By the closing date of this announcement, you must meet the minimum qualification requirements as outlined in the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) Qualification Standards Handbook and as identified in this announcement below.
BASIC REQUIREMENTS:
A full 4-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 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 fish biology; AND at least 12 semester hours (18 quarter 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. OR
A combination of education in an accredited college or university, and experience equivalent to a major in biological science (i.e., at least 30 semester hours/45 quarter hours or the equivalent) of which a minimum of 6 semester hours were in aquatic subjects such as limnology, ichthyology, fishery 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 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, PLUS appropriate experience or additional education.
IN ADDITION TO MEETING THE BASIC REQUIREMENTS:
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS REQUIRED FOR THE GS-11:
Based on experience: 1 year (52 weeks) of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-09 in the federal service. Examples of specialized experience may include independently leading, planning, and conducting biological surveys of waters for the preservation and rehabilitation of fishery resources; using a high degree of judgment to select and interpret appropriate methods from a broad range of standard techniques and procedures as it relates to fisheries management; conducting comprehensive fish management studies of all factors affecting fish populations and performing data analysis; assisting in fisheries management planning; and preparing and presenting scientific data relative to fishery resources. (Your resume must include starting and ending dates of employment and the number of hours worked per week.) OR
Based on education: 3 years (54 semester hours) of progressively higher level graduate level education leading to a Ph.D. degree or equivalent doctoral degree with major study related to fish biology. Copies of transcripts must be submitted. OR
A combination of experience and graduate education as described above which, when combined, is equivalent to 100% of the qualification requirement. Only graduate education in excess of the Master's level may be used in this calculation. To calculate your percentage of graduate education, first determine the total number of graduate hours that exceed the Master's level, and then divide the total number of your excess graduate semester hours by 18 (or your school's definition of one year of graduate study). To calculate your percentage of qualifying experience, divide your total number of months of qualifying experience by 12. Now, add the two percentages together. The sum of the percentages must equal at least 100%. You must submit a copy of your transcripts to verifies this.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS REQUIRED FOR THE GS-12:
Based on experience: 1 year (52 weeks) of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-11 in the federal service. Examples of specialized experience may include providing leadership for the design and implementation of comprehensive fisheries management programs; proposing, designing, and conducting studies or monitoring protocols to determine fish population status, trends, or problems; analyzing, modifying, and adapting standard biological techniques and processes to overcome significant resource problems related to aquatic invasive species management; preparing, developing, and executing comprehensive fishery management plans to ensure preservation, protection, and enhancement of fishery resources. (Your resume must include starting and ending dates of employment and the number of hours worked per week.)
NOTE: To be credited as specialized experience, technical work must be comparable to that which would have been gained in a professional series and clearly demonstrate that the applicant has the necessary background to perform satisfactorily the duties of the position to be filled. Professional positions generally differ significantly in the nature of the work (e.g., greater independence, responsibility, and judgment). Therefore, if applying for this professional position and you wish to be considered on the basis of a minimum one year of technical work experience at the next lower grade, your application must clearly evidence the variety and progressive nature (independence, responsibility, and judgment) of your work assignments and any applicable training or coursework completed.
You must submit a copy of your college transcripts for this professional position. Unless otherwise stated, unofficial transcripts are acceptable. If selected, you will be required to produce official transcripts.
Education completed in foreign colleges or universities may be used to meet the above requirements if you can show that the foreign education is comparable to that received in an accredited educational institution in the United States. It is your responsibility to provide such evidence when applying.
Time in Grade restrictions apply to the qualification requirements for this position for Federal employees. Your application must clearly provide evidence that you have served one (1) year at the next lower grade level by the closing date of this announcement.
Full performance level of the position is GS-12. If selection is made below the full performance level, the incumbent may be subsequently promoted to the full performance level without further competition after all legal and regulatory requirements are met (satisfactory performance and time-in-grade); however, promotion is neither automatic nor guaranteed.
