period automatically terminates when that period ends unless the agency affirmatively certifies in writing that the individuals employment should continue and that their appointment should be the absence of agency action to affirmatively certify continued employment beyond the probationary or trial period such appointments are terminated. Upon completion of your probationary period your employment will be terminated unless you receive certification in writing that your continued employment advances the public interest.

Qualifications:

All qualifications must be met by the closing date of this announcement - 09/23/2026-unless otherwise stated in this vacancy announcement. Competitive candidates must also meet Time-in-Grade requirements as defined in 5 CFR 300 Subpart F.

For current Federal employees if hours worked per week are not included on your resume you must submit a non-award SF-50 as part of your application to be used to validate your work schedule and determine the amount of specialized experience that you will be granted. An award SF-50 will not be acceptable documentation for which to consider your amount of qualifying experience. For periods of time that reflect military service the DD-214 or Statement of Service is sufficient to meet the work schedule requirement as the service dates will be reflected. For all other applicants who are not current federal employees your resume must state either full-time (or 40 hours a week) or part-time with the number of hours worked per week to ensure proper crediting of specialized experience.

-AND-

Minimum Qualification Requirements: To qualify for this position you must meet the following minimum qualifications:
Basic Educational Requirement AND Specialized Experience for the series to which you are applying.

Basic Educational Requirements: In addition to the specialized experience requirements for this position you must meet at least one of the following:
A. Degree: Possess a degree in biological science that included (a) 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 (b) 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.). You must submit transcripts.
-OR-
B. Combination of education and experience: course work as shown in A above plus appropriate experience or additional education.

-AND-

Specialized Experience: To qualify for this position at the GS-09 grade level:
A. Experience: To qualify you must possess at least one full year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-07 level in the Federal service (obtained in either the public or private sectors). Specialized experience is defined as demonstrated experience: Performing work in or directly related to Fish Biology to include leading biological and technical work relating to fish and fish habitat sampling; or using computer programs for data entry storage and analyses in relation to fish studies; or training lower-grade staff in fishery techniques and procedures. You must include hours per week worked. -OR-
B. Education: Successful completion of at least 2 years of progressively higher-level graduate education leading to a masters degree or masters or equivalent graduate degree. You must include transcripts. -OR-
C. Combination of education and experience as listed above. You must include hours per week and transcripts.