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Supervisory Fish and Wildlife Biologist

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

Summary

This Project Leader position is at the Arizona Fish and Wildlife Conservation Office, with duty at at Flagstaff, Arizona or Whiteriver, Arizona.

This position is also open to status candidates under announcement R2-21-10979056-RR-MP. You must apply to each announcement separately if you wish to be considered under both recruitment methods.

Overview

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Hiring complete
Open & closing dates
12/03/2020 to 12/16/2020
Salary
$107,807 to - $140,146 per year
Pay scale & grade
GS 14
Locations
1 vacancy in the following locations:
Flagstaff, AZ
Whiteriver, AZ
Telework eligible
Yes—as determined by the agency policy.
Travel Required
Occasional travel - 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. See additional information.
Appointment type
Permanent
Work schedule
Full-Time
Service
Competitive
Promotion potential
None
Supervisory status
Yes
Security clearance
Not Required
Drug test
No
Position sensitivity and risk
High Risk (HR)
Trust determination process
Announcement number
R2-21-10979055-RR-DE
Control number
586032200

Duties

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

  • Develops short- and long-range plans, objectives, and priorities for the Fish and Wildlife Conservation Office and coordinates with private, Tribal, and public conservation, governmental entities. Serves on diverse issue-related interagency and interjurisdictional teams.
  • Coordinates internally with both Fisheries and other program Project Leaders at the Field level, and Program Managers at the Regional level to ensure that plans and activities are compatible with aquatic habitat and species recovery priorities and funding levels as determined by Regional Office and Service Headquarters. Represents the Service on committees and/or working groups involved in aquatic ecosystem recovery and management programs that include multi-agency, Tribal, public and private sector participants. As part of these responsibilities, incumbent briefs Congressional representatives, the press, and the diverse public interest groups on program status; coordinates research efforts involving State, private, Federal, and Tribal scientists; coordinates issues with Ecological Services Offices in Field and Regional offices; and communicates information on new and emerging program objectives with partners and colleagues in other states and Regions.
  • Plans, develops, and reports on fishery studies to address management concerns with respect to Federal water projects and compliance with the National Environmental Policy Act, Endangered Species Act, Clean Water Act, Fish and Wildlife Coordination Act, etc. The employee is responsible for initiating and overseeing field studies, and developing and presenting management recommendations for a wide range of fish and other aquatic species and serving as a technical expert for related fish management issues. Participates in and often leads regional Service teams to address evolving policy (as it relates to technical issues) and resource issues.
  • Works closely with high-level program officials regarding overall goals and objectives of the Service's mission and programs; and reviews the adequacy of work performed under contracts, cooperative agreements, grants, and joint venture actions. Manages significant dollar appropriations, directing both short- and long-term funding initiatives. Develops project schedules and study techniques and determines type, amount, and level of information required for the development and analysis of management alternatives and decision making.
  • Develops project schedules and study techniques and determines type, amount, and level of information required for the development and analysis of management alternatives and decision making. Participates in multi-agency and international research efforts. Leads Service participation in international aquatic monitoring where aquatic resources are shared. Represents the Region in the survey and management of imperiled native fishes with responsibility for planning, directing and coordinating recovery activities with cooperators.
  • Supervises and directs a diverse staff of scientists and technicians, devoting more than 25 percent of duty hours to planning, directing, and coordinating the work of staff. Planning and balancing diverse program activities result in enhanced utilization of human and financial resources. Develops improved organizational structure, position descriptions, and program policies and practices. Formulates innovative solutions to problems that entail diverse and conflicting policies, legal precedents, budgetary constraints, and complex technical requirements.

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
  • Financial Statements Required (if hired): Employment and Financial Interest - OGE-450
  • May be required to successfully complete a supervisory probation period

Qualifications

Only experience and education obtained by 12/16/2020 will be considered.

There is a basic requirement for the 0401 job series. To meet this requirement, you must possess one of the following:
A. Successfully completed 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 in biological sciences, agriculture, natural resource management, chemistry, or related disciplines appropriate to the position.
B. Possess a combination of education and experience--courses equivalent to a major, as shown in "A" above, plus appropriate experience or additional education. To combine education and experience, first take the number of semester hours (or equivalent) earned towards your degree and divide by 120 semester hours (or equivalent). To determine the percentage of qualifying experience, divide the total number of months of acceptable specialized experience by 12 months. Add your percentages of education and experience together. The two percentages must total at least 100%.

In addition to the basic requirement for the 0401 job series, you must have at least one year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-13 grade level in the Federal government performing all of the following: 1) verbally communicating complex fish and wildlife conservation issues to agency officials, internal colleagues, and external stakeholders; 2) applying knowledge of appropriate Federal statutes and regulations to fish and wildlife conservation; 3) used various written communication methods to persuasively articulate concerns, conclusions, recommendations, and positions on fish and wildlife conservation issues; and 4) established cooperative working relationships with a wide range of stakeholders involved in fish and wildlife conservation, including individuals and groups with differing viewpoints. This experience must be clearly reflected in your resume.

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

Telework: This position is suitable for telework on in an emergency or natural disaster.

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.

PCS INFORMATION: 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

Supervisory Probationary Period: If you have not previously completed a supervisory probationary period, you will be required to serve a one-year supervisory/managerial probationary period for this position.

Direct Deposit: If you are new employee of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, you must identify a financial institution for direct deposit of your pay prior to appointment.

Government Charge Card: If you are expected to travel on official business, you will be required to apply for a Government travel charge card within 30 days of entrance on duty into this position.

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.

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/"

How you will be evaluated

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

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

Once the announcement has closed, a review of your resume and supporting documentation will be used to determine whether you meet the qualification requirements listed on this announcement. If you meet the qualifications your resume and supporting documentation will be compared against your responses to the assessment questionnaire to determine your level of experience. Note: If, after reviewing your resume and supporting documentation, a determination is made that you have inflated your qualifications 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):

  1. Expertise and practical experience in biological science, ecology, aquatic species interaction, population dynamics, aquatic system physical and biological processes and scientific protocol as it relates to the management of aquatic species.

  2. Experience and skill in coordinating programs with Federal/State agencies, Congressional delegations, nongovernmental organizations, Tribal governments, and other public agencies to accomplish common goals and resolve complex resource issues.

  3. Ability to administer and manage financial resources from diverse Federal, State, and private sources.

  4. Ability to effectively communicate complex biological and/or bio-political resource management issues in writing with high level officials, senior scientists in government, private industry and academia, through briefings and/or testimony

  5. Knowledge of fish and wildlife biology to provide technical advice and scientific recommendation in the interpretation of laws, regulations and policy

  6. Ability to supervise and manage professional and technical personnel, directly and through subordinate supervisors.

All qualified candidates will be assigned to a quality category. The category assignment is a measure of the degree in which your background matches the competencies required for this position. The category ratings for this position are: Best Qualified, Well Qualified, and Qualified

The category rating process protects the rights of veterans by placing them ahead of non-preference eligibles within each quality category. Veterans' preference eligibles who meet the qualification requirements and who have a compensable service-connected disability of at least 10 percent will be listed in the highest quality category (except in the case of scientific or professional positions at the GS-09 level or higher).

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