Fish Biologist

U.S.-Fish-; Whiteriver (AZ); On-site; USD 42,000 - 60,000; Full time

Job summary

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, R2-Alchesay/Williams Creek NFH Complex in Whiteriver, Arizona, is filling a Fish Biologist GS-0482-7/9 vacancy open to status candidates.

This position requires compliance with basic education in biological sciences and experience/education criteria as outlined by the 0482 series. Applicants should review the minimum qualifications and note the preference for candidates with relevant graduate study or professional experience in fish biology, hatchery

Qualifications

• Basic Education Requirement for 0482: biological science major with aquatic subjects and animal sciences coursework (per 0482).
• GS-07: 1 year specialized experience or 18 semester hours graduate study; GS-09: 1 year specialized experience or 2 years graduate study; S.A.A. options apply.

Job description

This position is a Fish Biologist GS-0482-7/9 at the US Fish and Wildlife Service R2-Alchesay/Williams Creek NFH Complex in:

• Whiteriver, Arizona

This position is also open to status candidates under announcement CBYO-26-13059213-ST-AWF.

All qualifications must be met by the closing date of this announcement-10/01/2026-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:

1. 1. Basic Education Requirement 0482 Series: In addition to the specialized experience requirements for this position, you must meet at least one of the following:
   • A. Degree: with a major in biological science that included (1) 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 (2) 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.). Unofficial transcripts are accepted. Official transcripts will be required upon selection.
   • OR
   • B. Combination of education and experience: possess a combination of education and experience that included 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 1A above, PLUS appropriate experience or additional education. This combination of education and experience is comparable to successful completion of a full 4-year course of study as described above.) This information must be supported by your resume.
2. 2. Minimum Qualification GS-0482-07:
   • A. Experience: One year of specialized experience comparable in scope and responsibility equivalent to grade GS-05 the Federal Service. Specialized experience is defined as: 1) Assists with conducting fish culture and examinations of fish for diseases, parasites, and general fish health; 2) Collects and assists with the analysis of a wide variety of water management parameters and biological data; 3) Participates in and assists in the development of project plans and methods to conduct assessments of aquatic species; 4) Assists with the implementation of the hatchery outreach program by providing tours, maintaining the hatchery visitor center, and conducting fishing events.
   • B. Education: Successful completion of 1 full year (18 semester hours) of graduate education in biology or related disciplines appropriate to the position.
   • C. Combination: A combination of specialized experience and graduate education as described above that, when combined, equals 100% of the total requirement.
   • D. Superior Academic Achievement (S.A.A.): Successful completion of a 4-year course of study leading to a bachelor's degree in a field of study that demonstrates the competencies required by this position with either (1) a grade point average (GPA) of 3.0 based on a 4.0 scale; (2) a 3.5 GPA based on a 4.0 scale for all required courses completed in a qualifying major field of study at either the time of application or during the last two years of your undergraduate curriculum; (3) class standing of upper third of the graduating class in the college, university, or a major subdivision of the college; or, (4) membership in a National Scholastic Honor Society certified by the Association of College Honor Societies, excluding freshman honor societies.
3. 3. Minimum Qualification GS-0482-09:
   • A. Experience: One year of specialized experience comparable in scope and responsibility equivalent to grade GS-07 the Federal Service. Specialized experience is defined as: Performing work in or directly related to Fish Biology to include (1) performing standardized fish husbandry techniques and practices on cold-water fish species; (2) monitoring water quality and performing maintenance on fish hatchery equipment; (3) gathering fish production data using software for data collection and record keeping; (4) generating reports on hatchery operations. NOTE: Your resume must contain sufficient information in these areas to be found qualified.
   • B. Education: Successfully completed 2 years of progressively higher-level graduate education leading to a Master's Degree or Master's or equivalent graduate degree in a field of study that is directly related the position, and which provided the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to perform the work.
   • C. Combination: I possess a combination of education and experience as described in 1 and 2 above which together equals 100% of the requirement.

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.