Skip to main content
U.S. flag
Back to results

Fisheries Biologist

Department of Agriculture
Forest Service
This job announcement has closed

Summary

This is an open and continuous announcement. See Additional Information section for more information. Applications will expire every 90 days. To remain active for consideration, applicants must resubmit their application. Positions may be filled at one or more of the duty locations.

The incumbent serves as a fishery biologist in the administration of the fishery habitat and related coordination with other resources.

For additional information contact:SM.FS.AKPermHire@usda.gov.

Overview

Help
Hiring complete
Open & closing dates
05/01/2023 to 09/29/2023
Salary
$52,636 to - $64,384 per year
Pay scale & grade
GS 7 - 9
Locations
Few vacancies in the following locations:
Anchorage, AK
Cordova, AK
Craig, AK
Girdwood, AK
Remote job
No
Telework eligible
Yes—as determined by the agency policy.
Travel Required
Occasional travel - You may be expected to travel for this position.
Relocation expenses reimbursed
Yes—You may qualify for reimbursement of relocation expenses or a recruitment or relocation incentive in accordance with agency policy.
Appointment type
Permanent
Work schedule
Full-time
Service
Competitive
Promotion potential
11 - Promotion potential will be the GS-09 or GS-11 depending on position filled. Final determination will be made at the time of the job offer.
Job family (Series)
Supervisory status
No
Security clearance
Not Required
Drug test
No
Position sensitivity and risk
Non-sensitive (NS)/Low Risk
Trust determination process
Announcement number
23-R10OCR-FISHBIO-07-11-DP
Control number
722810700

Videos

Duties

Help
  • Responsibilities are listed at the minimum full performance level, GS-09
  • Classify habitat and determine stream conditions of fisheries.
  • Gather and compile aquatic habitat and species data using all types of sampling equipment to determine fish habitat needs.
  • Provide biological input into the fish habitat management program to assist in development of fishery management plans.
  • Analyze data to recommend solutions to special issues or problems involving fishery resources and determine the need for fish habitat improvement projects.
  • Map key fish habitat for suitability and determining the need for fish habitat enhancement or restoration.
  • Work cooperatively with State, Tribal, and Federal fish, aquatic species, and water quality management agencies to manage aquatic species and habitats.
  • Develop environmental analysis reports and biological evaluations of threatened, endangered and sensitive species for review by journey level biologists.
  • Participate on interdisciplinary teams for district or forest or equivalent level to discuss environmental issues

Requirements

Help

Conditions of employment

  • Must be a U.S. Citizen or National.
  • Males born after 12-31-59 must be registered for Selective Service or exempt.
  • Subject to satisfactory adjudication of background investigation and/or fingerprint check.
  • Successful completion of one-year probationary period, unless previously served.
  • Per Public Law 104-134 all Federal employees are required to have federal payments made by direct deposit to their financial institution.
  • Successfully pass the E-Verify employment verification check. To learn more about E-Verify, including your rights and responsibilities, visit E-Verify.

Qualifications

In order to qualify, you must meet the eligibility and qualifications requirements as defined below by the closing date of the announcement. For more information on the qualifications for this position, visit the Office of Personnel Management's General Schedule Qualification Standards.

Your application and resume must clearly show that you possess the experience requirements. Transcripts must be provided for qualifications based on education. Provide course descriptions as necessary.


Basic Requirement:

GS-0482:
Degree: Successful completion of a full 4-year course of study in an accredited college or university leading to a bachelor's or higher degree that included a major field of study in biological science that included 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.)
OR
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 above, plus appropriate experience or additional education.

In addition to meeting the basic requirement, you must also possess experience and/or directly related education in the amounts listed below.

Specialized Experience Requirement:
For the GS-07: Applicants must have one year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the GS-5 grade level; Examples of specialized experience include meeting one or more of the following:
As a trainee,

  • Collected field data on streams, lakes, or aquatic ecosystems using standard industry methodologies;
  • Prepared raw field data for use in final reporting documents; summarized/conveyed survey findings for management use;
  • Worked in collaborative settings to achieve natural resource goals; or
  • Maintained accountability and performed operator-level maintenance of field gear and fleet equipment.
OR
One full year of graduate level education; The education must have been obtained in an accredited college or university and demonstrate the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to do the work.
OR
An appropriate combination of graduate level education and specialized experience;
OR
Superior Academic Achievement (to determine if you are eligible, go to: http://www.opm.gov/qualifications/policy/ApplicationOfStds-04.asp). The education must have been obtained in an accredited college or university and demonstrate the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to do the work.

