Summary This position is a Fish Biologist, GS- 0482-7/9 working in Marquette, Michigan, for the R3-Marquette Biological Station. This position is also open to public under announcement R3-24-12422258-RR-DE. You must apply to each announcement separately if you wish to be considered under both recruitment methods. Responsibilities The incumbent serves as a staff fishery biologist in the Sea Lamprey Control Program (Program) and conducts sea lamprey control and assessment operations in the United States waters of the Great Lakes at either the Ludington or Marquette Biological Station. The primary focus of the position is in one or more of the following areas: to control sea lamprey populations through the application of lampricides or barrier operation and construction, to implement experimental biological control, to assess non-target effects of control, to assess abundance of adult sea lampreys to measure Program success, or to assess abundance of larval sea lampreys to guide control efforts. The incumbent is part of a team that consists of a team leader and may consist of other full-time career fishery biologist, full-time career biological or physical science technicians, full-time career-seasonal biological science technicians, full-time temporary biological technicians or aids, student trainees and volunteers. As a Fish Biologist your duties will include, but are not limited to, the following: Annually drafts plans that describes the field work required, tools needed, and sampling or control locations. Upon supervisory review, this document serves as the annual field guide to scheduled work and includes task description, field operations, and field schedules. Determines the streams where protocols will be applied and recommends to team leader proposed staff time, procedures, and equipment needed. Draw conclusions from complex data to recommend control actions. Performs statistical analysis on data to support conclusions and recommendations. Presents results of highly technical content at workshops, professional meetings and symposia. Writes or contributes to administrative and technical reports and scientific papers for publication in peer-reviewed fishery journals. Uses appropriate software tools to draft reports and illustrative materials. Collaborates with partners, investigates new approaches, and assists in development of protocols that standardized techniques as a member of an international subgroup formed by task forces or working groups consisting of U.S. and Canadian federal, provincial, state, tribal, and university representatives. Reviews workplans to ensure techniques are scientifically sound and comprehensive. Cooperates with co-workers in the Fish and Wildlife Service, the Great Lakes Fishery Commission, other U.S. and Canadian agencies, tribes, and contractors to discuss objectives, share information and evaluate the status and progress of Program objectives and tasks. Plans, coordinates, and schedules specific tasks of Program activities throughout the Great Lakes based upon workload and priorities as outlined by team leader. Leads members of team to complete work plan objectives and tasks and other field activities, and ensure that members of teams are following appropriate protocols. Ensures inventory and procurement of equipment, materials, and supplies to meet operational needs. Responsible for the proper use, care, maintenance, and safekeeping of equipment used in field operations. Adheres to procurement, contracting, and liability policies in conducting sea lamprey control activities. Ensure appropriate application and operation of highly specialized fishery equipment (e.g. lamprey sterilization equipment and robotics, electrofishing gear, electrical/mechanical weirs, lampricide application equipment, nets, traps, water sampling devices, fish holding and hauling facilities, and water filtration apparatus). Promotion Potential: This position involves a multi-grade career ladder. The major duties listed represent the full performance level of GS-11. At lower grade levels, you will perform assignments of a more limited scope and with less independence. You will progressively acquire the background necessary to perform at the full performance level of GS-11. Promotion is at the discretion of the supervisor and is contingent upon satisfactory performance, availability of higher level work, and availability of funds. The selectee may be promoted without further competition when all regulatory, qualification, and performance requirements are met. Selection at a lower grade level does not guarantee promotion to the full performance level. Requirements Conditions of Employment Qualifications Only experience and education obtained by 06/03/2024 will be considered. In order to qualify for this position you must possess both the Basic Requirement and Minimum Qualification. Basic Requirement: Have a bachelor's or higher degree from an accredited college or university 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 such subjects as general zoology, vertebrate zoology, comparative anatomy, physiology, entomology, parasitology, ecology, cellular biology, genetics, or research in these fields. Note: If courses in aquatic and the animal sciences are not clearly identified on transcript and knowledge of such subjects was obtained in other