Fish Biologist
What you'd do
This position is a Fish Biologist, GS- 0482-7/9 working in Jamestown, Kentucky at the Wolf Creek National Fish Hatchery. This position will support hatchery operations, outreach functions, facility maintenance and the recovery of imperiled species on and off station, to achieve station and program goals.
Major duties
As a Fish Biologist your duties will include but are not limited to the following: Performs daily operational tasks required at a large scale salmonid hatchery, including incubation of eggs; cleaning of raceways and tanks; grading, sample counting, and inventorying; water quality monitoring and management; and disease diagnostics, control and treatment as directed to maintain fish health and quality. Executes a conventional feeding program in accordance with established guidelines, utilizing mechanical and hand methods, observes for overfeeding, or fish not eating. Performs loading fish on to trucks, safely transport and release fish at target sites. Performs facility maintenance and assist with hatchery public use, environmental education and outreach programs. Assist with hatchery imperiled species work including freshwater mussels and small body fishes. This position involves a multi-grade career ladder. The major duties listed represent the full performance level of GS-09. At lower grade level, you will perform assignments of a more limited scope and with less independence. You will progressively acquire the background necessary to perform at the full performance level of GS-09. Promotion is at the discretion of the supervisor and is contingent upon satisfactory performance, availability of higher level work, and availability of funds. The selectee may be promoted without further competition when all regulatory, qualification, and performance requirements are met. Selection at a lower grade level does not guarantee promotion to the full performance level.
What you need to qualify
Only experience and education obtained by 07/07/2026 will be considered. In order to qualify for this position, you must possess both the Basic Requirement and Minimum Qualification. Basic Requirement: A degree with a major in biological science that includes 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). A 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 in A above, plus appropriate experience or additional education. Minimum Qualification [GS-07] One year of specialized experience at or equivalent to the GS-05 grade level in the Federal service (obtained in either the public or private sectors). Specialized experience includes: (1) Monitoring water quality and performing maintenance on fish hatchery equipment; (2) performing fish health assessments and observing fish behavior to ensure there are no potential fish health issues; (3) gathering fish production data using software for data collection and record keeping; and (4) preparing fish/eggs for shipment or distribution and assisting with stocking activities. NOTE: Your resume must contain sufficient information in these areas to be found qualified. OR One full year of graduate level education in, or directly related to, fisheries and/or aquatics. I will submit my transcripts with my application that verifies this. OR A bachelor's degree in biology, as described in the Basic Requirement above, with Superior Academic (SAA) based on (1) class standing, (2) grade-point average, or (3) honor society membership. (1) I was in the upper third of my graduating class; OR (2) I achieved a grade point average (GPA) of (a) 3.0 or higher out of a possible 4.0 based on 4 years or education, or as computed based on courses completed during the final 2 years of my curriculum, or (b) 3.5 or higher out of a possible 4.0 based on the average of the required courses completed in my major field or the required courses in my major field completed during the final 2 years of my curriculum; OR (3) I am a member of a National Scholastic Honor Society certified by the Association of College Honor Societies, excluding freshman honor societies. (Note: You must include documentation that shows how you meet the SAA criteria.); OR A combination of education and experience as described above in 1 and 2 which together equals 100% of the requirement. Minimum Qualifications [GS-09]: One year of specialized experience at or equivalent to the GS-07 grade level in the Federal service (obtained in either the public or private sectors). Specialized experience includes: (1) Monitoring water quality and performing maintenance on fish hatchery equipment; (2) Performing fish health assessments and observing fish behavior to ensure there are no potential fish health issues and participating in the development of project plans to conduct assessments of aquatic species populations; (3) Working with various stakeholders (Federal, State, Tribal, and civic entities and agencies), to coordinate fish production activities (release and transport of juvenile fish and eggs, transferring fish, etc.); (4) gathering fish production data using software for data collection and record keeping; (5) preparing fish/eggs for shipment or distribution and assist with stocking activities; and (6) Generating reports on hatchery operations. NOTE: Your resume must contain sufficient information in these areas to be found qualified. Two years of progressively higher-level graduate-level education leading to a master's degree OR a master's or equivalent graduate degree with a major study in or directly related to fisheries and/or aquatics. A combination of education and experience as described above in 1 and 2 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. Time In Grade Requirement: Applicants must meet both eligibility and qualification requirements for the position of interest by the closing date of the JOA. Specifically, i. Area of Consideration. ii. Time-in-grade (TIG) requirements as specified in 5 CFR 300, Subpart F. iii. Time after competitive appointment as specified in 5 CFR 330.502. iv. Qualification requirements outlined in OPM's Qualifications Standards for General Schedule Positions
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