Fish Biologist
What you'd do
This position is a FISH BIOLOGIST, GS- 0482-7 working in Suches, Georgia for the Chattahoochee Forest National Fish Hatchery. The National Fish Hatchery System (NFHS) is comprised of a network of field stations located throughout the nation that work with tribal, local, and state governments, other federal agencies, and foreign nations to conserve fisheries.
Major duties
As a Fish Biologist your duties will include but are not limited to the following: Performs a variety of operational tasks and applies standard methods and practices relating to daily hatchery operational activities including fish cultural activities, disease control, collection, care, treatment, and spawning of broodstock; incubation of eggs; feeding, cleaning, and sample counting of fry and fingerlings; cleaning of raceways and tanks; distribution of eggs, fry, and fingerlings; and the tagging and marking programs. Conducts visual and microscopic examinations of fish for diseases and parasites. Identifies issues and makes recommendation regarding appropriate course of action. Maintains electronic records and generates reports of ongoing hatchery operation activities including feeding records; water quality; incidence of disease/stress and treatment; brood stock inventory; and production records. Collects, monitors and analyzes a wide variety of water management parameters and biological data. Assists the Hatchery Manager with a variety of technical and administrative duties associated with hatchery management and operations, e.g. develops annual hatchery report detailing all station operations, resource issues, hatchery production, planning, facility and infrastructure management and maintenance, safety, training, budget, partnerships, outreach, public relations, and resource needs.
What you need to qualify
Only experience and education obtained by 07/21/2026 will be considered. In order to qualify for this position you must possess both the Basic Requirement and Minimum Qualification. Basic Requirement: Bachelor's or higher degree with a major in biological science that included (1) 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 (2) at least 12 semester hours in animal science subjects such as general zoology, vertebrate zoology, comparative anatomy, physiology, entomology, parasitology, ecology, cellular biology, genetics, or research in these fields. (Excess coursework in aquatic subjects may be used to satisfy the animal science coursework requirement when appropriate.). OR Combination of education and experience that includes coursework 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. The quality of my combination of education and experience is sufficient to demonstrate that I possess the knowledge, skills, and abilities comparable to those normally acquired through the successful completion of a full four-year course of study. Minimum Qualification GS-07 One year of specialized experience comparable in scope and responsibility equivalent to grade GS-5 in the Federal service. Specialized experience may include: 1) Assists with conducting visual and microscopic examinations of fish for diseases and parasites; 2) Collects and assists with the analysis of a wide variety of water management parameters and biological data; 3) Participates in and assists in the development of project plans and methods to conduct assessments of aquatic species; 4) Assists with the implementation of the hatchery outreach program by providing tours, maintaining the hatchery visitor center, and conducting fishing events; 5) Participates in the care, culture, and management of fish populations, including spawning, incubation, feeding, disease monitoring, and maintaining optimal environmental conditions to support hatchery operations. OR One year of graduate-level education with a major study in or directly related to fish biology which provided the knowledge skills, and abilities to successfully perform the work of the position. OR A bachelor's degree in biological science as described above (i.e., degree in biological sciences that included at least 6 semester hours in aquatics subjects and at least 12 semester hours in animal science subjects) AND meet one of the provisions for Superior Academic Achievement (SAA). Provisions of SAA are 1. Maintained a grade-point average of "B" (a GPA of 3.0 or higher) for all completed undergraduate courses, or those completed in the last two years of undergraduate study. - OR - 2. Maintained a grade-point average "B+" (a GPA of 3.5 or higher) for all courses in the major field of study, or those courses in the major completed in the last two years of undergraduate study. -OR- 3. Rank in the upper one-third of the class in the college, university, or major subdivision. -OR- 4. Membership of a national honor (other than freshman honor societies) recognized by the Association of College Honor Societies. Please submit a college transcript(s) showing grade point average for all four years of undergraduate study, including all transferred courses. OR A combination of education and experience 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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