coursework, you must include a description of such courses, to include syllabus as provided in official college catalog. OR Have a combination of education from an accredited college or university 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. Note: If courses in aquatic and the animal sciences are not clearly identified on transcript and knowledge of such subjects was obtained in other coursework, you must include a description of such courses, to include syllabus as provided in official college catalog. Minimum Qualification [GS-7] Have at least one year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the GS-05 level in the Federal Service. Specialized experience for this position is described as: assisting with biological initiatives related to the management of fish and aquatic resources; collecting data and biological information concerning fish populations or fish culture techniques; and assisting with the preparation and presentation of data relative to fishery resources. OR Have one year (18 semester hours) of graduate education in a closely related field which provided me with the knowledge, skills, and abilities to successfully complete the work of the position. OR Have a bachelor's degree in a closely related field which provided me with the knowledge, skills, and abilities to successfully complete the work of the position AND meet one of the Superior Academic Achievement Provisions. 1. Maintained a grade-point average of "B" (a GPA of 3.0 or higher) for all completed undergraduate courses, or those completed in the last two years of undergraduate study. - OR - 2. Maintained a grade-point average "B+" (a GPA of 3.5 or higher) for all courses in your major field of study, or those courses in your major completed in the last two years of undergraduate study. -OR- 3. Rank in the upper one-third of your class in the college, university, or major subdivision. -OR- 4. Am a member of a national honor (other than freshman honor societies) recognized by the Association of College Honor Societies. Please submit a college transcript(s) showing your grade point average for all four years of undergraduate study, including all transferred courses. NOTE: GPA's are rounded to one decimal place. For example, 2.95 will round to 3.0 and 2.94 will round to 2.9. If more than 10 percent of your undergraduate course work (credit hours) were taken on a pass/fail or similar basis, your claim must be based on class standing or membership in an honor society. Have a combination of education and experience as described in 1 and 2 above which together equals 100% of the requirement Minimum Qualification [GS-9] Have at least one year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the GS-07 level in the Federal Service. Specialized experience for this position is described as: developing workplans and biological initiatives related to the management of fish and aquatic resources; leading collection of data and biological information concerning fish populations or fish culture techniques; and preparation and presentation of data relative to fishery resources. OR Have two years (36 semester hours) of progressively higher level graduate education leading to a master's degree or master's or equivalent graduate degree closely related field which provided me with the knowledge, skills, and abilities to successfully complete the work of the position. OR Have a combination of education and experience as described in 1 and 2 above which together equals 100% of the requirement. Experience refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service programs (e.g., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizations (e.g., professional; philanthropic; religious; spiritual; community, student, social). Volunteer work helps build critical competencies, knowledge, and skills and can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience. Time In Grade Requirement: Applicants must meet both eligibility and qualification requirements for the position of interest by the closing date of the JOA. Specifically, i. Area of Consideration. ii. Time-in-grade (TIG) requirements as specified in 5 CFR 300, Subpart F. iii. Time after competitive appointment as specified in 5 CFR 330.502. iv. Qualification requirements outlined in OPM's Qualifications Standards for General Schedule Positions or for Federal Wage System (FWS), wage grade positions, applicants are evaluated using the OPM Job Qualification System for Trades and Labor Occupations and the job element examining method Your SF-50 will be used to confirm you meet all requirements The candidate must meet medical standards to assure the ability to perform field work safely. New employees must pass a pre-employment medical examination and the incumbent will require continued medical clearance through periodic medical examination. Also, the incumbent will be subject to exposure of specific medical surveillance testing before and after field seasons. Retention is subject to satisfactory completion of a physical capability test immediately after entering on duty. The physical capability test will simulate the lifting, carrying, and emptying containers of lampricide (TFM, 50lbs). Failure to satisfactorily complete this physical capability test may result in the incumbent being terminated from his/her employment