Fishery Biologist, GS-0482
Definitions:
UNDERGRADUATE EDUCATION: A year of undergraduate education is 30 semester hours, 45 quarter hours or the equivalent of college study. This education must have been obtained in an accredited college or university for which high school graduation or the equivalent was a prerequisite.
GRADUATE EDUCATION: In the absence of specific graduate program information, a year of graduate education is 18 semester hours, 27 quarter hours or the equivalent of graduate level college course work, or the number of credit hours the school attended has determined to represent 1 year of full time study. This education must have been obtained in an accredited college or university.
For GS-05:
BASIC EDUCATION REQUIREMENT: Applicants must meet A or B below to satisfy the basic requirement for Fishery Biologist, all grade levels. A. Degree: major in biological science that included: at least 6 semester hours or the equivalent 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 or the equivalent 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
B. Combination of education and experience-courses equivalent to a major in biological science (i.e. at least 30 semester hours or the equivalent), of which a minimum of 6 semester hours or the equivalent were in aquatic subjects and 12 semester hours or the equivalent were in the animal sciences, as shown in "A" above, plus appropriate experience and/or additional education for a total of 4 years. The education or combined education and experience must be comparable in type, scope, and thoroughness to that acquired through successful completion of a 4-year course of study as described in "A" above. (CLICK HERE FOR DETAILS ON HOW TO COMBINE EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE)
For GS-07:
In addition to the basic education requirement as stated above, applicants must meet one of the following to qualify for the GS-07 level: **One year of successfully completed graduate level education (18 semester hours, 27 quarter hours or the equivalent) in fishery biology or other directly related field of study if it provided the knowledge, skills and abilities necessary to do the work of the position to be filled. **OR Super Academic Achievement based on undergraduate study. (CLICK HERE FOR MORE INFORMATION ON SUPERIOR ACADEMIC ACHIEVEMENT).
**OR one year of appropriate professional experience that is in fishery biology or other related discipline that equipped the applicant with the knowledge, skills, and abilities to perform successfully the duties of this position and that is equivalent to at least the GS-5 level in the Federal service. Examples of such experience could include assisting higher graded Biologists in the application of standard protocols and approaches to collect fish, algal, and habitat samples; compiling and summarizing basic data; and accomplishing routine analysis. At this level the work is closely controlled and the supervisor or higher graded specialist assigns the work with clear, specific, and detailed instructions as to the methods, procedures, and guidelines to use.
**OR a combination of successfully completed progressive graduate level education, as described above, and professional experience, as described above. (CLICK HERE FOR DETAILS ON HOW TO COMBINE GRADUATE EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE).
For GS-09:
In addition to the basic education requirement as stated above, applicants must meet the following to qualify for the GS-09 level:
**Two years of progressively higher level graduate education (36 semester hours, 54 quarter hours or the equivalent) or a master's or equivalent graduate degree in fishery biology or other directly related field of study if it provided the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to do the work of the position to be filled.
**OR one year of appropriate professional experience in fishery biology that is equivalent to at least the GS-07 level in the Federal service. Examples of such experience could include assisting in the design and implementation of fishery surveys and standard fishery field procedures, technical evaluation of habitat, logistical planning of field studies, quality control of data collection, data management and analysis, and report preparation. At this level the work involves following established methods and procedures, or detailed instructions; using some judgment in applying basic principles and procedures; solving minor problems and making routine decisions.
**OR a combination of successfully completed progressive graduate level education, as described above, that is beyond the first year of graduate study and professional experience, as described above. (CLICK HERE FOR DETAILS ON HOW TO COMBINE GRADUATE EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE)
For GS-11:
In addition to the basic education requirement as stated above, applicants must meet one of the following to qualify for the GS-11 level: **Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree in fishery biology or other directly related field of study or 3 years of progressively higher level graduate education (54 semester hours, 81 quarter hours or the equivalent) leading to a Ph.D. degree in fishery biology or other directly related field of study if it provided the knowledge, skill and abilities necessary to do the work of the position to be filled.
**OR one year of appropriate professional experience in fishery biology that is equivalent to at least the GS-09 level in the Federal service.
Examples of GS-9 level work may include: 1) Participating in the planning and execution of fishery biological studies with limited number of variables; 2) performing established, standardized tests and analyses on a broad range of biological samples; 3) conducting fishery biological studies using established fact finding procedures. For examples 1-3, assignments were made with the objectives, priorities, and deadlines defined. The work was planned and carried out independently in accordance with proven techniques, methods, and practices. Controversial use of approaches or modifications of standard procedures were typically discussed with a designated person before being carried out.
**OR a combination of successfully completed graduate level education as described above that is beyond the second year of progressive graduate study and professional experience, as described above. (CLICK HERE FOR DETAILS ON HOW TO COMBINE GRADUATE EDUCATION & EXPERIENCE)
For GS-12:
In addition to the basic education requirement as stated above, applicants must have one year of appropriate professional experience in fishery biology that is equivalent to at least the GS-11 level in the Federal service.
Examples of GS-11 level work may include: 1) Independently planning and conducting comprehensive fishery biological studies and investigations; 2) modifying and adapting standard biological techniques, processes, and procedures; 3) serving as a technical resource on fishery biological issues. For examples 1-3, the assignments were planned and carried out independently, resolving most of the conflicts that arose, coordinating the work with others as necessary, relating new work situations to precedent ones, extending or modifying existing techniques, and interpreting and applying program policy in terms of established objectives.
For GS-13:
In addition to the basic education requirement as stated above, applicants must have one year of appropriate professional experience in fishery biology that is equivalent to at least the GS-12 level in the Federal service.
Examples of GS-12 level work may include: 1) Planning and coordinating fishery biology projects of considerable depth and/or breadth; 2) analyzing and interpreting fishery related project data with novel and obscure problems; 3) developing new or significantly modified biological techniques, methods, or criteria; 4) providing advisory, planning, or reviewing services as a technical specialist on a fisheries biological issue. For examples 1-4, the work provided wide latitude for the exercise of independent judgment to perform scientific work of marked difficulty and responsibility.
For GS-14:
In addition to the basic education requirement as stated above, applicants must have one year of appropriate professional experience in fishery biology that is equivalent to at least the GS-13 level in the Federal service.
Examples of GS-13 level work may include: 1) Providing technical leadership, staff level coordination or consultation for a major fishery program; resolving problems that are resistant to established practices; 2) Serving as an expert agency consultant with international, national, and State officials; 3) Conducting field investigations based on newly identified fishery program areas; planning/executing assignments, selecting appropriate techniques, determining project scope/approach.
For GS-15:
In addition to the basic education requirement as stated above, applicants must have one year of appropriate professional experience in fishery biology that is equivalent to at least the GS-14 level in the Federal service.
Examples of GS-14 level work may include: 1) Developing and coordinating major fishery biology research projects that may impact regional scientific objectives; 2) developing or directly influencing the scientific, administrative and technical policies, standards, procedures, and instructions necessary for the effective direction and operation of a fishery program; 3) resolving critical problems resulting from the unprecedented complexities of a scientific fishery study; 4) serving as the principal contact with other Federal agencies, state and local government organizations, and other groups that may affect the success of a major scientific program. The work involved advising or counseling other recognized senior technical experts.