Biologist jobs in Washington

Duties

The Pathways Recent Graduate Program is for recently graduated or graduating individuals who are looking for developmental experiences in the Federal Government intended to promote possible careers in the civil service. Recent Graduates will serve on this appointment for one year. During the first year the selectee will perform developmental activities designed to help them acquire the competencies of the target position in which they may be placed upon completion of the program. Participants who successfully complete the Recent College Graduates Program may be eligible for conversion to the target position on a permanent or term (more than one to four years in duration) basis without further competition. For more information on the Pathways Recent Graduate Program, please visit https://www.usajobs.gov/StudentsAndGrads.

This position is a Biologist, GS- 0401-7/9 working in Leavenworth, WA or Winthrop, WA, for the R1-Mid-Columbia Fish and Wildlife Conservation Office Hatchery Evaluation Program. The upper Columbia is a diverse watershed that originates in the high alpine of the North Central Cascade Mountains and ends in lowland shrub steppe habitat. Our office works on Chinook Salmon, Bull Trout, Pacific Lamprey, other native fishes, and mussels. We work with federal, state, tribal, local, and non-governmental organizations to assess the health of native populations, assist with aquatic habitat restoration, and to conduct hatchery production evaluation. The duty stations for these positions are in the small towns of Winthrop and Leavenworth, Washington. Hatchery evaluation utilizes monitoring, evaluation, and targeted research to assist artificial production programs in effectively meeting mitigation goals and Endangered Species Act responsibilities. This is often done by striking a balance between the benefits of artificial production against the risks to the natural environment. The three focal areas of the program include:

1. Evaluate hatchery operations and practices to optimizing program performance.

2. Research and develop methods to minimize the impacts of hatchery production and operations on natural fish populations and their environment.

3. Facilitate coordination with the various managers involved in artificial production, evaluation and management of fisheries within the Columbia River basin.

• Participates in the planning and execution of complex studies and assessments or independently plans, organizes and implements limited studies concerning biological, chemical, and physical processes that affect ecosystems. Coordinates, collects and processes field specimens for analysis according to established procedures, methods and techniques.
• Participates in partnerships/collaborative groups and meets with partners, stakeholders, and general public to communicate the mission of the USFWS, respective USFWS office priorities and conservation needs.
• Gathers, organizes, and interprets a wide variety of biological, ecological, pathological, public use data or other information pertinent to scientific studies. Analyzes and synthesizes quantitative and qualitative data using a wide variety of methods and software in ways that support project needs.

Requirements

Conditions 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
• Must meet Pathways eligibility requirements
• Must meet the eligibility requirements for the Recent Graduate Program. Recent Graduates will enter a formal training program with a mentor and execute an Individual Development Plan outlining training requirements and program expectations.
• Recent Graduates must receive at least 40 hours of formal training directly linked to their employment field.
• Recent Graduates serve a trial period for the duration of their excepted service appointment.
• Recent Graduates will be required to sign a Pathways Recent Graduate Participant Agreement.
• Applicants must provide documentation of completion within the previous 2 years of a qualifying associates, bachelors, masters, professional, doctorate, degree or certificate from a qualifying educational institution.
• Males born after 12-31-59 must be registered for Selective Service
• Driver’s License: Selectees MAY be required to possess and maintain a valid State driver's license at all times during their tenure.

How You Will Be Evaluated

• Benefits

  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. Opens in a new windowLearn more about federal benefits.

  Review our benefits

  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.

• Required Documents

  As a new or existing federal employee, you and your family may have access to a range of benefits. Your benefits depend on the type of position you have - whether you're a permanent, part-time, temporary or an intermittent employee. You may be eligible for the following benefits, however, check with your agency to make sure you're eligible under their policies.

  To apply for this position, you must submit a complete Application Package which includes:

  • Resume: You are highly encouraged to use USAJOBS Resume Builder to ensure all required information is included in your Resume. If you use your own resume, curriculum vitae, or any other written form you choose then you must describe your job-related qualifications that includes beginning and ending dates for paid and non-paid work experience, hours worked per week, month and year of employment for each job title listed, and description of job duties. Include name and address of employer, supervisor name and telephone number. Additional information on what to include can be found here. Your experience needs to address every required qualification. Note: Failure to provide ALL required information on your resume will result in loss of consideration due to an incomplete application package.

