Research Fish Biologist, ZP-0482-3/4 (Direct Hire)

Responsibilities

As a Research Fish Biologist you will perform the following duties:

• Conduct research for the Fisheries Research and Monitoring Division on the life history, biology, ecology, and associated fisheries particularly, Pacific highly migratory species.
• Serve as a lead researcher of highly migratory species data and biological samples (e.g. otoliths, fin clips, gonads, tissues samples) collections and processing.
• Collaborate with local and external partners to explore and define data gaps and research relevant to fisheries management.
• Apply scientific methods, including analyzing data, interpreting results, and documenting or reporting findings.
• Utilize existing and develop new laboratory and analytical methods to estimate life history and population dynamic information.
• Communicate results of research finding with resource managers, researchers and constituents via peer-review publications, reports, and participates in conferences, workshops and public outreach.

BASIC REQUIREMENTS: This position has a positive Education Requirement in addition to at least one year of Specialized Experience OR substitution of education for experience OR combination (if applicable) in order to be found minimally qualified. Transcripts must be submitted with your application package. You MUST meet the following requirements:

Degree: Applicants must show that they have a degree with major study in biology, zoology, or biological oceanography that included at least 30 semester hours in biological and aquatic science and 15 semester hours in the physical and mathematical sciences. This course work must have included:

• At least 15 semester hours of preparatory training in zoology beyond introductory biology or zoology in such courses as invertebrate zoology, comparative anatomy, histology, physiology, embryology, advanced vertebrate zoology, genetics, entomology, and parasitology; and
• At least 6 semester hours of training applicable to fishery biology in such subjects as fishery biology, ichthyology, limnology, oceanography, algology, planktonology, marine or fresh water ecology, invertebrate ecology, principles of fishery population dynamics, or related course work in the field of fishery biology; and
• At least 15 semester hours of training in any combination of two or more of the following: chemistry, physics, mathematics, or statistics.

-AND-

SPECIALIZED EXPERIENCE: 

Applicants must possess one year of specialized experience equivalent in difficulty and responsibility to the next lower grade level in the Federal Service.  Specialized experience is experience that has equipped the applicant with the particular competencies/knowledge, skills and abilities to successfully perform the duties of the position. 

This experience need not have been in the federal government. 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.

To qualify at the ZP-3 or GS-11 level:  

SPECIALIZED EXPERIENCE:  In addition to meeting the Basic Requirements above, applicants must also possess one full year (52 weeks) of specialized experience equivalent to the ZP-2 or GS-09  in the Federal service. Specialized experience MUST include all of the following:

• Conducting research and statistical analysis of highly migratory species biology or life history;
• Publishing and presenting results of fish biology or life history research in peer-reviewed journals; and
• Collaborating with fishing industry and academic, local, state, federal, or international scientists and managers.

 -OR-

SUBSTITUTION OF EDUCATION: A master’s or equivalent graduate degree with major study in biology, zoology, fisheries science, biological oceanography or a related field of science or successful completion of two (2) years of higher level graduate education leading to such a degree, if related.

 -OR-

COMBINATION OF EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE: A combination of education and experience as described above. NOTE: Only education in excess of one year is qualifying at this level.

To qualify at the the ZP-4 or GS-13 level: 

SPECIALIZED EXPERIENCE:  In addition to meeting the Basic Requirements above, applicants must also possess one full year (52 weeks) of specialized experience equivalent to the ZP-3 or GS-12  in the Federal service. Specialized experience MUST include all of the following:

• Organizing and leading fisheries research teams;
• Developing and completing fishery research programs;
• Developing and performing advanced statistical techniques to analyze biological and ecosystem information; and
• Presenting results to the fishing industry and academic, local, state, federal, or international scientists and managers.

To apply and learn more visit  https://www.usajobs.gov/GetJob/ViewDetails/526583400