Skip to main content
U.S. flag
Back to results

Biologist

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

Summary

This position is a Biologist, GS-0401-5/7/9 working in one of the following locations:

  • Reno, NV (one position)
  • Homer, AK (one position)
  • Hadley, MA (two positions)
  • Vancouver, WA (three positions), OR
  • Portland, OR (three positions.

Overview

Help
Hiring complete
Open & closing dates
11/03/2022 to 11/17/2022
Salary
$36,118 to - $65,275 per year
Pay scale & grade
GS 5 - 9
Locations
Homer, AK
1 vacancy
Hadley, MA
2 vacancies
Reno, NV
1 vacancy
Portland, OR
3 vacancies
Remote job
No
Telework eligible
No
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
Other
Drug test
No
Position sensitivity and risk
Non-sensitive (NS)/Low Risk
Trust determination process
Announcement number
MR-23-11717440-DMJ-IMP
Control number
687455300

Duties

Help

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

  • In a developmental capacity, participates in the planning and execution of studies and assessments concerning biological, chemical, and physical processes that affect ecosystems. Coordinates, collects and processes field specimens for analysis according to established procedures, methods and techniques.
  • Conducts routine field experiments using established data-collection systems and extracts and analyzes data from these systems. Selects and applies standard techniques, processes, and procedures. Assists in the deployment of remote data-collection systems and participates in the analysis of data from these systems.
  • As directed, conducts limited program analysis. Reviews research and reports prepared by outside parties, such as technical reports, biological assessments, and Environmental impact reports, and provides recommendations orally and in writing to identify conservation needs and opportunities for imperiled species. Drafts technical reports summarizing findings.
  • Gathers and organizes a wide variety of biological, ecological, pathological, public use data or other information pertinent to scientific studies. Performs preliminary analysis of quantitative and qualitative data using established methods and software in ways that support project needs.
  • Maintains computer databases; conducts geospatial analysis; and gathers, analyzes, tabulates and summarizes scientific, programmatic, and/or budgetary data. As directed, utilizes established data visualization methods and techniques to accurately and effectively communicate data and data analysis findings to various audiences including FWS management and staff, stakeholders, and partners.

Physical Demands: The work involves a varied amount of field work. When engaged in field activities, the work is at times strenuous, requiring exertion such as walking over wet, rough, uneven or rocky surfaces, bending, crouching, stooping, stretching, reaching, or similar activities. The work requires average agility and dexterity. Travel to remote study sites may be required via boats, small aircraft, snowmobiles, all-terrain vehicles, and/or on foot. Extended periods of camping in tents or cabins in remote field camps may occur. Incumbent must be able to cope with the pressure of short time deadlines, responsibilities of logistics to remote areas, cultural conflicts, and adverse weather conditions. The incumbent may be required to lift objects weighing up to 50 pounds.

Work Environment: The work requires both office and outdoor work. The office is adequately lighted, heated and ventilated. Frequent travel by various means of surface and air transportation is required to attend meetings and to conduct field work. A variety of temperature and weather extremes may be encountered while in the field. The incumbent may be subject to large numbers of biting insects and may be required to work in close proximity to large animals such as deer, elk, bear and moose. In addition, the incumbent may be exposed to work situations involving hazardous substances, and must comply with Service health and safety policies, including appropriate safety clothing and equipment. He/she may need to carry a firearm for personal protection from wildlife. The incumbent is expected to conduct duties in a safe and orderly manner so as not to endanger self, fellow workers, or property.

Promotion Potential: This position involves a multi-grade career ladder. The major duties listed represent the full performance level of GS-9. 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-9. 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.

Requirements

Help

Conditions of employment

  • Must be a U.S. Citizen or National.
  • Individuals assigned male at birth after 12-31-59 must be registered for the Selective Service. To verify registration, visit SSS.gov.
  • Resume and supporting documents (See How To Apply).
  • Merit promotion applicants must meet time-in-grade requirement as defined in 5 CFR 300, Subpart F.
  • 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.
  • The Selectee may be required to lift objects weighing up to 50 pounds.

