Supervisory Fish Biologist.

U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS); Wilmington (IL); On-site; USD 75,000 - 110,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Uniform allowance

Job summary

U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Wilmington, IL, seeks a biological scientist to conduct surveys on complex aquatic systems and evaluate stocking programs. You will lead staff to implement fishery projects and ensure data validity for decision making.

The role requires a biology degree with aquatic coursework and demonstrated experience in surveys, analysis, and collaboration with partners. Government benefits apply and uniform allowances are provided.

Qualifications

• Degree in biological science with aquatic coursework; transcripts required.
• Specialized experience in biological surveys and fishery management.
• Ability to lead staff and coordinate work plans.

Responsibilities

• Conducts biological surveys on complex aquatic systems to assess fish populations and harvest opportunities.
• Evaluates Federal stocking programs and provides recommendations affecting hatchery fish usage.
• Assesses results of fish management activities using sampling methods and statistics.
• Oversees biologists and technicians to ensure professional work.

Skills

Biological surveys

Statistical analysis

Leadership

Education

Biological science degree with aquatic coursework

Job description

Duties

Some of the major duties you will perform include but are not limited to the following:

• Conducts biological surveys on complex systems (e.g. Great Lakes and the Mississippi River) for the preservation, rehabilitation and enhancement of fish populations and associated sport and commercial harvest opportunities, and to determine status and trends of native or invasive aquatic species.
• Evaluates Federal stocking programs using standard methods and makes recommendations which affect the production, distribution and use of Federal hatchery fish.
• Evaluates results of fish management activities using standard and novel fish sampling methods and statistical analysis. Works with the Project Leader and partners to identify priority projects, determine objectives, and develop procedures for conducting studies.
• Ensures studies meet identified needs, that data will be statistically representative, and that results reported will be valid and reliable for decision-making.
• Oversees the work of biologists and biological science technicians to carry out the work in a professional manner.

Requirements

• 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
• 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 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.

This is a supervisory position that may require completion of a supervisory probationary period.

Qualifications

All qualifications must be met by the closing date of this announcement - 09/01/2026-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

• Degree: A 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.) You must submit transcripts.

-OR-

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

To qualify for this position at the GS-12 grade level

Experience: To qualify, 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: 1) Conducting biological surveys for the management, preservation, rehabilitation, and/or enhancement of fish populations; 2) Evaluating results of fish and other aquatic species management activities using standard and novel fish sampling method and statistical analysis; 3) Preparing reports of scientific findings and delivering presentations at professional meetings, conferences, and symposia; 4) Leading biological and technical staff to complete work plan objectives and tasks; 5) Collaborating with others to solve biological problems encountered in fishery management; and 6) Preparing annual work plans, budget submissions, and annual reporting. You must include hours per week worked.

-OR-

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

Additional information

Additional vacancies may be filled using this job announcement.

If otherwise eligible and qualified, you may be offered a recruitment or relocation incentive. The decision to offer an incentive will be made on a case-by-case basis and is neither promised nor guaranteed. For information visit:

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.