Fish Biologist

Responsibilities

• Perform a variety of operational tasks and apply standard methods and practices related to daily hatchery operation activities, including fish culture, disease control, collection, care, treatment, and spawning of brood stock; incubate eggs; feed, clean, and count fry and fingerlings; clean raceways and tanks; distribute eggs, fry, and fingerlings; and participate in tagging and marking programs.
• Conduct visual and microscopic examinations of fish for disease and parasites, identify issues, and recommend appropriate actions.
• Maintain electronic records and generate reports on feeding, water quality, disease/stress incidents, brood stock inventory, and production.
• Collect, monitor, and analyze water management parameters and biological data.
• Assist the Hatchery Manager with technical and administrative duties, including developing an annual hatchery report covering operations, resources, production, planning, facilities, safety, training, budget, partnerships, outreach, and public relations.

• U.S. citizen or national.
• Merit promotion applicants must meet the time‑in‑grade requirement defined in 5 CFR 300, Subpart F.
• Suitability for employment as determined by a background investigation.
• Must possess a valid state driver’s license (motor‑vehicle usage is required for official duties).
• Official U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service uniform required.
• One‑year probationary or two‑year trial period during which performance is evaluated.
• Applicants assigned male at birth after 12‑31‑59 must be registered for the Selective Service (verify ).

Only experience and education earned before 07/21/2026 will be considered.

Basic Requirement: (1) Bachelor's or higher degree in biological sciences with at least 6 semester hours in aquatic subjects and 12 in animal science,
or (2) Combination of education and experience equivalent to a major in biological science with the specified coursework and applicable experience.

• One year of specialized experience comparable to GS‑5 in the Federal service (examples: assisting with examinations of fish, analyzing water parameters, developing project plans, participating in outreach, caring for fish populations).
• One year of graduate‑level education focused on fish biology.
• A bachelor’s degree in biological science as described above with Superior Academic Achievement (SAA) achieved by:
  • GA‑point average of B (3.0) or higher for all undergraduate courses, or B+ (3.5) or higher for major courses, or
  • Rank in the upper one‑third of the class, or
  • Membership in a national honor society recognized by the Association of College Honor Societies.

• Government housing may be available.
• Telework may be allowed with supervisory approval.