Fish Biologist (Direct Hire Authority

You will serve as a Fish Biologist with the National Park Service at Grand Canyon National Park in Flagstaff, AZ.

First time hires to the federal government typically start at the beginning salary in the range for their respective grade level.

GS-11: $74,678 (Step
1) to $97,087 (Step 10) - Salary Table 2026-RUS

All qualifications must be met by the closing date of this announcement-08/11/2026-unless otherwise stated in this vacancy announcement.

To receive credit for experience, your resume MUST state either "full-time" (or "40 hours a week") or "part-time" with the number of hours worked per week to ensure proper crediting of specialized experience. Failure to adequately provide information needed to determine number of hours worked in each position may result in that time not being credited when evaluating qualifying experience. For periods of time that reflect military service, the DD-214 or Statement of Service is sufficient to meet the full and/or part-time hours requirement as the service dates will be reflected.

This position has basic requirements required by the Office of Personnel Management. Candidates who do not meet this requirement by close of this announcement will receive no further consideration for this position. It is recommended to upload any and all transcripts you have to justify this requirement (under grad, grad, etc.). Applicants must meet one of the following before the close of the announcement:

Successfully completed a course of study leading to a bachelor's or higher degree that included a major field of study in biology, ecology, environmental science, natural resource management, botany, chemistry, agriculture, or related disciplines appropriate to the position that MUST include:
1) 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
2) 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.

-OR-

A combination of education and experience that included 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 above; PLUS, appropriate experience or additional course work. The quality of the combination demonstrates that you possess the knowledge, skills, and abilities required to perform the work of the position and is comparable to that normally acquired through the completion of a full four-year course of study with a major as described above.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

To qualify for this position at the GS-11 grade level, you must possess one of the following minimum qualifications by close of the announcement:

At least one full year of specialized experience comparable in scope and responsibility to the GS-09 grade level in the Federal service (obtained in either the public or private sectors). To be creditable, specialized experience must have been equivalent to at least the next lower grade level in the normal line of progression for the occupation in the organization. Qualifying specialized experience is:
1) Planning and conducting field monitoring or biological surveys for aquatic fish species, including collecting, documenting, and managing scientific data using established protocols.
2) Designing and implementing fisheries conservation measure projects, including planning and conducting monitoring, early detection, rapid response, suppression, and habitat or species conservation activities; coordinating with partner organizations; and evaluating results to support adaptive management of aquatic resources.
3) Analyzing biological or environmental data and preparing technical reports, summaries, or…