Fish Biologist - Fieldwork and Environmental Compliance Coordinator

National-Oceanic-; Miami (FL); On-site; USD 70,000 - 95,000; Full time

Job summary

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) seeks a qualified applicant for a Fisheries Research role in the Southeast Fisheries Science Center, with vacancies across Miami, FL; Panama City, FL; Galveston, TX; Pascagoula, MS; or Beaufort, NC. Candidates must meet basic education requirements in biological science and have specialized experience or a combination of education and experience.

Opportunities at ZP-3/GS-11 and higher follow US government standards and require

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in biological science with at least 6 semester hours in aquatic subjects and 12 semester hours in animal sciences.
• Combination of education and experience may meet requirements if coursework and experience are satisfied.
• Graduate education beyond required for next lower grade level may be used with experience.

Education

Biological science degree

Aquatic subjects coursework

Animal sciences coursework

Graduate education leading to Ph.D.

Job description

This position is located in the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), Southeast Fisheries Science Center (SEFSC), with one vacancy in Miami, FL; Panama City, FL; Galveston, TX; Pascagoula, MS; or Beaufort, NC.

Qualification requirements in the vacancy announcements are based on the U.S. Office of Personnel Management (OPM) Qualification Standards Handbook, which contains federal qualification standards. This handbook is available on the Office of Personnel Management's website located at: https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/classification-qualifications/general-schedule-qualification-standards/

BASIC REQUIREMENTS:

This position requires applicants to meet a Basic Education Requirement in addition to at least one full year (52 weeks) of specialized experience OR combination (if applicable) in order to be found minimally qualified. You MUST meet one of the following basic education requirements:

To qualify for the 0482 series

EDUCATION:

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.)

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:

Applicants must possess one year of specialized experience equivalent in difficulty and responsibility to the next lower grade level in the Federal Service. Specialized experience is experience that has equipped the applicant with the particular competencies/knowledge, skills and abilities to successfully perform the duties of the position. This experience need not have been in the federal government.

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.

To qualify at the ZP-3 or GS-11 level:

SPECIALIZED EXPERIENCE:

In addition to meeting the Basic Requirements above, applicants must also possess one full year (52 weeks) of specialized experience equivalent to the ZP-2 or GS-09 in the Federal service. Specialized experience MUST include all of the following:

• Participating in marine research activities onboard a vessel in support of ecosystem research; and
• Evaluating fishery or ecosystem research activities for compliance with various regulations or policies.

SUBSTITUTION OF EDUCATION:

3 years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to a Ph.D. degree or Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree.

COMBINATION OF EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE:

A combination of education and professional experience. Combinations of successfully completed graduate level education and specialized experience may be used to meet total experience requirements. (Note: Only graduate level education in excess of the amount required for the next lower grade level may be combined with experience.)

To qualify at the ZP-4 or GS-13 level:

SPECIALIZED EXPERIENCE:

In addition to meeting the Basic Requirements above, applicants must also possess one full year (52 weeks) of specialized experience equivalent to the ZP-3 or GS-12 in the Federal service. Specialized experience MUST include all of the following:

• Planning and participating in marine research activities onboard a vessel in support of ecosystem research;
• Tracking and completing scientific permits or reporting requirements associated with fisheries and ecosystem research; and
• Providing technical or scientific information to stakeholders related to fisheries and ecosystem research programs.