  • Other supporting documents:

  • Cover Letter, optional
  • You MUST submit official or unofficial College Transcript(s). Education must be accredited by an accrediting institution recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. A copy of your official transcripts will be required if you are selected. 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 programs and such education has been deemed equivalent to that gained in an accredited U.S. education program; or full credit has been given for the courses at a U.S. accredited college or university. For further information, visit: http://www.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ous/international/usnei/us/edlite-visitus-forrecog.html
  • Veterans' Preference documentation, if applicable (e.g., DD-214 Member Copy 4 showing type of discharge/character of service, SF-15 Form and related documentation, VA letter, etc.)
  • If applicable, documentation/proof that you are eligible Career Transition Assistance Program/Interagency Career Transition Assistance Program documentation, if applicable (e.g., Certification of Expected Separation, Reduction-In-Force Separation Notice, or Notice of Proposed Removal; SF-50 that documents the RIF separation action; and most recent performance appraisal.)

  If you are relying on your education to meet qualification requirements:

  Education must be accredited by an accrediting institution recognized by the U.S. Department of Education in order for it to be credited towards qualifications. Therefore, provide only the attendance and/or degrees from schools accredited by accrediting institutions recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.

  Failure to provide all of the required information as stated in this vacancy announcement may result in an ineligible rating or may affect the overall rating.

• How to Apply

  • Review the Appointment Eligibility Criteria: The eligibility section of the application process is designed to allow you to choose how you wish to be considered for this vacancy announcement. You will ONLY be considered for the appointment eligibilities that you selected. You must provide proof of your eligibility as required by appointment eligibility to be considered.

  • Resume or Application. At a minimum, your resume MUST contain job title (include job series and grade, if federal), duties, starting and ending dates (month/day/year), hours worked per week, and salary. USAJOBS has a template to ensure a complete resume.

  • You must also complete the online application and assessment questionnaire and submit the documentation specified in the Required Documents section below.

  DEADLINE DATE: A complete application package must be received by 11:59 PM (EST) on 06/25/2024 to receive consideration.?

  • To begin, click Apply to access the online application. You will need to be logged into your USAJOBS account to apply. If you do not have a USAJOBS account, you will need to create one before beginning the application.
  • Follow the prompts to select your resume and/or other supporting documents to be included with your application package. You will have the opportunity to upload additional documents to include in your application before it is received. Your uploaded documents may take several hours to clear the virus scan process.
  • After acknowledging you have reviewed your application package, complete the Include Personal Information section as you deem appropriate and click to continue with the application process.
  • You will be taken to the online application which you must complete in order to apply for the position. Complete the online application, verify the required documentation is included with your application package, and submit the application.
  • You will be considered for all eligibilities for which you select "yes" and submit the required documents and supporting documentation (e.g. DD 214, Schedule A letter, etc.). The supporting documentation you submit will be used to determine your eligibility. Please review the list of documentation provided in the eligibilities language to ensure you provide the appropriate information.
  • Please note, your eligibility will be based solely on the selections you have indicated "yes" in this section. You must provide the supporting documentation to support your claim to be considered. You may choose more than one eligibilities in this section.
  • To view the assessment questionnaire, click here: https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/12435309

  To verify the status of your application, log into your USAJOBS account (https://my.usajobs.gov/Account/Login), all of your applications will appear on the Welcome screen. The Application Status will appear along with the date your application was last updated. For information on what each Application Status means, visit: https://www.usajobs.gov/Help/how-to/application/status/.
  
  If you are unable to apply online, you must request an alternative application which is available from the Human Resources Office. Please contact the Human Resources Office via email at fwshiring@fws.gov.
  
  

  Agency contact information

  Human Resources Staffing Division

  Email

  fwshiring@fws.gov
  

  Next steps

  Once you submit all the required documents and the online application in USAJOBS, you will receive an acknowledgement email that your submission was successful. After the evaluation process is complete, you will be notified of your status and/or referral to the hiring official. If further evaluation or interviews are required, you will be contacted.
  
  You will be notified if this job is filled or canceled. Timelines for this process vary widely.
  
  You may check the status of your application at any time by logging in to your USAJobs Account.

• Fair and Transparent

  The Federal hiring process is set up to be fair and transparent. Please read the following guidance.

  • Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) Policy
  • Criminal history inquiries
  • Reasonable accommodation policy
  • Financial suitability
  • Selective Service
  • New employee probationary period
  • Signature and false statements
  • Privacy Act
  • Social security number request

Required Documents

Clarification from the agency

U.S. Citizen or National and Recent graduates from a qualifying educational institution having completed an academic program within the preceding two years. Note: Veterans who were precluded by their military service obligation from meeting this requirement will have up to six years to apply.