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Supervisory Wildlife Biologist (Assistant Regional Director)

Department of Agriculture
Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service
This job announcement has closed

Summary

As the Assistant Regional Director for the Wildlife Services (WS) program, you will assist the Regional Director (Senior Executive Service) in coordinating Wildlife Services activities through numerous subordinate supervisors and work force of federal and cooperative scientific, technical and other personnel.

Overview

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Hiring complete
Open & closing dates
05/03/2021 to 05/07/2021
Salary
$108,885 to - $166,502 per year
Pay scale & grade
GS 14 - 15
Location
1 vacancy in the following location:
Location Negotiable After Selection, United States
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
No
Appointment type
Permanent
Work schedule
Full-time
Service
Competitive
Promotion potential
15
Job family (Series)
Supervisory status
Yes
Security clearance
Not Required
Drug test
Yes
Position sensitivity and risk
High Risk (HR)
Trust determination process
Announcement number
MP-11086701-21-WS
Control number
599845500

This job is open to

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Clarification from the agency

Applications will be accepted only from current permanent APHIS employees with competitive status; and CTAP/RPL eligible candidates.

Duties

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  • The duties described are for the full-performance level. At developmental grade levels, assignments will be of more limited scope, performed with less independence and limited complexity.
  • The duties may include, but are not limited to:
  • Assists the Regional Director in establishing Government Performance and Results Act measurements.
  • Ensures that all WS operations within the area of responsibility are in compliance with appropriate objectives, policies, and regulations of USDA, APHIS, and cooperating agencies or States.
  • Assists in identifying needed WS research and development of field projects to support research studies conducted by the WS National Wildlife Research Center (NWRC).
  • Serves on internal and external work groups and committees to plan and develop WS programs.
  • Conducts a continuing review and evaluation of programs to coordinate activities and determine the overall effectiveness of program activities.
  • Acts as a liaison on a Region-wide and Nation-wide basis between State Directors and other agencies, special interest groups, the general public, and Congressional and political representatives.
  • Assures adequate time, resources and support for accomplishment of specific EEO or Civil Rights functions and responsibilities are provided subordinate employees.

Requirements

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Conditions of employment

  • You must be a US Citizen or US National.
  • Males born after 12/31/1959 must be Selective Service registered or exempt.
  • Subject to satisfactory adjudication of background investigation and/or fingerprint check.
  • Subject to one year supervisory/managerial probationary period unless prior service is creditable. New USDA supervisors must successfully complete all components of the required training program before the end of their probationary period.
  • Direct Deposit: Per Public Law 104-134 all Federal employees are required to have federal payments made by direct deposit to their financial institution.
  • Successfully pass the E-Verify employment verification check. To learn more about E-Verify, including your rights and responsibilities, visit https://www.e-verify.gov/.
  • Testing Designated Position: Selectee must submit to a urinalysis to screen for illegal drug use prior to appointment and random testing thereafter. Final appointment and continued employment is conditional on negative results for illegal drug use.
  • Valid state driver's license is required at the time of application.
  • In accordance with Office of Government Ethics regulations concerning conflict of interest, the incumbent will be required to submit a financial disclosure report within 30 days of their effective date of appointment and annually thereafter.
  • The administrative work environment is mostly in an office setting, however, frequent travel is required by common carrier, motor vehicle, and/or light aircraft.
  • Field trips are frequent and are often in hostile environments with moderate to high risk and discomfort. Position necessitates being away from the duty station overnight on a frequent and recurring basis.

Qualifications

Applicants must meet all qualifications and eligibility requirements by the closing date of the announcement including time-in-grade restrictions, specialized experience and/or education, as defined below.

TIME-IN-GRADE: Current federal employees applying for a promotion opportunity must meet time-in-grade (TIG) requirement of 52 weeks of service at the next lower grade level in the normal line of progression for the position being filled.

BASIC REQUIREMENT:

A. Degree:

  • Biological science that included: At least 9 semester hours in such wildlife subjects as mammalogy, ornithology, animal ecology, wildlife management, or research courses in the field of wildlife biology; and
  • At least 12 semester hours in zoology in such subjects as general zoology, invertebrate zoology, vertebrate zoology, comparative anatomy, physiology, genetics, ecology, cellular biology, parasitology, entomology, or research courses in such subjects (Excess courses in wildlife biology may be used to meet the zoology requirements where appropriate.); and
  • At least 9 semester hours in botany or the related plant sciences.

OR:

B. Combination of education and experience: equivalent to a major in biological science (i.e., at least 30 semester hours), with at least 9 semester hours in wildlife subjects, 12 semester hours in zoology, and 9 semester hours in botany or related plant science, as shown in A above, plus appropriate experience or additional education.

