Fish Biologist

What General Information Do I Need To Know About This Position?

This is a term appointment not to exceed 13 months with possible extensions up to a total of 10 years without further competition. Appointment to this position will not convey permanent status in the Federal service.

Salary: $68,405 (Step 01) to $88,926 (Step 10); NOTE: First time hires to the Federal Government are typically hired at the Step 01.

Qualifications:

BASIC EDUCATION REQUIREMENT for Fish Biologist: Applicants must meet A or B below to satisfy the basic requirement for Fishery Biologist, all grade levels. A. Degree: major in biological science that included: at least 6 semester hours or the equivalent 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 or the equivalent 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

B. Combination of education and experience-courses equivalent to a major in biological science (i.e. at least 30 semester hours or the equivalent), of which a minimum of 6 semester hours or the equivalent were in aquatic subjects and 12 semester hours or the equivalent were in the animal sciences, as shown in "A" above, plus appropriate experience and/or additional education for a total of 4 years. The education or combined education and experience must be comparable in type, scope, and thoroughness to that acquired through successful completion of a 4-year course of study as described in "A" above.

For GS-09:

In addition to the basic education requirement as stated above, applicants must meet the following to qualify for the GS-09 level:

**Two years of progressively higher level graduate education (36 semester hours, 54 quarter hours or the equivalent) or a master's or equivalent graduate degree in fishery biology or other directly related field of study if it provided the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to do the work of the position to be filled.

**OR one year of appropriate professional experience in fishery biology that is equivalent to at least the GS-07 level in the Federal service. Examples of such experience could include assisting in the design and implementation of fishery surveys and standard fishery field procedures, technical evaluation of habitat, logistical planning of field studies, quality control of data collection, data management and analysis, and report preparation. At this level the work involves following established methods and procedures, or detailed instructions; using some judgment in applying basic principles and procedures; solving minor problems and making routine decisions.

**OR a combination of successfully completed progressive graduate level education, as described above, that is beyond the first year of graduate study and professional experience, as described above.

You must meet all qualification and eligibility requirements for the position by the closing date of the announcement.

Responsibilities:

As a Fish Biologist within the Eastern Ecological Science Center, some of your specific duties will include:

- Assess stream fish communities, collect data on fish habitat and apply emerging climate change or ecological research technologies, data management capabilities and innovative approaches for identifying biological and ecological status and trends.
- Sample fish populations with standard techniques such as electrofishing, beach seining, snorkeling, gillnetting, and operating fish traps.
- Proficient in the understanding and use of various analytical methods, software packages and programs to quantitatively analyze data and construct models relevant to landscape ecology, land change science, disturbance ecology, climate change and other ecological problems.
- Utilize R statistical software for data management, analysis and/or plotting. Program in R and Python maintaining climate and geospatial data.
- Knowledge and proficiency with the use of GIS software and fish taxonomy.
- Perform QA/QC of biological data, including QA/QC of data prior to and after entry into a database.
- Apply multivariate statistical analysis of natural resource data to assess the relationships between biological, and environmental factors.
- Perform manipulations and advanced statistical analyses of large, complex data sets using programs such as SAS, S-plus, Systat, R, or SPSS, including writing custom functions and programs.

PHYISCAL DEMANDS
The work requires some physical exertion such as walking over wet, rough, uneven, or rocky surfaces; bending, crouching, stooping, stretching, reaching, or similar activities. The work requires moderate physical ability and average agility and dexterity.

WORK ENVIRONMENT
Work is performed in an office, laboratory, and/or in the field. The office is adequately lighted, heated, and ventilated. Temperature and weather extremes may be encountered in the performance of the outdoor work. Field and laboratory duties may require the use of special protective gear. The incumbent is expected to conduct duties in a safe and orderly manner so as not to endanger self, fellow workers, or property with which entrusted.