Research Fish Biologist, NOAA
Open & closing dates: 10/13/2023 to 10/28/2023
Salary: $108,532 – $166,724 per year
Pay scale & grade: ZP 4
1 vacancy in the following location: Ann Arbor, MI
Remote job: No
Telework eligible: Yes—as determined by the agency policy.
Travel Required: Occasional travel – You may be expected to travel for this position.
Relocation expenses reimbursed: No
Appointment type: Permanent
Work schedule: Full-time
Service: Competitive
Promotion potential: None
Duties
As an Research Fish Biologist, you will perform the following duties:
- In support of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s (NOAA) Climate and Ecosystem Fisheries Initiative (CEFI), lead research to understand and model the dynamics and response of food webs and fish populations in the Great Lakes to climate change and its interactions with other stressors (e.g. invasive species, nutrient loading, fishery harvest). Models could include linked physical-nutrient-food web and fisheries models that examine factors affecting fish recruitment, trophic interactions of fish as forced by environmental conditions, or full-scale ecosystem models linking climate change and its interaction with other stressors (e.g. invasive species, nutrient depletion, land use).
- Serve as a Principal Investigator preparing, coordinating and directing the implementation of a research program in support of NOAA’s CEFI towards the goal of protecting, restoring and managing the use of Great Lakes and ocean resources through an ecosystem approach to management. Define technical problems requiring study and/or solution, and plan and develop advanced scientific and technical studies and evaluations within the program. Collaborate with lower food web ecologists, benthic ecologists, and physical scientists to understand functioning of Great Lakes food webs.
- Be responsible for all aspects and phases of the research including: planning and conducting model simulation experiments; collecting, analyzing and interpreting data; drawing conclusions; making recommendations for future work; and developing short- and long-term research needs. Coordinate and develop new procedures and guidelines requiring the use of advanced scientific techniques, and integrate emerging technologies into program systems and concepts.
- Serve as the division’s technical representative on regional fisheries management panels, committees, and conferences, etc., and make significant contributions toward resolving actual or potential problems relative to assignments. Prepare and perform briefings and presentations to support program reviews and give scientific presentations on the research findings. Publish technical reports and peer reviewed papers.
- Job Type: Staff
- Application deadline: 10/28/2023
- Organization: NOAA and Great Lakes Environmental Research Laboratory
- Qualifications: Requirements Conditions of Employment This position will be filled under the DOC Alternative Personnel Systems (CAPS). This system replace the Federal GS pay plan and structure. Under CAPS, positions are classified by career, pay plan, and pay band. The ZP-4 is equivalent to the GS-13/14. * A three-year probationary period may be required. * Payment of relocation expenses is notauthorized. * Payment of relocation incentives OR recruitment incentives may be authorized. Note: Relocation incentives are for current federal employees only. * This position is in in the bargaining unit. This position is covered by AFGE Local 3908 (2175). Key Requirements: Applicants must be U.S. Citizens. Suitable for Federal employment, as determined by background investigation. More requirements are listed under Qualifications and Other Information. Must be registered for Selective Service, if applicable (www.sss.gov) 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. 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. BASIC REQUIREMENTS: This position requires applicants to meet a Basic Education Requirement in addition to at least one year of specialized experience in order to be found minimally qualified. Transcripts must be submitted with your application package. You MUST meet one of the following basic education requirements: To qualify for the 0482 series: EDUCATION: Degree: 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. 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-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: Developing, parameterizing, calibrating and using ecosystem models to investigate effects of anthropogenic stressors on aquatic ecosystems and fisheries; Conducting quantitative analysis or research involving trophic interactions of fish with food webs or fishery habitats and ecosystems; Disseminating scientific and technical information, or information on studies or research involving fisheries and food web dynamics and ecosystem-based fisheries management, to external stakeholders and the scientific community; and Collaborating with multi-disciplinary teams of scientists on research questions related aquatic ecosystems.
- How to apply: Apply on website: https://www.usajobs.gov/job/754393300
- Location: Ann Arbor, MI
- Web address: https://www.usajobs.gov/job/754393300
Contact Information
Victor Cruz
victor.cruz@noaa.gov
nahar.16@osu.edu