This position is a Fish Health Biologist, GS- 0401-11 working in Bozeman, Montana for the R6-Bozeman Fish Health Center.

Duties

As a Fish and Wildlife Biologist (Fish Health Biologist) your duties will include but are not limited to the following: Conducts parasitological, bacterial, virological, and molecular assays at the Center by processing aquatic species tissue samples collected from cultured species at hatcheries and propagation facilities for infectious agents. Analyzes and interprets assay results for Region 6, other regional fish and aquatic programs, and various Federal, State, Tribal, academic, and non-governmental organizations (NGOs). Conducts comprehensive health inspections and certifications of federal hatchery facilities, performing necropsy, tissue sample collection, laboratory pathogen screening, and approved confirmatory assays under the guidance of the American Fisheries Society-Fish Health Section Suggested Procedures for the Detection of Pathogens in Finfish, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Aquatic Animal Health Policy (713 FW 1-2) and State or Tribal policies or regulations. Coordinates sampling of aquatic species health samples with federal culture facilities or partnering agencies. Maintains chain of custody (COC) records and accurate laboratory case histories for each case submission. Independently conducts specialized analysis of aquatic species samples to detect parasites and other pathogens of concern. Examines moribund fish, tissues, and blood samples submitted to the Center for analysis and interpretation by biologists, fishery managers and other partners. Diagnostic work includes: 1) Diagnosis of etiologies for the disorders or diseases found; and 2) Confirmatory examinations of parasitic or other diseases.Performs extremely delicate, exact, and technical diagnostic procedures utilizing appropriate tissue collection, processing, testing and interpretation. These techniques are unique, highly technical laboratory procedures used to provide comprehensive analysis on a variety of freshwater fish species. Communicates closely with Federal, State, Tribal and NGO partners to plan and coordinate wild fish health survey collections throughout USFWS Region 6.

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 may 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 be 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 the Selective Service. To verify registration visit SSS.gov.

Qualifications

Only experience and education obtained by 09/05/2024 will be considered. In order to qualify for this position you must possess both the Basic Requirement and Minimum Qualification. Basic Requirement: Degree: 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: One year of specialized experience comparable in scope and responsibility equivalent to grade GS-09 in the Federal service. Experience may include: (1) working in bacteriology, virology, parasitology, and/or molecular laboratories to screen for and confirm the presence of pathogens in collected samples; (2) processing, running, and interpreting molecular tests such as conventional PCR and qPCR; (3) using standard laboratory and field procedures and techniques, as well as prior fish health training, to accurately diagnose fish diseases; (4) performing aquatic animal health inspections; (5) using a Laboratory Information Management Systems (LIMS) to input and organize data. OR 3 years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to a Ph.D. degree or Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree in a discipline that clearly demonstrates the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to do the work. OR A combination of education and experience as described in 1 and 2 above 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.

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]