Biologist

BASIC EDUCATION REQUIREMENT: Applicants must meet A or B below to satisfy the basic education requirement for Biologist, all grade levels.

A. Degree in biological sciences, agriculture, natural resource management, chemistry, or related disciplines appropriate to the position. *OR* B. Combination of education and experience--courses equivalent to a major, as shown in A above (24 semester hours or the equivalent in biological sciences, agriculture, natural resource management, chemistry, or related disciplines appropriate to the position), plus appropriate experience and/or additional education for a total of 4 years. The education or combined education and experience must be comparable in type, scope and thoroughness to that acquired through successful completion of a 4-year course of study as described in "A" above. (CLICK HERE FOR DETAILS ON HOW TO COMBINE EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE)

For GS-07:

In addition to the basic education requirement as stated above, applicants must meet one of the following to qualify for the GS-07 level:

1 year of successfully completed graduate level education (18 semester hours or 27 quarter hours or the equivalent) in biology or other directly related field of study if it provided the knowledge, skills and abilities necessary to do the work of this position.

**OR Super Academic Achievement based on undergraduate study. (CLICK HERE FOR MORE INFORMATION ON SUPERIOR ACADEMIC ACHIEVEMENT).

**OR one year of appropriate professional experience that is in or related to the duties of this position is qualifying if it is equivalent in level of difficulty and responsibility to at least the GS-5 level in the Federal service, and if it equipped the applicant with the knowledge, skills and abilities to perform successfully the duties of this position.

Examples of GS-5 level experience could include: making laboratory determinations of water quality parameters on biological samples; applying biological concepts and basic principles in related natural science fields; collecting basic field investigation data; preparing and operating equipment that collects samples and biologic data; preparing samples; and analyzing, compiling and computing biological data. The tasks performed at this level were routine and usually entailed readily identifiable phenomena and environmental conditions; and the work was closely controlled and assigned with clear, specific, and detailed instructions as to the methods, procedures, and guidelines to use.

**OR a combination of successfully completed graduate level education, as described above, and professional experience, as described above. (CLICK HERE FOR DETAILS ON HOW TO COMBINE GRADUATE EDUCATION & EXPERIENCE)

For GS-09:

In addition to the basic education requirement as stated above, applicants must meet one of the following to qualify for the GS-09 level:

**Master's or equivalent graduate degree in biology or other directly related field of study or 2 years of progressively higher-level graduate education (36 semester hours, 54 quarter hours or the equivalent) leading to a master's degree in biological sciences, agriculture, natural resource management, chemistry, or other related disciplines if it provided the knowledge, skills and abilities necessary to do the work of the position to be filled.

**OR one year of appropriate professional experience in biology that is equivalent to at least the GS-07 level in the Federal service.

Examples of GS-07 level work may include: 1) assisting with planning, organizing, and implementing scientific investigations; 2) performing data analyses on portions of larger scientific investigations; 3) and receiving training in gathering, organizing, and interpreting biological, ecological, pathological, public use, or other information pertinent to scientific studies and/or scientific investigations. For examples 1-3, the work involved following established methods and procedures, or detailed instructions; using some judgment in applying basic principles and procedures; solving minor problems and making routine decisions.

**OR a combination of successfully completed progressive graduate level education, as described above, that is beyond the first year of graduate study and professional experience, as described above. (CLICK HERE FOR DETAILS ON HOW TO COMBINE GRADUATE EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE)

You must meet all qualification and eligibility requirements for the position by the closing date of the announcement.