PDF versionJob Summary
What General Information Do I Need To Know About This Position? Salary: $62,415 (Step 01) to $81,135 (Step 10); NOTE: First time hires to the Federal Government are typically hired atthe Step 01. There is one vacancy; however, this announcement may be used to fill additional vacancies if they become available.
Major Duties
As a Biologist within the California Water Science Center, some of your specific duties will include:
-Work collaboratively with science team members conducting fundamental research and monitoring of water quality and phytoplankton communities in San Francisco Bay and its tributary rivers.
-Apply understanding and knowledge of scientific principles to assist with quality control, analyses, publication and presentation of biological and water quality data.
-Help adapt and maintain sampling and filtering equipment and supplies for aquatic research, and troubleshooting instrument and sampling issues that arise.
Research cruises: -Prepare and organize equipment and supplies for research cruises in the San Francisco Bay-Delta.
-Participate in research cruises, carefully follow pre-established protocols to collect, filter and otherwise process water samples used to characterize chemical character and the phytoplankton ecology (e.g. chlorophyll a, suspended particulates, phytoplankton taxonomy)
-Cruise participation requires 1-2 overnight stays per month on board a research vessel equipped with sleep accommodations
-Act in official USGS crewmember capacity when aboard the research vessel.
Data management: -Enter, compile, and tabulate data from field collections and laboratory analyses using spreadsheet protocols to calculate results.
-Use R programming language for data management and statistical analyses.
-Report final analytical results in spreadsheet and document format in a timely manner.
-Conduct on-going evaluation of field and laboratory data quality, identifying erroneous data and using established procedures to rectify low quality problems.
Laboratory analysis: -Perform standard analyses of water samples for microalgal pigments, suspended particulate matter, and dissolved oxygen with high precision and accuracy. Analyses include chemical solution preparation and safe chemical handling.
-Track each sample through the different analytical procedures and maintains on-going tracking record.
-Run, maintain, and calibrate laboratory instrumentation including fluorometers, potentiometric autotitrators, and precision analytical balances.
WORKING CONDITIONS:
Participate in field surveys aboard a large (100 foot) research vessel for a period of 1-4 days.
Perform fieldwork under potentially adverse conditions such as poor weather, work on slippery and uneven surfaces, and extreme ship motion.
Qualifications
For information on basic qualifications, which includes information on whether you may substitute education for specialized experience, please click on the following: https://www.usgs.gov/about/organization/science-support/human-capital/biologist-gs-0401.Inaddition to the basic education requirements, you must have 1-year of specialized experience equivalent to the next lower grade level in the Federal service.
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.
You must meet all qualification and eligibility requirements for the position by the closing date of the announcement.
Pay Range
$62,415.00 - $81,135.00