For the GS-09 level: Applicants must have one year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the GS-07 grade level. Examples of qualifying specialized experience include meeting one or more of the following:
  • Collected field data on fish habitat and other aquatic resources for preparation of reports, maps, and/or management plans using industry-appropriate field procedures;
  • Classified habitat and determined condition/suitability for native cold-water aquatic species;
  • Developed and organized field sampling plans to meet natural resource objectives within budget/logistical constraints; or
  • Collaborated with inter/intra-organization personnel to achieve multiple resource goals.
OR
A master's or equivalent graduate degree or 2 full years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to such a degree or LL.B. or J.D., if related;
OR
An appropriate combination of specialized experience and education (only graduate education in excess of 18 semester hours may be used to qualify applicants for this grade level). The education must have been obtained in an accredited college or university and demonstrate the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to do the work.

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

See above for education requirements.

Additional information

The USDA Forest Service has legislative authority to recruit and fill Permanent (Career/Career-Conditional), Temporary, and Term Appointments under the USDA Demonstration Project. Under this authority, any U.S. citizen may apply.

Positions are permanent full time or seasonal with 18 pay periods in pay status and 8 pay periods in nonpay status or 13 pay periods in pay status and 13 pay periods in nonpay status.

Positions may be filled at one or more duty locations included in this announcement. See Additional Information section for more information.

The salary amount will be adjusted to include a Cost of Living Allowance (COLA). A gradually reducing COLA will continue to be paid after December 31, 2012. COLA will not be eliminated until 65% of the locality pay equals the frozen COLA rate. See the OPM website at: http://www.opm.gov/oca/cola/index.asp for additional information.

Career Transition Assistance Plan (CTAP), Reemployment Priority List (RPL), or Interagency Career Transition Assistance Plan (ICTAP): To exercise selection priority for this vacancy, CTAP/RPL/ICTAP candidates must meet the basic eligibility requirements and all selective factors. CTAP/ICTAP eligibles must meet the agency's definition for a quality candidate as provided in the How You Will Be Evaluated section of this announcement to be considered.

If you are selected for a position with further promotion potential, you will be placed under a career development plan, and may be non-competitively promoted if you successfully complete the requirements and if recommended by management. However, promotion is not guaranteed.

This position may be eligible to telework up to four days per week, based upon the duties of the position. This position may also be eligible for flexible work arrangements as determined by agency policy and any applicable collective bargaining agreements.


The Forest Service may use certain incentives and hiring flexibilities, currently offered by the Federal government, to attract highly qualified candidates. Additional information is available at https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/pay-leave/pay-and-leave-flexibilities-for-recruitment-and-retention/

This is a bargaining unit position and is represented by either NFFE, AFGE, or NAGE.

Forest Service daycare facilities are not available.

Government Housing may be available.
THIS IS AN OPEN CONTINUOUS ANNOUNCEMENT. This type of announcement provides the Forest Service with a readily available source of applicants when vacancies occur. Eligibility and qualifications will be verified when there is a vacancy for the location and grade for which you applied. Information on specific locations where jobs are being filled and the dates when applications are due for these locations can be found at https://fsoutreach.gdcii.com/Outreach.

How you will be evaluated

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

You will be evaluated in accordance with the category rating procedure as defined in the USDA Demonstration Project Plan. Applicants who meet the basic minimum qualification requirements established for the position will be placed in the Eligible category. You will be further evaluated against criteria for placement in the Quality category. This evaluation is based on the level of your experience, education, and/or training as determined by your responses to the Assessment Questionnaire. Individuals with veterans' preference are listed ahead of applicants who do not have veterans' preference within each category.

Note: If, after reviewing your resume and/or supporting documentation, a determination is made that you have inflated your qualifications and or experience, your score may be adjusted to more accurately reflect your abilities, or you may be found ineligible. Please follow all instructions carefully. Errors or omissions may affect your rating. Providing inaccurate information on Federal documents could be grounds for non-selection or disciplinary action up to including removal from the Federal service.

To view the application form, visit: https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/11950266

Your session is about to expire!

Your USAJOBS session will expire due to inactivity in 8 minutes. Any unsaved data will be lost if you allow the session to expire. Click the button below to continue your session.