Clarification from the agency

Govt. Wide: Current Career or Career Conditional Federal Employees, Land Management eligibles, 30% disabled veterans, Military Spouse, Peace Corps, AmeriCorps, Vista, VRA, VEOA, ICTAP/CTAP, Schedule A, Reinstatement eligibles, PLC.

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

• Plans, evaluates, conducts a wide variety of complex ecological investigations or inspections involving complex land and water resource development projects, proposals and/or license applications/renewals to determine their impact upon fish and/or wildlife resources and habitats and to ensure that legal standards and other requirements are met and implemented in a manner most beneficial to fish and/or wildlife resources. Prepares reports on the findings and recommends appropriate courses of action (e.g., approval/disapproval, offering alternative projects, or taking remedial action).
• valuates biological data and Federal program or project operational data to determine the effects of those programs or actions on threatened or endangered species through formal and informal consultation procedures. Assesses impacts of proposed Federal actions on threatened and endangered species and develops draft biological opinions required under Section 7 of the Endangered Species Act (ESA) Amendments for supervisor's review. Recommends ways to minimize or eliminate impacts to listed species, as well as alternatives that will avoid jeopardizing the continued existence of a species or avoid destroying or adversely modifying critical habitat. Assembles or contacts appropriate biological experts as needed when the scope or complexity is beyond the expertise of the staff and helps to identify and implement process streamlining measures.
• Submits recommendations to the supervisor on technical and policy matters regarding application of the ESA for sensitive issues with regard to permits including, but not limited to, the status of permits assigned to field offices or other Regional staff and analyzes regional permit workload and provides recommendations for streamlining as appropriate. Maintains coordination and serves as the liaison with Headquarters staff, Regional Solicitor, and field office staff to ensure that documents have appropriate reviews and follow Service regulations, policy, guidance, and procedures.
• Develops, coordinates, or reviews plans that may encompass any and all programs that affect fish and/or wildlife and their habitat conditions including, but not limited to, fire management, moist soil management, cooperative farming, wetland management, water quantity/quality, timber/forestry, or grassland management and/or restoration.
• Maintains contact and communication with biologists throughout the assigned Region and with other agencies (Federal, Tribal, and state) that have endangered species programs. Provides technical biological guidance to requestors implementing programs for the conservation and recovery of threatened and endangered species.

Promotion Potential: This position involves a multi-grade career ladder. The major duties listed represent the full performance level of GS-11. 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-11. 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.

Conditions of employment

• Merit promotion applicants must meet time-in-grade requirement as defined in 5 CFR 300, Subpart F.
• Must be a U.S. Citizen or National.
• Individuals assigned male at birth after 12-31-59 must be registered for Selective Service. To verify registration visit SSS.gov.
• Resume and supporting documents (See How to Apply).
• 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.
• Probationary Period: Selectees may be required to successfully complete a probationary period.

Qualifications

Only experience and education obtained by 01/24/2023 will be considered.

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

Basic Requirement:

1. Possess a degree in biological sciences, agriculture, natural resource management, chemistry, or related disciplines appropriate to the position. OR
2. Have a combination of education and experience that is equivalent to a major in a biological science. The quality of the combination of education and experience must be sufficient to demonstrate that the applicant possesses the knowledge, skills, and abilities required to perform work in the occupation, and is comparable to that normally acquired through the successful completion of a full 4-year course of study with a major in the appropriate field. In addition to courses in the major and related fields, a typical college degree would have included courses that involved analysis, writing, critical thinking, research, etc. These courses would have provided an applicant with skills and abilities sufficient to perform progressively more responsible work in the occupation. Therefore, creditable experience should have demonstrated similarly appropriate skills or abilities needed to perform the work of the occupation.

Minimum Qualification [GS-09]

1. One year of specialized experience comparable in scope and responsibility equivalent to grade GS-07 in the Federal service. Experience may include conducting biological or ecological investigations to determine the impact of various land and water development projects upon the fish and/or wildlife resources of an area; reviewing permit applications; assisting in developing comprehensive fish and/or wildlife management plans; preparing portions of draft biological opinions/assessments as required under Section 7 of the Endangered Species Act (ESA); reviewing biological portions of environment assessment/impact statements or resource planning reports; implementing biological work and/or habitat preservation and development work for endangered, threatened, proposed, and candidate species and their habitats; 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. OR
2. Have completed two years of progressively higher level graduate education at an accredited college or university leading to a master's degree or equivalent graduate degree in wildlife biology, ecology, or a directly related field appropriate to this position. OR
3. A combination of education and experience as described in 1 and 2 above which together equals 100% of the requirement

Minimum Qualification [GS-11]

1. One year of specialized experience comparable in scope and responsibility equivalent to grade GS-09 in the Federal service. Experience may include independently conducting biological work participating in the analysis and mitigation of ecological impacts associated with resource development projects and their impact on fish, wildlife, or plant species and their habitats; collaboratively developing practices to conserve federally listed and/or other at-risk species such as State species of great conservation need; implementing the Endangered Species Act, specifically section 7; and implementing other laws such as the National Environmental Policy Act, the Fish and Wildlife Coordination Act, and the Migratory Bird Treaty Act for the protection and conservation of endangered, threatened, or sensitive species and their habitats. OR
2. Have completed 3 years of graduate education leading to a Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree in wildlife biology, ecology, or a directly related field appropriate to this position. OR
3. A combination of education and experience as described in 1 and 2 above which together equals 100% of the 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.

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

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 how well you meet the qualifications listed in this vacancy announcement. Your qualifications will be evaluated based on your application materials (e.g., resume, supporting documents), the responses you provide on the application questionnaire, and the result of the online assessments required for this position. You will be assessed on the following competencies (knowledge, skills, abilities, and other characteristics):

• Knowledge of and skill in planning and conducting complex inspections of existing projects to ensure that legal standards and other requirements are met and implemented in a manner most beneficial to fish and/or wildlife resources.
• Knowledge of applicable Federal environmental laws and Executive Orders, (i.e., Endangered Species Act, National Environment Policy Act, Migratory Bird Treaty Act, Bald and Golden Eagle Protection Acts, Fish and Wildlife Coordination Act, Federal Land Policy and Management Act, and Natural Resources Damage Assessment); of other Federal regulations; and of Service/Department policies or guidelines in order to ensure that legal standards are met in the review of proposed land and water resource development projects (Federal, Tribal, state, commercial industry, and surrounding landowners/FWP).
• Broad professional knowledge of the concepts, principles, methodologies, and practices of conservation biology and ecology in order to provide a critical review of listing, delisting, critical habitat and special rule documents as well as petition and candidate assessment findings and determinations, as they relate to the threats facing species at risk and their habitats, e.g., grasslands, forests, prairies, shrub lands, wetlands, and deserts. Skill in applying this knowledge in the gathering and analyses of biological and ecological data and for the formulation of biologically- and ecologically-sound conclusions and actions to the solution of problems affecting natural resources.
• Skill in verbal and written communications, including skill in presenting data and its analyses, and to write objective reports requiring a minimum of reviewing and editing.
• Attention to Detail, Decision Making, Flexibility, Integrity/Honesty, Interpersonal Skills, Learning, Reading, Reasoning, Self-Management, Stress Tolerance, Teamwork

In order to be considered for this position, you must complete all required steps in the process. In addition to the application and application questionnaire, this position requires an online assessment. The online assessment measures critical general competencies required to perform the job.

Overstating your qualifications and/or experience in your application materials or application questionnaire may result in your removal from consideration. Cheating on the online assessment may also result in your removal from consideration. Please follow all instructions carefully when applying, errors or omissions may affect your eligibility.