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Summary

This position is a Fish Biologist, GS-0482-11/12 working in Jamestown, Kentucky for the R4-Wolf Creek National Fish Hatchery. https://www.fws.gov/fish-hatchery/wolf-creek

Overview

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Accepting applications
Posted this week · Apply by 06/23/26
Due by 11:59 p.m. ET on June 23, 2026
Location
1 vacancy in the following location:
Work site options
Telework eligible
No
Remote job
No
Relocation expenses reimbursed
Yes—You may qualify for reimbursement of relocation expenses in accordance with agency policy.
Salary
$74,678 - $116,362 per year
Pay scale & grade
GS 11 - 12
Promotion potential
12
Learn more about pay scale and grade
Pay scale and grade determines the salary of the job.
Work schedule
Full-time
Travel Required
Occasional travel - You may be expected to travel for this position.
Appointment type
Permanent
Occupations and job series
Supervisory status
No
Federal service type
This job is in the Competitive Service
Represented by a union
No
Drug test
No
Security clearance
Other
Position sensitivity and risk
Moderate Risk (MR)
Jobs require a background check and some require a security clearance. The type depends on the job.
Background check type
Financial disclosure required
No
Some jobs require financial disclosure to identify conflicts of interests.
Announcement number
R4-26-12980446-RR-IMP
Control number
872323100

This job is open to

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Internal to an agency

Current federal employees of the hiring agency that posted the job announcement.

Career transition (CTAP, ICTAP, RPL)

Federal employees whose job, agency or department was eliminated and are eligible for priority over other applicants.

Land and base management

Current or former employees of a base management agency.

Clarification from the agency

Open to current U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service employees serving under a Career or Career-Conditional appointment, Land Management Workforce Flexibility Act eligibles, CTAP.

Duties

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As a Fish Biologist your duties will include but are not limited to the following:

  • Assists the Project Leader with the establishment of hatchery policy based on the interpretation of directives, regulations and requirements set forth in broad based guidance documents. Assists the Project Leader with the preparation and accuracy of Station Action Plans, Program Planning Documents, Annual Reports and other fiscal reports as required. Updates the plans and coordinates with Tribal, State, and Federal entities concerning the production and the fish-stocking programs.
  • Works closely with Project Leader in research activities by identifying current information and technology gaps related to propagation of current aquatic stocks and future stocks to more closely match the Service's priorities and continue to meet program responsibilities.
  • Monitors fish health, growth, and quality, and implements corrective measures or administers therapeutic and prophylactic treatments, as needed.
  • Performs the full range of technical and administrative supervision, which includes outlining objectives, determining scope of work and developing overall plans. Plans the work to be accomplished, sets and adjusts priorities, and deadlines. Schedules, assigns and directs the work, administers supervisory personnel functions, evaluates work performance, and takes necessary action to assure that the work of subordinate employees meet standards of quantity and quality.
  • Develops and cultivates partnerships with other Federal, State, Tribal and civic entities and conservation agencies to coordinate fish production activities and enhance conservation efforts to meet Service objectives.
This position involves a multi-grade career ladder. The major duties listed represent the full performance level of GS-12. At lower grade level, you will perform assignments of a more limited scope and with less independence. You will progressively acquire the background necessary to perform at the full performance level of GS-12. Promotion is at the discretion of the supervisor and is contingent upon satisfactory performance, availability of higher level work, and availability of funds. The selectee may be promoted without further competition when all regulatory, qualification, and performance requirements are met. Selection at a lower grade level does not guarantee promotion to the full performance level.

Requirements

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Conditions of employment

  • Must be a U.S. Citizen or National.
  • Merit promotion applicants must meet time-in-grade requirement as defined in 5 CFR 300, Subpart F.
  • Suitability for employment, as determined by background investigation.
  • Shift work may be required. Emergency overtime may be required. May be required to work other than normal duty hours, which may include evenings, weekends, and holidays.
  • Driver’s License: This position requires the incumbent to operate a government (or private) motor vehicle as part of their official duties. Selectee must hold and maintain a valid state driver’s license throughout their employment in this position.
  • Uniform: Official U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service uniform is required.
  • A condition of employment for accepting this position, you will be required to serve a [1-year probationary period OR 2-year trial period] during which your fitness and whether your continued employment advances the public interest will be evaluated.
  • Individuals assigned male at birth after 12-31-59 must be registered for the Selective Service. To verify registration visit SSS.gov.

Qualifications

Only experience and education obtained by 06/23/2026 will be considered.

In order to qualify for this position you must possess both the Basic Requirement and Minimum Qualification.

Basic Requirement:

  1. Possess a Bachelor's Degree with a major in a biological science that includes the following course work: 1) 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 2) at least 12 semester hours in the animal sciences subjects such as general zoology, vertebrate zoology, comparative anatomy, physiology, genetics, ecology, cellular biology, parasitology, entomology, or research courses in such subjects. OR
  2. Have a combination of education and experience that is equivalent to a major in a 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 described in ?A? above, plus appropriate experience or additional education.
Minimum Qualification [GS-11]
  1. At least one year of full-time specialized experience comparable in difficulty and responsibility to the next lower grade level (comparable to GS-09) in the Federal service (obtained in either the public or private sectors). Specialized experience for this grade is defined as performing work in or directly related to Fish Biology including carrying out daily activities of hatchery production operations; propagating cold, cool and/or warm water aquatic species; assisting in program planning and administration; observing fish for signs of stress or disease and initiating the appropriate steps to alleviate stress or treat disease; maintaining records of fish production and distribution. OR
  2. Have completed three full years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to a Ph.D. degree or equivalent doctoral degree in a field directly related to fishery biology such as limnology, ichthyology, fishery biology, aquatic botany, aquatic fauna, oceanography, fish culture, fish and wildlife management, marine science, or other fields directly related to fishery biology. OR
  3. Possess an equivalent combination of professional experience and graduate level education beyond the second year which together equals 100% of the requirements.
Minimum Qualification [GS-11]: Possess one year of specialized experience comparable to the GS-11 grade level in Federal service (obtained in either the public or private sectors). Specialized experience for this grade is defined as includes planning and carrying out daily activities of hatchery production operations; propagating cold, cool and warm water aquatic species; program planning and budget preparation; developing and carrying out hatchery work plans; planning and conducting fisheries studies, including design, collection, and analysis of biological data related to fish culture, fishery resources, and fish health.

