Research Fish Biologist

at  US Geological Survey

QUALIFICATIONS

Basic education requirement: 4 years of college leading to a bachelor’s or higher degree with a major study in biology, zoology, or biological oceanography that included at least 30 semester hours (SH) in biological and aquatic science and 15 SH in the physical and mathematical sciences. This course work must have included: at least 15 SH 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 SH 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 SH of training in any combination of two or more of the following: chemistry, physics, mathematics, or statistics.
In addition to the basic education requirement described above, applicants must meet one of the following to qualify for the GS-12 level,
Possess one year of specialized experience at or equal to the GS-11 grade level in the Federal service. Examples of experience at the GS-11 level may include working independently or as a full member of a research team conceiving, formulating, conducting, and publishing research relevant to aquatic invasive species and fish physiology, with related skill sets in chemosensory neurophysiology. Applicants should have experience conducting field and laboratory experiments with emphasis on examining fish behavior in response to environmental stimuli and gathering data to meet the needs of resource managers to control invasive carp and preparing descriptive scientific reports on the results of research activities for publication and administrative use. Experience is best demonstrated by authoring and co-authoring publications and other products that contribute to scientific understanding of the subject. Additionally, applicants should have experience attending scientific and/or interagency meetings to present research results and exchange information within the scientific community. Preference is for candidates with broad experience in freshwater systems and laboratory experimental approaches to assess effects of environmental (chemical, visual, acoustic) stimuli on the behavior of invasive carp. Outcomes of interest include (but are not limited to) avoidance, attractance, deterrence, and changes in larval responses. The ideal candidate will be able to scale observed effects from organismal to population levels or frame research findings in the cross-disciplinary context for the control of invasive species through an integrated pest management approach. Candidates should be able to demonstrate expertise through multiple peer reviewed journal publications, successful grant proposal submissions, and evidence of interdisciplinary collaborations that can develop into a dynamic research program.
OR*
B. Possession of a Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree in a directly related field of study.
OR*
C. Possession of a combination of successfully completed progressive graduate level education, as described above, that is beyond the second year of graduate study and professional experience, as described above.
You must meet all qualification and eligibility requirements for the position by the closing date of the announcement.

EDUCATION

• 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.
• Education completed in colleges or universities outside the United States may be used to meet the above requirements. You must provide acceptable documentation that the foreign education is comparable to that received in an accredited educational institution in the United States. For more information on how foreign education is evaluated, visit: https://www.usgs.gov/about/organization/science-support/human-capital/how-foreign-education-evaluated-federal-jobs .

IF YOU ARE RELYING ON YOUR EDUCATION TO MEET QUALIFICATION REQUIREMENTS:

Education must be accredited by an accrediting institution recognized by the U.S. Department of Education in order for it to be credited towards qualifications. Therefore, provide only the attendance and/or degrees from schools accredited by accrediting institutions recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.

Failure to provide all of the required information as stated in this vacancy announcement may result in an ineligible rating or may affect the overall rating.

• How to Apply
• -Applications (resume and application questions) for this vacancy must be received on-line via USAJOBS BEFORE midnight Eastern Time (Washington, D.C. time) on the closing date of this announcement. If you fail to submit a complete online resume, you will not be considered for this position. Requests for extensions will not be granted. Most libraries, employment offices, and all USGS personnel offices can provide access to the Internet. If applying online poses a hardship for you, you must speak to someone in the Servicing Human Resources Office listed on this announcement PRIOR TO THE CLOSING DATE for assistance.
• -Instructions for Applying Online for this Vacancy Announcement: 1)Click the blue “Apply Online” button. 2)If you are not a registered USAJOBS user, please create a new account and follow the instructions to complete your application process. If you are a registered user, login to access your existing USAJOBS profile. 3)As a registered user, select a stored resume and select one or more of your stored documents to attach to your application. 4)Check the “Certification” box and click the “Apply for this position now!” button located at the bottom of the screen. 5)Address the eligibility questions as well as the questionnaire containing questions and/or task statements that address the knowledge, skills, abilities and/or competencies for this vacancy. 6)Submit required documents. 7) If you experience technical difficulties during the online application process, please contact the USAJOBS helpdesk.

IF YOU ARE RELYING ON YOUR EDUCATION TO MEET QUALIFICATION REQUIREMENTS:

Education must be accredited by an accrediting institution recognized by the U.S. Department of Education in order for it to be credited towards qualifications. Therefore, provide only the attendance and/or degrees from schools accredited by accrediting institutions recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.
Failure to provide all of the required information as stated in this vacancy announcement may result in an ineligible rating or may affect the overall rating.
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AS A RESEARCH FISH BIOLOGIST WITHIN THE COLUMBIA ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH CENTER, SOME OF YOUR SPECIFIC DUTIES WILL INCLUDE:

• Conducting research focused on the biology, ecology, and control of invasive aquatic organisms, especially invasive carps.
• Serving as independent member or leader of various research teams that consist of multidisciplinary scientists from multiple agencies.
• Preparing proposals, reports to funding agencies, and scientific journal publications.
• Providing technical assistance to DOI agencies and to other Federal, State, and private interests as appropriate.
  Physical Demands- This position serves as a project investigator with oversight of seasonal personnel for sampling large rivers,
  performing field studies using advanced telemetry and sonar technologies, and conducting laboratory and field studies investigating the potential use of various control strategies
  Work Environment - Field work is performed on rivers in order to perform sonar techniques to monitor fish behavior.