Fish and Wildlife Conservation Offices (FWCOs) restore and maintain fish and other aquatic resources for the benefit of the American people, helping ensure that these resources remain among the richest and most diverse in the world. Working across geographic and political borders, FWCO biologists craft partnerships and solutions to conserve, restore, and enhance our natural resources. The Western Washington Fish and Wildlife Conservation Office (WWFWCO) of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service) is located in Lacey, Washington and is part of the Puget Sound/Olympic Peninsula FAC Complex (PSOPFACC).
Employee works with other Service offices including Hatcheries, Refuges, and Ecological Services to implement fish and aquatic conservation and habitat efforts in Western Washington. Employee works with cooperating partners involved in Western Washington fish and aquatic conservation and habitat efforts including: U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, U.S. Forest Service, U.S. Geological Survey, National Park Service, Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife, other state and federal agencies, co-Manager and partner Tribes, Northwest Indian Fisheries Commission, non-governmental groups, and others. Employee supports projects conducted in the Puget Sound and Western Washington to support National Fish Hatcheries and address management concerns of threatened and endangered species and their habitats, and compliance with the National Environmental Policy Act, Endangered Species Act, and Fish and Wildlife Coordination Act.
Summary
Fish and Wildlife Conservation Offices (FWCOs) restore and maintain fish and other aquatic resources for the benefit of the American people, helping ensure that these resources remain among the richest and most diverse in the world. Working across geographic and political borders, FWCO biologists craft partnerships and solutions to conserve, restore, and enhance our natural resources. The Western Washington Fish and Wildlife Conservation Office (WWFWCO) of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service) is located in Lacey, Washington and is part of the Puget Sound/Olympic Peninsula FAC Complex (PSOPFACC).
Employee works with other Service offices including Hatcheries, Refuges, and Ecological Services to implement fish and aquatic conservation and habitat efforts in Western Washington. Employee works with cooperating partners involved in Western Washington fish and aquatic conservation and habitat efforts including: U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, U.S. Forest Service, U.S. Geological Survey, National Park Service, Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife, other state and federal agencies, co-Manager and partner Tribes, Northwest Indian Fisheries Commission, non-governmental groups, and others. Employee supports projects conducted in the Puget Sound and Western Washington to support National Fish Hatcheries and address management concerns of threatened and endangered species and their habitats, and compliance with the National Environmental Policy Act, Endangered Species Act, and Fish and Wildlife Coordination Act.
Assists in conducting biological surveys as part of ongoing investigations to gather field data using both active and passive collection methods, depending on the objectives, environmental characteristics, aquatic organism's behavior, and size. Projects may include: spawning ground surveys; snorkel surveys; census surveys; stream habitat surveys; carcass surveys; distribution and abundance estimation; habitat restoration monitoring; fish passage studies; radio telemetry studies; mark/recapture studies; and fish and habitat assessments.
Assists in monitoring and evaluation activities to support the operation of National Fish Hatcheries including collecting biological data from returning adult salmon, determining tag status of adult salmon, tagging juvenile salmon, and dissecting and reading tags from adult salmon
Collects and records biological and physical environment data from field investigations following established procedures using a variety of field equipment and/or computer software programs.
Collects biological samples ensuring correct documentation, reporting, storage, transport and delivery of samples taken. Uses automated databases to enter, organize and retrieve data.
Assists in preparing and presenting informational or educational programs to individuals, local organizations, and schools. Provides basic information on fish and wildlife resources and the United State Fish and Wildlife Service to groups and individuals.
Ability to obtain and maintain Swiftwater Rescue Certification
Valid driver's license
Must wear official U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service uniform when appropriate
Work may require working evenings, weekends, and holidays
Ability to swim and snorkel in various aquatic environments
Qualifications
You must meet all qualification requirements outlined in this vacancy by 11:59 PM (EST) on the closing date of the announcement.
