U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Logo
Position Title
Fish Biologist
Agency
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
Announcement Number
R5-25-12653399-SC-IMP Opens in new window
Open Period
Monday, December 23, 2024 to Monday, December 30, 2024
For preview purposes only. To apply, please return to the USAJOBS announcement and click the Apply button.
Eligibilities
1. Career Transition Assistance Plan: 

Are you a current or former federal employee displaced from the agency hiring for this position?

If yes, confirm:
• you are located in the same local commuting area of the vacancy; AND,
• you are applying to a position that is at or below the grade level of the position from which you were or will be separated; AND,
• you are applying to a position that does not have greater promotion potential than the position from which you were or will be separated; AND,
• your last performance rating of record is at least fully successful or the equivalent.

For more information, review the USAJOBS Help Center.

To verify your eligibility, you must submit supporting documentation such as a Reduction in Force (RIF) separation notice or a Proposed Removal/Separation notice to include your latest performance rating (if the notice does not have this information included, you must submit a copy of your most recent performance appraisal) and a copy of your latest Notification of Personnel Action, Standard Form 50.


Are you a current or former federal employee displaced from a position in the agency posting this job announcement with CTAP eligibility?
(limit characters)
2. Competitive - Current, Permanent U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Employee

Please select YES to this eligibility if you meet the criteria below: 

Are you a U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Employee who currently holds a career or career conditional appointment (tenure 1 or 2 in block 24 of the SF-50) in the competitive service (position occupied is 1 in block 34 of the SF-50) and has never held the full performance level of the position being announced on a permanent basis?

To verify your eligibility, you must submit a copy of your latest Notification of Personnel Action, Standard Form 50 (SF-50) or equivalent personnel action form reflecting your permanent, competitive status with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. Your latest SF-50 (or equivalent personnel action form) must reflect:
• Career or Career-conditional (Tenure field is 1 or 2 in block 24 of the SF-50); AND,
• your status in the competitive service (Position Occupied field is 1 in block 34 of the SF-50).

Do you wish to be considered for appointment as a Competitive, Current, Permanent U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service employee?
(limit characters)
3. Land Management Workforce Flexibility Act (LMWFA)

Are you a current or former employee of a Land Management Agency (U.S. Forest Service; Bureau of Land Management; National Park Service; Fish and Wildlife Service; Bureau of Indian Affairs; or Bureau of Reclamation) and are serving or served under a time-limited competitive service appointment (Term, Temporary)?  You may be eligible to compete under the Land Management Workforce Flexibility Act, P.L. 114-47.

Current land management agency appointees must have initially been hired under competitive procedures for a time-limited appointment; must have served under one or more time-limited appointments by a land management agency for a period totaling more than 24 months without a break in service of two or more years; and must have performed at an acceptable level during each period of service.

Former land management agency employees must have initially been hired under competitive procedures for a time-limited appointment; must have served under one or more time-limited appointments by a land management agency for a period totaling more than 24 months without a break in service of two or more years; and must have performed at an acceptable level during each period of service; must have been separated (with respect to their most recent separation) for reasons other than misconduct or performance, and must apply for a position covered by these provisions within two years of their most recent date of separation.

You must provide documentation showing all required periods of service which includes ALL Appointment AND Termination SF-50s for EACH appointment as well as ALL performance evaluations or references from supervisors (if employed for periods of time too short to require an appraisal) for each qualifying period of temporary employment claimed.

For more information about Land Management Workforce Eligibility:  USAJOBS Help Center - Land management

Are you a current or former employee of a Land Management Agency with LMWFA eligibility?
(limit characters)
4. Non-Competitive - Current, Permanent U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Employee

Please select YES to this Eligibility if you meet the criteria below:

Are you a U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service employee who currently holds a career or career conditional appointment in the competitive service AND has held a permanent (non-temporary) position at the same or higher full performance level as the position being announced?

To verify your eligibility, you MUST submit a copy of your latest Notification of Personnel Action, Standard Form 50 (SF-50) or equivalent personnel action form reflecting your permanent, competitive status with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.

Your latest SF-50 (or equivalent personnel action form) must reflect:
• Career or Career-conditional (Tenure field is 1 or 2 in block 24); AND,
• your status in the competitive service (Position Occupied field is 1 in block 34)

Do you wish to be considered as a non-competitive, current, permanent U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service employee?
(limit characters)
Preferences
1. Select the lowest grade you are willing to accept for this position. (limit characters)
Assessment 1
0482 Education Requirements (limit characters)
For each question, choose the response that best describes your experience and training. Mark only one response for each question. Please note that your answers will be verified against the information you provided in your resume or application and information provided by your references. (limit characters)
1. 0482 Education Requirements (limit characters)
Minimum Qualifications for GS-9 (limit characters)
2. Choose the response that best describes your qualifications for the GS-9 grade level. (limit characters)
Minimum Qualifications for GS-7 (limit characters)
3. In order to be qualified at the GS-07 level, you must possess one of the following minimum qualifications. Please select the most appropriate response as it applies to you: (limit characters)

