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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
- LMWFA or Public Land Corps eligibles may apply
- A valid state driver's license is required in order to operate government-owned or leased vehicles.
Qualifications
Only experience and education obtained by will be considered.
To qualify for the 0401 Series you must meet the basic education requirement as described in A or B below:
A. Successful completion a full 4 year course of study in an accredited college or university leading to a bachelor's or higher degree that included a major field of study or specific course requirements in biological sciences, agriculture, natural resource management, chemistry, or related disciplines appropriate to the position.
OR
B. Possess a combination of education and experience which includes courses equivalent to a major (i.e. 24 semester hours), as described above, plus appropriate experience or additional education. The quality of the combination of education and experience must have been sufficient to demonstrate that the applicant possesses the knowledge, skill, and abilities required to perform Fish and Wildlife Biologist work, and is comparable to that normally acquired through the successful completion of a full 4 year course of study with a major study in one of the appropriate fields.
In addition to meeting the basic education requirement to qualify for the GS-13 grade level you must meet the specialized experience requirement below:
At least one year of full-time specialized experience comparable in difficulty and responsibility to the next lower grade level (comparable to GS-12) in the Federal service. Such experience may have included: coordinating with and advising Federal, State and local agencies, Tribes, non-governmental organizations, industry representatives, private landowners, and others; working with parties to share information, gain support, and resolve conflicts; Initiating and developing significant and innovative changes, methods, and measures to resolve unusual natural resources problems and situations, creating solutions for long-term improvements and reviews; providing assistance on Endangered Species Act (ESA) Section 7 consultations. Coordinating and facilitating activities pursuant to compliance with the ESA; developing Biological Assessments; serving as a technical expert in endangered species and fish and wildlife management.
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.
The Land Management Workforce Flexibility Act (LMWFA),P.L. 114-47, allows certain individuals who currently or formerly were under time-limited competitive appointments at certain land management agencies to compete under merit promotion procedures:
Current appointees:
Note: You must submit ALL SF-50s and performance information for each period of temporary/term employment that qualifies for LMWFA.
·Must have been hired under competitive examining procedures to a time limited appointment with a land management agency.
·Must have served under 1 or more time limited appointments by a land management agency for a period totaling more than 24 months without a break in service of 2 or more years; AND
·Must have performed at an acceptable level.
Former appointees:
·Must have been hired under competitive examining procedures to a time limited appointment with a land management agency,
·Must have served under 1 or more time limited appointments by a land management agency for a period totaling more than 24 months without a break in service of 2 or more years;
·Must apply for position within 2 years after separation,
·Must have been separated for reasons other than misconduct or performance; AND
·Must have performed at an acceptable level
Public Land Corps (PLC) Hiring Authority:
Note: You must provide a copy of the Certificate of Eligibility for Non-Compliance Hiring Based for Public Land Corps Service.
(1) In order to be eligible for PLC non-competitive status, a former member of the PLC must provide documentation, as part of their application, verifying their eligibility and meet the following criteria:
(a) Served as a qualified youth on an appropriate conservation project completing a minimum of 640 hours of satisfactory service that included at least 120 hours through the PLC;
(b) Applied to a vacancy announcement for which applications are being accepted from individuals with non-competitive status;
(c) Meet the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) minimum qualification standards stated in the vacancy announcement for the position which you are applying; and
(d) Completed his/her most recent Corps service, which provided him/her with a total of 640 hours, inclusive of 120 hours on a PLC project as defined in 16 USC 1723(d), within the last two (2) years.
(2) Appointments must be effected within the two years requirement.
(3) The two year time-frame cannot be extended.
(4) Selectees will be subject to a probationary period.
(5) This authority may be used for General Schedule and Federal Wage System positions.
(6) Competitive service appointments may be made for temporary, term or permanent positions.
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) and grade point average or class ranking. 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
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):
- Mastery of, and skill in applying advanced theories, principles, and methods of fish and wildlife biology and a knowledge of ecology, conservation biology, botany, zoology, and other related fields
- Mastery of regulations and policies governing decisions and responsibilities related to ESA
- Detailed knowledge of environmental laws, regulations, and policies, such as the Migratory Bird Treaty Act, Bald and Golden Eagle Protection Act, Fish and Wildlife Coordination Act. Familiarity with Army Corps of Engineers guidelines and regulations
- Knowledge of the principles of supervision and management including the ability to supervise, coordinate and direct the work of others
- Knowledge of terrestrial, aquatic, estuarine, and wetland ecology, with emphasis on assessment of the effects of water development activities, land projects, etc., on fish and wildlife habitat and associated resources
- Skill in integrating complex technical, policy, legal, and practicability considerations in reviewing actions that affect endangered species
- Ability to manage a high-volume, time-sensitive workload involving both short-term and long-term projects and assignments to ensure timely coordination with other affected entities and meet multiple deadlines
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 (VA Letter showing % of disability).
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