Fish Biologist.

Metadata: U.S. citizenship required; background investigation, E-Verify, Selective Service registration (males born after 12-31-59), valid driver’s license, and one-year probationary period.

Responsibilities

• Develops and reviews comprehensive management plans and coordinates with external partners and programs affecting biological resources, including fishery management, exotic-species sampling, fish and mussel population assessments, and habitat restoration/management recommendations.
• Plans and conducts complex investigations, designing, collecting, and analyzing biological data to evaluate impacts of land and water development on fishery resources.
• Plans, organizes, and implements biological and/or habitat development activities affecting aquatic resources.
• Prepares progress and completion reports, formulating recommendations to guide future programs and improve management practices.
• Fosters and maintains working relations with Fish and Wildlife Service Programs, other federal/state/tribal agencies, and private resource-oriented groups to promote cooperative efforts in solving fishery resource problems.
• Participates in technical work group meetings and scientific conferences, advocating for agency trust species and other species of concern.
• Drafts grants and agreements to secure or provide funds and services for coordination, aquatic habitat restoration, biological monitoring, and fishery management investigations.

Requirements

• 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.
• May be required to serve a one-year probationary period.

Qualifications

All qualifications must be met by the closing date of this announcement (08/20/2026).

Basic Educational Requirement

• Option 1: Degree with at least 6 semester hours in aquatic subjects (e.g., limnology, ichthyology, fishery biology, aquatic botany, aquatic fauna, oceanography, fish culture) and at least 12 semester hours in animal sciences (e.g., general zoology, vertebrate zoology, comparative anatomy, physiology, entomology, parasitology, ecology, cellular biology, genetics). Excess aquatic coursework may substitute for animal sciences when appropriate. Transcripts required.
• Option 2: Combination of education (as described above) and appropriate experience or additional education.

Specialized Experience for GS-11

At least one full year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-09 level, defined as:

• Developing and sustaining effective working relationships with partners, stakeholders, and interagency collaborators to advance conservation objectives.
• Collecting, analyzing, interpreting, and summarizing biological, ecological, or programmatic data, and communicating findings through written reports, briefings, or oral presentations.
• Formulating and providing resource management recommendations that promote conservation of fish and wildlife resources while balancing the needs of diverse water users and competing interests.

Resume must include hours worked per week. Volunteer experience (paid or unpaid) is creditable.

Alternate Qualification Paths for GS-11

• Education: 3 years of progressively higher-level graduate education leading to a Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree (degree must reflect relevant knowledge, skills, and abilities). Transcripts required.
• Combination: Graduate education beyond the first two years and appropriate experience as listed above.

Education

This position has a mandatory education requirement. Transcripts (unofficial acceptable for application; official required if selected) must include name, school, grades, credit hours, major(s), GPA/class ranking, and degree conferral date. Foreign education must be evaluated by a private organization specializing in credential interpretation and deemed equivalent to U.S. education.

Benefits

As a federal employee, you and your family will have access to a comprehensive benefits package. Eligibility depends on position type (full-time, part-time, or intermittent). Contact the hiring agency for details.