Biologist.

About the Role

This position offers an exciting opportunity to directly support the conservation and recovery of threatened and endangered fish species in the Upper Colorado River Basin as part of the Grand Junction Fish and Wildlife Conservation Office. Successful candidates will contribute to a highly collaborative hatchery mission focused on recovering listed fishes, requiring a firm grounding in fisheries science, excellent interpersonal communication abilities, and adaptability.

Responsibilities

• Direct and accomplish daily hatchery operational activities to accommodate requests for a variety of warm-water species.
• Assist with spawning and propagation of warm-water and conservation species.
• Identify, manage, and treat fish disease outbreaks, including the approved use of investigational new animal drugs, to ensure timely and effective fish health protection.
• Maintain water quality parameters to maximize production efficiency.
• Perform operational activities such as administrative procedures and reports, general hatchery administration, and maintenance.
• Plan, schedule, and conduct projects throughout hatchery facilities, grounds, and equipment.
• Conduct hatchery studies and evaluations, and familiarize with propagational activities and fish cultural requirements of species reared at the station.
• Perform duties involving most phases of hatchery management, including planning incubation schedules, developing pond production schedules, updating daily pond information on computer software, and creating annual fish culture reports for a sixty-four pond facility.
• Compute and record conversion rates and other dietary/growth information, observe and report results of treatments, prepare fish for shipment or distribution, and obtain state certification for the application of pesticides and chemicals (training provided if needed).
• Supervise and conduct hatchery effluent water quality monitoring to correlate with State Pollution Discharge Permit. Maintain water treatment systems for the hatchery and residences.
• Respond to media requests, prepare correspondence for public inquiries, and engage with interested fishery or conservation groups.
• Perform routine hatchery operations required for safe and efficient functioning, including operation of hatchery water systems, pumps, valves, feeders, alarms, and other equipment.

Physical Demands

The work involves substantial field work, which may be strenuous and require activities such as walking over wet, rough, uneven, or rocky surfaces; bending, crouching, stooping, stretching, reaching, or similar movements. Travel to remote study sites may be required via boats, small aircraft, snowmobiles, all-terrain vehicles, or on foot. Extended periods of camping in remote field camps may occur. The incumbent must be able to cope with short deadlines, logistical challenges, cultural conflicts, and adverse weather conditions. Lifting objects weighing up to 50 pounds may be required.

Work Environment

The work environment includes both office and outdoor settings. The office is adequately lighted, heated, and ventilated. Frequent travel by various means of surface and air transportation is required for meetings and field work. Field work may expose the incumbent to temperature and weather extremes, biting insects, and proximity to large animals such as deer, elk, bear, and moose. The incumbent may need to carry a firearm for personal protection from wildlife and may be exposed to hazardous substances, requiring compliance with safety policies and appropriate safety clothing and equipment.

Requirements

• Must provide proof of U.S. citizenship.
• Appointment subject to background investigation and favorable adjudication.
• Males born after 12-31-59 must be registered for Selective Service.
• Must participate in Direct Deposit and successfully pass the E-Verify employment verification check.
• Must have and maintain a valid driver's license throughout employment.
• May be required to work evenings, holidays, and rotating weekend schedules, including being on call and responding to emergencies. Paid overtime or compensatory time may be earned for weekend work.
• Required to wear a uniform and comply with uniform standards; a uniform allowance will be provided.
• May be required to complete training, obtain, and maintain a government credit card with travel and purchase authority.
• Must be at least 18 years of age or older to operate government vehicles.
• Must serve a 1-year probationary period during which fitness and continued employment will be evaluated.

Qualifications

All qualifications must be met by the closing date of this announcement (08/25/2026).

Basic Educational Requirements

In addition to the minimum qualification requirements, you must meet at least one of the following:

• A degree from an accredited college or university leading to a bachelor's or higher in biological sciences, agriculture, natural resource management, chemistry, or related disciplines appropriate to this position. Transcripts must be submitted.
• A combination of education and experience: course work equivalent to a major (24 semester hours) in biological sciences, agriculture, natural resource management, chemistry, or a related discipline, plus appropriate experience or additional course work. The combination must demonstrate the knowledge, skills, and abilities required for the position.

Minimum Qualifications for GS-07 Grade Level

To qualify for this position at the GS-07 grade level, you must meet one of the following:

• Specialized Experience: At least one full year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-05 level in the Federal service, including:
  • Carrying out fish culture or aquatic animal husbandry activities such as spawning, egg collection, incubation, grading, inventory, fish health monitoring, transportation, stocking, and other hatchery production activities.
  • Assisting in propagation or recovery activities for threatened, endangered, or conservation species by maintaining breeding populations, monitoring environmental conditions, collecting biological data, and implementing biological protocols.
  • Collecting biological data, ensuring data accuracy, maintaining electronic databases of fisheries data, and preparing reports or summaries to support biological or management decisions.

  Resume must include hours per week worked to receive credit for experience.

• Education: Successful completion of at least one year of progressively higher-level graduate education leading to a master's degree or equivalent in a related field such as biological sciences, agriculture, botany, natural resource management, or chemistry. Transcripts must be included.
• Superior Academic Achievement: Successful completion of a bachelor's degree with Superior Academic Achievement in a related field, based on:
  • Class standing (upper third of graduating class).
  • Grade-point average (3.0 or higher out of 4.0 overall, or 3.5 or higher in the major field).
  • Honor society membership.

  Transcripts must be submitted.

• Combination of Education and Experience: A combination of education and experience may also qualify, such as 6 months of appropriate GS-5 equivalent specialized experience.