This position is located with USDA, ARS, Pacific West Area (PWA), Pacific Shellfish Research Unit in Newport, OR and the incumbent will perform essential functions in a research program designed to improve sustainable shellfish culture practices and production in US west coast estuaries.

Duties

Actively participates in one or more phases of the research process by performing a variety of complex duties in the laboratory, wet lab, and associated field laboratories. Conducts projects in and around aquaculture farms in US west coast estuaries and contributes ideas towards planning and coordinating the technical aspects of research. Provides support and assistance during research project design for Pacific Shellfish Research Unit Lead Scientist, academic, federal, state and industry collaborators. Executes research with USDA-ARS and OSU collaborators involving quantifying shellfish aquaculture, eelgrass and other estuarine habitats including burrowing shrimp dominated areas at the seascape scale in US West Coast estuaries. Conducts surveys and experiments to evaluate use of estuarine habitats including shellfish aquaculture by economically important fish and invertebrates using nets, traps, cameras and other collection devices.

Requirements

• You must be a US Citizen or US National.
• Males born after 12/31/1959 must be Selective Service registered or exempt.
• Subject to satisfactory adjudication of background investigation and/or fingerprint check.
• Successful completion of one year probationary period, unless previously served.
• Direct Deposit: Per Public Law 104-134 all Federal employees are required to have federal payments made by direct deposit to their financial institution.
• Successfully pass the E-Verify employment verification check. To learn more about E-Verify, including your rights and responsibilities, visit https://www.e-verify.gov/.

Qualifications

Applicants must meet all qualifications and eligibility requirements by the closing date of the announcement including time-in-grade restrictions, specialized experience and/or education, as defined below. Time in grade: Current federal employees applying for a promotion opportunity must meet time-in-grade (TIG) requirement of 52 weeks of service at the next lower grade level in the normal line of progression for the position being filled. Basic Requirement Degree: With a major in biological science that included: 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 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 Combination of education and experience: 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 in A above, plus appropriate experience or additional education. AND Specialized Experience: Specialized experience is experience directly related to the position to be filled and which provided the applicant with the knowledge, skills, and abilities to perform the duties of the position. Experience:The qualification requirements for this position at the GS-11 grade level includes one-year specialized experience at the GS-09 grade level or its non-federal equivalent, coordinating operations for an ecological field and laboratory research project; conducting field surveys on estuarine or marine habitats and shellfish/fish resources using global positioning systems (GPS) equipment, entering data into and using geographic information systems (GIS) and conducting field and laboratory experiments using advanced water quality/environmental equipment to monitor conditions and standard sampling and measuring equipment to sample and evaluate shellfish; and preparing research data for scientific and technical reports or manuscripts. OR Education: Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree or 3 full years of progressively higher-level graduate education leading to such a degree or LL.M., if related. OR A combination of graduate-level education and specialized experience as described above. 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 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

Please see above for education qualification requirement information.

Contacts

• Address Agricultural Research Service 800 Buchanan Street Albany, CA 94710 US
• Name: Melissa Smith
• Phone: 510-559-6312
• Email: [email protected]