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: Applicants must meet both eligibility and qualification requirements for the position of interest by the closing date of the JOA. Specifically,
i. Area of Consideration.
ii. Time-in-grade (TIG) requirements as specified in 5 CFR 300, Subpart F.
iii. Time after competitive appointment as specified in 5 CFR 330.502.
iv. Qualification requirements outlined in OPM's Qualifications Standards for General Schedule Positions

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. Discretionary entitlements are not authorized.

Telework: Suitable only in an emergency or natural disaster.

Career Transition Assistance Plan (CTAP):Department of Interior (DOI) Career Transition Assistance Plan (CTAP) procedures apply in filling this vacancy. CTAP provides placement assistance to permanent Federal employees who are surplus, displaced, or involuntarily separated. Applicants claiming CTAP 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. To be considered under CTAP, applicants must be well-qualified (i.e., meet the minimum qualification requirements, including any selective placement factors; education, and experience requirements), score at least 85 on the questionnaire, and be able to perform the duties of the position upon entry. For information on CTAP visit: https://www.usajobs.gov/Help/working-in-government/unique-hiring-paths/federal-employees/career-transition/"

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.

Applicants who apply under this job opportunity announcement agree to have their application, associated documents and applicable personal information shared with other Bureaus/Offices within the Department of the Interior (DOI) who have vacancies within the same occupational series, grade, full performance level and in the same geographic location(s), including within the same metro/commuting area. Applying to this announcement does not replace the need to apply to other job opportunity announcements for which you wish to receive consideration.

Probation/Trial Period Con't:
The probationary period is an extension of the appointment process and therefore requires the agency to determine if continued employment would advance the public interest, meet the organization goals and mission of the agency, and/or otherwise promote the efficiency of the service. In determining if your employment advances the public interest, the agency will consider:
- your performance and conduct;
- the needs and interests of the agency;
- whether your continued employment would advance organizational goals of the agency or the Government; and
- whether your continued employment would advance the efficiency of the Federal service.

Under applicable law, the employment of an individual serving a probationary automatically terminates when that period ends unless the agency affirmatively certifies, in writing, that the individual's employment should continue and that their appointment should be finalized. In the absence of agency action to affirmatively certify continued employment beyond the probationary or trial period, such appointments are terminated. Upon completion of your probationary period your employment will be terminated unless you receive certification, in writing, that your continued employment advances the public interest.

Candidates should be committed to improving the efficiency of the Federal government, passionate about the ideals of our American republic, and committed to upholding the rule of law and the United States Constitution.

How you will be evaluated

You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.

Resumes must not exceed two single-sided pages and resumes longer than two pages will not be accepted. The minimum font size is 10-point for all body text. Headers may be slightly larger but must remain legible. All resumes must maintain a minimum 0.5-inch margins on all sides to ensure readability and prevent excessive content compression. Including supplemental pages or attachments disguised as resume extensions are prohibited and will not be reviewed to determine your eligibility/qualifications.

You will be evaluated based on how well you meet the qualifications listed in this vacancy announcement. Your qualifications will be evaluated based on your application materials (e.g., resume, supporting documents), your responses on the application questionnaire, and your responses to all assessments required for this position. You will be assessed on the following competencies (knowledge, skills, abilities, and other characteristics):

  • Knowledge of fish nutrition, feeds, and feeding techniques to plan and coordinate the feeding program.
  • Knowledge of fish biology, culture, health, physiology, pathology, nutrition, genetics, and behavior in order to provide complex guidance and oversight to the hatchery program
  • Knowledge of fish pathology, disease diagnoses, and treatment.
  • Ability to direct a full fish production program from spawning through release / distribution.
  • Ability to manage and provide leadership to a diverse staff in a variety of facility maintenance and animal husbandry activities.
  • Skill in oral and written communication in order to explain technical, biological information to a wide variety of audiences

USAHIRE Questionnaire Competencies:

  • Attention to Detail
  • Customer Service
  • Decision Making
  • Flexibility
  • Integrity/Honesty
  • Interpersonal Skills
  • Learning
  • Reasoning
  • Self-Management
  • Stress Tolerance
  • Teamwork


In order to be considered for this position, you must complete all required steps in the process. In addition to the application and application questionnaire, this position requires an online assessment. The online assessment measures critical general competencies required to perform the job.

Overstating your qualifications and/or experience in your application materials or application questionnaire may result in your removal from consideration. Cheating on the online assessment may also result in your removal from consideration.

To preview the application questionnaire, click the following link:https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/12980446

U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service

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Agency contact information

Human Resources Staffing Division
Email
fwshiring@fws.gov

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