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Wildlife Refuge Specialist

Department of the Interior
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
This job announcement has closed

Summary

This position is part of the Alaska Maritime National Wildlife Refuge.

Overview

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Hiring complete
Open & closing dates
06/30/2020 to 07/06/2020
Salary
$59,165 to - $76,915 per year
Pay scale & grade
GS 9
Location
1 vacancy in the following location:
Homer, AK
Telework eligible
Yes—as determined by the agency policy.
Travel Required
25% or less - You may be expected to travel for this position.
Relocation expenses reimbursed
Yes—You may qualify for reimbursement of relocation expenses in accordance with agency policy.
Appointment type
Permanent
Work schedule
Full-Time
Service
Competitive
Promotion potential
9
Supervisory status
No
Security clearance
Not Required
Drug test
No
Position sensitivity and risk
Non-sensitive (NS)/Low Risk
Trust determination process
Announcement number
R7-20-10844406-NM-DHA
Control number
572290400

Duties

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Duties of the position include but are not limited to the following:

Responsible for planning and carrying out work assignments involving technical biological and habitat restoration/development projects.

Collects, enters into various data bases, and analyzes data from assigned habitat management projects to verify content validity and ensure no errors on input.

Participates with the Wildlife Refuge Manager and other senior management in the development of Comprehensive Conservation Plans, Habitat Management Plans, and/or land acquisition plans.

Manages/conducts or participates in the Refuge public use program including off-Refuge programs, interpretive and educational programs, hunting, fishing, wildlife observation, and other recreational management activities. Maintains in-depth knowledge of accessibility guidelines, etc.

Participates in the development of short and long-range plans, annual work plans, and budgets with Wildlife Refuge Manager and other senior management.

Performs administrative duties that are incidental to the primary program such as maintenance of station records and fiscal accounts, procurement of supplies, services, and equipment, and disposal of surplus property.

Works closely with Engineering and Contracting staff to organize projects covering limited construction, repair and maintenance of equipment, buildings, roads, trails, fences, dikes and other infrastructure.

Requirements

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Conditions of employment

  • Must be a U.S. Citizen or National
  • Males born after 12-31-59 must be registered for Selective Service
  • Resume and supporting documents (See How To Apply)
  • Suitability for employment, as determined by background investigation
  • May be required to successfully complete a probationary period
  • Time-in-Grade requirements apply to status candidates
  • You may be required to carry a firearm in performance of duties
  • Requires training and up-to-date certification in the operation of small boats, snowmobiles, four-wheel all-terrain vehicles, motor vehicles, and/or other light and heavy equipment for official purposes
  • Required to possess knowledge and skills as certified by the completion of the Department's Motorboat Operator Certification Course (MOCC) or other approved watercraft training program
  • A valid state issued Driver's license is required
  • This position is required to wear an official U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service uniform in a manner consistent with established policy and practice

Qualifications

Only experience and education obtained by 07/06/2020 will be considered.

Basic Education Requirement for the 0485 Occupational Series:

Degree: zoology, wildlife management, or an appropriate field of biology that included at least 9 semester hours in zoology; 6 semester hours in such wildlife courses as mammalogy, ornithology, animal ecology, or wildlife management; and 3 semester hours in botany, and 3 semester hours in conservation biology. OR

Combination of education and experience: courses equivalent to a major in one of the fields described above that included at least 9 semester hours in zoology; 6 semester hours in such wildlife courses as mammalogy, ornithology, animal ecology, or wildlife management; and 3 semester hours in botany, and 3 semester hours in conservation biology, plus appropriate experience or additional education.

Minimum Qualifications for the 9 grade level:

1 year of specialized experience, equivalent to at least the GS-07 grade level in the Federal service. Examples of specialized experience may include: Planning and carrying out work assignments involving technical biological and habitat restoration/development projects; Participating in the development of Conservation Plans, Habitat Management Plans, and/or land acquisition plans; Participating in public use programs including: interpretive and educational programs, hunting, fishing, wildlife observation, and other recreational management activities. OR

2 years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to a master's degree or master's or equivalent graduate degree in a discipline directly related to the position. OR

A combination of specialized experience and graduate education as described above that, when combined, equals 100% of the total requirement.

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: http://www.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ous/international/usnei/us/edlite-visitus-forrecog.html

Additional information

To register or verify your registration go to the Selective Service System at https://www.sss.gov/RegVer/wfRegistration.aspx


This vacancy announcement is open only to displaced Federal employees eligible under the CTAP- (Career Transition Assistance Program) or ICTAP-(Interagency Career Transition Assistance Program). You must include documentation showing your eligibility for CTAP or ICTAP priority placement with your application. For more information on CTAP/ICTAP, see:
http://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/workforce-restructuring/employee-guide-to-career-transition/#ictap

AND

Veterans who are preference eligibles or who have been separated from the armed forces under honorable conditions after 3 or more years of continuous active service may apply. Such individuals need not be current or former Federal employees.


