Biologist
: Job Details :

Summary This position is a Biologist, GS- 0401-13 working at Fort Valley State University, Fort Valley, Georgia, for the R4-Warm Springs Fish Technology Center. Responsibilities As a Biologist your duties will include but are not limited to the following: Develops and executes complex study proposals and experimental designs, combining aquatic species physiology, behavior, and ecology, to address issues critical to the Service and to implement projects and studies for the conservation, restoration, and/or recovery of aquatic resources. This includes developing new ways to investigate hatchery and wild/naturally produced species interactions, evaluate methods for determining the success of restoration and recovery programs, and address the guidelines and requirements of the Endangered Species Act and other legal mandates. Responsible for the development and implementation of the Regional Fisheries Program's Applied Research Program in Physiology at the Center. The incumbent provides direction and supervision for activities associated with physiology, and ecology that are of vital interest to the Service and its external partners in the management of the Regions' aquatic resources. The incumbent is the Regions' lead scientific authority and subject matter expert in aquatic species physiology and ecology including the impacts of these disciplines on population dynamics of naturally occurring and hatchery produced aquatic species. As a technical expert in the application of experimental design in laboratory, field (lentic and lotic habitats), and production-scale hatchery environments, the incumbent develops innovative, applied research programs in physiology, behavior, nutrition, and/or ecology that are directly applicable to fisheries management issues. Under the direction of the Center Project Leader the incumbent provides day-to day management to a diverse technical and professional staff including undergraduate and graduate students in the fields of aquatic species physiology, ecology, and culture. In coordination with the Center Project Leader the incumbent oversees the integration and coordination of multiple highly complex applied research investigations; establishing and maintaining quality control and quality assurance standards for conducting high quality scientific investigations; providing budgetary oversight on both internally and externally funded projects; and assists with conducting performance reviews, resolving intra-staff conflicts, developing employee performance standards, and training schedules. Applies Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) for all employees and ensures adherence to safety procedures. Provides authoritative advice, guidance, and technical assistance to Service personnel (e.g., Regional Director, Deputy Regional Director, Assistant Regional Directors - Fisheries and Ecological Services), other professionals, agencies, tribal governments, and educational institutions on analytical techniques and other innovations including the Center's applied research accomplishments. Conducts interactions with other professionals in the fields of behavior, physiology, and ecology by reviewing articles and reports, attending professional meetings, and responding to questions and challenges among subject matter experts and other professionals to maintain professional credentials, discuss findings with other experts in the field, and to sustain a dialogue on current findings and trends. Requirements Conditions of Employment Qualifications Only experience and education obtained by 12/27/2024 will be considered. In order to qualify for this position you must possess both the Basic Requirement and Minimum Qualification. Basic Requirement: Possess a bachelor's or higher degree in biological sciences, agriculture, natural resource management, chemistry, or related disciplines appropriate to the position. OR Possess a combination of education and experience that includes courses equivalent to a major in the biological sciences, agriculture, natural resource management, chemistry, or related disciplines appropriate to the position, PLUS appropriate experience or additional education. The quality of the combination of education and experience must be sufficient to demonstrate possession of the knowledge, skills, and abilities required to perform work in the occupation, and is comparable to that normally acquired through the successful completion of a full 4-year course of study with a major in the appropriate field. Minimum Qualification: Possess at least one year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-12 grade level in the Federal government which included experience in: 1) developing, scheduling, and performing physiological analyses of aquatic species; (2) directing work in the field of physiology in order to meet program goals, including providing administrative and budgetary oversight on both internally and externally funded projects; (3) managing and operating a laboratory, including maintaining accurate records on all laboratory equipment, chemicals, and supplies; (4) providing direction and guidance to lower graded employees on physiology and fish culture activities, including study planning, study execution, data analysis, data interpretation, and reporting; and (5) developing and coordinating research projects among multiple organizations. 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 PROOF OF EDUCATION: All applicants who are using education or a combination of education and experience to qualify must submit copies of official or unofficial transcripts which include grades, credit hours earned, major(s), grade point average or class ranking, institution name, and student name. If any required coursework is not easily recognizable on transcripts, or if you believe a portion of a particular course can be credited toward meeting an educational requirement, you must also provide a memorandum on letterhead from the institution's registrar, dean, or other appropriate official stating the percentage of the course that should be considered to meet the requirement and the equivalent number of units. Unofficial transcripts are acceptable; however, if you are selected for the position, you will be required to produce the original official transcripts. PASS/FAIL COURSES: If more than 10 percent of your undergraduate course work (credit hours) were taken on a pass/fail basis, your claim of superior academic achievement must be based upon class standing or membership in an honor society. GRADUATE EDUCATION: One academic year of graduate education is considered to be the number of credits hours your graduate school has determined to represent one academic year of full-time study. Such study may have been performed on a full-time or part-time basis. If you cannot obtain your graduate school's definition of one year of graduate study, 18 semester hours (or 27 quarter hours) should be considered as satisfying the requirement for one year of full-time graduate study. FOREIGN EDUCATION: If you are using education completed in foreign colleges or universities to meet the qualification requirements, you must show the education credentials have been evaluated by a private organization that specializes in interpretation of foreign education programs and such education has been deemed equivalent to that gained in an accredited U.S. education program; or full credit has been given for the courses at a U.S. accredited college or university. For further information, visit: Recognition of Foreign Qualifications | International Affairs Office (ed.gov). Additional Information PCS INFORMATION: Yes, entitlements for payment of basic moving expenses, as required and to the extent allowed by the Federal Travel Regulation (FTR) 302-3.101, are authorized for eligible applicants changing duty station when the change meets the distance tests as provided in FTR 302-1.1 and 302-2.6. All moving expenses are taxable. In addition, relocation discretionary entitlements May be authorized for this position excluding contractor-provided home sale. Telework: This position is suitable for telework and may be allowed to telework with supervisory approval. Additional Vacancies: One or more positions may be filled from applications received under this announcement in the advertised office or other U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service offices in the local commuting area. Career Transition Assistance Plan (CTAP) or Interagency Career Transition Assistance Plan (ICTAP): Department of Interior (DOI) Career Transition Assistance Plan (CTAP) procedures apply in filling this vacancy. These programs apply to employees who have been involuntarily separated from a federal service position within the competitive service or Federal service employees whose positions have been deemed surplus or no longer needed. To receive selection priority for this position, you must: (1) meet CTAP or ICTAP eligibility criteria; (2) be rated well-qualified (i.e., meet the minimum qualification requirements, including any selective placement factors; education, and experience requirements) for the position with a score of 85 or above on the assessment questionnaire, and be able to perform the duties of the position upon entry. Applicants claiming CTAP/ICTAP eligibility must submit a copy of their most recent performance appraisal, proof of eligibility, and most current SF-50 noting position, grade level, and duty location with their application. For more information visit: Reasonable Accommodation: The USFWS provides reasonable accommodations to applicants with disabilities. Please visit USAJOBS Help Center | Reasonable accommodation policy if you need a reasonable accommodation for any part of the application and hiring process.