Deadline: Thu, 07/20/2023 - 12:00pm Employer: DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR Geological Survey Cooperative Research Unit Job Field: Fisheries Job Type: Full Time Location: Michigan Location Detail: East Lansing, MI Job Description: Duties As a Research Ecologist/Research Fish Biologist (Assistant Unit Leader) within the Michigan Cooperative Fish & Wildlife Research Unit, some of your specific duties will include: Plans, conducts, and directs research related to freshwater fisheries or ecological resources, with application to contemporary science, policy and management needs. Conducts research that is cooperator driven and provides scientific basis for management and policy decisions. Serves as subject matter expert in freshwater fisheries and aquatic community ecology, providing leadership and guidance to government and private agencies and university representatives through participation in meetings, conferences and work groups. Disseminates research results via final reports, peer-reviewed print scientific journals, online scientific journals, books, book chapters or other outlets. Makes presentations on findings to scientific and conservation organizations. Serves as a graduate faculty member with the Department of Fisheries and Wildlife at Michigan State University, contributing to both the research, graduate student mentorship, and teaching mission of the university. This involves collaborating with research scientists in the Michigan Department of Natural Resources. Works closely with University, State, and Federal cooperators of the Michigan Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit to help meet collective diversity, equity, and inclusion goals. Operates a government owned or leased vehicle as an incidental driver. Qualifications: Requirements Conditions of Employment Key Requirements: Applicants must be U.S. Citizens. Suitable for Federal employment, as determined by background investigation. Selectee may be subject to serving a one-year probationary period. More requirements are listed under Qualifications and Other Information. Selectee must provide a valid state driver's license & safe driving record. Are There Any Special Requirements For This Position? If selected you may be asked to provide information regarding your COVID-19 vaccination status for the purposes of implementing workplace safety protocols, such as those related to masking, physical distancing, testing, travel, and quarantine. Driver's License/Driving Record - You will be required to operate a government-owned or -leased vehicle in the performance of your official duties. Applicants for this position must meet the following requirements:(1) possess a valid State license, and (2) possess a safe driving record. If selected, you will be required to provide proof of a valid State license and a copy of your driving record. The amount of travel required will vary depending on the assigned duty station and workload. Because this position requires travel for official business, the selectee will be required to apply for a charge card within 30 calendar days of appointment. Individuals who have delinquent account balances from a previous Government charge card will be required to satisfy their existing obligation before a new card can be issued. If selected for this position, you may be required to file one or more financial statements upon reporting and annually, some of which may be subject to public disclosure. A background investigation will be required for this position. Continued employment will be subject to the applicant's successful completion of a background security investigation and favorable adjudication. Failure to successfully meet these requirements will be grounds for termination. 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. If you are a Federal employee applying for a promotion (under merit promotion procedures) you must meet time-in-grade requirements by the closing date of the announcement. Qualifications This position is interdisciplinary and may be filled in either of the occupational job series listed. You must meet the Basic Education Requirements of at least one of these occupational series, in addition to the Minimum Requirement listed below: BASIC EDUCATION REQUIREMENT FOR ECOLOGIST, GS-0408: Applicants must meet the following to satisfy the basic education requirement for Ecologist, all grade levels. Successful completion of a full 4-year course of study in an accredited college or university leading to a bachelor's or higher degree in biology or a related field of science underlying ecological research that included at least 30 semester hours or the equivalent in basic and applied biological sciences. These hours must have included at least 9 semester hours or the equivalent in ecology, and 12 semester hours or the equivalent in physical and mathematical sciences. BASIC EDUCATION REQUIREMENT FOR FISH BIOLOGIST, GS-0482: Applicants must meet the following to satisfy the basic education requirement for Research Fish Biologist, all grade levels. Research Positions: Applicants must show that they have a degree with major study in biology, zoology, or biological oceanography that included at least 30 semester hours in biological and aquatic science and 15 semester hours in the physical and mathematical sciences. This course work must have included: 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. GS-12 Ph.D. MINIMUM REQUIREMENT: In addition to meeting the Basic Education Requirement(s) described above, in order to receive consideration for this position, you must also possess a Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree in fisheries or aquatic science or a closely related field of study appropriate for this position. To verify the Ph.D. requirement, transcripts or verification from the university registrar must be submitted that clearly state: Ph.D. awarded, major, and date of conferral. Failure to provide this information will result in your application receiving no further consideration. Desirable candidates will possess the following: A Ph. D. that is directly related to applied community ecology with a focus on freshwater ecosystems, and (1) demonstrated ability to build an applied research program focused on fish ecology in inland lakes and streams that quantifies responses to land use change, climate change, and human activities, and is designed to inform the management, and/or conservation of fisheries and inland aquatic systems; (2) a demonstrated ability to effectively employ statistics, modeling, and robust quantitative techniques in applied research (including but not limited to capture-recapture techniques, occupancy modeling, integrated population modeling); (3) demonstrated ability to teach a university-level course focused on applied freshwater fisheries or community ecology and management that incorporates statistics, modeling, and robust quantitative techniques; (4) capacity to conduct and facilitate collaborative research at both local and regional scales in partnerships with state, federal, and university research scientists to address fisheries-focused aquatic conservation and ecology questions and improve understanding of fish populations, including population dynamics, and interactions with their habitats and human populations (e.g., population dynamics; sustainable harvest; overexploitation; climate change effects on fish species, communities, and their restoration; fish species and community