Summary Direct Hire Authority for Certain Personnel of the Department of Defense About the Position: At the full performance level, you will serve as a Fish Biologist responsible for portions of the fish management programs at Bonneville Dam. At the full performance level, you will assist in developing recommendations to the Supervisory Fish Biologist regarding the maintenance or enhancement of fish populations and will observe the effects of the project's operations on fish resources. Responsibilities Serve as an advisor to the Supervisory Fish Biologist for development and planning of fish management programs. Coordinate with project personnel on matters such as fish facilities maintenance operating standards, fish facilities improvements, and coordination of deviating from the Fish Passage Plan. Review plans for fish facilities modifications to ensure safe fish passage. Analyze quantities and distribution of water in fish collection systems and fish ladders to make recommendations to improve hydraulic conditions in adult and juvenile bypass facilities. Review work reports and research proposals submitted by State and Federal fishery agencies and Indian tribes covering fish facilities, research, fish protective programs, and effects of dam operations of fish resources. Prepare fish salvage and rescue plans for the assigned project. Analyze information for possible application in fish conservation and management at Corps projects. Maintain knowledge of environmental law as it pertains to the impact of Corps activities a fish, including the Wildlife Coordination Act, Endangered Species Act, Northwest Planning Act, etc. Requirements Conditions of Employment Qualifications Who May Apply: US Citizens In order to qualify, you must meet the education and/or experience requirements described below. 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). You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience. Your resume must clearly describe your relevant experience; if qualifying based on education, your transcripts will be required as part of your application. Additional information about transcripts is in this document. Basic Requirements: A. Education: Successful completion of a full 4-year course of study in an accredited college or university leading to a bachelor's or higher degree that included a major in biological science that included: 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 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- B. Combination of Education and Experience: A combination of education and experience that together meets the qualification requirements for this position. The education must have courses equivalent to a major in biological science (i.e., at least 30 semester hours), of which a minimum of 6 semester hours are in aquatic subjects and 12 semester hours that are in the animal sciences (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. In addition to meeting the basic requirement, you must also possess experience and/or directly related education in the amounts listed below. Qualifications at the GS-05, you must meet the educational requirement which is a Bachelors degree with a major in biological science that included at least six 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 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. Qualifications at the GS-07, your resume must describe at least one year of experience which prepared you to do the work in this job. Specialized experience is defined as applying fish evaluation and monitoring methods to assist with activities associated with fish habitat, migration, and passage. This definition of specialized experience is typical of work performed at the next lower grade/level position in the federal service (GS-05). -OR- Education: One full year of graduate level education in a field which demonstrates the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to do the work of the position, such as: [insert applicable field(s) of study]. -OR- Superior Academic Achievement: In order to be creditable under this provision, Superior Academic Achievement must have been gained in a curriculum that is qualifying for the position to be filled, such as that identified in Education above. Superior Academic Achievement is based on:(1) Class Standing - Applicants must be in the upper third of the graduating class in the college, university, or major subdivision, such as the College of Liberal Arts or the School of Business Administration, based on completed courses; OR(2) Grade-Point Average (G.P.A.) - Applicants must have a grade-point average of either (a) 3.0 or higher out of a possible 4.0 ("B" or better) as recorded on your official transcript, or as computed based on 4 years of education, or as computed based on courses completed during the final 2 years of the curriculum; or (b) 3.5 or higher out of a possible 4.0 ("B+" or better) based on the average of the required courses completed in the major field or the required courses in the major field completed during the final 2 years of the curriculum.; OR (3) Honor Society Membership - Applicants may be considered eligible based on membership in one of the approved national scholastic honor societies listed by the Association of College Honor Societies (https://www.achsnatl.org/). -OR- Combination of Education and Experience: A combination of education and experience may be used to qualify for this position as long as the computed percentage of the requirements is at least 100%. To compute the percentage of the requirements, divide your total months of experience by 12. Then divide the total number of completed graduate semester hours (or equivalent) by 18. Add the two percentages. Qualifications at the GS-09, your resume must describe at least one year of experience which prepared you to do the work in this job. Specialized experience which includes applying fish evaluation and monitoring methods activities associated with fish habitat, migration, and passage. This definition of specialized experience is typical of work performed at the second lower grade/level position in the federal service (GS-07). -OR -Education: Master's or equivalent graduate degree or 2 full years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to such a degree in a field which demonstrates the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to do the work of the position.-OR- Combination of Education and Experience: A combination of education and experience may be used to qualify for this position as long as the computed percentage of the requirements is at least 100%. To compute the percentage of the requirements, divide your total months of experience by 12. Then divide the total number of completed graduate semester hours (or equivalent) beyond the first year (total graduate semester hours minus 18) by 18. Add the two percentages. Education 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: https://sites.ed.gov/international/recognition-of-foreign-qualifications/ Additional Information A Relocation Incentive may be considered. A Recruitment Incentive may be considered. Enhanced Leave Accrual may be considered. Advanced Rate of pay may be considered. Male applicants born after December 31, 1959, must complete a Pre-Employment Certification Statement for Selective Service Registration. You will be required to provide proof of U.S. Citizenship. This position requires a 1 year probationary period during which the agency evaluates your fitness and whether your continued employment advances the public interest. In making this determination, the agency may consider your performance and conduct; agency needs and interests; whether your continued employment supports organizational or Government goals; and whether it promotes the efficiency of the Federal service. Continued employment requires written certification that it advances the public interest. Direct Deposit of Pay is required. Selection is subject to restrictions resulting from Department of Defense referral system for displaced employees. If you have retired from federal service and you are interested in employment as a reemployed annuitant, see the information in the Reemployed Annuitant information sheet. This is a(n) Engineers & Scientists (Construction) Career Field position. Multiple positions may be filled from this announcement. Salary includes applicable locality pay or Local Market Supplement. When you perform a Civilian Permanent Change of Station (PCS) with the government, the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) considers the majority of your entitlements to be taxable. Visit https://www.dfas.mil/civilianemployees/civrelo/Civilian-Moving-Expenses-Tax-Deduction.htm for more information. Payment of Permanent Change of Station (PCS) costs is authorized, subject to the provisions of the Joint Travel Regulations.
