This position is a BIOLOGIST, GS- 0401-9/11 working in for R5-Lower Great Lakes Fish and Widlelife Conservation Office. There is (1) vacancy in Basom, New York and (1) vacancy in Williamstown, West Virginia.

Duties

The salary will be based upon duty station and locality pay once selected. Locality tables may be found at: Federal Pay Tables 2024 As a BIOLOGIST your duties will include but are not limited to the following: Lead aquatic invasive species early detection, rapid response, and control projects including leading field crews, daily scheduling, equipment and supplies, data analysis, interpretation, and management, as well as annual reporting. Work with leadership to develop seasonal field sampling goals, staffing needs, budget projections, and monitor progress throughout the season to ensure goals are being achieved. Review, evaluate, and improve aquatic invasive species spread prevention strategies employed by USFWS field staff to minimize the risk of introduction and spread by USFWS activities. Communicate effectively with partner agencies to support shared goals and objectives for invasive species prevention, detection, rapid response, and control including technical support for field work as well as compliance with federal funding initiatives. Work with leadership to foster aquatic invasive species prevention program elements including the drafting and review of risk assessments, review and interpretation of scientific literature, use of R-based and ArcGis tools to predict climate scenarios, data collection to support horizon scanning efforts,

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.
• Merit promotion applicants must meet time-in-grade requirement as defined in 5 CFR 300, Subpart F.
• 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 10/04/2024 will be considered. In order to qualify for this position you must possess both the Basic Requirement and Minimum Qualification. Basic Requirement: Possess a degree in biological sciences, agriculture, natural resource management, chemistry, or related disciplines appropriate to the position; OR Possess a combination of education and experience: Courses equivalent to a major, as shown above, plus appropriate experience or additional education. Minimum Qualification [GS-09] Possess at least one year of specialized experience at or equivalent to the GS-07 grade level in the Federal service (obtained in either the public or private sectors). Specialized experience includes: 1.) Maintaining and operating of a variety of standard field sampling gear for fish and invertebrates (e.g., fyke nets, gill nets, electrofishing, hoop nets, trawl net, seine nets, ponar grab); 2.) Operating and maintaining vessels up to 22-25ft in length including trailering; 3.) Entering data using basic software and operating systems including some geospatial applications (ArcGIS, R); 4.) Reviewing and interpretating scientific information (e.g., journal articles, reports, and technical papers); 5.) Assisting with scientific and technical report writing; and 6.) Assisting with implementation of invasive species prevention strategies. NOTE: Your resume must contain sufficient information in these areas to be found qualified; OR Possess two years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to a master's degree or master's or equivalent graduate degree in a discipline directly related to the position; OR Possess a combination of specialized experience and graduate education as described above that, when combined, equals 100% of the total requirement. Minimum Qualification [GS-11] Possess at least one year of specialized experience at or equivalent to the GS-09 grade level in the Federal service (obtained in either the public or private sectors). Specialized experience includes: 1.) Leading complex fishery investigations related to aquatic invasive species prevention, detection, rapid response, and control activities including field surveys for fish, invertebrates, or plants using a variety of standard collection gear types (e.g., fyke nets, gill nets, electrofishing, seine nets, hoop nets, trawl nets, and ponar grabs); 2.) Assisting with overall project management such as development of project goals, implementation planning, identification of equipment and supply needs, staffing needs to meet seasonal field sampling goals, data applications in geographic information systems (GIS), Field Maps, and Survey 123, and preparation of annual reports; 3.) Leading other biologists and field crews in carrying out work; 4.) Operating and maintaining motorboats on open waters (e.g., Great Lakes or large rivers such as the Ohio River); 5.) Assisting with drafting, editing and finalizing professional and objective technical reports including extensive literature reviews; 6.) Leading aquatic invasive species prevention actions including strategies reducing risks associated with the spread of fish, plants, and invertebrates; 7.) Developing, and maintaining partnerships with federal, state, and academic partners to support aquatic invasive species project and research priorities; and 8.) Assisting with the review of projects to meet federal environmental review compliance requirements. NOTE: Your resume must contain sufficient information in these areas to be found qualified; OR Possess three years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to a Ph.D. degree or Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree in a discipline directly related to the position; OR Possess a combination of specialized experience and graduate education beyond the second year (as described above that), when combined, equals 100% of the total 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. Time In Grade Requirement: Applicants must meet both eligibility and qualification requirements for the position of interest by the closing date of the JOA. Specifically, i. Area of Consideration. ii. Time-in-grade (TIG) requirements as specified in 5 CFR 300, Subpart F. iii. Time after competitive appointment as specified in 5 CFR 330.502. iv. Qualification requirements outlined in OPM's Qualifications Standards for General Schedule Positions or for Federal Wage System (FWS), wage grade positions, applicants are evaluated using the OPM Job Qualification System for Trades and Labor Occupations and the job element examining method Your SF-50 will be used to confirm you meet all requirements

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]