Fish Biologist.

U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS); New Franken (WI); On-site; USD 65,000 - 85,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Telework option

Relocation assistance

Job summary

U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is recruiting a Fish Biologist to support tagging, data collection, and analysis for salmon and trout stocking programs in the Great Lakes region.

The role includes leading tagging operations, developing SOPs, managing databases, and preparing technical reports to guide fishery management actions. Collaboration with Federal, State, Tribal, and civic partners is integral to the position.

Qualifications

• Experience leading field surveys and operating fisheries equipment is required.
• Ability to compose technical reports, briefings, and training materials.
• Experience analyzing or managing biological data and presenting findings.

Responsibilities

• Lead tagging operations and ensure hatchery readiness and safety.
• Develop SOPs for marking projects and data collection; train seasonal staff.
• Manage tagging project databases and prepare reports and papers.
• Coordinate field and lab data and specimens; advise on efficiency improvements.
• Foster partnerships with Federal, State, Tribal, and conservation entities.

Skills

Field surveys

Data analysis

Technical reporting

Partnership coordination

Laboratory work

Education

Bachelor's degree in fishery biology or related

Job description

Duties

This position will support fish tagging, data collection, and data analysis efforts to measure the movement, growth, post-release survival, wild recruitment, and the general efficacy of salmon and trout stocking programs in the Great Lakes.

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

• Leads operational missions to mark and tag fish at Federal and State fish hatcheries. Responsible for using, disinfecting, and maintaining fish tagging systems and equipment and handling live fish. Develops and coordinates schedules with partners, ensure hatchery readiness to engage in tagging operations, and ensure tagging projects are completed safely and on time with adequate measures of tag and mark quality.


• Helps to develop and implement standard operating procedures that efficiently and uniformly achieve marking project objectives, biodata and specimen collection from fisheries field surveys, tag extraction and reading, and quality assurance. Trains and directs seasonal technicians in fin clipping during tagging operations and in data collection and laboratory activities.


• Manages biological databases for tagging projects, fisheries field surveys, and coded-wire tag data. Prepares, analyzes, synthesizes, and disseminates quantitative and qualitative data using a wide variety of methods and software. Prepares technical reports, presentations, and scientific papers on analytical findings and recommendations to address fishery management needs.


• Designs and conducts investigations, assessments, or inspections involving biological and fisheries processes. Coordinates and collects field and laboratory data and specimens according to established procedures and methods. Recommends strategies and plans to improve operational efficiency and efficacy.


• Develops and cultivates relationships and partnerships with other Federal, State, Tribal and civic entities and conservation agencies to coordinate fish production activities, disseminate scientific and resource information, and enhance conservation efforts to meet Service objectives.

Requirements

Conditions of employment

• Must provide proof of U.S. citizenship.


• 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


• You may be required to work on-call, evenings, weekends, holidays, overtime and shift work.


• Must possess and maintain a valid driver's license throughout employment.


• You are required to wear a uniform and comply with uniform standards. A uniform allowance will be provided.

As a condition of employment for accepting this position, you may be required to serve a 1 year probationary period to evaluate your fitness and whether your continuation of employment advances the public interest.

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

Qualifications

All qualifications must be met by the closing date of this announcement - 08/27/2026-unless otherwise stated in this vacancy announcement. Competitive candidates must also meet Time-in-Grade requirements as defined in 5 CFR 300, Subpart F.

For current Federal employees, if hours worked per week are not included on your resume, you must submit a non-award SF-50 as part of your application to be used to validate your work schedule and determine the amount of specialized experience that you will be granted. An award SF-50 will not be acceptable documentation for which to consider your amount of qualifying experience. For periods of time that reflect military service, the DD-214 or Statement of Service is sufficient to meet the work schedule requirement as the service dates will be reflected. For all other applicants who are not current federal employees, 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.

Minimum Qualification Requirements

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

Basic Educational Requirement AND 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:

• Degree: Possess a bachelor's degree or higher with 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 course work in aquatic subjects may be used to meet this requirement when appropriate). You must submit transcripts.


• OR-


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

Specialized Experience Requirement

To qualify for this position at the GS-11 grade level:

• Experience: To qualify, you must possess at least one full year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-09 level in the Federal service (obtained in either the public or private sectors). Specialized experience is defined as demonstrated experience: 1) leading field surveys and operating fisheries equipment; 2) composing technical reports, briefings, presentations, or training materials; 3) analyzing or managing biological data; and/or 4) working with partners, stakeholders or the general public. NOTE: Your resume must contain the sufficient information in these areas to be found qualified. You must include hours per week worked. -OR-


• Education: Successful completion of at least 3 years of graduate education leading to a Ph.D. degree or Ph.D or equivalent doctoral degree in Fishery biology, ecology, or a directly related field appropriate to this position. You must include transcripts. -OR-


• Combination of education and experience as listed above. The total must equal at least 100 percent to qualify. 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.

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. For more information on how foreign education is evaluated, visit:

Additional information

Additional vacancies may be filled using this job announcement.

Telework

This position is suitable for telework and may be allowed to situationally telework with supervisory approval.

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


• In addition, relocation discretionary entitlements May be authorized for this position excluding contractor-provided home sale.

All 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,

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.