Fish Biologist
What you'd do
This position is a Biologist, GS-0482-11 working in New Franken, WI for the Green Bay Fish and Wildlife Conservation Office. Green Bay Fish and Wildlife Conservation Office is just one of the many field stations of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service whose mission is working with others to conserve, protect, and enhance fish, wildlife, and plants and their habitats for the continuing benefit of the American people. First time hires to the Federal government normally start at the step 1 rate.
Major duties
This position will support fish tagging, data collection, and data analysis efforts to measure the movement, growth, post-release survival, wild recruitment, and the general efficacy of salmon and trout stocking programs in the Great Lakes. As a Fish Biologist, your duties will include but are not limited to the following: Leads operational missions to mark and tag fish at Federal and State fish hatcheries. Responsible for using, disinfecting, and maintaining fish tagging systems and equipment and handling live fish. Develops and coordinates schedules with partners, ensure hatchery readiness to engage in tagging operations, and ensure tagging projects are completed safely and on time with adequate measures of tag and mark quality. Helps to develop and implement standard operating procedures that efficiently and uniformly achieve marking project objectives, biodata and specimen collection from fisheries field surveys, tag extraction and reading, and quality assurance. Trains and directs seasonal technicians in fin clipping during tagging operations and in data collection and laboratory activities. Manages biological databases for tagging projects, fisheries field surveys, and coded-wire tag data. Prepares, analyzes, synthesizes, and disseminates quantitative and qualitative data using a wide variety of methods and software. Prepares technical reports, presentations, and scientific papers on analytical findings and recommendations to address fishery management needs. Designs and conducts investigations, assessments, or inspections involving biological and fisheries processes. Coordinates and collects field and laboratory data and specimens according to established procedures and methods. Recommends strategies and plans to improve operational efficiency and efficacy. Develops and cultivates relationships and partnerships with other Federal, State, Tribal and civic entities and conservation agencies to coordinate fish production activities, disseminate scientific and resource information, and enhance conservation efforts to meet Service objectives.
What you need to qualify
All qualifications must be met by the closing date of this announcement - 08/27/2026-unless otherwise stated in this vacancy announcement. Competitive candidates must also meet Time-in-Grade requirements as defined in 5 CFR 300, Subpart F. For current Federal employees, if hours worked per week are not included on your resume, you must submit a non-award SF-50 as part of your application to be used to validate your work schedule and determine the amount of specialized experience that you will be granted. An award SF-50 will not be acceptable documentation for which to consider your amount of qualifying experience. For periods of time that reflect military service, the DD-214 or Statement of Service is sufficient to meet the work schedule requirement as the service dates will be reflected. For all other applicants who are not current federal employees, your resume must state either "full-time" (or "40 hours a week") or "part-time" with the number of hours worked per week to ensure proper crediting of specialized experience. Minimum Qualification Requirements: To qualify for this position, you must meet the following minimum qualifications: Basic Educational Requirement AND Specialized Experience for the series to which you are applying. Basic Educational Requirements: In addition to the specialized experience requirements for this position, you must meet at least one of the following: A. Degree: Possess a bachelor's degree or higher with 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). You must submit transcripts. -OR- B. Combination of education and experience: course work as shown in A above, plus appropriate experience or additional education. Specialized Experience Requirement: To qualify for this position at the GS-11 grade level: A. Experience: To qualify, you must possess at least one full year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-09 level in the Federal service (obtained in either the public or private sectors). Specialized experience is defined as demonstrated experience: 1) leading field surveys and operating fisheries equipment; 2) composing technical reports, briefings, presentations, or training materials; 3) analyzing or managing biological data; and/or 4) working with partners, stakeholders or the general public. NOTE: Your resume must contain the sufficient information in these areas to be found qualified. You must include hours per week worked. -OR- B. Education: Successful completion of at least 3 years of graduate education leading to a Ph.D. degree or Ph.D or equivalent doctoral degree in Fishery biology, ecology, or a directly related field appropriate to this position. . You must include transcripts. -OR- C. Combination of education and experience as listed above. The total must equal at least 100 percent to qualify. You must include hours per week and transcripts. Volunteer 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.
Before you apply
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