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Duties
The Division of Fisheries and Aquatic Resource Conservation (Fisheries Program) develops policies and guidance to conserve and manage aquatic species and their habitats. This program provides assistance to Service Regions and Field Offices to facilitate program implementation; initiates and develops programs, plans, and studies that benefit Federal trust fish and wildlife species; and responds to new legislation, new administration proposals or Departmental initiatives. Additionally, the program works with partners to restore and maintain fish and other aquatic resources at self-sustaining levels and support Federal mitigation programs for the benefit of the American public.
The Branch of Aquatic Animal Drug Approval Partnership (AADAP) reports to the Assistant Director - Fisheries and Habitat Conservation through the Chief, Division of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources Conservation. AADAP is responsible for coordinating all Service activities concerning approval and use of therapeutic drugs on aquatic species, and for ensuring that the sponsorship responsibilities of the Service relative to Investigational New Animal Drug (INAD) exemptions are fulfilled in compliance with current regulations of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). All activities of the AADAP Branch are focused on providing public and private aquaculture in the U.S. legal access to drugs and therapeutants needed to meet fisheries management objectives, including ultimately, obtaining New Animal Drug Approvals (NADAs) for these compounds.
As a Fish Biologist, the key duties of the position are as follows, but are not limited to:

• Performs fish cultural duties related to all phases of the AADAP's research program in accordance with FDA-accepted Study Protocols.
• Sample-counting fish, transferring fish, feeding fish, cleaning tanks, and maintaining established water flows, temperatures, dissolved oxygen levels, performing routine fish health evaluations.
• Uses dissecting and compound microscopes, balances, tissue processor, water quality tests, and other laboratory equipment.
• Designs, sets-up, and conducts pivotal studies evaluating the efficacy and/or target animal safety of various drugs and therapeutants.
• Collects research study data related to all phases of the Aquatic Animal Drug Approval Partnership (AADAP)'s research program and archives all original source data.
• Conducts statistical analysis of data using commercially available software.
• Develops FDA-accepted Study Protocols that thoroughly describe all facets of proposed research investigations.

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RequirementsConditions of Employment

• Must be a U.S. Citizen or National.
• Resume (See "Required Documents"). Failure to provide ALL required information on your resume will result in loss of consideration due to an incomplete application package. It is your responsibility to ensure all information is provided on resume.
• Eligibility and Supporting documents - You will ONLY be considered for the eligibilities that you select "yes" to AND submit the required supporting documentation, as listed in the Required Documents section.
• Suitability for employment, as determined by background investigation.
• Driver’s License: Selectees may be required to possess and maintain a valid State driver's license at all times during their tenure.
• Probationary Period: Selectees may be required to successfully complete a probationary period.
• Individuals assigned male at birth after 12-31-59 must be registered for the Selective Service. To verify registration visit SSS.gov.

QualificationsOnly experience and education obtained by 08/06/2024 will be considered.
In order to qualify for this position you must possess both the Basic Requirement and Minimum Qualification.Basic Requirement

• A full 4-year course of study in an accredited college or university leading to a bachelor's or higher degree in biological sciences that included: at least 6 semester (9 quarter) 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 (18 quarter) 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 courses in aquatic subject may be used to meet this requirement when appropriate). OR
• A combination of education and experience in courses equivalent to a major in biological science (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 paragraph A, above, plus appropriate experience or additional education equivalent to a course of study with a major in the appropriate field as described in A above.

Minimum Qualification [GS-11]:

• One year of professional experience equivalent to the GS-9 level in the Federal service. Examples of qualifying specialized experience include: perform routine fish health evaluations; prepares and presents study results at various meetings and workshops; develop, maintain, and implement laboratory practices and procedures; conducts statistical analysis of data using commercially available software; and prepares documents and disseminate information to both professional and general audiences. NOTE: Your resume must contain sufficient information in these areas to be found qualified. OR
• Three years of progressively higher-level graduate level education leading to a Ph.D. or equivalent degree in a major study related to fisheries/aquatics. You must provide a copy of your college transcripts to support educational claims.OR
• A combination of education and experience as described in 1 and 2 above which together equals 100% of the requirement.

