Open & closing dates: 06/17/2021 to 06/30/2021
Appointment type: Permanent
Salary: $57,023 to $74,129 per year
Work schedule: Full-time
See full job details and application instructions at https://www.usajobs.gov/GetJob/ViewDetails/604875700
Summary
This position is a Fish Biologist (Marking Program), GS- 0482-9 working in Vancouver, WA for the R1-Columbia River Fisheries Program Office.
This position is also open to status candidates under announcement R1-21-11148648-RR-MP. You must apply to each announcement separately if you wish to be considered under both recruitment methods.
Responsibilities
As a Fish Biologist your duties will include, but are not limited to, the following:
- Assists with the development and review of comprehensive hatchery and fishery management plans and coordinates with other fishery programs that effect biological resources including, but not limited to: fish culture, hatchery quality control, fishery management assistance, sampling for exotic species, assessing fish populations, and recommending habitat restoration/management.
- Participates in the planning and conduction of a wide variety of investigations including the design, collection, and analysis of biological data to: determine the effects of various fish culture techniques; evaluate the impact of land and water development practices upon the fishery resources of an area; or to assist in implementing hatchery reform initiatives.
- Plans and conducts a variety of investigations including the design, collection, and analysis of biological data pertaining to species reared and released from National Fish Hatcheries in the assigned area.
- Monitors the application of techniques for hatchery evaluations and ecological interactions between hatchery and wild fish, including stream ecology studies involving population distribution, abundance, survival, age/length composition, behavior, competition and habitat assessments.
- Reviews scientific proposals and reports to evaluate hypotheses, study objectives, research design, appropriateness of methods, probability of success, and overall importance to fish/hatchery management or science in order to further develop/enhance his/her professional/technical competencies necessary to ensure that work performed and recommendations made for the hatchery/station/center biological program are consistent with current published literature and other professionally endorsed practices.
Physical Demands: The work requires recurring, at times significant, physical exertion such as walking considerable distances in rough, wet, uneven, or rocky terrain; wading through swift, turbulent waters; bending, crouching, stooping, stretching, reaching, or similar activities; and carrying heavy field equipment up to 50 pounds in weight under a wide variety of environmental conditions during all seasons and temperature extremes. Sampling and biological investigations may also involve some moderately strenuous and repetitive exercise that may require above average agility, dexterity and physical coordination to perform fine and precise work, delicate adjustments or exact measurements. Analytical work may require extended periods sitting at a computer monitor with little physical activity.
Work Environment: The work requires both office and outdoor work. The office is adequately lighted, heated and ventilated. Temperature and weather extremes may be encountered in the performance of the outdoor work. Outdoor work includes working from small and frequently wet watercraft and wading in cold, swift water. Field work is conducted year around and includes such extremes as sub-freezing temperatures and snow and ice during winter, as well as temperatures exceeding 100ºF during summer. Field work, data gathering, and biological investigations can entail exposure to potentially dangerous or hazardous situations such as negotiating rivers and streams during periods of high flows. The incumbent is expected to conduct duties in a safe and orderly manner so as not to endanger self, fellow workers, or property with which entrusted. The operation of government-owned or leased motor vehicles, including light duty trucks, is required, and travel by air will be necessary.
Conditions of Employment
- Must be a U.S. Citizen or National.
- Individuals assigned male at birth after 12-31-59 must be registered for Selective Service. To verify registration visit SSS.gov.
- Resume and supporting documents (See How to Apply).
- Suitability for employment, as determined by background investigation
- Driver’s License: Selectees must possess and maintain a valid State driver’s license at all times during their tenure.
- Uniform: Official U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service uniform is required.
- Probationary Period: Selectees may be required to successfully complete a probationary period.
Qualifications
Basic Requirement:
- Successfully completed a full four-year course of study in an accredited college or university leading to a bachelor’s or higher degree in biological sciences that included: at least six semester (nine quarter) 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 (18 quarter) 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 courses in aquatic subjects may be used to meet this requirement when appropriate.. OR
- Possess an appropriate 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 six semester hours were in aquatic subjects and 12 semester hours were in the animal sciences, as shown in response A above, plus appropriate experience or additional education equivalent to a course of study with a major in the appropriate field as described in A above. The quality of my combination of education and experience is sufficient to demonstrate that I possess the knowledge, skills, and abilities comparable to those normally acquired through the successful completion of a full four-year course of study.
