Fish Biologist.

About the role

This position is a Fish Biologist, GS- 0482-11 working in Whiteriver, AZ for the Alchesay/Williams Creek NFH Complex.

The Complex operates two cold-water hatcheries on White Mountain Apache Tribal land and is the primary trout supplier for Tribal recreational fisheries in the Southwest. It maintains the only Apache Trout broodstock, supports species recovery, and provides eggs to Arizona Game and Fish for state fishing programs.

Come work with Apache Trout in the White Mountains of Arizona!

Responsibilities

• Assists the Project Leader with the establishment of hatchery policy based on the interpretation of directives, regulations and requirements set forth in broad based guidance documents.
• Aids the Project Leader in the preparation and accuracy of Station Action Plans, Program Planning Documents, Annual Reports and other fiscal reports as required.
• Updates the plans and coordinates with Tribal, State, and Federal entities concerning the production and the fish-stocking programs.
• Works closely with Project Leader in research activities by identifying current information and technology gaps related to propagation of current aquatic stocks and future stocks to more closely match the Service's priorities and continue to meet program responsibilities.
• Maintains fish health, growth, and quality, and implements corrective measures or administers therapeutic and prophylactic treatments, as needed.
• Plans, schedules, assigns, and directs the work, administers supervisory personnel functions, evaluates work performance, and takes necessary action to assure that the work of subordinate employees meet standards of quantity and quality.
• Develops and cultivates partnerships with other Federal, State, Tribal and civic entities and conservation agencies to coordinate fish production activities and enhance conservation efforts to meet Service objectives.

Requirements

Merit promotion applicants must meet time-in-grade requirement as defined in 5 CFR 300, Subpart F.

Suitability for employment, as determined by background investigation.

Driver’s License: This position requires the incumbent to operate a government (or private) motor vehicle as part of their official duties. Selectee must hold and maintain a valid state driver’s license throughout their employment in this position.

Uniform: Official U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service uniform is required.

A condition of employment for accepting this position, you will be required to serve a 1-year probationary period during which your fitness and whether your continued employment advances the public interest will be evaluated.

Individuals assigned male at birth after 12-31-59 must be registered for the Selective Service. To verify registration visit SSS.gov.

Qualifications

Only experience and education obtained by 07/20/2026 will be considered.

In order to qualify for this position you must possess both the Basic Requirement and Minimum Qualification.

Basic Requirement:

• A Degree- 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 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).
• A combination of education and experience: 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, as shown in A above, plus appropriate experience or additional education.

Minimum Qualification [GS-11]

• One year of specialized experience at or equivalent to the GS-09 grade level in the Federal service (obtained in either the public or private sectors). Specialized experience includes: (1) monitoring water quality and performing maintenance on fish hatchery equipment; (2) performing fish health assessments and observing fish behavior to ensure there are no potential fish health issues and participating in the development of project plans to conduct assessments of aquatic species populations; (3) working with various stakeholders (Federal, State, Tribal, and civic entities and agencies), to coordinate fish production activities (release and transport of juvenile fish and eggs, transferring fish, etc.); (4) gathering fish production data using software for data collection and record keeping; (5) preparing fish/eggs for shipment or distribution and assist with stocking activities; and (6) generating reports on hatchery operations.