FISH BIOLOGIST, GS-0482-12 (79068)
- WELCOME!The information seen below is a vacant job opportunity with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE).Please carefully review the information and click the "Apply" button below if you would like to apply and be considered for this position.Additional USACE Career Opportunities can be explored at the USACE Job Board (<- click here).
- Position Title:
- Fish Biologist
- Pay Plan:
- GS
- Occupational Series:
- 0482
- Grade:
- 12
- Highest Grade:
- 12
- Hourly vs Salary:
- Salary
- Job Posting Open Date:
- 09/17/2026
- Job Posting Close Date:
- 10/01/2026
- Announcement Type:
- Direct-Hire Authority (DHA)
- Position Type:
- Permanent
- High Salary:
- $130,080
- Low Salary :
- $100,059
- USACE Organization :
- Great Lakes and Ohio River Division (LRD) - Chicago District
- Locations (City, State):
- Chicago, IL
- Position Overview/Duties:
- INTRODUCTION: Serves as the lead Biologist for Interagency and Internation Support projects, handling assignments that include habitat evaluations, invasive carp monitoring, and telemetry. Requires collaboration with partner agencies and providing expert consultation on various civil works projects impacting aquatic resources.
- POSITION: Fish Biologist, GS-0482-12
- PERIOD OF ASSIGNMENT: PERMANENT
- DESCRIPTION OF ASSIGNMENT/DUTIES:
- Serve as the Lead Fish Biologist for all Interagency and International Support (IIS) projects, which involves developing sampling plans, managing budgets, scheduling and leading field activities, analyzing data, and preparing reports for stakeholders.
- Provide guidance and assistance to interns and other biologists with field sampling for a variety of district projects, including harbor fish sampling, Area of Concern sampling, invasive carp monitoring, and ecosystem restoration.
- Act as a consultant for the Chicago District’s civil works projects on fish-specific issues, directing studies and providing fisheries expertise for environmental impact investigations.
- Lead coordination efforts with internal project delivery teams, external partners, and stakeholders to ensure open communication and clear expectations for project completion.
- Mentor new biologists and interns, providing training on the appropriate and safe operation of the field equipment, fish identification, and data analysis software.
- Prepare and deliver technical presentation to agency personal, stakeholders, and the public, as well as develop manuscripts for potential publications in peer reviewed journals.
- Other Conditions and Requirements:
- APPLICABILITY/AREA OF CONSIDERATION: This is a Direct Hire Authority (DHA) solicitation utilizing the DHA for Certain Personnel of the DoD, Section 9905 to recruit and appoint qualified candidates to positions in the competitive service.
- WHO MAY APPLY: US Citizens
- APPLICANT QUALIFICATIONS:
Basic Requirement (Note: You must attach a copy of your transcripts.):
A. Degree: Bachelor’s degree (or higher degree) in biological science that included at least 6 semester hours in aquatic subjects such as limnology, ichthyology, fishery biology, aquatic botany, aquatic fauna, oceanography, fish culture, or related courses in the field of fishery biology; AND at least 12 semester hours 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 excess course work (beyond the required 6 semester hours) in aquatic subjects.
OR
B. Combination of Education and Experience: Courses equivalent to a major in biological science (i.e., at least 30 semester hours), of which a minimum of 6 semester hours were in aquatic subjects and 12 semester hours were in the animal sciences, as shown in A above, plus appropriate experience or additional education.
- In addition to meeting the basic requirement above, to qualify for this position you must also meet the qualification requirement listed below:
- Experience Requirement:
-
Specialized Experience GS-12: One year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-11 level in the Federal service which includes: Responsible for performing a variety of conventional fishery biology assignments, to include; assisting with and coordinating fisheries projects, such as invasive species monitoring and habitat assessments, by conducting field sampling, analyzing data, and preparing reports. Provided technical consultation on the fisheries-related impacts of civil works projects and regularly collaborated with interagency partners to achieve project goals. This definition of specialized experience is typical of work performed at the next lower grade/level position in the federal service (GS-11).
- Competencies needed for the position:
- Leadership
- Biology
- Decision-Making
- Oral Communication
- CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT:
- One-year probationary period may be required.
- This position has a Temporary Duty (TDY) or business travel requirement of 25% of the time.
- Appointment may be subject to suitability or fitness determination, as determined by a completed background investigation. Position is designated as Non-Sensitive-No access security clearance.
- Position duties require the incumbent to possess and maintain a valid state driver’s license.
- Will be required to operator marine vessels.
- Position requires a physical exam.
Other Essential Information:
- Selection is subject to restrictions resulting from Department of Defense referral system for displaced employees.
- You will be required to provide proof of U.S. Citizenship.
- This position is Exempt from the Fair Labor Standards Act.
- Nepotism: Under the provisions of 5 USC 3110, an individual may not be appointed into a position if the position is under the supervisory chain of command of a relative.
- This announcement may be used to fill like vacancies for three months after the closing date.
- This position MAY BE eligible for situational telework only, including emergency and OPM prescribed "Unscheduled Telework".
- All qualifications requirements must be met by the closing date of this announcement.
- Salary includes applicable locality pay or Local Market Supplement.
- Direct deposit of pay is required.
- This is a(n) CP-18-Construction, Engineering, Infrastructure Career Field position.
- Payment of Permanent Change of Station (PCS) costs IS NOT authorized.
- Relocation Incentives MAY BE authorized (up to 25%). With a signed service agreement.
- Male applicants born after December 31, 1959, are required to register for Selective Service prior to appointment.
- Applications must be submitted after 12:01 AM (EST) of the posted Job Posting Open Date and before 11:59 PM (EST) of the posted Job Posting Close Date to receive consideration.
- Point of contact for this announcement is Nicholas Barkowski, Nicholas.a.barkowski@usace.army.mil
Your resume:
- Your resume must be two pages or less and must support the specialized experience described in this announcement. Resumes exceeding two pages will be removed from consideration.
- For each relevant work experience, make sure you include the employer's name, job title, start and end dates (include month and year), for qualifications purposes, the number of hours worked per week, and a brief description that show you can perform the tasks at the required level listed in the job announcement. If your resume does not contain this information, your application may be marked as incomplete, and you may not receive consideration for this position.
- Use plain language. Avoid using acronyms and terms that are not easily understood. The hiring agency will not make assumptions about what's in your resume.
- If your resume includes a photograph or other inappropriate material or content, it will not be used to make eligibility and qualification determinations, and you may not be considered for this vacancy.
- Life/Work Balance:
- Life/Work Flexibilities Determined by Specific Position
- Qualifications - Candidates will be evaluated in accordance with OPM General Schedule (GS) Qualification Standards or Federal Wage System (FWS) Qualifications and Job Elements:
- GS Standards: https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/classification-qualifications/general-schedule-qualification-standards/
- Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) Policy: The United States government does not discriminate in employment on the basis of race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy and gender identity), national origin, political affiliation, sexual orientation, marital status, disability, genetic information, age, membership in an employee organization, retaliation, parental status, military service or other non-merit factor:
- To learn more, please visit the Office of Equal Opportunity (https://www.eeoc.gov/federal-sector/federal-employees-job-applicants).
- Reasonable Accommodation:
- Reasonable accommodation is available to qualified employees with disabilities. You can request a reasonable accommodation at any time during the application process, hiring process or while on the job. Requests are evaluated on a case-by-case basis.