with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Education PROOF OF EDUCATION: All applicants who are using education or a combination of education and experience to qualify must submit copies of official or unofficial transcripts which include grades, credit hours earned, major(s), grade point average or class ranking, institution name, and student name. If any required coursework is not easily recognizable on transcripts, or if you believe a portion of a particular course can be credited toward meeting an educational requirement, you must also provide a memorandum on letterhead from the institution's registrar, dean, or other appropriate official stating the percentage of the course that should be considered to meet the requirement and the equivalent number of units. Unofficial transcripts are acceptable; however, if you are selected for the position, you will be required to produce the original official transcripts. PASS/FAIL COURSES: If more than 10 percent of your undergraduate course work (credit hours) were taken on a pass/fail basis, your claim of superior academic achievement must be based upon class standing or membership in an honor society. GRADUATE EDUCATION: One academic year of graduate education is considered to be the number of credits hours your graduate school has determined to represent one academic year of full-time study. Such study may have been performed on a full-time or part-time basis. If you cannot obtain your graduate school's definition of one year of graduate study, 18 semester hours (or 27 quarter hours) should be considered as satisfying the requirement for one year of full-time graduate study. FOREIGN EDUCATION: If you are using education completed in foreign colleges or universities to meet the qualification requirements, you must show the education credentials have been evaluated by a private organization that specializes in interpretation of foreign education. For further information, visit: Recognition of Foreign Qualifications | International Affairs Office (ed.gov) Additional Information PCS INFORMATION: Yes, entitlements for payment of basic moving expenses, as required and to the extent allowed by the Federal Travel Regulation (FTR) 302-3.101, are authorized for eligible applicants changing duty station when the change meets the distance tests as provided in FTR 302-1.1 and 302-2.6. All moving expenses are taxable. In addition, relocation discretionary entitlements May be authorized for this position excluding contractor-provided home sale. Telework: This position is suitable for telework and may be allowed to telework with supervisory approval. For teleworkers, their official duty station is the agency worksite (e.g., Main Interior Building) as they are expected to report to the regular worksite at least twice a pay period. Additional Vacancies: One or more positions may be filled from applications received under this announcement in the advertised office or other U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service offices in the local commuting area. Career Transition Assistance Plan (CTAP):Department of Interior (DOI) Career Transition Assistance Plan (CTAP) procedures apply in filling this vacancy. CTAP provides placement assistance to permanent Federal employees who are surplus, displaced, or involuntarily separated. Applicants claiming CTAP eligibility must submit a copy of their most recent performance appraisal, proof of eligibility, and most current SF-50 noting position, grade level, and duty location with their application. To be considered under CTAP, applicants must be well-qualified (i.e., meet the minimum qualification requirements, including any selective placement factors; education, and experience requirements), score at least 85 on the assessment questionnaire, and be able to perform the duties of the position upon entry. For information on CTAP visit: https://www.usajobs.gov/Help/working-in-government/unique-hiring-paths/federal-employees/career-transition/" Reasonable Accommodation: The USFWS provides reasonable accommodations to applicants with disabilities. Please visit USAJOBS Help Center | Reasonable accommodation policy if you need a reasonable accommodation for any part of the application and hiring process. The Land Management Workforce Flexibility Act (LMWFA),P.L. 114-47, allows certain individuals who currently or formerly were under time-limited competitive appointments at certain land management agencies to compete under merit promotion procedures. Current appointees: Must have been hired under competitive examining procedures to a time limited appointment with a land management agency; Must have served under 1 or more time limited appointments by a land management agency for a period totaling more than 24 months without a break in service of 2 or more years; AND Must have performed at an acceptable level. Former appointees: Must have been hired under competitive examining procedures to a time limited appointment with a land management agency; Must have served under 1 or more time limited appointments by a land management agency for a period totaling more than 24 months without a break in service of 2 or more years; Must apply for position within 2 years after separation; Must have been separated for reasons other than misconduct or performance; AND Must have performed at an acceptable level.