Fish Biologist

Summary

This position is a Fish Biologist, GS- 0482-7/9 working in Jamestown, Kentucky at the Wolf Creek National Fish Hatchery. This position will support hatchery operations, outreach functions, facility maintenance and the recovery of imperiled species on and off station, to achieve station and program goals.

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Duties

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

• Performs daily operational tasks required at a large scale salmonid hatchery, including incubation of eggs; cleaning of raceways and tanks; grading, sample counting, and inventorying; water quality monitoring and management; and disease diagnostics, control and treatment as directed to maintain fish health and quality.
• Executes a conventional feeding program in accordance with established guidelines, utilizing mechanical and hand methods, observes for overfeeding, or fish not eating.
• Performs loading fish on to trucks, safely transport and release fish at target sites.
• Performs facility maintenance and assist with hatchery public use, environmental education and outreach programs.
• Assist with hatchery imperiled species work including freshwater mussels and small body fishes.

This position involves a multi-grade career ladder. The major duties listed represent the full performance level of GS-09. At lower grade level, 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-09. 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

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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.
• A condition of employment for accepting this position, you will be required to serve a 1-year probationary period during which your fitness and whether your continued employment advances the public interest will be evaluated.
• Individuals assigned male at birth after 12-31-59 must be registered for the Selective Service. To verify registration visit SSS.gov.
• Work Schedule: Shift work may be required. Emergency overtime may be required. The employee may be required to work other than normal duty hours,

  which may include evenings, weekends, and holidays.

Qualifications

Only experience and education obtained by 06/30/2026 will be considered.

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

Basic Requirement:

1. A degree with a major in biological science that includes 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).

2. 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.

Minimum Qualification [GS-07]

1. One year of specialized experience at or equivalent to the GS-05 grade level in the Federal service (obtained in either the public or private sectors). Specialized experience includes: (1) Monitoring water quality and performing maintenance on fish hatchery equipment; (2) performing fish health assessments and observing fish behavior to ensure there are no potential fish health issues; (3) gathering fish production data using software for data collection and record keeping; and (4) preparing fish/eggs for shipment or distribution and assisting with stocking activities. NOTE: Your resume must contain sufficient information in these areas to be found qualified. OR
2. One full year of graduate level education in, or directly related to, fisheries and/or aquatics. I will submit my transcripts with my application that verifies this. OR
3. A bachelor's degree in biology, as described in the Basic Requirement above, with Superior Academic (SAA) based on (1) class standing, (2) grade-point average, or (3) honor society membership. (1) I was in the upper third of my graduating class; OR (2) I achieved a grade point average (GPA) of (a) 3.0 or higher out of a possible 4.0 based on 4 years or education, or as computed based on courses completed during the final 2 years of my curriculum, or (b) 3.5 or higher out of a possible 4.0 based on the average of the required courses completed in my major field or the required courses in my major field completed during the final 2 years of my curriculum; OR (3) I am a member of a National Scholastic Honor Society certified by the Association of College Honor Societies, excluding freshman honor

   societies. (Note: You must include documentation that shows how you meet the SAA criteria.); OR

4. A combination of education and experience as described above in 1 and 2 which together equals 100% of the requirement.

Minimum Qualifications [GS-09]:

1. One year of specialized experience at or equivalent to the GS-07 grade level in the Federal service (obtained in either the public or private sectors). Specialized experience includes: (1) Monitoring water quality and performing maintenance on fish hatchery equipment; (2) Performing fish health assessments and observing fish behavior to ensure there are no potential fish health issues and participating in the development of project plans to conduct assessments of aquatic species populations; (3) Working with various stakeholders (Federal, State, Tribal, and civic entities and agencies), to coordinate fish production activities (release and transport of juvenile fish and eggs, transferring fish, etc.); (4) gathering fish production data using software for data collection and record keeping; (5) preparing fish/eggs for shipment or distribution and assist with stocking activities; and (6) Generating reports on hatchery operations. NOTE: Your resume must contain sufficient information in these areas to be found qualified.
2. Two years of progressively higher-level graduate-level education leading to a master's degree OR a master's or equivalent graduate degree with a major study in or directly related to fisheries and/or aquatics.
3. A combination of education and experience as described above in 1 and 2 which together equals 100% of the requirement.

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

Telework: This position is suitable for telework only in an emergency or natural disaster.

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 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.

Probation/Trial Period Con't:

The [probationary or trial] 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 service. In 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 individual's employment should continue and that their appointment should be finalized. In 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 -OR- trial period] your employment will be terminated unless you receive certification, in writing, that your continued employment advances the public interest.

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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.