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As a Fish Biologist within the Great Lakes Science Center, some of your specific duties will include:

• Analyzes data, performs scientific tests, and conducts studies on the impact of existing or proposed management or public practices on fishery resources.
• Plans and conducts studies and investigations concerning biological, chemical, and physical processes that affect aquatic communities and ecosystems.
• Plans, develops, conducts, and modifies physiological and biochemical tests to determine the
  effects of fishery chemicals on aquatic organisms.
• Formulates new methods and approaches that are used by other biologists, and prepares written findings.
• Recommends major modifications to project objectives and associated documentation in accordance with established program directives.
• Employee may participate on scientific cruises on large research vessels.
• Operates a government-owned or leased vehicle as an incidental driver.

Physical Requirements: The incumbent must be physically capable of performing duties safely and efficiently while onboard large vessels. Crewmember duties on large vessels are physically demanding, and can be arduous and/or hazardous in nature.

Duties include but may not be limited to:
Working in cramped spaces on rolling vessels in sometimes in-climate weather, maintaining balance and stability on a moving deck, donning an exposure suit unassisted, stepping over doorsills of 24 inches in height, opening and closing heavy watertight doors and hatches, pulling/lifting/bending/carrying/pushing heavy objects while maintaining balance on unstable surfaces, climbing steep stairs or vertical ladders without assistance, participating in fire-fighting/lifesaving/abandon ship drills [and] responding during emergencies, use of survival equipment, and lifting/controlling fully charged fire hoses.

Conditions of employment

Key Requirements:

1. Applicants must be U.S. Citizens.
2. Suitable for Federal employment, as determined by background investigation.
3. Selectee may be subject to serving a one-year probationary period.
4. More requirements are listed under Qualifications and Other Information.
5. Selectee must provide a valid state driver's license & safe driving record.
6. Selectee subject to successful completion of a pre-employment medical exam.

Are There Any Special Requirements For This Position?

• Because this position requires travel for official business, the selectee will be required to apply for a charge card within 30 calendar days of appointment. Individuals who have delinquent account balances from a previous Government charge card will be required to satisfy their existing obligation before a new card can be issued.
• A background investigation will be required for this position. Continued employment will be subject to the applicant's successful completion of a background security investigation and favorable adjudication. Failure to successfully meet these requirements will be grounds for termination.
• Throughout the recruitment and hiring process we will be communicating with you via email; therefore, it is imperative that the email address you provide when applying for this vacancy remains active. Should your email address change, please notify the point of contact identified in the vacancy announcement as soon as possible so that we can update our system.
• Drug Test & Pre-Employment Medical - Prior to appointment, the selectee will be required to take and pass, at Federal expense: (1) a physical exam; and (2) a urinalysis to screen for illegal drug use. From thereon, the incumbent may be subject to random drug testing

Qualifications

BASIC EDUCATION REQUIREMENT: Applicants must meet A or B below to satisfy the basic requirement for Fishery Biologist, all grade levels.

A. Degree: major in biological science that included: at least 6 semester hours or the equivalent 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 or the equivalent 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).

B. Combination of education and experience-courses equivalent to a major in biological science (i.e. at least 30 semester hours or the equivalent), of which a minimum of 6 semester hours or the equivalent were in aquatic subjects and 12 semester hours or the equivalent were in the animal sciences, as shown in "A" above, plus appropriate experience and/or additional education for a total of 4 years. The education or combined education and experience must be comparable in type, scope, and thoroughness to that acquired through successful completion of a 4-year course of study as described in "A" above. (CLICK HERE FOR DETAILS ON HOW TO COMBINE EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE)

For GS-11:

In addition to the basic education requirement as stated above, applicants must meet one of the following to qualify for the GS-11 level:

**Possess a Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree in fishery biology or other directly related field of study or 3 years of progressively higher level graduate education (54 semester hours, 81 quarter hours or the equivalent) leading to a Ph.D. degree in fishery biology or other directly related field of study if it provided the knowledge, skill and abilities necessary to do the work of the position to be filled.

**OR Possess one year of appropriate professional experience in fishery biology that is equivalent to at least the GS-09 level in the Federal service.

Examples of GS-9 level work may include: 1) Participating in the planning and execution of fishery biological studies with limited number of variables; 2) performing established, standardized tests and analyses on a broad range of biological samples; 3) conducting fishery biological studies using established fact finding procedures. For examples 1-3, assignments were made with the objectives, priorities, and deadlines defined. The work was planned and carried out independently in accordance with proven techniques, methods, and practices. Controversial use of approaches or modifications of standard procedures were typically discussed with a designated person before being carried out.

**OR Possess a combination of successfully completed graduate level education as described above that is beyond the second year of progressive graduate study and professional experience, as described above. (CLICK HERE FOR DETAILS ON HOW TO COMBINE GRADUATE EDUCATION & EXPERIENCE)

For GS-12:

In addition to the basic education requirement as stated above, applicants must have one year of appropriate professional experience in fishery biology that is equivalent to at least the GS-11 level in the Federal service.

Examples of GS-11 level work may include: 1) Independently planning and conducting comprehensive fishery biological studies and investigations; 2) modifying and adapting standard biological techniques, processes, and procedures; 3) serving as a technical resource on fishery biological issues. For examples 1-3, the assignments were planned and carried out independently, resolving most of the conflicts that arose, coordinating the work with others as necessary, relating new work situations to precedent ones, extending or modifying existing techniques, and interpreting and applying program policy in terms of established objectives.

You must meet all qualification and eligibility requirements for the position by the closing date of the announcement.

How you will be evaluated

You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.

--Basis of Rating: The Government-wide direct hire authority for Fishery Biologist, GS-0482 is being used to fill this position. All applicants who meet the eligibility requirements and minimum qualification requirements will be referred for consideration.