Biologist

U.S.-Fish-; Annapolis (MD); On-site; USD 52,000 - 76,000; Full time

Job summary

U.S.-Fish- Maryland Fish and Wildlife Conservation Office seeks a Biologist for a term appointment. The position may last at least 13 months with potential extension up to ten years, depending on regulations and management discretion.

First-time hires to the federal government typically start at step 1. Qualifications include a biology degree or equivalent combination of education and experience, with specialized experience in field data collection, reporting, and fish sampling methods.

Qualifications

• Degree in biological sciences or related field; transcripts required.
• Combination of education and experience acceptable.
• Experience in field data collection and reporting advisable.

Responsibilities

• Assist higher-level biologists with field assignments.
• Lead a two-person field crew.
• Compile field information into databases.
• Prepare written reports summarizing results.
• Ensure reports accurately reflect collected data.

Skills

Field assignments

Lead field crew

Data entry

Report writing

Fact-checking

Education

Biological sciences degree

Master's degree or higher

Tools

Electrofishing equipment

Gillnets

Fyke nets

PIT tagging

Job description

You will serve as a Biologist for Maryland Fish and Wildlife Conservation Office.

This is a term position with an initial appointment expecting to last at least 13 months but may be extended up to a total of ten years, or more based on any changes to regulations governing the number of years term appointments may last, without further competition at management's discretion.

First time hires to the Federal government normally start at the step 1 rate.

Qualifications:

All qualifications must be met by the closing date of this announcement-09/03/2026-unless otherwise stated in this vacancy announcement.

To receive credit for experience, your resume MUST state either 'full-time' (or '40 hours a week') or 'part-time' with the number of hours worked per week to ensure proper crediting of specialized experience. Failure to adequately provide information needed to determine number of hours worked in each position may result in that time not being credited when evaluating qualifying experience. For periods of time that reflect military service, the DD-214 or Statement of Service is sufficient to meet the full and/or part-time hours requirement as the service dates will be reflected.

Minimum Qualification Requirements

To qualify for this position, you must meet the following minimum qualifications:

Basic Educational Requirement AND/OR Specialized Experience for the series to which you are applying.

Basic Educational Requirements

In addition to the specialized experience requirements for this position, you must meet at least one of the following:

• A. Degree: Biological sciences, agriculture, natural resource management, chemistry, or related disciplines appropriate to the position. You must submit transcripts.
• B. Combination of education and experience: Course work as shown in A above, plus appropriate experience or additional education.

To qualify for this position at the GS-09 grade level:

• Specialized Experience Requirement: you must possess at least one full year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-07 level in the Federal service (obtained in either the public or private sectors). Specialized experience is defined as demonstrated experience: assisting higher-level biologists with field assignments; leading a two-person field crew; compiling field information and data into databases; preparing written reports summarizing assignment results; conducting fact-checking; and ensuring that written reports accurately reflect the data and information collected. Additional experience should include a strong knowledge of fish collection techniques, particularly the operation and use of boat and backpack electrofishing equipment, as well as gillnets, fyke nets, and other fish sampling methods. Knowledge and experience with fish marking and tagging techniques are also highly beneficial, including the use of PIT tags and telemetry tags, as well as the collection of environmental DNA (eDNA). You must include hours per week worked.

• Education: Successful completion of at least 2 years of progressively higher-level graduate education leading to a master's degree or master's or equivalent graduate degree as described in the requirements above. You must include transcripts.

• Combination of education and experience. A combination of successfully completed higher level graduate education and specialized experience to meet the total qualification requirements for the grade level specified above. You must include hours per week and transcripts.

Volunteer 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.