This position is a Biologist, GS-0401-9/11 working in Onalaska, Wisconsin for the R3-La Crosse Fish Health Center.

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. As a Biologist your duties may include, but are not limited to, the following: Provide oversight and technical direction to part of the field and laboratory programs at the La Crosse Fish Health Center, including scheduling, planning and/or conducting hatchery inspections and laboratory work, directing technical staff, and inventorying supplies and reagents. Perform aquatic animal health inspections at fish hatcheries and other aquatic animal rearing facilities. Aquatic animal health inspection work is completed as required by the Service's Aquatic Animal Health Policy, by state, Federal and tribal regulations, or by regional fish health guidelines. Consult and coordinate with fish biologists and other professionals to perform aquatic animal pathogen surveys on wild populations of aquatic animals and aquatic animal health inspections at fish hatcheries and other rearing facilities. Document samples collected and laboratory test results on the appropriate forms. Prepares Fish Health Inspection Reports, Laboratory Results reports, and Diagnostic Case Summary reports. Provide recommendations to hatchery personnel for the treatment of aquatic animal diseases, including therapeutic treatments and environmental modifications essential for the control or prevent aquatic animal diseases.

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.
• Uniform: Official U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service uniform may be required.

Qualifications

Only experience and education obtained by 10/08/2024 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: 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 in A above, PLUS appropriate experience or additional education. Minimum Qualification [GS-9] Possess one year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-7 level in the Federal service (obtained in either the public or private sectors). Specialized experience includes: 1) Assisting in performing field surveys and laboratory work to determine the health and status of aquatic animals (e.g., performing post-mortem diagnostic testing of aquatic animals, aquatic animal health inspections, and/or laboratory techniques to detect pathogens); 2) Participating in the development of reports, briefings, presentations, or training materials related to scientific studies and assessments for data collection, and testing for aquatic animal health; and 3) Working with partners, stakeholders or the general public to coordinate and implement aquatic animal health programs to identify and resolve technical and administrative issues of regional and national significance NOTE: Your resume must contain sufficient information in these areas to be found qualified. OR Possess two full years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to a master's degree or master's or equivalent graduate degree in a field directly related to the work of the position. NOTE: To qualify under this option you must submit transcripts (official or unofficial) to verify your education. OR Possess a combination of education and experience as described in A and B above that when combined, equals 100% of the total requirement. NOTE: To qualify under this option you must submit transcripts (official or unofficial) to verify your education. Minimum Qualification [GS-11] Possess one year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-9 level in the Federal service (obtained in either the public or private sectors). Specialized experience includes: 1) Performing field surveys and laboratory work to determine the health and status of aquatic animals (e.g., performing post-mortem diagnostic testing of aquatic animals, aquatic animal health inspections, and/or laboratory techniques to detect pathogens); 2) Developing reports, briefings, presentations, or training materials related to scientific studies and assessments for data collection, and testing for aquatic animal health; and 3) Working with partners, stakeholders or the general public to plan, develop, coordinate, and implement aquatic animal health programs to identify and resolve technical and administrative issues of regional and national significance. NOTE: Your resume must contain sufficient information in these areas to be found qualified. OR Possess a Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree OR three full years of progressively higher-level graduate education leading to such a degree OR an LL.M. (if related), with a major study that directly reflects the job-related knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to satisfy the minimum qualification requirement and perform the duties of this position. OR Possess a combination of specialized experience and graduate-level education (beyond the second year) that, in combination, satisfies 100% of the minimum 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. Promotion Potential: This position involves a multi-grade career ladder. The major duties listed represent the full performance level of GS-9/11. 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-9/11. 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.)

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]