Fish Biologist - Surveyor

Fish Biologist - Surveyor

Department: Department of Commerce

Location(s): Anchorage, Alaska, Juneau, Alaska, Kodiak, Alaska, Woods Hole, Massachusetts, Newport, Oregon, Narragansett, Rhode Island, Seattle, Washington

Salary Range: $74678 - $185193 Per Year

Job Summary: This position is located in the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), with 4 vacancies located in Seattle, WA; Newport, OR; Juneau, AK; Kodiak, AK; Anchorage, AK; Woods Hole, MA; or Narragansett, RI.

Major Duties:

• As a Fish Biologist - Surveyor, you will perform the following duties: Oversee, lead, or participate in the planning, coordination, logistics, and execution of fishery-independent, ecosystem monitoring, or specialized biological surveys aboard National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) research vessels, chartered vessels, or in the field. Collect, process, and analyze research data, including identifying and sampling marine species (fishes, invertebrates, protected species), collecting life history and environmental samples, and performing at-sea data entry and rigorous quality assurance/quality control checks. Serve in key operational roles during research deployments, such as Field Party Chief, Chief Scientist, Watch Leader, or Deck Lead, and coordinate all aspects of the research cruise or field operation, often requiring extensive time at sea or away at field sites. Produce, manage, and disseminate scientific data products and analyses (including statistical and spatial modeling) that provide critical information on the abundance, distribution, and ecology of marine resources to inform stock assessments and ecosystem-based fisheries management NOTE: These duties are described at the full performance level of the ZP-4; the ZP-3 is developmental leading to such performance. For more information about these positions, please visit the NOAA Fisheries is Hiring Webpage: https://www.fisheries.noaa.gov/careers-more/noaa-fisheries-hiring This position will be filled under the DOC Alternative Personnel System (CAPS). Under CAPS, positions are classified by career, pay plan, and pay band. The ZP-3 is equivalent to the GS-11/12. The ZP-4 is equivalent to the GS-13/14. * Positions in Seattle, WA, Juneau, AK, Kodiak, AK, Anchorage, AK and Newport, OR may be covered under bargaining unit 2274; * Positions in Woods Hole, MA and Narragansett, RI are not in the bargaining unit. Throughout the recruitment and hiring process we will be communicating with you via email; therefore, it is imperative that the email address you provide when applying for this vacancy remains active. Should your email address change, please notify the point of contact identified in the vacancy announcement as soon as possible so that we can update our system. CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT: The incumbent must be able to obtain and maintain a valid state driver's license to operate a government vehicle in completion of assigned tasks.

Qualifications: Qualification requirements in the vacancy announcements are based on the U.S. Office of Personnel Management (OPM) Qualification Standards Handbook, which contains federal qualification standards. This handbook is available on the Office of Personnel Management's website located at: https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/classification-qualifications/general-schedule-qualification-policies/ BASIC REQUIREMENTS: This position requires applicants to meet a Basic Education Requirement in addition to at least one full year (52 weeks) of specialized experience OR combination (if applicable) in order to be found minimally qualified. You MUST meet one of the following basic education requirements: To qualify for the 0482 series: EDUCATION: A. Degree: major in biological science that included: 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.) OR B. 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. -AND- SPECIALIZED EXPERIENCE: Applicants must possess one year of specialized experience equivalent in difficulty and responsibility to the next lower grade level in the Federal Service. Specialized experience is experience that has equipped the applicant with the particular competencies/knowledge, skills and abilities to successfully perform the duties of the position. This experience need not have been in the federal government. 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. To qualify at the ZP-3 or GS-11 level: SPECIALIZED EXPERIENCE: In addition to meeting the Basic Requirements above, applicants must also possess one full year (52 weeks) of specialized experience equivalent to the ZP-2 or GS-09 in the Federal service. Specialized experience MUST include all of the following: Assisting in the collection, processing, or analysis of fisheries data at-sea, collected via direct sampling (i.e. net) or optical (i.e. camera) techniques; Applying statistical modeling, analytical tools and methods, and software programs (e.g. R) to analyze fisheries survey or research data collected via trawl, hook and line, or optical (i.e. camera) techniques; and Conducting field surveys or research in marine systems using trawl, hook and line, or optical methodologies. OR SUBSTITUTION OF EDUCATION: 3 years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to a Ph.D. degree or Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree. OR COMBINATION OF EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE: A combination of education and professional experience. Combinations of successfully completed graduate level education and specialized experience may be used to meet total experience requirements. (Note: Only graduate level education in excess of the amount required for the next lower grade level may be combined with experience.) To qualify at the ZP-4 or GS-13 level: SPECIALIZED EXPERIENCE: In addition to meeting the Basic Requirements above, applicants must also possess one full year (52 weeks) of specialized experience equivalent to the ZP-3 or GS-12 in the Federal service. Specialized experience MUST include all of the following: Collecting, processing, or analyzing fisheries data (at-sea), collected via direct sampling (i.e. net) or optical (i.e. camera) techniques; Overseeing field surveys or research in marine systems using trawl, hook and line, or optical methodologies; and Writing or reviewing fisheries-related documents on scientific analyses or results for dissemination to internal or external stakeholders.

How to Apply: Please read the entire announcement and all the instructions before you begin an application. To apply and be considered for this position, you must complete all required questionnaires, assessments and submit all required documentation as specified in the How to Apply and Required Documents section. The complete application package must be submitted by 11:59 PM (ET) on the closing date of the announcement to receive consideration. The application process is as follows: Click the blue "Apply Online" button. If you are not a registered USAJOBS user, please create a new account and follow the instructions to complete your application process. If you are a registered user, login to access your existing USAJOBS profile. As a registered user, select a stored resume and select one or more of your stored documents to attach to your application. Check the "Certification" box and click the "Apply for this position now!" button located at the bottom of the screen. Answer the questions presented in the application and attach all necessary supporting documentation. Click the Submit Application button prior to 11:59 PM (ET) on the announcement closing date. If you experience technical difficulties during the online application process, please contact the USAJOBS helpdesk To update your application, including supporting documentation: During the announcement open period, return to your USAJOBS account, find your application record, and click Edit my application. This option will no longer be available once the announcement has closed.

Application Deadline: 2026-03-23