Fishery Biologists

The USGS employs fishery biologists at many locations throughout the United States. These biologists are engaged in conducting studies and experiments related to fish populations, evaluating the impact of construction projects and other socio-economic activities that present potential or adverse effects on fishery resources. They conduct census studies to identify the types and numbers of species in particular areas in aquatic habitats, and they study the life history, habitats, classification, and economic relations of aquatic organisms. They also manage fish resources, determining rearing and stocking methods best adapted for maximum success in hatchery operations.

Qualifications for Fishery Biologists

Basic qualifications for the fishery biologist series, GS-482, are for nonresearch positions, a degree in the biological sciences with: 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.) Candidates may also meet the basic requirements at all grade levels with a combination of experience and course work as described previously.

For research positions, a degree with a major in biology, zoology, or biological oceanography that includes at least 30 semester hours in biological and aquatic science and 15 semester hours in the physical and mathematical sciences. This course work must include: at least 15 semester hours of preparatory training in zoology beyond introductory biology or zoology in such courses as invertebrate zoology, comparative anatomy, histology, physiology, embryology, advanced vertebrate zoology, genetics, entomology and parasitology; and at least 6 semester hours of training applicable to fishery biology in such subjects as fishery biology, ichthyology, limnology, oceanography, algology, planktonology, marine or fresh water ecology, invertebrate ecology, principles of fishery population dynamics, or related course work in the field of fishery biology; and at least 15 semester hours of training in any combination of two or more of the following: chemistry, physics, mathematics, or statistics. Candidates who meet basic requirements will also quality at GS-7 if they meet the criteria for Superior Academic Achievement*. Otherwise, applicants for positions at GS-7 and above must have additional professional experience or directly related graduate education.

The USGS is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate based on race, color, national origin, gender, religion, age, non-disqualifying handicap conditions, or any other non-merit factors.

*Superior Academic Achievement requires: membership in a national scholastic honorary society above the freshman level; or standing in the upper third of the class; or an overall GPA of 3.0 or higher; or a GPA of 3.5 or higher for all the work in the major as computed on 4 years of education or during the final 2 years of the curriculum.