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.
Only experience and education obtained by 02/04/2025 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 and performing physiological analyses of aquatic species; (2) providing administrative and budgetary oversight on internally and/or externally funded projects; (3) providing direction and guidance to lower graded employees; and (4) developing and coordinating research projects among multiple organizations. Note: Your resume must clearly reflect all of this experience. 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.
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.