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
PROOF OF EDUCATION: All applicants who are using education or a combination of education and experience to qualify must submit copies of official or unofficial transcripts which include grades, credit hours earned, major(s), grade point average or class ranking, institution name, and student name. If any required coursework is not easily recognizable on transcripts, or if you believe a portion of a particular course can be credited toward meeting an educational requirement, you must also provide a memorandum on letterhead from the institution's registrar, dean, or other appropriate official stating the percentage of the course that should be considered to meet the requirement and the equivalent number of units. Unofficial transcripts are acceptable; however, if you are selected for the position, you will be required to produce the original official transcripts.
PASS/FAIL COURSES: If more than 10 percent of your undergraduate course work (credit hours) were taken on a pass/fail basis, your claim of superior academic achievement must be based upon class standing or membership in an honor society.
GRADUATE EDUCATION: One academic year of graduate education is considered to be the number of credits hours your graduate school has determined to represent one academic year of full-time study. Such study may have been performed on a full-time or part-time basis. If you cannot obtain your graduate school's definition of one year of graduate study, 18 semester hours (or 27 quarter hours) should be considered as satisfying the requirement for one year of full-time graduate study.
FOREIGN EDUCATION: If you are using education completed in foreign colleges or universities to meet the qualification requirements, you must show the education credentials have been evaluated by a private organization that specializes in interpretation of foreign education. For further information, visit: Recognition of Foreign Qualifications | International Affairs Office (ed.gov)
Additional information
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.

TeleworkThis position is suitable for telework and may be allowed to telework with supervisory approval.
Additional Vacancies: One or more positions may be filled from applications received under this announcement in the advertised office or other U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service offices in the local commuting area.
Career Transition Assistance Plan (CTAP) or Interagency Career Transition Assistance Plan (ICTAP):Department of Interior (DOI) Career Transition Assistance Plan (CTAP) procedures apply in filling this vacancy. CTAP or ICTAP applicants must be determined to be well-qualified for this position in order to receive special selection priority. To be well-qualified, a CTAP or ICTAP applicant must meet the following: OPM qualification requirements for the position, all selective factors, where applicable; special OPM approved qualifying conditions for the position; is physically qualified with reasonable accommodation, where appropriate, to satisfactorily perform the duties of the position upon entry; and receives a rating of at least 85 on the questionnaire. For more information visit: OPM's Employee Guide to Career Transition
Reasonable Accommodation: The USFWS provides reasonable accommodations to applicants with disabilities. Please visit USAJOBS Help Center | Reasonable accommodation policy if you need a reasonable accommodation for any part of the application and hiring process.
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How You Will Be Evaluated
You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.
All applicants who submit a complete and legible application by the closing date of this vacancy announcement will have their qualifications reviewed to determine if they possess the following knowledge, skills and abilities required to successfully perform the work of this position.

• Knowledge of the design, set-up, and conduct of biological research investigations evaluating the efficacy and/or target animal safety of various drugs and therapeutants.
• Skill in written communication including technical writing used to prepare study protocols, final study reports, and other technical papers.
• Knowledge of fishery and hatchery management, including intensive fish culture practices, techniques, and technology used to perform fish cultural duties related to all phases of the AADAP's research.
• Knowledge of fish biology, including experience in fish health evaluation and diagnostics.
• Knowledge of U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) regulatory requirements for the approval of new drugs for aquatic species.

Applicants eligible for priority consideration under DOI's Career Transition Assistance Program/Plan, employees eligible under the Interagency Career Transition Plan (ICTAP). Eligible candidates on the Reemployment Placement List (RPL). A qualified and eligible permanent DOI employee may be selected before an ICTAP eligible.