Minimum Qualification:
- One year of specialized experience comparable in scope and responsibility equivalent to grade GS-09 in the Federal service. Experience must include Operating and maintaining sophisticated fish marking/tagging and tag detection equipment and associated software programs (e.g. Autofish trailer, MKIV, HPR plus, Multiplexors, R9500, V detectors, PTAGIS, P4, RMIS);assisting with planning, implementing and conducting fish marking and tag recovery activities; and assisting with preparing progress reports related to fish marking, tagging and tag recovery projects. OR
- Successfully completed at least three full years of progressively higher-level graduate education leading to or resulting in a Ph.D. degree in a field directly related to fish biology, such as limnology, ichthyology, fish biology, aquatic fauna, aquatic botany, oceanography, fish culture, marine science, or other fields directly related to fish biology. OR
- A combination of education and experience as described in 1 and 2 above 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.
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: http://www.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ous/international/usnei/us/edlite-visitus-forrecog.html
Required Documents
You must submit a complete application package. We will not make assumptions about your experience and/or education.
Required Documents:
1. Resume: You are highly encouraged to use USAJOBS Resume Builder to ensure all required information is included in your Resume. If you use your own resume, curriculum vitae, or any other written form you choose then you must describe your job-related qualifications that includes beginning and ending dates for paid and non-paid work experience, hours worked per week, month and year of employment for each job title listed, annual salary, and description of job duties. Include name and address of employer; supervisor name and telephone number. Additional information on what to include can be found here. Your experience needs to address every required qualification.
2. College Transcripts: Please refer to the education section above for additional information. Unofficial transcripts are acceptable. A copy of your official transcripts may be required if you are selected.
Additional Documentation, if applicable:
1. Cover Letter
2. Veterans’ Preference Documentation: If you are a veteran with preference eligibility and you are claiming 5-point veterans’ preference, you must attach a copy of your DD-214 Member Copy 2 or 4 showing you were honorably discharged. If you are claiming 10-point veterans’ preference, attach an SF-15, Application for 10-Point Veterans’ Preference in addition to the proof required by that form (i.e. VA letter). You may not be awarded preference if you do not attach the correct Veteran Documentation as specified above.
3. CTAP/ICTAP Documentation: If you are applying under CTAP or ICTAP, you MUST submit proof of eligibility under 5 CFR 330.602(a) for CTAP and 5 CFR 330.704 for ICTAP. This includes a copy of the agency notice, a copy of your most recent performance rating, and a copy of your most recent SF-50 (Notification of Personnel Action) showing your position, grade level, and duty location. Please annotate your application to reflect that you are applying as a CTAP or ICTAP eligible.
Failure to submit any of the above-mentioned required documents may result in loss of consideration due to an incomplete application package. It is your responsibility to ensure all required documents have been submitted
How to Apply
Review the appointment eligibility criteria in the application preview linked below. The eligibility section of the application allows you to choose how you wish to be considered for this vacancy announcement. 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 or the application text.
To apply for this position, you must provide a complete Application Package. See required documents section.
Click ‘Apply’ to create an account or log in to your existing USAJOBS account.
- Follow the prompts to complete the assessment questionnaire and upload required documents. To preview the assessment questionnaire, click https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/11148646.
- Please ensure you check the acknowledgement checkbox then click the Submit Application button to submit your application.
- Applications must be received by 06/30/2021 ,11:59pm ET to receive consideration.
- Check application status by logging into your USAJOBS account, in Applications tab, click the position title you applied to for the status. For information on what each Application Status means, visit: https://www.usajobs.gov/Help/how-to/application/status/.
If you are unable to apply online or need to fax a document you do not have in electronic form, view the following link for information regarding an Alternate Application: https://help.usastaffing.gov/Apply/index.php?title=Alternate_Application_Information