Fish Biologist

Responsibilities

• Perform scientific investigations on anadromous fish (Chinook Salmon, steelhead, lamprey, and sturgeon) and their habitats in Northern California, with a focus on flow and temperature management, watershed restoration, mitigation, and fish passage. Include experience with juvenile fish monitoring, conservation biology, and sampling of threatened and endangered species under Endangered Species Act permit restrictions.
• Manage fishery databases and conduct quantitative and statistical analyses of monitoring and research data. This involves data compilation, relational database structure, statistical analysis, and coding and use of software such as R, Python, or Visual Basic to develop and maintain biological databases and synthesize data.
• Prepare written correspondence, reports, and papers for publication, accurately documenting data collection, observations, and investigations. Reports are used to analyze current conditions and assess implications of future actions on threatened and endangered anadromous species.
• Supervise or lead a team of personnel, including planning and prioritizing work duties, scheduling, evaluating, recruiting, and hiring staff.

• Possess a degree in biological science that included at least six semester hours in aquatic subjects (e.g., limnology, ichthyology, fishery biology, aquatic botany, aquatic fauna, oceanography, fish culture) and at least twelve semester hours in animal sciences (e.g., general zoology, vertebrate zoology, comparative anatomy, physiology, entomology, parasitology, ecology, cellular biology, genetics). Excess coursework in aquatic subjects may be used to meet this requirement when appropriate.
• Alternatively, possess a combination of education and experience equivalent to a major in biological science (at least thirty semester hours), with a minimum of six semester hours in aquatic subjects and twelve in animal sciences, plus appropriate experience or additional education.

• One year of specialized experience comparable in scope and responsibility to the GS-9 level, such as conducting biological sampling, monitoring or research, data collection using sample gear, marking and tagging techniques, managing large biological datasets, analyzing data with R, Python, or Visual Basic, providing oral and written communication of data, and planning work for field crews.
• Or three years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to a Ph.D. in a field directly related to the position.
• Or a combination of education and experience described above that together satisfies the full requirements.

• Must be a U.S. Citizen or National.
• Merit promotion applicants must meet the time‑in‑grade requirement as defined in 5 CFR 300, Subpart
  
  F.
• Suitability for employment, as determined by background investigation.
• Driver’s license: A valid state driver’s license is required and must be maintained throughout employment.
• Must annually pass a PADI open‑water swim test and achieve Swift Water Rescue Tech 1 within three months of employment.
• Uniform:
  Official U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service uniform is required.
• Probation/Trial period: A one‑year probationary or two‑year trial period during which fitness and continued employment are evaluated.
• Individuals assigned male at birth after 12‑31‑59 must be registered for Selective Service.

Eligibility for benefits depends on the type of position and whether the position is full‑time, part‑time, or intermittent. Contact the hiring agency for more information on the specific benefits offered.