Fish Biologist.

Responsibilities

• Plans and carries out daily activities of the production operation, including rearing techniques and procedures for cold water fish.
• Maintains records of fish production and distribution.
• Plans, schedules, and makes fish distribution trips.
• Assists in the spawning, rearing, harvesting, and inventory of fish by providing work direction and advice to lower grade employees.
• Reviews and innovates changes in procedures and techniques to advance fish husbandry as appropriate.
• Observes fish for signs of stress or disease.
• Assists in providing proper maintenance of grounds, buildings, and hatchery equipment by providing work direction to maintenance personnel.
• Duties will be developmental in nature when filled below the full performance level.

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.
• Direct Deposit participation required.
• Must successfully pass the E-Verify employment verification check.
• Must possess and maintain a valid driver’s license throughout employment.
• Pre-employment and random drug testing is required; you will not be appointed if a verified positive drug test is received.
• A physical examination or statement regarding physical ability is required; you must maintain physical fitness standards throughout employment.
• You are required to wear a uniform and comply with uniform standards; a uniform allowance will be provided.
• You must complete training, obtain and maintain a government credit card with travel and purchase authority.
• Must obtain TWIC license within 6 months (includes background check and drug testing).
• Must obtain MMD credentials within 6 months (includes background check and physical).
• May be required to serve a 1-year probationary period to evaluate fitness and whether continuation of employment advances the public interest.

Qualifications

All qualifications must be met by the closing date of this announcement (08/12/2026).

Basic Educational Requirements

You must meet at least one of the following:

• Degree: Possess a degree 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 subjects such 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.
  You must submit transcripts.
• Combination of education and experience: Possess a combination of education and experience that included 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, plus appropriate experience or additional education comparable to a full 4-year course of study as described above.

Minimum Qualification Requirements (GS-07)

You must meet one of the following:

• Experience: At least one full year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-05 level, defined as:
  • Conducting daily culture activities including egg care, feeding, and cleaning;
  • Performing technical fish culture duties such as weighing, sorting, and sampling fish;
  • Monitoring fish for health concerns;
  • Hauling and stocking fish.
  You must include hours per week worked.
• Education: Successful completion of at least one year (18 semester hours) of graduate education in biology or a closely related field. You must include transcripts.
• Combination of education and experience: A combination of the above education and experience totaling 100%. You must include hours per week and transcripts.
• Superior Academic Achievement (SAA): Successfully completed a bachelor’s degree in a directly related field and meet one of the following:
  • Class standing in the upper third of the graduating class;
  • GPA of 3.0 or higher (out of 4.0) based on 4 years of education or courses completed during the final 2 years, or 3.5 or higher based on required courses in the major field or final 2 years;
  • Membership in a National Scholastic Honor Society.

Minimum Qualification Requirements (GS-09)

You must meet one of the following:

• Experience: At least one full year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-07 level, defined as:
  • Assisting with coordination of daily fish culture activities including egg care, feeding, and cleaning;
  • Weighing, sorting, and sampling fish;
  • Monitoring fish health and determining appropriate responses;
  • Hauling and stocking fish;
  • Helping plan and document spawning, rearing, harvesting, and inventory activities.
  You must include hours per week worked.
• Education: Successful completion of at least two years (36 semester hours) of progressively higher-level graduate education leading to a master’s degree or equivalent in a closely related field. You must include transcripts.
• Combination of education and experience: A combination of the above education and experience totaling 100%. You must include hours per week and transcripts.

Volunteer Experience: Includes paid and unpaid experience, such as volunteer work through National Service programs (e.g., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) or other organizations. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience.

Education

This position has a mandatory education requirement. You must submit a copy of your transcript(s) to support claimed education if substituting education for experience. Transcripts must include your name, school name, grades, credit hours earned, major(s), GPA or class ranking, and date the degree was conferred (if applicable). Unofficial transcripts are acceptable, but if selected, you must provide official transcripts before beginning work.

Foreign Education: To receive credit for education completed outside the United States, you must show proof that the education has been evaluated by a private organization specializing in interpretation of foreign educational credentials and deemed equivalent to U.S. education programs.

Benefits

• Entitlements for payment of basic moving expenses may be authorized for eligible applicants changing duty station, subject to Federal Travel Regulation (FTR) 302-3.101. All moving expenses are taxable.
• Relocation discretionary entitlements may be authorized, excluding contractor-provided home sale.

Promotion to the full performance level is neither guaranteed nor implied and will be based on performance, existing work at the higher grade level, and supervisor recommendation.