In addition to meeting the basic requirement you will also need to meet the following:

FOR THE GS-14 LEVEL: Applicants must have one year of specialized experience (equivalent to the GS-13 level) that may have been obtained in the private or public (local, county, state, Federal) sectors which demonstrates:
  • Experienced in planning, coordinating and implementing activities related to resolving wildlife damage conflicts to protect various resources including agriculture, forestry, property, natural resources, and public health and safety.
  • Experienced in dealing with problems and resolutions that encompass a wide range of environmental, cultural and political influences.
  • Experienced in insuring that wildlife damage management objectives are accomplished in keeping with federal and state laws and regulations, and sound conservation principles.
  • Experienced in overseeing and managing a workforce of federal and cooperatively funded employees, which includes subordinate supervisors, biologists, technicians, and various administrative staff.
Note: There is no education substitution for this grade level.

FOR THE GS-15 LEVEL: Applicants must have one year of specialized experience (equivalent to the GS-14 level) that may have been obtained in the private or public (local, county, state, Federal) sectors which demonstrates:
  • Experienced in planning, coordinating and implementing activities related to resolving wildlife damage conflicts to protect various resources including agriculture, forestry, property, natural resources, and public health and safety.
  • Experienced in dealing with problems and resolutions that encompass a wide range of environmental, cultural and political influences.
  • Experienced in insuring that wildlife damage management objectives are accomplished in keeping with federal and state laws and regulations, and sound conservation principles.
  • Experienced in overseeing and managing a workforce of federal and cooperatively funded employees, which includes subordinate supervisors, biologists, technicians, and various administrative staff.
  • Experienced in leading a team by mentoring and coaching to accomplish complex goals.
  • Experienced in formulating large scale budgets (millions of dollars) and administering expenditures for a complex, multi-faceted program consisting of federal, state, and/or other cooperative funded budgets.
Note: There is no education substitution for this grade level.

TRANSCRIPTS are required if:
  • This position requires specific coursework or a degree in a specific field to be basically qualified.
  • You are qualifying for the position based on education.
  • This education must have been successfully completed and obtained from an accredited school, college, or university
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 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

Please see above for education qualification requirement information.

Additional information

  • Career Transition Assistance Plan (CTAP) or Reemployment Priority List (RPL): Visit the OPM website for information on how to apply as a CTAP or RPL eligible. To exercise selection priority for this vacancy, CTAP/RPL candidates must meet the basic eligibility requirements and all selective factors. CTAP candidates must be rated and determined to be well qualified (or above) based on an evaluation of the competencies listed in the How You Will Be Evaluated section. When assessed through a score-based category rating method, CTAP applicants must receive a rating of at least 85 out of a possible 100.
  • First time hires to the federal government normally start at the lowest rate of the salary range for the grade selected.
  • Travel, transportation, and relocation expenses will not be paid. Any travel, transportation, and relocation expense associated with reporting for duty will be the responsibility of the selected employee.
  • This position may be eligible to telework up to four days per week, based upon the duties of the position. This position may also be eligible for flexible work arrangements as determined by agency policy and any applicable collective bargaining agreements.
  • Locality pay will vary based upon the selectee's duty location. A final salary determination will be made upon selection.
  • Promotion Potential: If you are selected for a position with further promotion potential, you will be placed under a career development plan, and may be non-competitively promoted if you successfully complete the requirements and if recommended by management. However, promotion is neither implied nor guaranteed.

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 based on your qualifications for this position as evidenced by the experience, education, and training you described in your application package, as well as the responses to the Assessment Questionnaire to determine the degree to which you possess the knowledge, skills, abilities and competencies listed below:

  • Conflict Management
  • Developing Others
  • Flexibility
  • Human Capital Management
  • Influencing/Negotiating
  • Integrity/Honesty
  • Leveraging Diversity
  • Problem Solving
  • Wildlife Biology
Your application, including the online Assessment Questionnaire, will be reviewed to determine if you meet (a) minimum qualification requirements and (b) the resume supports the answers provided to the job-specific questions. Your resume must clearly support your responses to all the questions addressing experience and education relevant to this position. Applicants who meet the minimum qualification requirements and are determined to be among the best qualified candidates will be referred to the hiring manager for consideration. Noncompetitive candidates and applicants under some special hiring authorities need only meet minimum qualifications to be referred.

Note: If after reviewing your resume and/or supporting documentation, a determination is made that you have inflated your qualifications and or experience, your score may be adjusted to more accurately reflect your abilities, or you may be found ineligible. Please follow all instructions carefully. Errors or omissions may affect your rating. Providing inaccurate information on Federal documents could be grounds for non-selection or disciplinary action up to including removal from the Federal service.

To preview the application questionnaire, please visit: https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/11086701

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