Qualifications

Only experience and education obtained by 11/17/2022 will be considered.

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

Basic Requirement and Minimum Qualification [GS-05]:
Possess a bachelor's or higher degree from an accredited college or university in biological sciences, agriculture, natural resource management, chemistry, or related disciplines appropriate to the position.

OR

Possess a combination of education and experience which includes courses equivalent to a major in the biological sciences (i.e., at least 24 semester hours) as shown above, plus appropriate experience or additional education that is comparable to that normally acquired through the successful completion of a full 4-year course of study in the biological sciences, agriculture, or natural resources management or related disciplines appropriate to the position.

Minimum Qualification [GS-7]
One year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the GS-05 grade level in Federal service. Examples of specialized experience may include: assisting in reviewing biological portions of environmental assessment/impact statements or comprehensive resource planning reports to evaluate environmental consequences of proposed actions; researching potential impacts of proposed programs or actions to determine the effects of those programs or actions on threatened and endangered species; assisting with preparing portions of draft biological opinions/assessments as required under Section 7 of the Endangered Species Act (ESA) for the supervisor's review and/or discussion; maintaining and updating files on permits issued for activities associated with endangered, threatened, proposed, and candidate species and their habitats; gathering, organizing, and interpreting biological, ecological, pathological, public use, or other pertinent information to ensure management plans are current; and implementing federal environmental laws (i.e., Endangered Species Act, specifically Sections 7 and 10; Clean Water Act; Fish and Wildlife Coordination Act; National Environmental Policy Act), regulations, and policies involving natural resource issues. NOTE: Your resume must contain sufficient information in these areas to be found qualified.

OR

Successfully completed at least one full year of graduate education from an accredited college or university in wildlife biology, ecology, or a directly related field appropriate to this position.

OR

Superior Academic Achievement (S.A.A.) S.A.A. based on (1) Class Standing, (2) Grade-Point Average, or (3) Honor Society Membership. (1) Class Standing: Upper one-third of the graduating class in the college, university, or major subdivision based on completed courses. (2) Grade-Point Average: A grade point average of (a) 3.0 or higher out of a possible 4.0 (B or better) as recorded on the official transcript or as computed based on four years of education, or computed based on courses completed during the final two years of the curriculum; -or- (b) 3.5 or higher out of a possible 4.0 0 (B+ or better) based on the average of the required courses completed in the major field or the required courses in the major field completed during the final two years of the curriculum. (3) Election to Membership in a National Scholastic Honor Society: Applicants may be considered eligible based on membership in one of the national scholastic honor societies. Freshman scholastic honor societies cannot be used to meet the requirements of this position.

OR

A combination of specialized experience (at least 6-months) and graduate education (9 semester-hours), as described above that, when combined, equals 100% of the total requirement.

Minimum Qualification [GS-9]
Possess one year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the GS-07 grade level in Federal service. Examples of specialized experience may include: assisting in reviewing biological portions of environmental assessment/impact statements or comprehensive resource planning reports to evaluate environmental consequences of proposed actions; researching potential impacts of proposed programs or actions to determine the effects of those programs or actions on threatened and endangered species; assisting with preparing portions of draft biological opinions/assessments as required under Section 7 of the Endangered Species Act (ESA) for the supervisor's review and/or discussion; maintaining and updating files on permits issued for activities associated with endangered, threatened, proposed, and candidate species and their habitats; gathering, organizing, and interpreting biological, ecological, pathological, public use, or other pertinent information to ensure management plans are current; and implementing federal environmental laws, regulations, and policies involving natural resource issues, skilled in designing and maintain geospatial analysis tools; utilizing field and laboratory techniques to collect and analyze samples. NOTE: Your resume must contain sufficient information in these areas to be found qualified.

OR

Possess 2 years of progressively higher-level graduate education leading to a master's degree or master's or equivalent graduate degree in wildlife biology, ecology, or a directly related field appropriate to this position.

