Geneticist

Summary

Join the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and apply your expertise in conservation genetics to help protect and restore aquatic species. As a Geneticist, you will use cutting-edge genomic and environmental DNA tools to conduct research, analyze genetic data, and provide scientific expertise that supports fisheries conservation and management.

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Duties

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This position is located within the Department of the Interior, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Region 5, Lamar Fish Tech Center. The major duties of this position include but are not limited to the following:

• Conducts molecular studies using environmental DNA (eDNA) and Next-Generation Sequencing techniques to support fisheries conservation and management needs.
• Analyzes eDNA sequence data, including data processing, quality assessment, statistical analysis, analytical pipeline development, and interpretation of results.
• Designs, coordinates, and implements eDNA studies and validation experiments; develops, evaluates, and optimizes laboratory and analytical methods for species detection and identification.
• Uses DNA analyzers, sequencers, PCR, and other laboratory equipment to generate, process, maintain, and analyze eDNA sequence data.
• Applies eDNA data to conservation and management questions and provides scientific guidance and technical assistance to biologists, agencies, Tribal groups, researchers, and other partners.
• Prepares and presents eDNA research findings through technical reports, scientific manuscripts, presentations, workshops, symposia, and other scientific meetings.
• Coordinates eDNA data, databases, sample management, and quality-control procedures to promote standardized methods, validated protocols, and consistent analytical practices.
• Provides technical expertise in eDNA sequence analysis and data management, including conducting sequence alignments and ensuring high-quality genomic workflows.
• Maintains strong, proactive communication with state, federal, Tribal, academic, and other partners to ensure successful project coordination, clear data interpretation, and effective application of eDNA results to management decisions.

Requirements

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Conditions of employment

• Must be a U.S. Citizen or National.
• Appointment subject to background investigation and favorable adjudication.
• Males born after 12-31-59 must be registered for Selective Service.
• Direct Deposit participation required.
• Successfully pass the E-Verify employment verification check. To learn more, visit
• Must have and maintain a valid driver's license throughout employment.
• You cannot hold an active real estate license, nor can you have an interest or hold stocks in firms with interest in Federal Lands.

As a condition of employment for accepting this position, you will be required to serve a 1 year probationary period during which your fitness and whether your continued employment advances the public interest will be evaluated.

This probationary period is an extension of the appointment process and therefore requires the agency to determine if continued employment would advance the public interest, meet the organization goals and mission of the agency, and/or otherwise promote the efficiency of the service. In determining if your employment advances the public interest, the agency will consider:

• your performance and conduct;
• the needs and interests of the agency;
• whether your continued employment would advance organizational goals of the agency or the Government; and
• whether your continued employment would advance the efficiency of the Federal service.

Under applicable law, the employment of an individual serving a probationary or trial period automatically terminates when that period ends unless the agency affirmatively certifies, in writing, that the individual's employment should continue and that their appointment should be finalized. In the absence of agency action to affirmatively certify continued employment beyond the probationary or trial period, such appointments are terminated. Upon completion of your probation your employment will be terminated unless you receive certification, in writing, that your continued employment advances the public interest.

Qualifications

To qualify for this position, you must meet the following minimum qualifications:

This position has an Individual Occupational Requirement. To be considered, you must meet one of the below requirements :

• Degree: A bachelor's or higher degree in genetics; OR a degree in one of the basic biological sciences that included at least 9 semester hours in genetics.

OR

• Graduate Education: Graduate education in genetics, or a curriculum or pattern of graduate-level training that placed major emphasis on genetics. Graduate study in a related field may also qualify if the coursework included sufficient emphasis or cross-training in genetics. Qualifying genetics coursework may include genetics; plant or animal genetics; molecular and cellular biology; mathematics or statistics as applied to genetics; population dynamics; or other courses involving techniques applied in genetics work. An appropriate combination of basic coursework in genetics and cytology or statistics may also be qualifying.

You must submit transcripts with your application that demonstrate you meet this basic requirement.

-AND-

In addition to the above individual occupational requirement (IOR), to qualify for this position at the GS-12 grade level you must have at least

one year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-11 level in the Federal service (obtained in either the public or private sectors). Specialized experience includes performing professional genetics work with fish or other aquatic species, such as:

• Conducting molecular, population, or conservation genetic analyses;
• Analyzing genomic or genetic sequence data using statistical or biological data analysis methods;
• Applying genetic techniques such as next-generation sequencing, environmental DNA analysis, polymerase chain reaction, metabarcoding, or genetic marker analysis;
• Designing or conducting genetic studies and validation experiments;
• Developing, adapting, or evaluating genetic laboratory or analytical methods and protocols; and
• Interpreting genetic data to evaluate species identification, population structure, genetic diversity, population or stock origin, or other genetics-related questions that support aquatic species conservation and management.

To receive credit for experience, your resume MUST state either "full-time" (or "40 hours a week") or "part-time" with the number of hours worked per week to ensure proper crediting of specialized experience. Failure to adequately provide information needed to determine number of hours worked in each position may result in that time not being credited when evaluating qualifying experience. For periods of time that reflect military service, the DD-214 or Statement of Service is sufficient to meet the full and/or part-time hours requirement as the service dates will be reflected.

Volunteer Experience: 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.

All qualifications must be met by the closing date of this announcement, 09/11/2026.

Education

This position has a positive education requirement. You must meet the Individual Occupational Requirements (IOR) described in the Qualifications section and submit transcripts demonstrating that you meet the education requirement. Official transcripts are not required at the time of application but may be required if selected.If your eligibility is based on completion of a degree, your transcripts must show the degree and date conferred.

Foreign Education: To receive credit for education completed outside the United States, you must show proof that the education has been submitted to a private organization that specializes in interpretation of foreign educational credentials and such education has been deemed at least equivalent to that gained in conventional U.S. education programs. Recognition of Foreign Qualifications | U.S. Department of Education.

Additional information

Additional vacancies may be filled using this job announcement.

If otherwise eligible and qualified, you may be offered a recruitment or relocation incentive. The decision to offer an incentive will be made on a case-by-case basis and is neither promised nor guaranteed. For information visit: Recruitment Incentive or Relocation Incentive. A continued service agreement may be required if it is determined you are eligible for a permanent change in duty station (PCS), recruitment, or relocation incentive.

Physical Demands - The work is primarily sedentary but may require periods of standing, walking, bending, climbing, and driving. Field work may require walking, riding, or driving over wet, rough, or rocky terrain and lifting or carrying equipment and samples weighing up to 50 pounds.

Work Environment - Work is primarily performed in laboratory and office settings and may involve exposure to chemicals, fumes, flammable liquids, laboratory equipment, and repetitive motions. Safety clothing and protective eyewear are required. Some work is performed outdoors in varying weather conditions and may require travel to field locations and occasional overnight stays.

All Department of Interior (DOI) employees, their spouses, and minor children may not acquire or retain any claim, permit, lease, small tract entry, or other rights granted by the Department in Federal lands, with limited exceptions. Additional ethics prohibitions can be found here,

The duties of this position are suitable for telework and the selectee may be allowed to telework with supervisor approval and current agency policy.

Candidates should be committed to improving the efficiency of the Federal government, passionate about the ideals of our American republic, and committed to upholding the rule of law and the United States Constitution.

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A career with the U.S. government provides employees with a comprehensive benefits package. As a federal employee, you and your family will have access to a range of benefits that are designed to make your federal career very rewarding. Opens in a new windowLearn more about federal benefits.

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Eligibility for benefits depends on the type of position you hold and whether your position is full-time, part-time or intermittent. Contact the hiring agency for more information on the specific benefits offered.