FWS has determined that the duties of this position are suitable for telework and the selectee may be allowed to telework with supervisor approval.

More than one position may be filled from this announcement.

A PCS Move is authorized as follows: travel and relocation expenses including reimbursable real estate expenses will be authorized in accordance with the Federal travel regulations excluding contractor-provided home sale. All moving expenses are taxable.

CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT:

DRIVER'S LICENSE: You must possess and maintain a valid State driver's license at all times during your tenure in order to operate Government-owned or leased vehicles and watercraft.
PHYSICAL DEMANDS: The work requires some physical exertion such as walking over wet, rough, uneven, or marshy surfaces; bending, crouching, stooping, stretching, reaching, or similar activities; and recurring lifting of moderately heavy items weighing up to 50 pounds. Work requires average agility and dexterity.
WORK ENVIRONMENT: The work is performed both in an office and outdoors. The office is adequately lighted, heated and ventilated. The incumbent may be subject to large numbers of biting insects and may be required to work in close proximity to large animals. He/she may need to carry a firearm for personal protection from wildlife. Frequent travel by various means of surface and air transportation is required to attend meetings and to conduct field work. The incumbent is expected to conduct duties in a safe and orderly manner so as not to endanger self, fellow workers, or property. The incumbent is expected to conduct duties in a safe and orderly manner so as not to endanger oneself, fellow workers, or property.

If you are unable to apply online or need to fax a document you do not have in electronic form, view the following link for information regarding an Alternate Application: https://help.usastaffing.gov/Apply/index.php?title=Alternate_Application_Information.

How you will be evaluated

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

Once the announcement has closed, a review of your resume and supporting documentation will be used to determine whether you meet the basic qualification requirements listed on this announcement. If you meet the basic qualifications your resume and supporting documentation will be compared against your responses to the assessment questionnaire to determine your level of experience. If, after reviewing your resume and/or supporting documentation, a determination is made that you have inflated your qualifications and/or experience which resulted in you being listed in the highest quality category, you may lose consideration, or be assigned to a lower quality category for this position. Please follow all instructions carefully when applying, errors or omissions may affect your eligibility.

Your qualifications will be evaluated on the following competencies (knowledge, skills, abilities and other characteristics):

Knowledge of, and skill in applying, theories, principles, practices, and techniques of population and wildlife biology to include species lifecycle requirements (conservation biology, landscape ecology) sufficient to independently perform a variety of natural resource assignments and solve minor issues and problems related to the management of a wildlife refuge.

Knowledge of the operation and maintenance of Refuge assets and equipment to ensure accountability and functionality.

Skill in written communication sufficient to draft correspondence, scientific and administrative reports, management plans, and similar documents, and draft a variety of informational and educational materials including brochures, fact sheets, and press releases.

Knowledge of wildland recreation management to include priority public uses and compatibility/appropriate use policies to ensure maximum use of the Refuge facilities while avoiding inappropriate/illegal uses.

Working knowledge of methods, procedures, and techniques applied in Refuge management and habitat/wildlife management sufficient to prepare a variety of documents and responses to management.

If you are a veteran with preference eligibility and you are claiming 5-point veterans' preference, you must attach a copy of your DD-214 showing you were honorably discharged. If you are claiming 10-point veterans' preference, you must attach an SF-15," Application for 10-Point Veterans' Preference" in addition to the proof required by that form.

Career Transition Assistance Program Plan (CTAP) or Interagency Career Transition Assistance Plan (ICTAP) : These programs apply to employees who have been or may be involuntarily separated (e.g. reduction in force, declining to relocate/transfer outside their local commuting area) from a Federal service position within the competitive service or Federal service employees whose positions have been deemed surplus or no longer needed. To receive selection priority for this position, you must: (1) meet ICTAP or CTAP eligibility criteria; (2) be rated well-qualified for the position with a score of 85 or above; and, (3) submit the appropriate documentation to support your ICTAP or CTAP eligibility (e.g., Certification of Expected Separation, Reduction-In-Force Separation Notice, or Notice of Proposed Removal or Removal Notice; SF-50 that documents the RIF separation action; or Removal and most recent performance appraisal.). For more information visit: https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/workforce-restructuring/employee-guide-to-career-transition/

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