climate resiliency; loss of habitat connectivity; habitat change or loss); capacity to develop and implement novel quantitative tools to generate actionable insights to improve the management and conservation of fish populations and their habitats; and, (5) experience in successfully designing, planning, and conducting field research resulting in effective, peer-reviewed synthesis. You must meet all qualification and eligibility requirements for the position by the closing date of the announcement. Education 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. Education completed in colleges or universities outside the United States may be used to meet the above requirements. You must provide acceptable documentation that the foreign education is comparable to that received in an accredited educational institution in the United States. For more information on how foreign education is evaluated, visit: https://www.usgs.gov/about/organization/science-support/human-capital/how-foreign-education-evaluated-federal-jobs . Miscellaneous: How You Will Be Evaluated You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above. --Vacancy Related Questions: As part of the online application process, you will need to respond to a series of questions designed to assess your possession of the following competencies: Interpersonal Communication Program / Project Management Scientific Knowledge Written Communication --Basis of Rating: You will be rated on the extent and quality of your experience, education, and training relevant to the duties of the position. If you are eligible, you will receive a numerical rating based on your on-line responses to the application questions. These responses must be substantiated by your resume. If you do not respond to the application questions you may be rated ineligible. Additional Assessment Required: If you meet the eligibility and basic qualification requirements for this position and score above the cut-score based on your responses to the occupational questionnaire, a subject-matter-expert will perform a structured review of your resume to evaluate your knowledge, skills, abilities, and competences as they directly relate to the duties of this position. Due weight will be given to performance appraisals and awards during the interview/selection process conducted by the hiring manager. If referred, all relevant documents including performance appraisals and awards submitted with your application package will be forwarded to the hiring official for review. --NOTE: If it is determined that you have rated yourself higher than is supported in your description of experience and/or education as described in your resume/application, or that your resume or application is incomplete, you may be rated ineligible, not qualified, or your score may be lowered. To preview the announcement questionnaire, click here: https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/11973728 Salary: $82,830 - $107,680 per year 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. 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. How to Apply: REQUIRED DOCUMENTS CONTINUED: Eligibility for Special Appointing Authorities: If you are applying based on eligibility under a special appointing authority, you must submit proof that supports your claim. If you fail to submit proof, you will not receive consideration under the special appointing authority. Below is a list of the most common authorities and documentation requirements. If you're eligible for an authority not listed, you must submit documentation that's appropriate for that specific authority. --30% or More Disabled Veteran - Submit a legible copy of your DD-214, Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty, member 4 copy; and an official statement from the Department of Veterans Affairs (dated 1991 or later) or from a branch of the Armed Forces certifying the existence of a service-connected disability, etc. Additional Information. --Individuals with Disabilities - Submit documentation issued by a licensed medical professional; licensed vocational rehabilitation specialist; or any Federal agency, State agency, or an agency of the District of Columbia or a U.S. territory that issues or provides disability benefits. Additional Information. --Military Spouse - Submit Permanent Change of Station (PCS) orders issued within the last 2 years, that lists you as authorized to accompany the Military member to the new duty permanent station; OR verification of the member's 100% disability (official statement from the Department of Veterans Affairs (dated 1991 or later)); OR verification of the member's death while on active duty (DD-1300 and Death Certificate) AND verification of the marriage to the service member (i.e., a marriage license or other legal documentation verifying marriage). Additional Information. --Appointment of Certain Former Overseas Employees - Submit a SF-50, Notification of Personnel Action, confirming your eligibility and a performance appraisal from that period. Additional Information. --Peace Corps & VISTA - Former Peace Corps volunteers or VISTA members must submit their Certification of Volunteer Service. Present and former Peace Corps personnel must submit a SF-50, Notification of Personnel Action that confirms eligibility. Additional Information. --White House Staff - Submit proof you are a current employee serving in the immediate Office of the President or Vice-President, or on the White House Staff, who has completed at least 2 years of service. Additional Information. --Certain National Guard Technicians - Submit proof confirming you were involuntarily separated (other than by removal for cause on charges of misconduct or delinquency); you served at least 3 years as a technician; and are within 1 year of your separation date from service as a Guard Technician. Additional Information. --Public Land Corps (PLC) - Submit the signed Certificate of Eligibility for Noncompetitive Hiring Status (PLC) issued by the PLC Coordinator for the organization where the creditable service was completed. Additional Information. HOW TO APPLY: --Applications (resume and application questions) for this vacancy must be received on-line via USAJOBS BEFORE midnight Eastern Time (Washington, D.C. time) on the closing date of this announcement. If you fail to submit a complete online resume, you will not be considered for this position. Requests for extensions will not be granted. Most libraries, employment offices, and all USGS personnel offices can provide access to the Internet. If applying online poses a hardship for you, you must speak to someone in the Servicing Human Resources Office listed on this announcement PRIOR TO THE CLOSING DATE for assistance. --Instructions for Applying Online for this Vacancy Announcement: 1) Click the blue "Apply Online" button. 2) 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. 3) As a registered user, select a stored resume and select one or more of your stored documents to attach to your application. 4) Check the "Certification" box and click the "Apply for this position now!" button located at the bottom of the screen. 5) Address the eligibility questions as well as the questionnaire containing questions and/or task statements that address the knowledge, skills, abilities and/or competencies for this vacancy. 6) Submit required documents. 7) If you experience technical difficulties during the online application process, please contact the USAJOBS helpdesk.
