This position is a Biologist, GS- 0401-7/9 Leavenworth, WA or Winthrop, WA, for the R1-Mid-Columbia Fish and Wildlife Conservation Office Hatchery Evaluation Program.

Duties

The Pathways Recent Graduate Program is for recently graduated or graduating individuals who are looking for developmental experiences in the Federal Government intended to promote possible careers in the civil service. Recent Graduates will serve on this appointment for one year. During the first year the selectee will perform developmental activities designed to help them acquire the competencies of the target position in which they may be placed upon completion of the program. Participants who successfully complete the Recent College Graduates Program may be eligible for conversion to the target position on a permanent or term (more than one to four years in duration) basis without further competition. For more information on the Pathways Recent Graduate Program, please visit https://www.usajobs.gov/StudentsAndGrads. This position is a Biologist, GS- 0401-7/9 working in Leavenworth, WA or Winthrop, WA, for the R1-Mid-Columbia Fish and Wildlife Conservation Office Hatchery Evaluation Program. The upper Columbia is a diverse watershed that originates in the high alpine of the North Central Cascade Mountains and ends in lowland shrub steppe habitat. Our office works on Chinook Salmon, Bull Trout, Pacific Lamprey, other native fishes, and mussels. We work with federal, state, tribal, local, and non-governmental organizations to assess the health of native populations, assist with aquatic habitat restoration, and to conduct hatchery production evaluation. The duty stations for these positions are in the small towns of Winthrop and Leavenworth, Washington. Hatchery evaluation utilizes monitoring, evaluation, and targeted research to assist artificial production programs in effectively meeting mitigation goals and Endangered Species Act responsibilities. This is often done by striking a balance between the benefits of artificial production against the risks to the natural environment. The three focal areas of the program include: 1. Evaluate hatchery operations and practices to optimizing program performance.

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
• Must meet Pathways eligibility requirements
• Must meet the eligibility requirements for the Recent Graduate Program. Recent Graduates will enter a formal training program with a mentor and execute an Individual Development Plan outlining training requirements and program expectations.
• Recent Graduates must receive at least 40 hours of formal training directly linked to their employment field.
• Recent Graduates serve a trial period for the duration of their excepted service appointment.
• Recent Graduates will be required to sign a Pathways Recent Graduate Participant Agreement.
• Applicants must provide documentation of completion within the previous 2 years of a qualifying associates, bachelors, masters, professional, doctorate, degree or certificate from a qualifying educational institution.
• Males born after 12-31-59 must be registered for Selective Service
• Driver’s License: Selectees MAY be required to possess and maintain a valid State driver's license at all times during their tenure.

Qualifications

Only experience and education obtained by 06/25/2024 will be considered. OPM's Qualification standard: http://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/classification-qualifications/general-schedule-qualification-standards/final-groupcoveragequalificationstandardforpathwaysprogramschedule-20d.pdf. Applicants meet the following eligibility requirement, and provide documentation such as a copy of your official transcript and/or veteran's documentation by the closing date of the announcement to be considered: In order to qualify for this position you must possess both the Basic Requirement and Minimum Qualification. Basic Requirement: Successfully completed a full four-year course of study in an accredited college or university leading to a bachelor's or higher degree that included a major field of study in biological sciences, agriculture, natural resource management, chemistry, or related disciplines appropriate to the position. OR Combination of education and experience: Courses equivalent to a major, as shown above, plus appropriate experience or additional education. Minimum Qualification [GS-07] One year of specialized experience comparable in scope and responsibility equivalent to grade GS-05 in the Federal service. Experience include assisting in collecting and reviewing biological data for conservation related projects; maintaining and updating reports and files; -AND- gathering, organizing, and interpreting biological, ecological, pathological, public use, or other pertinent information for scientific studies involving natural resource issues. NOTE: Your resume must contain sufficient information in these areas to be found qualified. OR Completed at least 1 full year of graduate education from an accredited college or university in wildlife biology, ecology, or a directly related field appropriate to this position. Have Superior Academic Achievement (S.A.A.) S.A.A. is based on (1) Class Standing, (2) Grade-Point Average, or (3) Honor Society Membership. (1) Class Standing: Upper one-third of the graduating class in the college, university, or major subdivision based on completed courses. (2) Grade-Point Average: A grade point average of (a) 3.0 or higher out of a possible 4.0 (B or better) as recorded on the official transcript or as computed based on four years of education, or computed based on courses completed during the final two years of the curriculum; -or- (b) 3.5 or higher out of a possible 4.0 0 (B+ or better) based on the average of the required courses completed in the major field or the required courses in the major field completed during the final two years of the curriculum. (3) Election to Membership in a National Scholastic Honor Society: Applicants may be considered eligible based on membership in one of the national scholastic honor societies. Freshman scholastic honor societies cannot be used to meet the requirements of this position. OR Have an equivalent combination of professional experience and education beyond the first 60 semester hours towards a bachelor's degree 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.) OR A combination of education and experience as described in 1 and 2 above which together equals 100% of the requirement Minimum Qualification [GS-09] One year of specialized experience comparable in scope and responsibility equivalent to grade GS-07 in the Federal service that includes: Planning studies related to natural resource issues; drafting scientific reports; gathering biological, ecological, pathological, and/or public use data for scientific studies; -AND- communicating biological information to a wide array of audiences. NOTE: Your resume must contain sufficient information in these areas to be found qualified. OR Possess 2 years of progressively higher-level graduate education leading to a master's degree or master's or equivalent graduate degree in wildlife biology, ecology, or a directly related field appropriate to this position. OR Possess a combination of education (18 semester hours) and experience (at least 6 months). The total percentage equals at least 100 percent of the required education and experience as stated above. 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. Promotion Potential: This position involves a multi-grade career ladder. The major duties listed represent the full performance level of GS-7/9. At lower grade levels, 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-7/9. 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. (NOTE: You must attach a copy of your transcripts. Failure to submit transcripts will result in an ineligible rating.) If you are a veteran with preference eligibility and you are claiming 5-point veterans' preference, you must attach a copy of your DD-214 showing you were honorably discharged. If you are claiming 10-point veterans' preference, you must attach an SF-15," Application for 10-Point Veterans' Preference" in addition to the proof required by that form.

Education

PROOF OF EDUCATION: All applicants 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. Failure to submit transcripts will result in an ineligible rating. 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]