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Fish Biologist

Department of the Interior
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
This job announcement has closed

Summary

This position is a Fish Biologist (Modeler), GS- 0482-12 working with La Crosse Fish and Wildlife Conservation Office, Onalaska, Wisconsin.

Overview

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Hiring complete
Open & closing dates
04/19/2022 to 05/02/2022
Salary
$79,363 to - $103,176 per year
Pay scale & grade
GS 12
Location
1 vacancy in the following location:
Onalaska, WI
Remote job
No
Telework eligible
Yes—as determined by the agency policy.
Travel Required
50% or less - You may be expected to travel for this position.
Relocation expenses reimbursed
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 excluding contractor-provided home sale.
Appointment type
Permanent
Work schedule
Full-time
Service
Competitive
Promotion potential
None
Job family (Series)
Supervisory status
Yes
Security clearance
Not Required
Drug test
No
Position sensitivity and risk
Moderate Risk (MR)
Trust determination process
Announcement number
R3-22-11448718-RR-SDHA
Control number
649555400

This job is open to

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Clarification from the agency

This position will be filled under the Office of Personnel Management's Direct Hire Authority and is open to all United States citizens and U.S. nationals. Veteran's preference and traditional rating and ranking of applications do not apply. All qualified applicants will be referred to the hiring manager for consideration for this position.

Duties

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As a Modeler and Fisheries Biologist your duties will include but are not limited to the following:

  • Develop, maintain, and apply fish population and community models to evaluate fish community dynamics with the goal of informing management decisions to increase the sustainability of the Great Lakes and Mississippi River Basin Fisheries.
  • Serve as technical expert in statistical modeling of fish populations that will be used to develop safe harvest limits and/or evaluating control techniques for established populations of invasive species.
  • Conducts biological surveys on complex systems (e.g. Great Lakes and the Mississippi River) for the preservation, rehabilitation and enhancement of fish populations and to determine status and trends of native or invasive aquatic species.
  • Works with the Project Leader and partners to identify priority projects, determine objectives, and develop procedures for conducting studies. Ensure those studies meet identified needs, that data will be statistically representative, and that results reported will be valid and reliable for decision-making.
  • Work in cooperation with various Federal, State, Tribal and local agencies and other partners to disseminate information and guide biological work.
  • Directs the work of subordinates based on priorities, selective consideration of the difficulty and requirements of assignments, and the capabilities of employees; evaluates work performance of subordinates; gives advice, counsel, and/or instruction to employees on both work and administrative matters; interviews candidates for positions in the unit; recommends appointment, promotion, or reassignment to such positions; hears and resolves complaints from employees, referring group grievances and more serious unresolved complaints to a higher level supervisor or manager; effects minor disciplinary measures, such as warnings and reprimands, recommending other action in more serious cases; identifies developmental and training needs of employees, providing or arranging for needed development and training; finds ways to improve the quality of the work directed; and develops performance standards.

Requirements

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Conditions of employment

  • Must be a U.S. Citizen or National.
  • Individuals assigned male at birth after 12-31-59 must be registered for the Selective Service. To verify registration visit SSS.gov.
  • Resume and supporting documents (See How To Apply).
  • Suitability for employment, as determined by background investigation.
  • Drug testing position: Selectees tentatively selected for this position will be required to submit to urinalysis to screen for illegal drug use prior to appointment.
  • Medical Requirements: Selectees must pass a pre-employment medical examination and may be subject to post-employment medical examinations to determine if they are maintaining the fitness standards for this position.
  • Driver?s License: Selectees must possess and maintain a valid State driver's license at all times during their tenure.
  • Firearm: Selectees will be required to carry a firearm in the performance of your duties.
  • Uniform: Official U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service uniform is required.
  • Probationary Period: Selectees may be required to successfully complete a probationary period.
  • Supervisory Probationary Period: Selectees who have not previously completed a supervisory probationary period, will be required to serve a one-year supervisory/managerial probationary period for this position.
  • Notice of Financial Disclosure Report Requirement: This position is subject to a financial disclosure requirement and you will be required to complete either OGE Form 278e or OGE Form 450 as applicable within 30 days of your appointment

Qualifications

Only experience and education obtained by 05/02/2022 will be considered.

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

Basic Requirement:

  1. A full 4-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 6 semester (9 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 subject may be used to meet this requirement when appropriate). NOTE: to be found qualified under this option, you must submit transcripts (official or unofficial) to verify your education. OR
  2. Have an appropriate combination of education and experience in courses equivalent to a major in biological science (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 paragraph 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 the combination of education and experience must be sufficient to demonstrate that you possess the knowledge, skills, and abilities comparable to those normally acquired through the successful completion of a full 4-year course of study. NOTE: To qualify under this option you must submit transcripts to verify your education and include proof of your experience in the text of your resume.
Minimum Qualification: Possess at least one full year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-11 grade level in the federal service. Examples of specialized experience includes: 1) statistical modeling of fish populations used to develop exploitation targets; (2) developing, maintaining, and applying fish population and community models to evaluate fish community dynamics and inform management decisions to increase the sustainability of the Great Lakes and Mississippi River Basin fisheries; (3) directing work in the field fisheries science to meet program goals; (4) managing and operating a laboratory, including maintaining accurate records on all laboratory equipment, chemicals, and supplies; (5) providing direction and guidance to lower graded employees, including study planning, study execution in big river settings, data analysis, data interpretation, and reporting; and (6) developing and coordinating research projects among multiple organizations.

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

Additional information

Telework: This position is suitable for telework and may be allowed to telework with supervisory approval. For teleworkers, their official duty station is the agency worksite (e.g., Main Interior Building) as they are expected to report to the regular worksite at least twice a pay period.

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) or Interagency Career Transition Assistance Plan (ICTAP):Department of Interior (DOI) Career Transition Assistance Plan (CTAP) procedures apply in filling this vacancy. CTAP or ICTAP applicants must be determined to be well-qualified for this position in order to receive special selection priority. To be well-qualified, a CTAP or ICTAP applicant must meet the following: OPM qualification requirements for the position, all selective factors, where applicable; special OPM approved qualifying conditions for the position; is physically qualified with reasonable accommodation, where appropriate, to satisfactorily perform the duties of the position upon entry; and receives a rating of at least 85 on the questionnaire. For more information visit: OPM's Employee Guide to Career Transition

How you will be evaluated

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

All applicants who submit a complete and legible application by the closing date of this vacancy announcement {or cut-off} will have their qualifications reviewed to determine if they possess the following knowledge, skills and abilities required to successfully perform the work of this position.

Applicants eligible for priority consideration under DOI's Career Transition Assistance Program/Plan, employees eligible under the Interagency Career Transition Plan (ICTAP). Eligible candidates on the Reemployment Placement List (RPL). A qualified and eligible permanent DOI employee may be selected before an ICTAP eligible.

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