This position is a Biologist, GS- 0401-9 working in Carbondale, Illinois for the R3-Carterville Fish and Wildlife Conservation Office. This is a term position expected to last 13 months but may be extended up to a total of 4 years at management's discretion.

Duties

The primary role of this position is to serve as the lead biologist (both in the office and in the field) for a study examining native fish passage at the U.S. Army Corps of Engineer's Mississippi River Lock and Dam 22. The study is a multi-year study designed to maintain an acoustic telemetry array to detect fish passage on the Mississippi River. The project is utilizing a variety of fish tagging methods (including acoustic tags) to monitor fish passage at the facility. As a Biologist your duties will include, but are not limited to, the following: Participates in the planning and execution of complex studies and assessments or independently plans, organizes and implements limited studies concerning biological, chemical, and physical processes that affect ecosystems. Coordinates, collects and processes field specimens for analysis according to established procedures, methods and techniques. Conducts routine field experiments using various data-collection systems and extracts and analyzes data from these systems. Modifies and adapts standard techniques, processes and procedures; assesses, selects and applies precedents; and recommends strategies and plans to overcome significant resource problems. Deploys remote data-collection systems and manipulates and analyzes data from these systems. As directed, conducts program analyses, and reviews results of studies or investigations. Drafts sections of reports that include recommendation for changes, elimination, or improvement of operations and program plans. Gathers, organizes, and interprets a wide variety of biological, ecological, pathological, public use data or other information pertinent to scientific studies. Analyzes and synthesizes quantitative and qualitative data using a wide variety of methods and software in ways that support project needs. Develops and maintains computer databases; conducts geospatial analysis; and gathers, analyzes, tabulates and summarizes scientific, programmatic, and/or budgetary data. Utilizes a wide variety of data visualization methods and techniques to accurately and effectively communicate data and data analysis findings to various audiences including FWS management and staff, stakeholders, and partners.

Requirements

• Must be a U.S. Citizen or National.
• Resume (See "Required Documents"). Failure to provide ALL required information on your resume will result in loss of consideration due to an incomplete application package. It is your responsibility to ensure all information is provided on resume.
• Eligibility and Supporting documents - You will ONLY be considered for the eligibilities that you select "yes" to AND submit the required supporting documentation, as listed in the Required Documents section.
• Suitability for employment, as determined by background investigation.
• Driver's License: Selectees will be required to possess and maintain a valid State driver's license at all times during their tenure.
• Uniform: Official U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service uniform may required.
• Probationary Period: Selectees may be required to successfully complete a probationary period.
• Individuals assigned male at birth after 12-31-59 must be registered for Selective Service. To verify registration, visit SSS.gov.

Qualifications

Only experience and education obtained by 05/31/2024 will be considered. In order to qualify for this position you must possess both the Basic Requirement and Minimum Qualification. Basic Requirement: A bachelor's or higher degree from an accredited college or university in biological sciences, agriculture, natural resource management, chemistry, or related disciplines appropriate to the position. OR A combination of education and experience which includes courses equivalent to a major in the biological sciences (i.e. at least 24 semester hours) as shown above, plus appropriate experience or additional education that is comparable to that normally acquired through the successful completion of a full 4-year course of study in the biological sciences, agriculture, or natural resources management or related disciplines appropriate to the position. Minimum Qualification [GS-9] One year of specialized experience comparable in scope and responsibility equivalent to grade GS-7 in the Federal service in the field of, or directly related to fish and/or other aquatic species biological science. Examples of qualifying experience may include: 1) leading the development of field based projects related to fish and other aquatic species biology; 2) leading teams to collect data in the field which is related to fish and other aquatic species biology and entering that data into computer based databases; 3) independently analyzing data, drafting, and finalizing reports on fish and other aquatic species biology; and 4) independently maintaining and using fish capture equipment or carrying out captive rearing and fish health assessments. NOTE: Your resume must contain sufficient information in these areas to be found qualified. OR Have completed two years of progressively higher level graduate education at an accredited college or university leading to a master's degree or equivalent graduate degree in wildlife biology, ecology, or a directly related field appropriate to this position. OR Have an equivalent combination of professional experience and graduate level education beyond the first year which together equals 100% of the requirements. (When combining education with experience, first determine the total qualifying education as a percentage of the education required for the grade level; then determine the experience as a percentage of the experience required for the grade level; finally, add the two percentages. The total percentage must equal at least 100 percent to qualify an applicant for that grade level.) 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

PROOF OF EDUCATION: All applicants who are using education or a combination of education and experience to qualify must submit copies of official or unofficial transcripts which include grades, credit hours earned, major(s), grade point average or class ranking, institution name, and student name. If any required coursework is not easily recognizable on transcripts, or if you believe a portion of a particular course can be credited toward meeting an educational requirement, you must also provide a memorandum on letterhead from the institution's registrar, dean, or other appropriate official stating the percentage of the course that should be considered to meet the requirement and the equivalent number of units. Unofficial transcripts are acceptable; however, if you are selected for the position, you will be required to produce the original official transcripts.

PASS/FAIL COURSES: If more than 10 percent of your undergraduate course work (credit hours) were taken on a pass/fail basis, your claim of superior academic achievement must be based upon class standing or membership in an honor society.

GRADUATE EDUCATION: One academic year of graduate education is considered to be the number of credits hours your graduate school has determined to represent one academic year of full-time study. Such study may have been performed on a full-time or part-time basis. If you cannot obtain your graduate school's definition of one year of graduate study, 18 semester hours (or 27 quarter hours) should be considered as satisfying the requirement for one year of full-time graduate study.

FOREIGN EDUCATION: If you are using education completed in foreign colleges or universities to meet the qualification requirements, you must show the education credentials have been evaluated by a private organization that specializes in interpretation of foreign education. For further information, visit: Recognition of Foreign Qualifications | International Affairs Office (ed.gov)

Contacts

• Address
• Name: Human Resources Staffing Division
• Email: [email protected]