Summary This position is a Geneticist, GS- 0440-7/9 working in Onalaska, WI for the R3-Whitney Genetics Lab. This position is also open to status candidates under announcement R3-24-12551889-AA-MP and R4-24-12557498-AA-RCG. You must apply to each announcement separately if you wish to be considered under all eligible recruitment methods. Responsibilities As a Geneticist your duties will include, but are not limited to, the following: Performs laboratory tasks associated with population genetics and environmental DNA studies of fish and wildlife populations. Performs high-throughput sample analyses employing appropriate genetic techniques, adherence to established sample requirements, sample preparation, and other related requirements necessary to obtain valid data according to established principles and procedures. Operates, configures, and maintains specialized molecular population genetics laboratory equipment such as thermocyclers, automated DNA sequencers, electrophoresis gels, centrifuges, and other laboratory equipment. Develops and maintains organized database of biological and genetic data for samples being analyzed to facilitate sample tracking, project progress, and data analysis. Statistical analysis and methods include but are not limited to: analyses common to population genetics (parentage analysis, variation within and among populations, population structure, hybrid identification or stock identification) and environmental DNA analysis (qPCR marker efficiency calculation, standard curve analysis, limit of detection, limit of quantification, alpha and beta diversity). Requirements Conditions of Employment Qualifications Only experience and education obtained by 10/08/2024 will be considered. In order to qualify for this position you must possess both the Basic Requirement and Minimum Qualification. Basic Requirement: Posses a bachelor's or higher degree in genetics; or one of the basic biological sciences that included at least 9 semester hours in genetics. Graduate Education: Genetics, or a curriculum or pattern of training that placed major emphasis on genetics. Graduate study in related fields such as agronomy, horticulture, animal, dairy, or poultry husbandry, entomology, microbiology, plant pathology, chemistry, molecular and cellular biology, and physiology that involved cross-training in genetics is qualifying, provided it placed sufficient emphasis on genetics. Minimum Qualification [GS-07] One year of specialized experience comparable in scope and responsibility equivalent to grade GS-05 in the Federal service. Experience includes: 1) Assisting with performing high-throughput sample analyses employing appropriate molecular genetic techniques; 2) Assisting with operating, configuring, and maintaining specialized molecular population genetics laboratory equipment; 3) Assisting with maintaining an organized database of biological and genetic data for samples being analyzed to facilitate sample tracking, project progress, and data analysis; and 4) Assisting with performing statistical analyses common to population genetics and/or environmental DNA studies. NOTE: Your resume must support the experience you claim. OR Posses one full year graduate level education. NOTE: To qualify under this option you must submit transcripts (official or unofficial) to verify your education. OR Posses Superior Academic Achievement (S.A.A.). S.A.A. is based on (1) Class Standing, (2) Grade-Point Average, or (3) Honor Society Membership. (1) Class Standing: Upper one-third of the graduating class in the college, university, or major subdivision based on completed courses. (2) Grade-Point Average: A grade point average of (a) 3.0 or higher out of a possible 4.0 (B or better) as recorded on the official transcript or as computed based on four years of education, or computed based on courses completed during the final two years of the curriculum; -or- (b) 3.5 or higher out of a possible 4.0 (B+ or better) based on the average of the required courses completed in the major field or the required courses in the major field completed during the final two years of the curriculum. (3) Election to Membership in a National Scholastic Honor Society: Applicants may be considered eligible based on membership in one of the national scholastic honor societies. Freshman scholastic honor societies cannot be used to meet the requirements of this position. Superior academic achievement must have been gained in a curriculum that is qualifying for the position to be filled. NOTE: To qualify under this option you must submit transcripts (official or unofficial) to verify your education. OR A combination of education and experience as described in 1 and 2 above which together equals 100% of the requirement. NOTE: To qualify under this option you must submit transcripts (official or unofficial) to verify your education. Minimum Qualification [GS-09] One year of specialized experience comparable in scope and responsibility equivalent to grade GS-07 in the Federal service. Experience includes: 1) Performing high-throughput sample analyses employing appropriate molecular genetic techniques (e.g., PCR, DNA fragment analysis via electrophoretic gels, quantitative PCR analysis, SNP analysis, metabarcoding library preparation, Sanger and Next-generation sequencing); 2) Operating, configuring, and maintaining specialized molecular population genetics laboratory equipment, such as thermocyclers, automated DNA sequencers, electrophoresis gels, centrifuges, and other laboratory equipment; 3) Assist in developing and maintaining an organized database of biological and genetic data for samples being analyzed to facilitate sample tracking, project progress, and data analysis; and 4)Assist in performing statistical analyses common to population genetics (e.g., variation within and among populations, population structure, stock identification) and/or environmental DNA studies (e.g., qPCR marker efficiency calculation, standard curve analysis, limit of detection, limit of quantification, alpha and beta diversity). OR Posses two full years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to a master's degree or master's or equivalent graduate degree in genetics or a field directly related to the work of the position. NOTE: To qualify under this option you must submit transcripts (official or unofficial) to verify your education. OR A combination of education and experience as described in 1 and 2 above which together equals 100% of the requirement. NOTE: To qualify under this option you must submit transcripts (official or unofficial) to verify your education. 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: Yes, entitlements for payment of basic moving expenses, as required and to the extent allowed by the Federal Travel Regulation (FTR) 302-3.101, are authorized for eligible applicants changing duty station when the change meets the distance tests as provided in FTR 302-1.1 and 302-2.6. All moving expenses are taxable. -In addition, relocation discretionary entitlements May be authorized for this position excluding contractor-provided home sale. 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. Applicants who apply under this job opportunity announcement agree to have their application, associated documents and applicable personal information shared with other Bureaus/Offices within the Department of the Interior (DOI) who have vacancies within the same occupational series, grade, full performance level and in the same geographic location(s), including within the same metro/commuting area. Applying to this announcement does not replace the need to apply to other job opportunity announcements for which you wish to receive consideration.