Biologist.

U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS); Annapolis (MD); On-site; USD 65,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service in Annapolis, MD seeks a biology-focused professional to implement management plans, lead field investigations, and monitor aquatic invasive species.

The role emphasizes planning and conducting investigations, collecting and analyzing biological data, and preparing progress reports. You will present results at meetings and contribute to program improvements, working with electrofishing and other sampling methods.

Qualifications

• Specialized experience: assist higher-level biologists with field assignments; lead a two-person field crew; compile field information and data into databases; prepare written reports; conduct fact-checking; ensure reports reflect data.
• Demonstrated knowledge of fish collection techniques, particularly operation and use of boat and backpack electrofishing equipment; gillnets and fyke nets.
• Knowledge of fish marking/tagging techniques including PIT/telemetry tags and eDNA collection is beneficial.
• You must include hours per week worked when stating hours.
• Education: submit transcripts for degree substitutions; at least 2 years graduate education may qualify.

Responsibilities

• Implements objectives of management plans and coordinates with other programs to monitor aquatic invasive species.
• Leads investigations including design, collection, and analysis of biological data to evaluate invasive fish impacts.
• Plans and conducts investigations using boat and backpack electrofishing; collects and analyzes data on watershed fish species.
• Prepares progress reports and drafts recommendations to improve programs.
• Participates in presenting project results at public and scientific meetings.

Skills

Field data collection

Field crew leadership

Report preparation

Data entry into databases

Fact-checking

Education

Biological sciences degree

Tools

Boat electrofishing

Backpack electrofishing

Gillnets

Fyke nets

PIT tagging

Telemetry tagging

Environmental DNA (eDNA)

Job description

Duties

• Implements objectives of management plans and coordinates with other fishery programs to monitor and manage spread of aquatic invasive species.
• Leads in the planning and conduction of a wide variety of investigations including the design, collection, and analysis of biological data to evaluate the impact of invasive fish to native populations.
• Through the use of boat/backpack electrofishing, plans and conducts a variety of investigations including the design, collection, and analysis of biological data pertaining to fish species in the watershed.
• Prepares reports on progress and completion of activities and drafts recommendations for consideration in future programs or influences the improvements in managing the spread of aquatic invasive species.
• Participates in the presentation of project results at public and scientific meetings and conferences.

Requirements

Conditions of employment

• Must be a U.S. Citizen or National.
• Appointment subject to background investigation and favorable adjudication.
• Males born after 12-31-59 must be registered for Selective Service.
• Direct Deposit participation required.
• Successfully pass the E-Verify employment verification check. To learn more, visit
• Must have and maintain a valid driver's license throughout employment.
• You are required to obtain and maintain a Motorboat Operator Certification Course (MOCC).
• You may be required to complete training, obtain and maintain a government credit card with travel and purchase authority.

As a condition of employment for accepting this position, you will be required to serve a 2-year trial period during which your fitness and whether your continued employment advances the public interest will be evaluated.

This Trial 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 or trial period 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 trial period, your employment will be terminated unless you receive certification, in writing, that your continued employment advances the public interest

Qualifications

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.

-OR-

• B. Combination of education and experience: Course work as shown in A above, plus appropriate experience or additional education.

-AND-

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.

-OR-

• 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.

-OR-

• 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.

Education

This position has a mandatory education requirement.

You must submit a copy of your transcript(s) to support claimed education if substituting education for experience. Transcripts must include your name, school name, grades, credit hours earned, major(s), grade point average or class ranking, and date the degree was conferred, if applicable. A typed list of courses, grades, semester/quarter hours, GPA, etc. will not be accepted. Non-submission may result in being rated not qualified for the position. Unofficial transcripts are acceptable, but if you are selected for this position and you used your education to qualify, you must provide official transcripts before you begin work.

Foreign Education: To receive credit for education completed outside the United States, you must show proof that the education has been submitted to a private organization that specializes in interpretation of foreign educational credentials and such education has been deemed at least equivalent to that gained in conventional U.S. education programs. Recognition of Foreign Qualifications | U.S. Department of Education.

Additional information

Additional vacancies may be filled using this job announcement.

Term positions do not convey permanent status in the Federal service. The agency retains sole discretion and without further competition, the right to extend the duration of this appointment after selection and/or appointment, based on changes to the term appointment regulation(s). No extension to a term appointment shall be granted to a selectee/employee to an amount of time that exceeds the maximum number of years authorized under any present or current regulation, unless such regulation expressly allows such action.

Reasonable Accommodation (RA) Requests: If you believe you have a disability (i.e., physical or mental), covered by the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 as amended that would interfere with completing the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments, you will be granted the opportunity to request a RA in your online application. Requests for RA for the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments and appropriate supporting documentation for RA must be received prior to starting the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments. Decisions on requests for RA are made on a case-by-case basis. If you meet the minimum qualifications of the position, after notification of the adjudication of your request, you will receive an email invitation to complete the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments, based on your adjudication decision. You must complete all assessments within 48 hours of receiving the URL to access the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments if you received the link after the close of the announcement. To determine if you need a RA, please review the

Physical Demands/Work Environment: The work may involve a substantial amount of field work. When engaged in field activities, the work is at times strenuous, requiring exertion such as walking over wet, rough, uneven or rocky surfaces; bending, crouching, stooping, stretching, reaching, or similar activities. The work requires average agility and dexterity. Incumbent must be able to cope with the pressure of short time deadlines, responsibilities of logistics to remote areas, cultural conflicts, and adverse weather conditions. The incumbent may be required to lift objects weighing up to 50 pounds. The work may require both office and outdoor work. The office is adequately lighted, heated and ventilated. A variety of temperature and weather extremes may be encountered while in the field. The incumbent is expected to conduct duties in a safe and orderly manner so as not to endanger self, fellow workers, or property.

All Department of Interior (DOI) employees, their spouses, and minor children may not acquire or retain any claim, permit, lease, small tract entry, or other rights granted by the Department in Federal lands, with limited exceptions. Additional ethics prohibitions can be found here,

The duties of this position are suitable for telework only during an emergency or natural disaster.

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.

A career with the U.S. government provides employees with a comprehensive benefits package. As a federal employee, you and your family will have access to a range of benefits that are designed to make your federal career very rewarding.

Eligibility for benefits depends on the type of position you hold and whether your position is full-time, part-time or intermittent. Contact the hiring agency for more information on the specific benefits offered.