QUALIFICATIONS
To qualify, you must have met one of the following:
a. Possess at least one year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the
GS-4 level which is directly related to this position and demonstrates that I
have the knowledge, skills and abilities to perform the work. My specialized
experience includes conducting field surveys of fish abundance; identifying and
monitoring number and distribution of fish species; participating in studies of
fish habitat conditions; assisting with fish capture and tagging procedures;
recording, compiling, and organizing biological data. Your resume must clearly demonstrate this experience.
b. Successfully completed a full 4-year course of study leading to a
bachelor's degree with major study or at least 24 semester hours in any
combination of scientific or technical courses such as biology, chemistry,
statistics, entomology, animal husbandry, botany, physics, agriculture, or
mathematics, that includes at least 6 semester hours of courses directly
related to fishery subjects, such as fishery biology, ichthyology, limnology,
aquaculture, etc.
c. Possess a combination of qualifying experience and education as described in
A and B above, that equals at least 100% of the Basic Qualification
Requirements. Note: Only education in excess of the first 60 semester hours of
a course of study leading to a bachelor's degree is creditable toward meeting
the specialized experience requirements. Your resume must clearly demonstrate any qualifying experience.
NOTE: All applicants who are using education or a combination of education and experience to qualify must submit copies of transcripts which include grades, credit hours earned, major(s) and grade point average or class ranking. If any required coursework is not easily recognizable on transcripts, or if you believe a portion of a particular course can be credited toward meeting an educational requirement, you must also provide a memorandum on letterhead from the academic professor or from your school stating the percentage of the course that should be considered to meet the requirement and the equivalent number of units. Unofficial transcripts are acceptable; however, if selected, you will be required to produce original transcripts.
Education
EDUCATION
All qualifying education must have been obtained in an accredited college or university recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. You can verify accreditation at http://www.ed.gov/admins/finaid/accred/index.html.
Foreign Education: You can receive credit for education earned outside the United States if you provide evidence that it is comparable to an accredited educational institution, or that full credit has been given by an accredited institution in the United States. For more information, see http://www.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ous/international/usnei/us/edlite-visitus-forrecog.html
It is your responsibility to provide evidence that educational provisions are met when applying.
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.
Most Federal employees earn both annual and sick leave. For additional information, visit Leave Administration.
You will earn Social Security credit while working with the government.
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 you will be evaluated
You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.
Your application will be evaluated and rated under the Category Rating and Selection Procedures.
Your evaluation will be based on a review of your complete application package and the extent to which your responses to the Questionnaire relate to the knowledge, skills and abilities listed below:
Knowledge of the basic principles of biological sciences pertaining to
fisheries and aquatic habitat conservation or management
Knowledge of survey methods and sampling techniques used to collect fish
and fish habitat data for scientific studies
Skill in using specialized gear and equipment to collect fishery and aquatic habitat data
Ability to compile, organize, and summarize biological data using
databases, spreadsheets and other types of software
You will be placed in one of three categories: Qualified: Meets minimum qualifications established for the position, but fails to meet the benchmark definition for the Well Qualified category Well Qualified: Demonstrates overall competency in the knowledge, skills, and abilities of the position. Best Qualified: Demonstrates high proficiency and comprehensive level of knowledge, skills, and abilities of the position.
Please make sure that your responses to the questionnaire are supported in your resume. Also, follow all instructions carefully as errors and omissions may affect your score.
Note: If a determination is made that you have rated yourself higher than is apparent in your description of experience and/or education, OR that your application is incomplete, you will be rated ineligible or not qualified.
Application of Veterans' Preference: Category rating and selection procedures place those with veterans' preference above non-preference eligibles within each category. Veterans who meet the eligibility and qualification requirements and who have a compensable service-connected disability of at least 10 percent are listed in the highest quality category, except when the position being filled is scientific or professional at the GS-9 grade level or higher.
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.
Most Federal employees earn both annual and sick leave. For additional information, visit Leave Administration.
You will earn Social Security credit while working with the government.
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.
