Summary This position is a Geneticist, GS- 0440-11 working in Dexter, NM for the R2-SW Native Aquatic Resources and Recovery Center. This position is also open to status candidates under announcement R2-24-12548838-LAS-MP. You must apply to each announcement separately if you wish to be considered under both recruitment methods. Responsibilities As a Geneticist your duties will include, but are not limited to, the following: Use DNA markers and automated DNA analyzers/sequencers to collect genotypic, gene frequency, and DNA sequence date on hatchery and wild population of fishes. Provide oral presentations at workshops, symposia, and other scientific meetings. Collate information from multiple sources to effectively manage technical coordination of information across multiple applied research studies. Perform population genetics statistical analyses. Provide overall technical coordination of complex molecular genetics analyses for a variety of projects. Learn More About Us: National Fish Hatcheries undertake production of sport fish for recreational programs on Federal and Tribal lands; of threatened and endangered aquatic species for population expansion and reintroduction into historical habitats; short and long-term holding of native species threatened by temporary habitat degradation; and identification of new technology to advance fish culture operations. The National Fish Hatcheries within the southwest have become increasingly important as both short-term refuges for species in crisis and as long-term propagation and management facilities for these species. Over thirty species of listed fish, wildlife, and plants are in hatchery care in the Southwest Region. Some of these captive populations are the only known-breeding individuals of their species. The Southwestern Native Aquatic Resources and Recovery Center (Center), located in Dexter, New Mexico, is the largest endangered species facility in the system. It maintains captive populations of 14-17 threatened or endangered aquatic species, serving to support the only captive population of most of them, for use in either refugia or in propagation for relocation to the wild. The Center also houses a fully equipped Molecular Ecology Lab, Pathobiology and Fish Physiology Program and the Southwestern Fish Health Unit. The MEL, Pathobiology and Fish Physiology Program provide assistance and services to a multitude of Recovery Program Partners throughout the Southwestern United States. The Southwestern Fish Health Unit is responsible for the inspection and certification of all Service hatcheries and holding facilities in the Southwest Region and for diagnostics in the Wild Fish Health Survey program. The Center's work is primarily on the development of culture techniques for native, imperiled fish and genetic and behavioral requirements for species conservation. Requirements Conditions of Employment Qualifications Only experience and education obtained by 10/01/2024 will be considered. In order to qualify for this position you must possess both the Basic Requirement and Minimum Qualification. Basic Requirement: Possess a degree with a major in genetics; or one of the basic biological sciences that included at least 9 semester hours in genetics. Note: Courses dealing with genetics, some phase of genetics, or specific techniques that are applied in genetics work are acceptable. This includes courses in genetics, plant or animal genetics, molecular and cellular biology, mathematics and statistics (as they apply to genetics), population dynamics, and certain techniques such as those dealing with irradiation. Course work consisting of an appropriate combination of basic courses in genetics and cytology or statistics are also acceptable. NOTE: 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 institution's registrar, dean, or other appropriate official stating the percentage of the course that should be considered to meet the requirement and the equivalent number of units. Minimum Qualification [GS-11] Possess one year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-09 level in the Federal service (obtained in either the public or private sectors). Specialized experience includes: (1) Operating specialized molecular population genetics laboratory equipment such as thermal cyclers, automated DNA sequencers, and centrifuges; (2) Experience and skill in molecular genetic techniques including next generation library prep, DNA extraction, and PCR amplification of DNA; (3) Using genetic concepts and principles to conduct studies using common molecular genetics methods of population assignment, species identification, parentage assessment, and population structure; and (4) Coordinating technical studies with partners and communicating results with a broad audience. NOTE: Your resume must contain sufficient information in these areas to be found qualified; OR Possess 3 years of progressively higher-level graduate education leading to a Ph.D. degree or Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree in genetics or another closely related field which places sufficient emphasis on genetics and which provided the knowledge, skills and abilities necessary to perform the work of the position. Note: Related fields include agronomy, horticulture, animal, dairy, or poultry husbandry, entomology, microbiology, plant pathology, chemistry, molecular and cellular biology, and physiology that involved cross-training in genetics, provided it placed sufficient emphasis on genetics; OR Possess a combination of experience and graduate level education that, when combined, equals at least 100% of the total requirement. (Please note that only graduate education in excess of the first two years may be used in this calculation.) You must upload a copy of your transcript. 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. Education PROOF OF EDUCATION: All applicants who are using education or a combination of education and experience to qualify must submit copies of official or unofficial transcripts which include grades, credit hours earned, major(s), grade point average or class ranking, institution name, and student name. 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 institution's registrar, dean, or other appropriate official 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 you are selected for the position, you will be required to produce the original official transcripts. PASS/FAIL COURSES: If more than 10 percent of your undergraduate course work (credit hours) were taken on a pass/fail basis, your claim of superior academic achievement must be based upon class standing or membership in an honor society. GRADUATE EDUCATION: One academic year of graduate education is considered to be the number of credits hours your graduate school has determined to represent one academic year of full-time study. Such study may have been performed on a full-time or part-time basis. If you cannot obtain your graduate school's definition of one year of graduate study, 18 semester hours (or 27 quarter hours) should be considered as satisfying the requirement for one year of full-time graduate study. FOREIGN EDUCATION: If you are using education completed in foreign colleges or universities to meet the qualification requirements, you must show the education credentials have been evaluated by a private organization that specializes in interpretation of foreign education. For further information, visit: Recognition of Foreign Qualifications | International Affairs Office (ed.gov) Additional Information PCS INFORMATION: -No PCS entitlements authorized Telework: This position is suitable for telework and may be allowed to telework with supervisory approval. Additional Vacancies: One or more positions may be filled from applications received under this announcement in the advertised office or other U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service offices in the local commuting area. Career Transition Assistance Plan (CTAP) or Interagency Career Transition Assistance Plan (ICTAP):Department of Interior (DOI) Career Transition Assistance Plan (CTAP) procedures apply in filling this vacancy. CTAP/ICTAP provides placement assistance to permanent Federal employees who are surplus, displaced, or involuntarily separated. Applicants claiming CTAP/ICTAP eligibility must submit a copy of their most recent performance appraisal, proof of eligibility, and most current SF-50 noting position, grade level, and duty location with their application. To be considered under CTAP/ICTAP, applicants must be well-qualified (i.e., meet the minimum qualification requirements, including any selective placement factors; education, and experience requirements), score at least 85 on the assessment questionnaire, and be able to perform the duties of the position upon entry. For information on CTAP and ICTAP visit: https://www.usajobs.gov/Help/working-in-government/unique-hiring-paths/federal-employees/career-transition/" Reasonable Accommodation: The USFWS provides reasonable accommodations to applicants with disabilities. Please visit USAJOBS Help Center | Reasonable accommodation policy if you need a reasonable accommodation for any part of the application and hiring process.