Job Information
Forest Service Fish Biologist in Hungry Horse, Montana
Summary This position is located in the Northern Region, Region 1, Flathead National Forest, Hungry Horse, MT. The incumbent is primarily responsible for planning, administering, and providing professional expertise in fisheries programs and providing expertise and assistance in fishery resource management. For additional information about the duties of this position, please contact Robert Davies at robert.davies@usda.gov. Responsibilities Serves as leader of fish habitat improvement projects and habitat inventory and monitoring programs. Participates in fishery monitoring program activities by making observations, gathering data, and reporting findings. Provides biological input into the fish habitat management program and assists in development of fishery management plans. Works cooperatively with State, Tribal, and Federal fish and water quality management agencies. Studying and recommending solutions to special coordination problems involving fish habitat protection. Participates on interdisciplinary teams and prepares environmental analysis reports in assigned functional area. Develops biological evaluations for threatened, endangered and sensitive species for review by journey level biologists. Responsible for reporting fish habitat management programs accomplishments. Participates in studies and plans proposed resource management activities, and coordinates and/or implements approved resource management plans such as habitat restoration or enhancement projects. Requirements Conditions of Employment Qualifications In order to qualify, you must meet the eligibility and qualifications requirements as defined below by the closing date of the announcement. For more information on the qualifications for this position, visit the Office of Personnel Management's General Schedule Qualification Standards. Your application and resume must clearly show that you possess the experience requirements. Transcripts must be provided for qualifications based on education. Provide course descriptions as necessary. Basic Requirement: GS-0482: Degree: successfully completed 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 field of study 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 coursework in aquatic subjects may be used to meet this requirement when appropriate). OR A combination of education and experience -- 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 education. In addition to meeting the basic requirement, you must also possess experience and/or directly related education in the amounts listed below. Specialized Experience Requirement: For the GS-09 level: Applicants must have one year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the GS-07 grade level. Qualifying specialized experience includes meeting TWO (2) or more of the following duties: As an advanced trainee, collect field data on fish habitats and other aquatic resources for preparation of maps and management plans using all types of sampling equipment; Classify habitats and determine stream conditions for fisheries; Conduct aquatic habitat/fish inventories. OR A 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 perform the work of the position. OR An appropriate combination of specialized experience and graduate-level education in coursework directly related to the position being filled (such as Fishery Biology) beyond what is required for a master's degree, i.e., more than 36 semester hours leading to a Ph.D. For the GS-11 level: Applicants must have one year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the GS-09 grade level. Qualifying specialized experience includes meeting THREE (3) or more of the following duties: Coordinate limited studies of fishery populations; and prepare a variety of written reports or limited environmental analyses; Participate on interdisciplinary teams and prepare environmental analysis reports; Serve as a leader of fish habitat improvement projects and habitat inventory and monitoring programs. OR Three (3) years of progressively higher-level graduate education leading to a Ph.D. degree or Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree in coursework directly related to position being filled (such as Fishery Biology). OR A combination of specialized experience and graduate level education coursework directly related to position being filled (such as Fishery Biology) beyond what is required for a master's degree, i.e., more than 36 semester hours leading to a Ph.D. 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. TIME IN GRADE REQUIREMENT: If you are a current federal employee in the General Schedule (GS) pay plan and applying for a promotion opportunity, you must meet time-in-grade (TIG) requirements of 52 weeks of service at the next lower grade level in the normal line of progression for the position being filled. This requirement must be met by the closing date of this announcement. Education Additional Information Career Transition Assistance Plan (CTAP) or Reemployment Priority List (RPL): To exercise selection priority for this vacancy, CTAP/RPL candidates must meet the basic eligibility requirements and all selective factors. CTAP candidates must be rated and determined to be well qualified (or above) based on an evaluation of the competencies listed in the How You Will Be Evaluated section. When assessed through a score-based category rating method, CTAP applicants must receive a rating of at least 85 out of a possible 100. not credited. Applicants are responsible for providing sufficient information/documentation to determine if the 24 month criteria is met. Land Management Workforce Flexibility Act (LMWFA) provides current or former temporary and term employees the opportunity to compete for permanent competitive service positions. Individuals must have more than 24 months of service without a break between appointments of two or more years and the last temporary or term appointment must have been with Flathead National Forest of the Forest Service within the local commuting area of Hungry Horse, MT. Service must be in the competitive service and have been at a successful level of performance or better. Part-time and intermittent service will be credited only for time actually worked. Non-pay status such as leave without pay is credited for up to six months in a calendar year; anything beyond six months is not credited. Applicants are responsible for providing sufficient information/documentation to determine if the 24 month criteria is met. If you are selected for a position with further promotion potential, you will be placed under a career development plan, and may be non-competitively promoted if you successfully complete the requirements and if recommended by management. However, promotion is not guaranteed. This position may be eligible to telework up to four days per week, based upon the duties of the position. This position may also be eligible for flexible work arrangements as determined by agency policy and any applicable collective bargaining agreements. The Forest Service may use certain incentives and hiring flexibilities, currently offered by the Federal government, to attract highly qualified candidates. Additional Information is available on the OPM Website. This is a bargaining unit position and is represented by either NFFE, AFGE, or NAGE. Forest Service daycare facilities are not available. Government Housing are not available.