Fish and Wildlife Biologist

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Duties

As a Fish and Wildlife Biologist your duties will include but are not limited to the following:

• Coordinates and facilitates activities pursuant to sections 4,6,7,8, and 10 of the Endangered Species Act. Plans and conducts status surveys for both listed and candidate species, in cooperation with other Federal and state agency personnel, private organization representatives, and contractors; negotiates agreements for status surveys with prospective contractors and personnel of cooperating agencies.
• Acts as technical advisor to other Field Office staff on the habitat needs of rare, candidate, proposed, and federally listed species for the purpose of Section 7 consultations with other Federal agencies and designated non-Federal representatives; also consults with staff in preparation of reasonable and prudent measures, reasonable and prudent alternatives, and conservation recommendations. Coordinates wide ranging initiatives involving other Federal and state agencies, organizations, and the public in fully implementing Endangered Species Act programs.
• Prepares written correspondence, reports, and papers for publication, based on the literature, observations made, and investigations conducted. Reports and papers are used to analyze current conditions and assess implications of future actions on rare, candidate, proposed, threatened and endangered species and their habitats.
• Plans, investigates, conducts, and reviews on-site ecological investigations on a wide variety of the most complex and diverse Federal land and water resource development proposals to determine their effects on fish and wildlife resources, with special emphasis on rare, candidate, proposed, federally listed threatened and endangered species habitat, riparian habitat, wetland ecology and management, and other habitats of concern in the affected area.
• Prepares objective and complete written reports and other documents and delivers oral presentations to Service, other agency and organization professional, and public groups based on investigations conducted, analyzing present and future impacts of various complex project alternatives on fish and wildlife resources and economic/recreational uses thereof.
  
  

Promotion Potential: This position involves a multi-grade career ladder. The major duties listed represent the full performance level of GS-12. At lower grade levels, you will perform assignments of a more limited scope and with less independence. You will progressively acquire the background necessary to perform at the full performance level of GS-12. Promotion is at the discretion of the supervisor and is contingent upon satisfactory performance, availability of higher level work, and availability of funds. The selectee may be promoted without further competition when all regulatory, qualification, and performance requirements are met. Selection at a lower grade level does not guarantee promotion to the full performance level.

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Requirements

Conditions of Employment

• Must be a U.S. Citizen or National.
• Resume (See "Required Documents"). Failure to provide ALL required information on your resume will result in loss of consideration due to an incomplete application package. It is your responsibility to ensure all information is provided on resume.
• Eligibility and Supporting documents - You will ONLY be considered for the eligibilities that you select "yes" to AND submit the required supporting documentation, as listed in the Required Documents section.
• Suitability for employment, as determined by background investigation.
• Driver’s License: Selectees may be required to possess and maintain a valid State driver's license at all times during their tenure.
• Uniform: Official U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service uniform MAY be required.
• Probationary Period: Selectees may be required to successfully complete a probationary period.
• Individuals assigned male at birth after 12-31-59 must be registered for the Selective Service. To verify registration visit SSS.gov.
  
  

Qualifications

Only experience and education obtained by 07/24/2024 will be considered.

In order to qualify for this position you must possess both the Basic Requirement and Minimum Qualification.Basic Requirement:

Basic Requirement

• Degree: Bachelor's or higher degree in the biological sciences, agriculture, natural resource management, chemistry, or related disciplines appropriate to the position.
  
  

OR

• Combination of education and experience: Courses equivalent to a major, as shown in A above, plus appropriate experience or additional education.
  
  

Minimum Qualification [GS-11]:

• Possess one year of specialized experience comparable in scope and responsibility equivalent to grade GS-9 in the Federal service. Examples of specialized experience include: 1) preparing Endangered Species Act (ESA) related documents; 2) review biological and commercial data to ensure reliability, credibility, or overall quality; 3) applying the principles and regulations which govern natural resources management statutes such as Endangered Species Act, environmental laws, Executive Orders, regulations, and DOI and Service policies. NOTE: Your resume must contain sufficient information in these areas to be found qualified. OR
• Possess 3 years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to a Ph.D. degree or Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree in the biological sciences, natural resource management, or a closely related field which provided me with the knowledge, skills, and abilities to perform the duties of this position. OR
• Possess a combination of experience as described above and graduate education as described above which, when combined, is equivalent to 100% of the qualification requirement.
  
  

Minimum Qualification [GS-12]: Possess one year of specialized experience comparable in scope and responsibility equivalent to grade GS-11 in the Federal service. Examples of specialized experience include: 1) conducting complex biological analyses, applying regulatory standards, preparing decision documents relating directly or indirectly to endangered species conservation; 2) serving as a team leader for conducting large-scale biological analyses, contributing to the development of policy or protocols, developing conservation projects or programs; or 3) briefing upper management on results of biological analyses, identifying sources of scientific uncertainty and controversy. NOTE: Your resume must contain sufficient information in these areas to be found qualified.

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: Not authorized.

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 or ICTAP applicants must be determined to be well-qualified for this position in order to receive special selection priority. To be well-qualified, a CTAP or ICTAP applicant must meet the following: OPM qualification requirements for the position, all selective factors, where applicable; special OPM approved qualifying conditions for the position; is physically qualified with reasonable accommodation, where appropriate, to satisfactorily perform the duties of the position upon entry; and receives a rating of at least 85 on the questionnaire. For more information visit: OPM's Employee Guide to 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.

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• Help Help 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.

How You Will Be Evaluated

You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.

All applicants who submit a complete and legible application by the closing date of this vacancy announcementwill have their qualifications reviewed to determine if they possess the following knowledge, skills and abilities required to successfully perform the work of this position.

• Knowledge of the latest theories, principles, and methodologies of fish and wildlife biology and ecology, their application, and general knowledge of a wide range of related disciplines.
• Knowledge of environmental laws (Endangered Species Act, Bald and Golden Eagle Protection Act, Migratory Bird Treaty Act, and Fish and Wildlife Coordination Act), executive orders, regulations, and policies to ensure that legal standards are met in the review of proposed Federal actions.
• Knowledge of Endangered Species Act section 7 consultations, including programmatic and other complex section 7 consultations, and tribal coordination.
• Knowledge of developing partnerships and leading conservation on a local and statewide landscape-scale.
• Skill in oral and written communication, including those to initiate and carry out investigations and studies, and ability to analyze data and present analyses together with recommendations.
  
  

Applicants eligible for priority consideration under DOI's Career Transition Assistance Program/Plan, employees eligible under the Interagency Career Transition Plan (ICTAP). Eligible candidates on the Reemployment Placement List (RPL). A qualified and eligible permanent DOI employee may be selected before an ICTAP eligible.