Fish Biologist

U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service•Yakima, WA

15h

About The Position

The Fish Biologist will serve with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, providing biological support on issues related to the management of fish and aquatic species and conservation of aquatic habitats. The position involves planning and conducting fisheries investigations, managing and analyzing data, preparing reports, and presenting project results. Work includes both office and year-round outdoor field activities, including work from small watercraft and in rivers and streams, and requires operating government vehicles and traveling by air. The position has a mandatory biological-science education requirement and requires qualifying specialized experience, graduate education, or an accepted combination for the GS-09 level. Applicants must meet qualifications by the announcement closing date of 11/03/2026. The role is subject to federal employment requirements, including U.S. citizenship or national status, background investigation, E-Verify, and maintaining a valid driver's license. A one-year probationary period may apply. Field work can involve significant exertion, rough and wet terrain, swift water, heavy equipment, and temperature extremes. Office work includes extended periods at a computer. The employee must work safely in potentially hazardous field conditions. Federal employees receive access to a comprehensive benefits package, subject to eligibility.

Requirements

Meet the basic educational requirement through a biological-science degree with specified coursework, or an equivalent combination of coursework and experience or additional education. Required coursework includes at least 6 semester hours in aquatic subjects and 12 semester hours in animal sciences; transcripts must be submitted when applicable.
For GS-09, have at least one year of specialized experience equivalent to GS-07, qualifying graduate education, or an allowable combination of education and experience.
Specialized experience includes developing and reviewing fisheries management reports and coordinating with fisheries programs; planning and conducting complex investigations and evaluating tagging and monitoring studies; training lower-grade personnel; working cooperatively with state, federal, or tribal teams; managing fisheries databases and checking data; and using analytical techniques to design fisheries studies and interpret results.
Meet competitive-service time-in-grade requirements, if applicable.
Be a U.S. Citizen or National.
Pass a background investigation and receive favorable adjudication; successfully pass E-Verify; and participate in direct deposit.
Maintain a valid driver's license throughout employment.
Meet applicable Selective Service registration requirements for males born after 12-31-59.
Submit required documentation, including transcripts when relying on education and work-hour information for experience credit.
Be able to perform field and office duties, including carrying field equipment weighing up to 50 pounds, wading in swift water, working in rough terrain and temperature extremes, and extended computer work.
Travel by air and drive or ride long distances in vehicles and small watercraft as required.
Serve a one-year probationary period if required; continued employment beyond that period requires written agency certification.

Nice To Haves

Candidates may be offered a recruitment or relocation incentive if eligible and qualified; incentives are determined case by case and are not guaranteed.

Responsibilities

Prepare reports on the progress and completion of fisheries activities and formulate recommendations for supervisor review.
Use automated computer programs, such as R, to manage large datasets.
Assist with investigations, including the design, collection, and analysis of fisheries data.
Participate in planning and implementing investigations, including designing, collecting, and analyzing fisheries data.
Present project results at public and scientific meetings and conferences.
Manage fisheries databases and check data for accuracy and completeness.
Plan and conduct fisheries studies and interpret their results.
Operate government-owned or leased vehicles, including light-duty trucks, and travel as required.