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As a Fish Biologist within the Western Fisheries Research Science Center, some of your specific duties will include:

• Perform advanced trainee assignments in planning the approach and collecting data to carry out less complex fishery biology studies or portions of larger investigations.
• Prepare a variety of samples and perform data analysis in an office or laboratory and drafts assigned portions of reports.
• Perform advance trainee assignments in gathering, organizing, and interpreting biological, ecological, pathological, public use data or other information pertinent to limited scientific studies or investigations.
• Assist in ensuring completion of program objectives and associated documentation in accordance with established program directives.

Above duties are for the GS-07 level. At the full performance level, less assistance, instruction, guidance, oversight, review, and supervision will be provided. NOTE: Identification of promotion potential in this announcement does not constitute a commitment or an obligation on the part of management to promote the employee selected at some future date. Promotion will depend upon administrative approval and the continuing need for and performance of higher-level duties.

Conditions of Employment as required by the USGS Watercraft Safety Program:

• Must be able to take and pass the Motorboat Operator Certification Course (MOCC) within 6 months of employment.
• Must be able to obtain and maintain First Aid and CPR (Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation) for the duration of employment.

Physical Demands: The work requires some physical exertion such as walking over wet, rough, uneven, or rocky surfaces; bending, crouching, stooping, stretching, reaching, or similar activities. The work requires moderate physical ability and average agility and dexterity.

Work Environment: The work is performed in an office, laboratory, and/or in the field. The office is adequately lighted, heated, and ventilated. Temperature and weather extremes may be encountered in the performance of the outdoor work. Field and laboratory duties may require the use of special protective gear. 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.

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. You must provide a valid state driver's license & safe driving record.
6. You will besubject to successful completion of a pre-employment medical exam.

Are There Any Special Requirements For This Position?

• This vacancy is limited to the first 75 applications received and will close at midnight Eastern Time on the day this application limit is reached regardless of the closing date specified in this vacancy announcement. Any application received prior to midnight Eastern Time of the day the application limit is reached will be accepted and considered. You are strongly encouraged to submit all required supporting documents at the time of application should the vacancy close earlier than stated in this announcement due to the applicant limit being reached. Supporting documents will not be accepted once the vacancy announcement closes.
• Taking and passing a pre-employment medical examination at Federal expense is required due to the physical demands of this job.
• You will be required to operate a government-owned or -leased vehicle as an incidental driver.
• 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.

Qualifications

BASIC EDUCATION REQUIREMENT: You must meet A or B below to satisfy the basic requirement for Fishery Biologist.

• 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). **OR**
• 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)

- AND -

For GS-07:

In addition to the basic education requirement as stated above, applicants must meet one of the following to qualify for the GS-07 level: **One year of successfully completed graduate level education (18 semester hours, 27 quarter hours or the equivalent) in fishery biology or other directly related field of study if it provided the knowledge, skills and abilities necessary to do the work of the position to be filled. **OR Super Academic Achievement based on undergraduate study. (CLICK HERE FOR MORE INFORMATION ON SUPERIOR ACADEMIC ACHIEVEMENT).

**OR one year of appropriate professional experience that is in fishery biology or other related discipline that equipped the applicant with the knowledge, skills, and abilities to perform successfully the duties of this position and that is equivalent to at least the GS-5 level in the Federal service. Examples of such experience could include assisting higher graded Biologists in the application of standard protocols and approaches to collect fish, algal, and habitat samples; compiling and summarizing basic data; and accomplishing routine analysis. At this level the work is closely controlled and the supervisor or higher graded specialist assigns the work with clear, specific, and detailed instructions as to the methods, procedures, and guidelines to use.

**OR a combination of successfully completed progressive graduate level education, as described above, and professional experience, as described above. (CLICK HERE FOR DETAILS ON HOW TO COMBINE GRADUATE EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE).

You must meet all qualification and eligibility requirements for the position by the closing date of the announcement.
NOTE: You must submit all transcripts for the basic education requirement as well as if using education to qualify or a combination of education and experience.

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.

How you will be evaluated

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

--Vacancy Related Questions: As part of the online application process, you will need to respond to a series of questions designed to assess your possession of the following knowledge skills, abilities and/or competencies:

• Scientific Instrumentation and Scientific Knowledge

--Basis of Rating: Category rating will be used in the ranking and selection process for this position. The quality categories are Best Qualified, Well Qualified, and Qualified. You will be rated on the extent and quality of your experience, education, and training relevant to the duties of the position. If you are eligible, your on-line responses to the application questions will determine your placement in the appropriate quality category described above. Your responses must be substantiated by your resume. If you do not respond to the application questions you may be rated ineligible. Veterans' preference rules for category rating will be applied.

--NOTE: If it is determined that you have rated yourself higher than is supported in your description of experience and/or education as described in your resume/application, or that your resume or application is incomplete, you may be rated ineligible, not qualified, or your score may be lowered.

To preview the announcement questionnaire, click here: https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/11334363