Fish Biologist - Survey

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Open: March 26, 2026 — Closes: April 1, 2026

Summary

This position is located in the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), with vacancies in Woods Hole, MA; Narragansett, RI; Miami, FL; Pascagoula, MS; Beaufort, NC; Seattle, WA; Newport, OR; and San Diego, CA. This position is also announced at the ZP-3 level under vacancy number NMFS- -DHA, which is open to all US Citizens or Nationals. You must apply to both announcements if you want to be considered for both.

Major Duties

As a Fish Biologist‑Survey you will perform the following duties: Participate in biological and oceanographic sample collection and processing, including the visual or acoustic monitoring of protected species, biological sampling, removal of fish otoliths, tissue samples, and stomachs. Utilize software to work with and analyze fishery‑independent survey data. Proficient in using modern analytical software (e.g., R, Rstudio, ORACLE, SQL, ArcGIS) to analyze and report on scientific data, execute quality control, auditing procedures and data extraction, and aggregation to facilitate fishery‑independent data reporting. Assist Program Lead in the preparation of fishery‑independent resource surveys. Contribute to aspects of survey preparation and post‑cruise efforts, including supply procurement, administrative tasks, preparation of cruise instructions and cruise reports, and loading and unloading equipment for each survey.

For more information about these positions, please visit the NOAA Fisheries is Hiring Webpage: This position will be filled under the DOC Alternative Personnel System (CAPS). Under CAPS, positions are classified by career, pay plan, and pay band. The ZP‑2 is equivalent to the GS‑07/09. The full performance level for this position is the ZP‑3 level. The ZP‑3 is equivalent to the GS‑11/12.

• Positions in Seattle, WA, and Newport, OR may be covered under bargaining unit 2274.
• Positions in Pascagoula, MS may be covered under bargaining unit 5627.
• Positions in Miami, FL and Beaufort, NC may be covered under bargaining unit 2194.
• Positions in Woods Hole, MA, Narragansett, RI, San Diego, CA are not in the bargaining unit.

Position Requirements

This position requires the operation of a Federal motor vehicle. The incumbent must be able to obtain and maintain a valid state driver's license to operate a government vehicle in completion of assigned tasks. Perform tasks such as driving a truck loaded with equipment or loading trucks with gear for transport to vessel(s). This position requires regular at‑sea participation in fishery‑independent research surveys working on deck of vessels for shifts exceeding 8 hours per day that may be irregular for survey durations. Total annual survey days at sea may range from 20 to possibly exceeding 100 total, depending on the position.

Conditions of Employment

Sea duties are conducted in a demanding physical marine environment that involves sampling operations exposed to weather over long odd hours, and moving and lifting equipment, up to 50lbs unassisted, or biological samples many times throughout the day, on an unsteady platform depending on sea state. Must be able to frequently stand for long periods of time, ascend and descend ladders, bend, and stoop to perform field operations. Requires ability to lift gear and deliver or pick up equipment from vessels. Incumbent will need to travel to a variety of regional locations to conduct field work, meet with collaborators, collect and evaluate data, and participate in scientific presentations.