Ensure your application materials DO NOT contain photograph(s). For this job announcement, the following documents are required:
1. 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 and year), hours worked per week, and salary. USAJOBS has a template to ensure a complete resume. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8YX7o1PBoFk 2. Responses to the Occupational Questionnaire. 3. Transcripts, if required or if qualifying based on education. Copies are acceptable but, if selected, you will be required to provide official transcripts. 4. If claiming veteran's preference, proof of eligibility (Member 4 copy of DD-214 or equivalent, SF-15 and VA letter, as appropriate); See http://www.fedshirevets.gov/ 5. Proof of eligibility for priority placement as a surplus or displaced Federal employee under the Career Transition Assistance Program / Interagency Career Transition Program, if applicable. You must be rated at 85 or above on the rating criteria for this position. See http://www.opm.gov/rif/employee_guides/career_transition.asp#ictap.
Faxing Applications or Supporting Documents:
You are encouraged to apply online. Applying online will allow you to review and track the status of your application.
NOTE: If you applied online and your application is complete, do not fax the paper application (1203FX) as this will overwrite your prior online responses and may result in you being found ineligible.
If you completed the Occupational questionnaire online and are unable to upload supporting document(s):
1. To fax your documents, you must use this cover page and provide the required information. The vacancy ID is 1944672. 2. Fax your documents to 1-478-757-3144.
If you cannot complete the Application Package online, you may fax all of your materials. The complete application package must be submitted by 11:59 PM (EST) on close date to receive consideration. Keep a copy of your fax confirmation in the event verification is needed.
To complete the Occupational Questionnaire and submit via fax:
1. Click the following link to view and print the Occupational Questionnaire View Occupational Questionnaire 2. Print the 1203FX form, follow the instructions and provide your responses to the Occupational Questionnaire http://www.opm.gov/forms/pdf_fill/OPM1203fx.pdf 3. Fax your completed 1203FX form along with any supporting documents to 478-757-3144.
If you do not submit all the required materials, we will not be able to fully process your application, and you may lose consideration for this position. No additional information will be solicited or accepted after the closing date.
If you have any problems submitting your application, contact the online help at ApplicationManagerHelpDesk@opm.gov. If you have questions about the vacancy, contact Human Resources at the phone number or email address listed below and reference R1-17-1944672-RR-DE.
If you are relying on your education to meet qualification requirements:
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.
To apply for this position, you must complete the Occupational Questionnaire and submit the documentation specified in the Required Documents section below. Your complete Application Package must be received by 11:59 PM (EASTERN STANDARD TIME) Friday, April 28, 2017.
To begin, click Apply Online to create a USAJOBS account or log in to your existing account. Follow the prompts to select your USAJOBS resume and/or other supporting documents and complete the Occupational Questionnaire.
Click the Submit My Answers button to submit your application package.
It is your responsibility to ensure your responses and appropriate documentation is submitted prior to the closing date.
To verify your application is complete, log into your USAJOBS account, https://my.usajobs.gov/Account/Login, select the Application Status link and then select the More Information link for this position. The Details page will display the status of your application, the documentation received and processed, and any correspondence the agency has sent related to this application. Your uploaded documents may take several hours to clear the virus scan process.
To return to an incomplete application, log into your USAJOBS account and click Update Application in the vacancy announcement. You must re-select your resume and/or other documents from your USAJOBS account or your application will be incomplete.
US Fish and Wildlife Service Oregon
911 NE 11th Ave
Portland, OR 97232
Next steps
After you've successfully submitted the online Occupational Questionnaire, you will automatically receive an e-mail acknowledging receipt. After the vacancy closes, your application will be reviewed. Within approximately 20 business days, we will notify you of your rating and/or referral to the hiring official. If further evaluation or interviews are required you will be contacted.
REMINDER: It is your responsibility to maintain access to your e-mail account; undelivered e-mails may cause you to lose consideration or not receive information about your application. Be sure to include your full name and vacancy number (R1-17-1944672-RR-DE) in any inquiries regarding this job. Let us know if your contact information changes, or you decide you no longer wish to be considered for the position. If we're unable to contact you, or you do not respond to requests for information, it may be grounds for not selecting you.
The Federal hiring process is set up to be fair and transparent. Please read the following guidance.
