This position is a Fish Biologist, GS- 0482-11/12, working in Neah Bay, WA, for the Makah National Fish Hatchery.

Duties

As a Fish Biologist your duties will include but are not limited to the following: Assist Project Leader with: establishment of hatchery policy based on the interpretation of directives, regulations and requirements set forth in broad based guidance documents; preparation and accuracy of Station Action Plans, Program Planning Documents, Annual Reports and other fiscal reports as required; updating plans and coordinating with Tribal, State, and Federal entities concerning cold water production and the fish-stocking programs at Makah National Fish Hatchery. Work closely with the Project Leader in research activities by identifying current information and technology gaps related to propagation of current aquatic stocks and future stocks to more closely match the Service's priorities and continue to meet federal tribal trust responsibilities. Work with other governmental and non-governmental experts to solve and identify obstacles to successfully culture and propagate aquatic species in a challenging rearing environment. Oversee and perform daily operation and administration of the facility's fish culture and propagation programs (e.g., submitting acquisition requests, fish husbandry, scheduling and overseeing/ performing daily fish culture and propagation activities, monitoring and managing water quality and usage in ponds, determining feed and feeding requirements, and maintaining accurate and retrievable records of all aspects of fish culture and propagation activities). Provide biological expertise and operational oversight to ensure successful fish propagation and distribution programs. Evaluation of hatchery production programs requires a close working relationship with the various fisheries offices (Western Washington Fish and Wildlife Conservation Office, Fish Health Center, and/or Fish Technology Center). Work closely with Makah tribal government and staff to assure implementation of fish propagation programs and watershed management/habitat programs; and data collection, management, and analysis are properly executed to meet program goals. Work with hatchery manager and administrative staff to plan the budget for the Hatchery and forecast future resource expenditures. Assist with planning short and long term maintenance programs, construction projects, and ensuring operational protocols are followed. Work with the hatchery manger and maintenance staff to ensure minimal conflicts with fish propagation and hatchery maintenance activities associated with the facilities complex water delivery and system. Work with staff to manage the fish production program including care, treatment, and spawning of broodstock; incubation of eggs; feeding, cleaning and sample counting of fry and fingerlings; distribution of eggs, fry and fingerlings; and the tagging and marking programs.

Requirements

• Must be a U.S. Citizen or National.
• Suitability for employment, as determined by background investigation.
• Driver’s License: This position requires the operation of a government (or private) motor vehicle as part of official duties. Selectee(s) must hold and maintain a valid state driver’s license throughout their employment in this position.
• Uniform: Official U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service uniform is required.
• Unusual Tour of Duty: This position requires working a non-standard tour of duty that may include weekends, holidays, night shifts, and alarm response.
• Government Housing: This position requires the selectee(s) to live on station in government-provided housing.
• 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 01/02/2025 will be considered. In order to qualify for this position you must possess both the Basic Requirement and Minimum Qualification. Basic Requirement: Degree with a major in biological science that includes (a) at least 6 semester hours in aquatic subjects such as limnology, ichthyology, fishery biology, aquatic botany, aquatic fauna, oceanography, fish culture, or related courses in the field of fishery biology; and (b) at least 12 semester hours in the animal sciences in such subjects as general zoology, vertebrate zoology, comparative anatomy, physiology, entomology, parasitology, ecology, cellular biology, genetics, or research in these fields. (Excess course work in aquatic subjects may be used to meet this requirement when appropriate.). OR A combination of education and experience that includes courses equivalent to a major in biological science (i.e., at least 30 semester hours), of which a minimum of 6 semester hours were in aquatic subjects and 12 semester hours were in the animal sciences, as shown above, plus appropriate experience or additional education. This combination, taken together, is comparable to a degree as described above. Minimum Qualification [GS-11] One year of specialized experience comparable in scope and responsibility to the GS-9 grade level in the Federal service. Qualifying experience may include: 1) assisting in hatchery data collection for evaluation of hatchery operations and management practices; 2) assisting in production, rearing, and release of healthy fish for both harvest and population restoration efforts; 3) preparing responses regarding hatchery issues to other federal agencies, state agencies, Tribal organizations, and other interested parties to provide requested information; 4) conducting feeding and treatment scenarios to maintain all life stages of fish species under culture. OR Three years of progressively higher-level graduate education leading to a Ph.D. -OR- possess a Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree in a course of study directly related to the position (e.g., fishery biology, ichthyology, fish culture, etc.) which provided 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. Minimum Qualification [GS-12] One year of specialized experience comparable in scope and responsibility to the GS-11 grade level in the Federal service. Qualifying experience may include: 1) assisting in the development, implementation, and coordination of hatchery data collection for evaluation of hatchery operations and management practices; 2) conducting a variety of management actions to produce, rear, and release healthy fish for both harvest and population restoration efforts; 3) preparing responses regarding hatchery issues to other federal agencies, state agencies, Tribal organizations, and other interested parties to provide requested information within established office guidelines and in conformance with agency and departmental policy; 4) conducting a variety of feeding and treatment scenarios to maintain all life stages of fish species under culture; 5) leading, directing the work of, and/or training a staff in all aspects of cold water fish culture. 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 programs and such education has been deemed equivalent to that gained in an accredited U.S. education program; or full credit has been given for the courses at a U.S. accredited college or university. For further information, visit: Recognition of Foreign Qualifications | International Affairs Office (ed.gov).

Contacts

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