Fish Biologist.

Metadata: U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service position; appointment subject to background investigation, E-Verify, and a 1-year probationary period. Uniform required; allowance provided. Open until 08/24/2026.

Responsibilities

• Distribute salmonid eggs, juveniles, and adults throughout Maine in accordance with fish health regulations, state directives, and partner agreements, using best practices.
• Observe salmonids daily for signs of hunger, distress, parasites, and disease; diagnose and treat routine health issues; collaborate with fish health professionals as needed.
• Ensure appropriate feed distribution for each life stage to promote growth and gamete development while minimizing waste and phosphorus discharge.
• Maintain hatchery databases and electronic records clearly and regularly; provide data to internal and external partners upon request and for annual reporting.
• Maintain computers and equipment used during spawning, tagging, and sampling.
• Maintain hatchery effluent water sampling equipment, including automated samplers, dissolved oxygen meters, and pH meters; conduct weekly effluent monitoring, ensure chain-of-custody forms are correct, and ship samples to the laboratory within required timeframes.
• Assist hatchery management with budget development, annual work plans, hiring interns, safety, and maintenance.
• Train lower-graded employees, interns, and volunteers; represent the FWS and hatchery at professional meetings, workshops, conferences, and public communications.
• Duties will be developmental if filled below the full-performance level (GS-09).

Requirements

• Must provide proof of U.S. citizenship.
• 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 possess and maintain a valid driver’s license throughout employment.
• Must wear a uniform and comply with uniform standards; a uniform allowance will be provided.

Qualifications

All qualifications must be met by the closing date of this announcement.

Basic Educational Requirements

• Degree: Possess a degree in biological science that included:
  • At least 6 semester hours in aquatic subjects (e.g., limnology, ichthyology, fishery biology, aquatic botany, aquatic fauna, oceanography, fish culture, or related courses).
  • At least 12 semester hours in animal sciences (e.g., general zoology, vertebrate zoology, comparative anatomy, physiology, entomology, parasitology, ecology, cellular biology, genetics, or research in these fields).
  Excess coursework in aquatic subjects may be used to meet the animal sciences requirement when appropriate. Transcripts must be submitted.
• Combination of education and experience: Coursework as described above, plus appropriate experience or additional education.

Minimum Qualification Requirements (GS-07)

• Experience: One full year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-05 level, such as:
  • Handling juvenile salmonids.
  • Collecting data in a clear and precise manner.
  • Making minor repairs and adjustments to automated fish feeders.
  • Spawning salmonids and enumerating eggs.
  • Collaborating in field activities (e.g., surveys, electrofishing, releasing fish).
  Resume must include hours worked per week.
• Education: One year (18 semester hours) of graduate education in biology or a closely related field. Transcripts required.
• Combination of education and experience: Percentages of education and experience must total at least 100%. Resume and transcripts required.
• Superior Academic Achievement (SAA): Bachelor’s degree in a related field and one of the following:
  • Rank in the upper third of graduating class.
  • GPA of 3.0 or higher (overall or for final 2 years) or 3.5 or higher in the major field.
  • Membership in a national scholastic honor society.

Minimum Qualification Requirements (GS-09)

• Experience: One full year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-07 level, such as:
  • Initiating monthly growth monitoring and applying data to guide feed use.
  • Developing annual feed orders and providing budget data to management.
  • Developing stocking and spawning schedules; soliciting assistance from federal, state, and NGO partners.
  • Training lower-graded employees, interns, and volunteers in spawning and egg enumeration techniques.
  • Leading field crews and ensuring safety procedures are followed.
  Resume must include hours worked per week.
• Education: Two years (36 semester hours) of progressively higher-level graduate education leading to a master’s degree or equivalent in a closely related field. Transcripts required.
• Combination of education and experience: Percentages of education and experience must total at least 100%. Resume and transcripts required.

Volunteer experience (paid or unpaid) may be credited if it provided relevant training or competencies.

Education

This position has a mandatory education requirement. Transcripts must include your name, school name, grades, credit hours earned, major(s), GPA or class ranking, and date of degree conferral (if applicable). Unofficial transcripts are acceptable for application, but official transcripts are required if selected. Foreign education must be evaluated for U.S. equivalency by a recognized organization.