Ensure your application materials DO NOT contain photograph(s). For this job announcement, the following documents are required:
1. 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 and year), hours worked per week, and salary. USAJOBS has a template to ensure a complete resume. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8YX7o1PBoFk 2. Responses to the Occupational Questionnaire. 3. Transcripts, if required or if qualifying based on education. Copies are acceptable but, if selected, you will be required to provide official transcripts. 4. If claiming veteran's preference, proof of eligibility (Member 4 copy of DD-214 or equivalent, SF-15 and VA letter, as appropriate); See http://www.fedshirevets.gov/ 5. Proof of eligibility for priority placement as a surplus or displaced Federal employee under the Career Transition Assistance Program / Interagency Career Transition Program, if applicable. You must be rated at 85 or above on the rating criteria for this position. See http://www.opm.gov/rif/employee_guides/career_transition.asp#ictap.
Faxing Applications or Supporting Documents:
You are encouraged to apply online. Applying online will allow you to review and track the status of your application.
NOTE: If you applied online and your application is complete, do not fax the paper application (1203FX) as this will overwrite your prior online responses and may result in you being found ineligible.
If you completed the Occupational questionnaire online and are unable to upload supporting document(s):
1. To fax your documents, you must use this cover page and provide the required information. The vacancy ID is 1944672. 2. Fax your documents to 1-478-757-3144.
If you cannot complete the Application Package online, you may fax all of your materials. The complete application package must be submitted by 11:59 PM (EST) on close date to receive consideration. Keep a copy of your fax confirmation in the event verification is needed.
To complete the Occupational Questionnaire and submit via fax:
1. Click the following link to view and print the Occupational Questionnaire View Occupational Questionnaire 2. Print the 1203FX form, follow the instructions and provide your responses to the Occupational Questionnaire http://www.opm.gov/forms/pdf_fill/OPM1203fx.pdf 3. Fax your completed 1203FX form along with any supporting documents to 478-757-3144.
If you do not submit all the required materials, we will not be able to fully process your application, and you may lose consideration for this position. No additional information will be solicited or accepted after the closing date.
If you have any problems submitting your application, contact the online help at ApplicationManagerHelpDesk@opm.gov. If you have questions about the vacancy, contact Human Resources at the phone number or email address listed below and reference R1-17-1944672-RR-DE.
If you are relying on your education to meet qualification requirements:
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.
To apply for this position, you must complete the Occupational Questionnaire and submit the documentation specified in the Required Documents section below. Your complete Application Package must be received by 11:59 PM (EASTERN STANDARD TIME) Friday, April 28, 2017.
To begin, click Apply Online to create a USAJOBS account or log in to your existing account. Follow the prompts to select your USAJOBS resume and/or other supporting documents and complete the Occupational Questionnaire.
Click the Submit My Answers button to submit your application package.
It is your responsibility to ensure your responses and appropriate documentation is submitted prior to the closing date.
To verify your application is complete, log into your USAJOBS account, https://my.usajobs.gov/Account/Login, select the Application Status link and then select the More Information link for this position. The Details page will display the status of your application, the documentation received and processed, and any correspondence the agency has sent related to this application. Your uploaded documents may take several hours to clear the virus scan process.
To return to an incomplete application, log into your USAJOBS account and click Update Application in the vacancy announcement. You must re-select your resume and/or other documents from your USAJOBS account or your application will be incomplete.
US Fish and Wildlife Service Oregon
911 NE 11th Ave
Portland, OR 97232
Next steps
After you've successfully submitted the online Occupational Questionnaire, you will automatically receive an e-mail acknowledging receipt. After the vacancy closes, your application will be reviewed. Within approximately 20 business days, we will notify you of your rating and/or referral to the hiring official. If further evaluation or interviews are required you will be contacted.
REMINDER: It is your responsibility to maintain access to your e-mail account; undelivered e-mails may cause you to lose consideration or not receive information about your application. Be sure to include your full name and vacancy number (R1-17-1944672-RR-DE) in any inquiries regarding this job. Let us know if your contact information changes, or you decide you no longer wish to be considered for the position. If we're unable to contact you, or you do not respond to requests for information, it may be grounds for not selecting you.
Fair and transparent
The Federal hiring process is set up to be fair and transparent. Please read the following guidance.
