Fish Biologist

Bureau of Reclamation; Sacramento (CA); On-site; USD 85,000 - 125,000; Full time

Job summary

The Bureau of Reclamation seeks a Fish Biologist to support biological assessments, migrating fish populations, and water quality studies. Qualifications emphasize a Biological Science degree with aquatic coursework and specialized experience for GS-11/12 levels, plus collaboration with agencies.

Applicants must meet the basic educational requirements and provide experience or education per the outlined criteria; closing date is 09/29/2026.

Qualifications

• Degree: Major in Biological Science that included at least 6 semester hours in aquatic subjects (limnology, ichthyology, fishery biology, etc.) and at least 12 semester hours in animal sciences (zoology, physiology, ecology, etc.).
• Combination of education and experience: at least 30 semester hours including aquatic and animal sciences with relevant experience or additional education.

Education

Biological Science degree with aquatic subjects

Job description

You will serve as a Fish Biologist for the Bureau of Reclamation.

Qualifications:

All qualifications must be met by the closing date of this announcement-09/29/2026-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 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: Major in Biological Science that included 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).
• -OR- B. Combination of education and experience: courses equivalent to a major in 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 shown in A above, plus appropriate experience or additional education.

Specialized Experience for GS-11 grade level:

To qualify for this position at the GS-11 grade level: Specialized Experience Requirement: you must possess at least one full year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-9 level in the Federal service (obtained in either the public or private sectors). Specialized experience is defined as demonstrated experience: developing and conducting biological assessments and studies of migrating fish populations, aquatic organisms and water quality assessments with emphasis on anadromous fish; familiarity with computerized ecological models of fisheries data and fish population responses to water flow, water operations and water quality parameters. These examples are not all-inclusive. -OR- Education: Successful completion of at least 3 years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to a Ph.D. degree or Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree. -OR- Combination of education and experience as listed above.

Specialized Experience for GS-12 grade level:

To qualify for this position at the GS-12 grade level: Specialized Experience Requirement: you must possess at least one full year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-11 level in the Federal service (obtained in either the public or private sectors). Specialized experience is defined as demonstrated experience: performing professional Fishery Biology work in support of complex and difficult restoration programs/projects involving conserving, enhancing and protecting fish, wildlife, and plants and their habitants; maintaining contact and collaborative working relationships with state, federal, local agencies, and Water Districts in implementing natural resources projects. These examples are not all-inclusive.

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.