The employee in this position serves as the Center Director of the San Marcos National Fish Hatchery and Technology Center, San Marcos, Texas.

Duties

The employee directs the establishment and management of refugia for listed fishes, amphibians, aquatic invertebrates, and aquatic plants; the development of techniques and equipment to rear all life stages of these organisms; the compilation of life history and environmental requirement information on these organisms; the restoration of critical habitat for these organisms; the production of these organisms and associated non-listed species for restoration purposes; the monitoring of these organisms in the wild; and the monitoring, study, and management of aquatic nuisance species that effect the recovery of these organisms. The primary goal of the Center is the recovery of the listed species associated with the Edwards Aquifer and the San Marcos and Comal Springs. Of secondary concern are the listed organisms associated with west Texas springs, and listed fishes of north Texas, southern Oklahoma, and southern Arkansas. Direct supervision of the Uvalde National Fish Hatchery, located approximately 130 miles from the Center and propagating similar endangered species and sport fish is also under the Director. Center activities are regional in scope but have national and international importance. The San Marcos Center is one of the very few facilities in either federal or state management that has responsibility not just for fish. Its work involves some of the only protection now afforded to little known and difficult to rear or maintain fish, salamanders, plants (it is the only Service facility involved in the propagation of endangered aquatic plants on any scale necessary to support recovery), and beetles. All of these species without exception are dependent upon scarce aquatic resources that have been the subject of lawsuits since the 1950s. These water issues require creative approaches to species management, particularly at San Marcos where the only captive populations of these species exist. The incumbent interacts with regulatory agencies, state and federal courts, and the media in dealing with these species. Your duties will include but are not limited to the following: Plans, directs, coordinates, schedules, and controls the Center's short- and long-term work. Establishes hatchery policies and procedures. Plans, justifies, and administrates the Center's budget of more than $1.3 million annually obtained from multiple federal and state agencies in a complex mosaic of single source or matching funding from a variety of federal, state, and private sources to support the maintenance of endangered aquatic species and the research that is necessary to support the protection and ultimate recovery of those species. Collaborates with engineering and contracting specialists to plan, design, and /or redesign facilities, equipment, and systems to meet changing needs, conditions, and requirements, considering cost effectiveness and practical structural designs. Designs and conducts independent, technical, biological investigations and development work on hatchery methods directed at solving aquatic species culturing problems identified in the Center's work plans. Statistically analyzes data from those laboratory and field studies and reports the results, conclusions, and recommendations in professional fisheries management publications, aquaculture journals, technical bulletins, and trade papers. Supervises, directs, and trains a diverse staff of federal, state, and private scientists (GS-13 and below), technicians, students, administrative, and maintenance personnel. Ensures that all federal and state permits regulating the sensitive work done by Center's personnel are obtained and followed. Ensures quality of work permits, the publication of findings in peer-reviewed journals, and withstands scrutiny in federal and state courts. Serves as a principle technical expert authority in Region 2, responsible for communication, coordination, and activities related to aquatic species technology development, endangered species conservation and propagation, research and refugium coordination and monitoring, and population dynamics in the Region and is the principle representative on multi-state and multi-agency technical committees. Other responsibilities include working with the fish resources agencies in the four states, the Edwards Aquifer Authority and its habitat conservation commitments set forth in the Habitat Conservation Plan and Permit, the Texas Ecological Services Office, and aquaculture operations geographically located within geographic boundaries of the Region.

Requirements

• Must be a U.S. Citizen or National.
• Individuals assigned male at birth after 12-31-59 must be registered for the Selective Service. To verify registration visit SSS.gov.
• Resume and supporting documents (See How To Apply).
• 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 must possess and maintain a valid State driver's license at all times during their tenure.
• Probationary Period: Selectees may be required to successfully complete a probationary period.
• Supervisory Probationary Period: Selectees who have not previously completed a supervisory probationary period, will be required to serve a one-year supervisory/managerial probationary period for this position.
• Notice of Financial Disclosure Report Requirement: This position is subject to a financial disclosure requirement and you will be required to complete either OGE Form 278e or OGE Form 450 as applicable within 30 days of your appointment

Qualifications

Only experience and education obtained by 12/16/2024 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 Experience: Four years of experience that demonstrated that the applicant acquired knowledge and understanding of one or more of the biological sciences, agriculture, natural resource management, or related disciplines equivalent to that which would have been acquired through completion of a 4-year course of study as described in A above. Combination of education and experience: Courses equivalent to a major, or at least 30 semester hours in courses, as shown in A above, plus appropriate experience or additional education. Minimum Qualification: Possess at least 1 year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-13 grade level in the federal service which included experience in supervising and/or coordinating a team, branch, office or field station; solving highly unique and controversial issues related to the conservation of rare and unique species of fishes, invertebrates, freshwater mussels, amphibians, reptiles, and plants; serving as an official agency/organization representative on a variety of natural resource conservation teams responsible for negotiating with diverse individuals and groups; exercising direct responsibility for implementing policies, plans, standards or procedures to carry out fish and wildlife conservation; managing a variety of issues and conflicts that affect a diverse group of customers; planning, directing, and executing both short and long term activities in fish and wildlife conservation. 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: http://www.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ous/international/usnei/us/edlite-visitus-forrecog.html

Contacts

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