Employee Performance Appraisal Plan (EPAP)
(limit characters)
Select “Yes” or “No” to the following question(s). (limit characters)
4. Do you have a current rating of record dated within the past 18 months, at the fully successfully level or higher? (limit characters)
5. If you answered "No" to question #4, please provide an explanation. (limit characters)
Select “Yes” or “No” to the following question(s). (limit characters)
6. If you do not have a current rating of record available, you must certify that your performance is acceptable, and you have not been advised that your performance is currently at an unacceptable level. "I certify that my performance is acceptable, and I have not been advised that my performance is currently unacceptable." (limit characters)
Depending on the location, this position may require the incumbent to possess a valid state driver's license. (limit characters)
Select “Yes” or “No” to the following question(s). (limit characters)
7. I understand that a current state drivers' license is required to operate motor vehicles in a safe manner. (limit characters)
8. Are you willing and able to obtain a Commercial Drivers License? (limit characters)
Depending on the location, this position may require the incumbent to wear a uniform in accordance with USFWS policy. (limit characters)
Select “Yes” or “No” to the following question(s). (limit characters)
9. I understand that I must wear an official uniform according to U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service uniform policy. (limit characters)
Working knowledge of fish pathology, disease diagnoses, and treatment in order to assist in monitoring fish health and quality and to implement corrective measures as directed. (limit characters)
Select the one statement that most accurately describes your training and experience carrying out each task using the scale provided. (limit characters)
10. Recognize fish disease and stress symptoms, make microscopic examinations of fish to determine presence of disease, and administers chemical, nutritional adjustments, and other control measures.
(limit characters)
11. Monitor hatchery ponds and culture tanks for indicators of fish health, stress and/or disease.
(limit characters)
12. Apply fish health and disease principles and concepts to the handling and management of all life stages, including broodstock, eggs, fry, and fingerlings
(limit characters)
13. Assist in the coordination of programs, projects, or operational activities that support fisheries management.
(limit characters)
Ability to use the scientific method to design, implement and conduct limited aspects of fishery studies. (limit characters)
Select the one statement that most accurately describes your training and experience carrying out each task using the scale provided. (limit characters)
14. Participate in hatchery or stream habitat evaluations.
(limit characters)
15. Assist other fish biologists in developing programs that effect biological resources, which include fish culture, ecological interactions between hatchery and wild fish populations, assessing fish populations and/or recommending habitat restoration /management.
(limit characters)
16. Evaluate and calculate propagation variables including feeding rates, growth, density, flow, water chemistry, and chemical treatments to optimize performance at the hatchery.
(limit characters)
17. Identify innovative approaches and solutions to improve fish biology processes in field operations and data collection.
(limit characters)
Knowledge of the principles, concepts, and theories in fish biology and a working knowledge of related disciplines (e.g., ecology, conservation science, wildlife biology, and botany) sufficient to participate in the full range of functions associated with fish hatchery operations and management and to conduct biological studies. (limit characters)
Select the one statement that most accurately describes your training and experience carrying out each task using the scale provided. (limit characters)
18. Assist in the design of studies and interpretation of results of ecological interactions between hatchery fish and wild fish populations or native and invasive fish populations.
(limit characters)
19. Assess aquatic biological data and develop sound conclusions for recommended actions.
(limit characters)
20. Assist other fish biologists in developing programs that effect biological resources, which include fish culture, assessing fish populations and/or recommending habitat restoration management.
(limit characters)
21. Conduct technical aspects of fish hatchery operations including development of fish culture techniques, and handling the care, feeding, and distribution of fish.
(limit characters)
22. Operate and maintain aquatic species stocking and distribution equipment.
(limit characters)
Ability to exercise tact and diplomacy when interacting with Federal, state, Tribal, civic entities, local agencies, private and national organizations, private landowners, and the general public. (limit characters)
Select the one statement that most accurately describes your training and experience carrying out each task using the scale provided. (limit characters)
23. Coordinate project activities related to fish and/or aquatic species with a variety of partner agencies and entities including government and private organizations.
(limit characters)
24. Communicate ideas and develop cooperative working relationships to establish and accomplish mutual goals.
(limit characters)
25. Communicate ideas or information to individuals or groups to gain support while maintaining positive working relationships.
(limit characters)
26. Work with representatives from states, tribal groups, and other federal entities or non-governmental organizations in the development of management and conservation strategies for use in aquatic natural resource management, including endangered species.
(limit characters)
Ability to verbally communicate technical information to a variety of audiences with varying levels of understanding of hatchery operations. (limit characters)
Select the one statement that most accurately describes your training and experience carrying out each task using the scale provided. (limit characters)
27. Prepare and deliver oral presentations conveying technical information relating to biological and ecological studies/projects to wide variety of audiences with differing knowledge levels, priorities, and interests at scientific conferences and/or meetings.
(limit characters)
28. Orally instruct and train temporary and/or seasonal employees in proper scientific collection techniques
(limit characters)
29. Inform and instruct cooperating agencies on techniques developed under protocol when interagency cooperative work is required
(limit characters)
30. Present technical and non-technical information through verbal presentations, outreach or other activities to the general public.
(limit characters)
Certification Statement (limit characters)
31. I certify that, to the best of my knowledge and belief, all of the information included in this questionnaire is true, correct, and provided in good faith. I understand that if I make an intentional false statement or commit deception or fraud in this application and its supporting materials, or in any document or interview associated with the examination process, I may be fined or imprisoned (18 U.S.C. 1001); my eligibilities may be cancelled, I may be denied appointment, or I may be removed and debarred from Federal service (5 C.F.R. part 731). I understand that any information I give may be investigated. I understand that responding "No" to this item will result in me not being considered for this position. (limit characters)