General InformationIn order to be eligible to receive consideration for this position, you must be able to: (1) report to the duty station location listed in this vacancy announcement, if selected; and (2) be available to work the schedule identified. Salary: $30.16 (Step 01) to $39.20 (Step 10); NOTE: First time hires to the Federal Government are typically hired at the Step 01.

Duties

The USGS Great Lakes Science Center is seeking graduate level student working towards a degree in Fishery Biology to gain practical experience in the planning and execution of studies and investigations concerning fishes, invertebrates, algae, and physical habitats of the Great Lakes. As a Student Trainee (Fish Biology) you will serve in a trainee capacity, performing routine and recurring development assignments to acquire knowledge and understanding of functions, principles, practices, and methods used in the area of Fish Biology. Duties include: Participates in the planning and execution of studies and investigations concerning fishes, invertebrates, algae, and physical habitats of the Great Lakes; conducts routine field experiments; and deploys remote-data collection systems. Performs assignments in planning the approach and collecting data; analyzes data; and writes reports of findings. Organizes and implements biological investigations that affect fishery resources and their habitat conditions and prepare reports. Gathers, organizes, and interprets a wide variety of biological, ecological, or other information pertinent to scientific investigations; develops and maintains computer databases; and analyzes, tabulates, and summarizes scientific data. Performs Crewmember duties while onboard large vessels. Operates government owned vehicle as an incidental driver. PHYSICAL DEMANDS The Work requires some physical exertion such as walking over wet, rough, uneven, rocky surfaces: bending, crouching, stooping, stretching, reaching, or similar activities. The work requires moderate physical ability and average agility and dexterity. The Incumbent mush be physically capable of performing duties safely and efficiently while onboard large vessels. Crewmember duties on large vessels are physically demanding and can be arduous and/or hazardous in nature. WORK ENVIRONMENT Work is performed in an office, laboratory, and/or in the field. Working in cramped spaces on rolling vessels in sometimes inclement weather, maintain balance and stability on a moving deck, donning an exposure suit unassisted, stepping over door sills of 24 inches in height, opening and closing heavy watertight doors and hatches, pulling/lifting/bending/carrying/pushing heavy objects while maintaining balance on unstable surfaces, climbing steep stairs or vertical ladders without assistance, participating in fire-fighting/ lifesaving/ abandon ship drills and responding during emergencies, use of survival equipment, and lifting/controlling fully charged fire hoses. The office is adequately lighted, heated and ventilated. Temperature and weather extremes may be encountered in the performance of the outdoor work. Field and laboratory duties may require the use of special protective gear. The incumbent is expected to conduct duties in a safe and orderly manner so as not to endanger self, fellow workers, or property with which entrusted.

Requirements

Qualifications

Eligibility Requirements In order to be eligible for an appointment under the Pathways Internship Program: You must be a student accepted for enrollment or enrolled in a degree or certificate program on a full- or half-time basis as defined by the school (certificate program means post-secondary education, in a qualifying educational institution, equivalent to at least one academic year of full-time study that is part of an accredited college-level, technical, trade, vocational, or business school curriculum); AND Enrollment is with a qualifying educational institution such as a high school or state-approved homeschool; or accredited technical or vocational school; a 2- or 4-year college or university; a graduate or professional school (e.g., law school, medical school); or a post-secondary home school curriculum; AND Students currently enrolled must be in good academic standing maintaining a 2.0 grade point average on a cumulative basis; AND The duties of this position should be related to your academic or career goals. You must continue to meet these eligibility requirements throughout the duration of your appointment under the Pathways Internship Program. Students who successfully complete the internship program may be eligible for conversion to a permanent appointment or a term (1-4 years in duration) appointment without further competition. Eligibility requirements for conversion: must be a U.S. Citizen; complete at least 640 hours of work experience acquired through the Internship Program (*may waive up to a total of 320 hours under specific conditions); successfully complete your degree or certificate requirements from a qualifying institution; meet the qualification requirements for the position to which you will be converted; meet agency-specific requirements as outlined in the Participant's Agreement; and must have performed successfully in your position as documented through performance evaluations. *NOTE: To learn more about the conditions under which a portion of the work experience hours may be waived, visit https://www.usgs.gov/about/organization/science-support/human-capital/students-and-recent-graduates. Qualification Requirements This internship is geared toward students majoring in one of the following areas of study: (insert preferred major(s) e.g., the life sciences, the physical sciences, environmental science, geology, chemistry, business administration, finance, information technology, etc.). BASIC EDUCATION REQUIREMENT: Applicants must meet A or B below to satisfy the basic requirement for Fishery Biologist, all grade levels. A. Degree: major in biological science that included: at least 6 semester hours or the equivalent 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 or the equivalent 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 B. Combination of education and experience-courses equivalent to a major in biological science (i.e. at least 30 semester hours or the equivalent), of which a minimum of 6 semester hours or the equivalent were in aquatic subjects and 12 semester hours or the equivalent were in the animal sciences, as shown in "A" above, plus appropriate experience and/or additional education for a total of 4 years. The education or combined education and experience must be comparable in type, scope, and thoroughness to that acquired through successful completion of a 4-year course of study as described in "A" above. For GS-09: In addition to the basic education requirement as stated above, applicants must meet the following to qualify for the GS-09 level: **Two years of progressively higher level graduate education (36 semester hours, 54 quarter hours or the equivalent) or a master's or equivalent graduate degree in fishery biology or other directly related field of study if it provided the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to do the work of the position to be filled. **OR one year of appropriate professional experience in fishery biology that is equivalent to at least the GS-07 level in the Federal service. Examples of such experience could include assisting in the design and implementation of fishery surveys and standard fishery field procedures, technical evaluation of habitat, logistical planning of field studies, quality control of data collection, data management and analysis, and report preparation. At this level the work involves following established methods and procedures, or detailed instructions; using some judgment in applying basic principles and procedures; solving minor problems and making routine decisions. **OR a combination of successfully completed progressive graduate level education, as described above, that is beyond the first year of graduate study and professional experience, as described above. You must meet all qualification and eligibility requirements for the position by the closing date of the announcement.

Education

• 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 completed in colleges or universities outside the United States may be used to meet the above requirements. You must provide acceptable documentation that the foreign education is comparable to that received in an accredited educational institution in the United States. For more information on how foreign education is evaluated, visit: https://www.usgs.gov/about/organization/science-support/human-capital/how-foreign-education-evaluated-federal-jobs .

Agency Benefits:

• The availability of the various benefits depends on the expected duration of your appointment under the Internship Program. If you are expected to be on the appointment for at least one year, the U.S. Geological Survey offers a comprehensive benefits package that includes paid vacation, sick leave, and holidays; health, life, dental, vision, and long term care insurance, flexible spending accounts, and participation in the Federal Employees Retirement System. If you are expected to be on the appointment less than one year, the benefits package includes paid vacation, sick leave, and holidays. In addition, interns expected to work at least 130 hours per month for at least 90 days will be eligible to enroll in a Federal Employee Health Benefits (FEHB) plan. Individuals eligible under this rule receive the full government contribution to their premiums regardless of work schedule and will also be eligible to participate in the Flexible Spending Accounts and Federal Long Term Care Insurance Program.

Contacts

• Address LAKE ONTARIO BIO STA 12201 Sunrise Valley Drive Mail Stop 600 Reston, VA 20192 US
• Name: Amanda Simmons
• Phone: 703-648-5764
• Email: [email protected]