OR

Possess a combination of education (18 semester hours) and experience (at least 6 months). The total percentage equals at least 100 percent of the required education and experience as stated above.


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.

Time In Grade Requirement: Applicants must meet both eligibility and qualification requirements for the position of interest by the closing date of the JOA. Specifically,

i. Area of Consideration.
ii. Time-in-grade (TIG) requirements as specified in 5 CFR 300, Subpart F.
iii. Time after competitive appointment as specified in 5 CFR 330.502.
iv. Qualification requirements outlined in OPM's Qualifications Standards for General Schedule Positions or for Federal Wage System (FWS), wage grade positions, applicants are evaluated using the OPM Job Qualification System for Trades and Labor Occupations and the job element examining method
Your SF-50 will be used to confirm you meet all requirements

Career Transition Assistance Plan (CTAP):
Department of Interior (DOI) Career Transition Assistance Plan (CTAP) procedures apply in filling this vacancy. CTAP provides placement assistance to permanent Federal employees who are surplus, displaced, or involuntarily separated. Applicants claiming CTAP 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, 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 visit: https://www.usajobs.gov/Help/working-in-government/unique-hiring-paths/federal-employees/career-transition/"

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

PCS INFORMATION: PCS entitlements are NOT authorized for the following locations: Reno, NV; Hadley, MA; Vancouver, WA, and Portland, OR.

PCS entitlements are authorized for HOMER, AK. 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 including contractor-provided home sale.

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.

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.

Note: You must submit ALL SF-50s and performance information for each period of temporary/term employment that qualifies for LMWFA. Performance documentation can be obtained by contacting the supervisors for the positions you served in during your 24 months. If they did not complete performance appraisals, ask them to provide a statement of performance for each period of service. The statement must specify the dates for each employment period and your level of performance (dates should match the dates on the SF-50s).

Current 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; 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.


Cost of Living Allowance: In addition to the yearly salary, this position is entitled to a 4.01%cost-of-living allowance (COLA)as determined by https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/pay-leave/pay-systems/nonforeign-areas/#url=COLA-Rates .This allowance is subject to annual review, adjustment, and rate decrease.

For Homer, AK Applicants:
Alaska Return Rights (excluding Anchorage and Fairbanks): If you are a current U. S. Fish and Wildlife Service employee and you are transferring from a Region outside of Alaska, you will be eligible to return to a position in your home Region upon completion of a minimum 3-year tour of duty in Alaska. If you exercise this option, your home Region will place you in a position of equivalent grade in the same general occupational classification series that you occupied in Alaska. For the professional series at the GS-5 level or above.

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 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):

  • Ability to establish positive working relationships and exercise tact and diplomacy in coordinating activities with co-workers, and as needed, with representatives of other Federal agencies, state, tribal and local organizations, conservation organizations, and the general public.
  • Ability to communicate orally in order to share information and present findings.
  • Knowledge of database management and geospatial analysis concepts, principles, and methods.
  • Ability to communicate in writing in order to prepare correspondence, scientific, and administrative reports, management plans, and similar documents.
  • Professional knowledge of the theories, principles and concepts of biology; related biological and physical science disciplines such as botany, chemistry, toxicology, hydrology, entomology, limnology, parasitology, and ecology.
  • Skill utilizing field and laboratory techniques to collect and analyze samples and statistical procedures for the interpretation of study results.
  • Knowledge of database management and geospatial analysis concepts, principles, and methods.


Candidates who apply under Competitive Merit Promotion procedures will undergo a quality review to determine if they are highly qualified based on the content of their resume and their responses to the questionnaire. Best qualified candidates will be referred if all required supporting documentation has been provided.

Candidates who apply under Noncompetitive Merit Promotion procedures will undergo a quality review to determine if they are minimally qualified based on the content of their resume and their responses to the questionnaire. Qualified candidates will be referred if all required supporting documentation has been provided.

Your session is about to expire!

Your USAJOBS session will expire due to inactivity in 8 minutes. Any unsaved data will be lost if you allow the session to expire. Click the button below to continue your session.