FISH AND WILDLIFE BIOLOGIST

Summary

This position is a FISH AND WILDLIFE BIOLOGIST, GS- 0401-12 working in Lodi, California for the R8-San Francisco Bay-Delta Fish and Wildlife.

This is a temporary promotion not to exceed one (1) year. It may be extended without further competition for a total period of up to five (5) years. This temporary promotion may be made permanent without further competition.

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Duties

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The position provides scientific and technical leadership for fish hatchery programs that support the conservation, recovery, and management of native fish populations throughout the Central Valley and Bay-Delta ecosystem. The incumbent applies fisheries science principles to hatchery operations, including broodstock management, fish health and genetics considerations, production planning, monitoring and evaluation, and adaptive management. Responsibilities include coordinating with federal, state, tribal, and regional partners; analyzing biological data to assess hatchery performance and fish population outcomes; developing and implementing science-based management strategies; and providing technical guidance on fish culture practices and conservation hatchery programs. The position plays a key role in integrating hatchery operations with broader species recovery, fisheries management, and ecosystem restoration objectives.

As a FISH AND WILDLIFE BIOLOGIST your duties will include but are not limited to the following:

• Plans, coordinates, and evaluates fish hatchery programs and activities that support the conservation, recovery, and management of native fish populations and aquatic resources.
• Conducts and reviews biological studies, monitoring programs, and hatchery evaluations to assess fish production, health, genetics, survival, and population performance and to inform management decisions.
• Collaborates with Tribal governments, state and Federal agencies, and other partners to advance fisheries conservation objectives, hatchery program priorities, and species recovery goals.
• Develops and implements science-based management strategies, operational guidance, and adaptive management recommendations to improve hatchery performance and conservation outcomes.
• Monitors hatchery programs and activities for compliance with applicable policies, standards, guidelines, agreements, and management plans, and provides recommendations to support effective program implementation.

Requirements

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Conditions of employment

• Must be a U.S. Citizen or National.
• Merit promotion applicants must meet time-in-grade requirement as defined in 5 CFR 300, Subpart F.
• Suitability for employment, as determined by background investigation.
• Driver's License: This position requires the incumbent to operate a government (or private) motor vehicle as part of their official duties. Selectee must hold and maintain a valid state driver's license throughout their employment in this position.
• Uniform: Official U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service uniform is required.
• Individuals assigned male at birth after 12-31-59 must be registered for the Selective Service. To verify registration, visit SSS.gov.
• Unusual tour of duty may be required: The employee may be required to work other than normal duty hours, which may include evenings, weekends, and holidays.
• Occasional overnight travel may be required.

Qualifications

Only experience and education obtained by 06/09/2026 will be considered.

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

Basic Requirement:

1. Possess a Bachelor's or higher degree from an accredited college or university in biological sciences, agriculture, natural resource management, chemistry, or related disciplines appropriate to the position; OR
2. Possess a combination of education and experience which includes courses equivalent to a major, as shown in A above, plus appropriate experience or additional education.

Minimum Qualification [GS-12]

1. One year of specialized experience comparable in scope and responsibility equivalent to grade GS-11 in the Federal service. Specialized experience may include 1.) Evaluating the impact of pollutants/chemicals on fish and wildlife resources and their habitat; 2.) Evaluating and interpreting biological reports, scientific research papers, or environmental assessment/impact statements; 3.) Experience designing, implementing, or managing environmental studies to assess impacts to natural resources following release of oil/chemicals in the environment; 4.) Demonstrated experience with federal environmental laws (or their state counterpart) (e.g. Oil Pollution Act (OPA); Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act (CERCLA); Endangered Species Act (ESA); National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA); or Clean Water Act (CWA)); and 5.) Coordinating with a variety of stakeholders such as Federal and State agencies regarding fish and wildlife, habitat assessment, or restoration.

NOTE: 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.

Time In Grade Requirement: Applicants must meet both eligibility and qualification requirements for the position of interest by the closing date of the JOA. Specifically,

i. Area of Consideration.

ii. Time-in-grade (TIG) requirements as specified in 5 CFR 300, Subpart F.

iii. Time after competitive appointment as specified in 5 CFR 330.502.

iv. Qualification requirements outlined in OPM's Qualifications Standards for General Schedule Positions

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 programs and such education has been deemed equivalent to that gained in an accredited U.S. education program; or full credit has been given for the courses at a U.S. accredited college or university. For further information, visit: Recognition of Foreign Qualifications | International Affairs Office (ed.gov).

Additional information

PCS INFORMATION:

-PCS may be available if position is made permanent.

Yes, entitlements for payment of basic moving expenses, as required and to the extent allowed by the Federal Travel Regulation (FTR) 302-3.101, are authorized for eligible applicants changing duty station when the change meets the distance tests as provided in FTR 302-1.1 and 302-2.6. All moving expenses are taxable.

-In addition, relocation discretionary entitlements MAY be authorized for this position including contractor-provided home sale.

Telework:

This position is suitable for telework and may be allowed to telework with supervisory approval.

Temporary Promotion: This is a not-to-exceed one (1) year temporary promotion assignment. This temporary promotion may be extended without further competition; however, it may not exceed a total of five (5) years. At the expiration of this assignment, at management's discretion, or whenever your services are no longer needed, you will be returned to your position or to a position of equivalent pay and grade within your agency of record. This temporary promotion may be made permanent without further competition.

Additional Vacancies: One or more positions may be filled from applications received under this announcement in the advertised office or other U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service offices in the local commuting area.

Career Transition Assistance Plan (CTAP): Department of Interior (DOI) Career Transition Assistance Plan (CTAP) procedures apply in filling this vacancy. CTAP provides placement assistance to permanent Federal employees who are surplus, displaced, or involuntarily separated. Applicants claiming CTAP eligibility must submit a copy of their most recent performance appraisal, proof of eligibility, and most current SF-50 noting position, grade level, and duty location with their application. To be considered under CTAP, applicants must be well-qualified (i.e., meet the minimum qualification requirements, including any selective placement factors; education, and experience requirements), score at least 85 on the assessment questionnaire, and be able to perform the duties of the position upon entry. For information on CTAP visit: [click to reveal website link]https://www.usajobs.gov/Help/working-in-government/unique-hiring-paths/f..."

Reasonable Accommodation: The USFWS provides reasonable accommodations to applicants with disabilities. Please visit USAJOBS Help Center | Reasonable accommodation policy if you need a reasonable accommodation for any part of the application and hiring process.

Candidates who apply under Competitive Merit Promotion procedures will undergo a quality review to determine if they are highly qualified based on the content of their resume and their responses to the questionnaire. Best qualified candidates will be referred if all required supporting documentation has been provided.

Candidates who apply under Noncompetitive Merit Promotion procedures will undergo a quality review to determine if they are minimally qualified based on the content of their resume and their responses to the questionnaire. Qualified candidates will be referred if all required supporting documentation has been provided.

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Candidates should be committed to improving the efficiency of the Federal government, passionate about the ideals of our American republic, and committed to upholding the rule of law and the United States Constitution.

Benefits

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A career with the U.S. government provides employees with a comprehensive benefits package. As a federal employee, you and your family will have access to a range of benefits that are designed to make your federal career very rewarding. Opens in a new windowLearn more about federal benefits.

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Eligibility for benefits depends on the type of position you hold and whether your position is full-time, part-time or intermittent. Contact the hiring agency for more information on the specific benefits offered.