Summary This position is a Fish Biologist (Assistant Project Leader), GS- 0482-12 working in Mora, New Mexico for the R2-Mora National Fish Hatchery. This is a re-announcement of vacancy # R2-24-12271081-KC-SDHA. Responsibilities This position will contribute and aid in efforts working towards restoration and recovery of the threatened Gila Trout, a fish found only in the high desert and mountain watersheds of the Gila, Salt, and Verde drainages in New Mexico and Arizona. The incumbent will be stationed at the Mora National Fish Hatchery located in northeastern New Mexico. Currently, the facility holds and preserves 5 genetically distinct lineages of Gila Trout. In 2016, the Hatchery also began rearing the endangered Bonytail Chub (Gila elegans) as a refugia population for the Southwestern Native Aquatic Resources and Recovery Center. Both species are reared on station utilizing complex recirculating aquaculture systems which help to reduce water usage by approximately 95%. As a Fish Biologist (Assistant Project Leader) your duties will include but are not limited to the following: Collaborates with the Project Leader with planning, coordinating, and directing daily fish production and distribution activities of the Hatchery. Participates in establishing hatchery policy based on the interpretation of directives, regulations and requirements set forth in broad based guidance documents. Supports with preparation and accuracy of Station Action Plans, Program Planning Documents, Monthly Reports, Annual Reports, and other fiscal reports as required. Collaborates with coordinating the development of the overall station production plan for Gila trout and Bonytail. In support of and as directed by Project Leader, represents the Service on interagency and inter-regional teams/committees concerning assigned fishery resources management issues and on appropriate imperiled fishes' recovery teams. Participates with the Project Leader in designing and conducting hatchery production studies to improve fish culture operations and support aquatic species programs. Gathers, records, and analyzes data to assess the adequacy of fish culture techniques, disease prevention/control, and feeding procedures. Requirements Conditions of Employment Qualifications Only experience and education obtained by 02/05/2024 will be considered. In order to qualify for this position you must possess both the Basic Requirement and Minimum Qualification. Basic Requirement: Successfully completed a full four-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 hours (9 quarter hours) in aquatic subjects such as limnology, ichthyology, fish biology, aquatic botany, aquatic fauna, oceanography, fish culture, or related courses in the field of fish biology; and At least 12 semester hours (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 course work in aquatic subjects may be used to meet this requirement when appropriate.) OR 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. The quality of the combination of education and experience must be sufficient to demonstrate that the applicant possesses the knowledge, skills, and abilities required to perform work in the occupation, and is comparable to that normally acquired through appropriate field. In addition to courses that involve analysis, writing, critical thinking, research, etc. These courses would have provided an applicant with skills and abilities sufficient to perform progressively more responsible work in the occupation. Therefore, creditable experience should have demonstrated similarly appropriate skills or abilities needed to perform the work of the occupation. NOTE: Transcripts MUST be submitted to document your educational accomplishments. Minimum Qualification [GS-12] One year of full-time specialized experience comparable in difficulty and responsibility to the GS-11 grade level in the Federal Service performing the following duties: Experience in culturing coldwater salmonid species in large-scale and small-scale recirculating aquaculture systems (RAS's) pertaining to broodstock management, egg collection, fry, fingerling, and broodstock rearing, feeding and nutrition, disease prevention/control, and overall planning, coordinating, and directing of daily fish production and distribution activities at a fish hatchery. Preparing complete and accurate plans, reports, and documents, including but not limited to, Station Action Plans, Program Planning Documents, Standard Operating Procedures (SOP's), Monthly Reports, Annual Reports, and other fiscal reports as required. Designing and conducting hatchery production studies to improve fish culture operations and support aquatic species programs. Fostering and maintaining good working relationships with the community, State agencies, other Federal agencies, other Service offices and programs, academia, conservation organizations, Tribal governments, etc. Formulating annual and long-range operating plans that are essential to the production and distribution of economically, culturally, and environmentally significant aquatic species. Ensuring and directing the operation and maintenance of complex RAS's and effluent treatment systems at a fish hatchery. Scheduling and assisting with maintenance and repair of fish culture facilities and equipment at a fish hatchery. NOTE: Your resume must contain sufficient information in these areas to be found qualified. 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: -No PCS entitlements authorized Telework: This position is suitable for telework only in an emergency or natural disaster. 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.