Biologist, Fisheries

Job ID: 517999 Location: CHATTANOOGA, TN Regular/Temporary:

External - Posting Description

Biologist, Fisheries - 517999

Organization: Chief Administrative Office

Department: Water Permits, Compliance, & Monitoring

Work Location: Chattanooga, Tennessee

Relocation: Relocation: Relocation benefits are not offered for this position.

Posting Open: 12/09/2025

Posting Close: 12/18/2025 11:59 PM EST

Salary: Competitive

The primary focus of this position will be on the collection, analysis, and reporting of physical and chemical water quality data. The ideal candidate will have relative experience in various types of water quality data collection as well as pulling and operating a boat. This position requires overnight travel up to 50 nights per year.

Job Summary

Serves as biologist/project leader for projects relating to a variety of fish and fishery related activities including (1) assessment of fish stocks, their utilization and impacts on them of environmental variables and (2) incorporation of fish population data/information into ecological health assessment methods. Duties include, but not limited to, the following:

- Assesses impacts of TVA actions to fisheries resources, which includes review and interpretation of scientific information, conducting field studies, analysis of trends, compiling results into monitoring and other environmental documents and consulting with appropriate federal and state resource agencies.

- Participates in a wide variety of office and field operations by providing technical support in the collection, analysis, and preparation of draft stewardship and management reports. Makes recommendations and implements activities relating to the protection, monitoring, and management of fish species, communities, and habitats to ensure their proper stewardship.

- Provides planning, budget development and monitoring support, and implementation of projects related to fish species, communities, and habitats. Negotiates and prepares contracts.

- Develops and implements quality assurance and control procedures.

- May direct technical work of other biologists, technicians, and contract employees engaged in collection of data and/or completion of assigned projects and activities. Provides technical review and guidance to other operations.

- Participate on, or lead interdisciplinary teams as needed, utilizing established procedures and processes to solve problems, such as analyzing work processes; provides innovative thinking to develop new processes/procedures.

- Maintains good working knowledge of and relationship with professional biologists in and outside the region. Participate in professional organizations.

Supervision Received

Assignments are usually received orally from supervisor or Manager. Supervisor or Manager reviews work for overall completeness and to determine if work meets program goals and objectives and is completed in a timely manner. Work is, however, not reviewed for technical accuracy. Incumbent is generally expected to work independently with minimum supervision.

Skills and Proficiencies (May be job or organization specific)

- Thorough understanding of biological & ecological concepts, principles, & practices

- Atmospheric, aquatic, terrestrial or resource management principles & theories

- Apply scientific principles in an integrated management approach

- Working knowledge of environmental laws, regulatory issues/ constraints / requirements in atmospheric, aquatic, terrestrial fields or resource management

- Carry out applied research

- Ability to operate boats & related equipment

- Conduct accurate information recovery, manipulation, and analysis

- Knowledge in use of biological sampling equipment, & sources of technical/scientific information

- Oral & written communication

- Use OC for data analysis, word processing, & spreadsheet development

Minimum Qualifications (Consistent with Classification Standard)

Education and Experience/Certificates, Licenses, and Registration Requirements

Advanced degree in fisheries, aquatic biology, or closely related field from an accredited college or university or equivalent experience coupled with several years’ field experience in a lower level position. Experience with fish species and other aquatic organisms and habitats in the southeastern United States preferable.

Must have demonstrated proficiency in fisheries biology as evidenced by completion of COO Scientific Progression Program or equivalent post graduate education and experience.

Equal Employment Opportunity

TVA is an Equal Opportunity employer and complies with all applicable laws and regulations regarding equal employment opportunities. Any applicant or employee who believes s/he has a discrimination claim (including harassment or retaliation) must contact TVA’s Equal Opportunity Compliance office within 45 calendar days of the event or action s/he believes to constitute discrimination, harassment, or retaliation.

Drug-Free Workplace

All TVA Non-Nuclear employees are covered by TVA's Federal Drug-Free Workplace Program Plan, in accordance with Executive Order 12564, Public Law 100-71 and the Mandatory Guidelines for Federal Workplace Drug Testing. Information regarding the Drug Free Workplace Program can be found at www.samhsa.gov/workplace. TVA Non-Nuclear employees in Testing Designated Positions, including those performing safety-sensitive duties are also subject to random drug testing. TVA Nuclear employees are subject to random alcohol and drug tests in accordance with 10 CFR Part 26 as mandated by the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC).

How to Claim Vet Preference

If you are requesting to be considered as a preference-eligible veteran as outlined in the application process, you must submit your military documents before the posting close date indicated above. Be sure to include all supporting documentation: Form DD214 (member 2 or member 4 copy), a Veterans Disability Rating Letter from the VA (if applicable), and a completed form TVA 3595. If you will not get your DD214 until you are separated or retired, you can request a Statement of Service through your military personnel office. The Statement of Service must list your dates of military service, character of service, expected date of separation and any service-connected disability rating that you have been awarded from your branch of military service. Please submit your military documents each time you apply for a position.

How to Submit Documentation:

- Upload documents in Step 7 of the application process.

- Email documents to careers@tva.gov

More information about preference eligibility and a link to form TVA 3595, can be found at https://www.tva.gov/Careers/Claiming-Veteran-Preference. If you have a question about preference eligibility, please email Careers@tva.gov.