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Fish and Wildlife Biologist

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

Summary

This position is a Fish and Wildlife Biologist, GS- 0401-9/11 for the R1-Idaho Fish and Wildlife Office.

The duty station for this position will be located in the State of Idaho. If selected, you may be placed at a regional office, field office, current duty station, or other DOI-owned or leased worksite at the discretion of management. Additional questions regarding placement should be reserved for the interview process.

Overview

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Hiring complete
Open & closing dates
04/25/2023 to 05/08/2023
Salary
$57,118 to - $89,835 per year
Pay scale & grade
GS 9 - 11
Location
1 vacancy in the following location:
Location Negotiable After Selection
Remote job
No
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
11
Supervisory status
No
Security clearance
Other
Drug test
No
Position sensitivity and risk
Non-sensitive (NS)/Low Risk
Trust determination process
Announcement number
R1-23-11937635-RR-MP
Control number
721533500

Duties

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As a Fish and Wildlife Biologist (Sage/Partnerships Coordinator) your duties will include, but are not limited to, the following:

This position is specific to the Partners for Fish and Wildlife (PFW) program and is organizationally assigned consistent with the assigned Region's approved organizational structure for the PFW program. The Partners for Fish & Wildlife program works with private landowners to improve fish and wildlife habitat on their lands. We are leaders in voluntary, community-based stewardship for fish and wildlife conservation. Partnerships are key and to accomplish this work, we team up with private conservation organizations, state and federal agencies and tribes. Together, with the landowner, these collective shares funding, materials, equipment, labor and expertise to meet both the landowners restoration goals and our conservation mission. PFW helps with projects in all habitat types that conserve or restore native vegetation, hydrology, and soils associated with imperiled ecosystems. Some of these include longleaf pine, bottomland hardwoods, tropical forests, native prairies, sagebrush, wetlands, rivers and streams, or otherwise provide an important habitat requisite for Federal Trust Species. The incumbent serves as a Fish and Wildlife Biologist (Private Lands), responsible for independently identifying and engaging key stakeholders, developing and implementing strategic communication, understanding diverse human values and interests in relation to habitat restoration, and carrying out all field level financial and technical assistance and habitat restoration aspects of the PFW program. The incumbent is actively involved with PFW on the ground habitat restoration and enhancement projects for the assigned geographic region and is responsible for delivery of technical assistance related to program activities benefiting Federal Trust Resources and implementation of the 1985 Food Security Act, as amended (Farm Bill).

Requirements

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Conditions of employment

  • Must be a U.S. Citizen or National.
  • Resume (See "Required Documents"). Failure to provide ALL required information on your resume will result in loss of consideration due to an incomplete application package. It is your responsibility to ensure all information is provided on resume.
  • Eligibility and Supporting documents - You will ONLY be considered for the eligibilities that you select "yes" to AND submit the required supporting documentation, as listed in the Required Documents section.
  • 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.
  • Probationary Period: Selectees may be required to successfully complete a probationary period.
  • Individuals assigned male at birth after 12-31-59 must be registered for the Selective Service. To verify registration visit SSS.gov.

Qualifications

Only experience and education obtained by 05/08/2023 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 Bachelor's or higher degree in the biological sciences, agriculture, natural resource management, chemistry, or related disciplines appropriate to the position. OR
  2. possess a combination of education and experience which includes courses equivalent to a major in biological sciences, agriculture, natural resource management, chemistry, or related disciplines appropriate to the position plus appropriate experience or additional education comparable to that normally acquired through the successful completion of a full 4-year course of study with a major in the appropriate field (as listed above).
Minimum Qualification [GS-09]
  1. Possess one year of specialized experience at or equivalent to the GS-7 grade level in the Federal service. Experience may include (1) developing and maintaining effective working relationships and liaison with private landowners, tribes, other federal, state, and local agencies, and the public regarding habitat restoration; (2) assisting in the development or evaluation of habitat protection or enhancement planning documents and biological reports; (3) participating in habitat or conservation and recovery for a wide variety of ecosystems. OR
  2. Successfully completed at least two full years (36 semester hours) of progressively higher-level graduate education leading to a Master's or equivalent graduate degree, or have a conferred Master's or equivalent graduate degree, from an accredited college or university with a major study in a field closely related to fish and wildlife biology. 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. Possess one year of specialized experience at or equivalent to the GS-9 grade level in the Federal service. Experience may include (1) developing and maintaining effective working relationships and liaison with private landowners, tribes, other federal, state, and local agencies, and the public regarding habitat restoration; (2) assisting in the development or evaluation of habitat protection or enhancement planning documents and biological reports; (3) coordinating the efforts of multiple personnel involved in habitat or conservation and recovery for a wide variety of ecosystems; (4) formulating recommendations to avoid or minimize adverse effects on listed species; and/or (5) preparing briefing statements, reports, correspondence, presentations, etc. OR
  2. Have successfully completed at least three full years (54 semester hours) of progressively higher-level graduate education leading to a Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree, or have a conferred Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree, from an accredited college or university with a major study in a field closely related to fish and wildlife biology. 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

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 click here

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

This position is also open to the public under announcement R1-23-11937633-RR-DE. You must apply to each announcement separately if you wish to be considered under both recruitment methods.

PCS INFORMATION: No PCS entitlements authorized

TELEWORK:This position is suitable for telework and may be allowed to telework with supervisory approval. For teleworkers, their official duty station is the agency worksite (e.g., Main Interior Building) as they are expected to report to the regular worksite at least twice a pay period.

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.

For Eligibility Information click here: USAJOBS Help Center | Land Management

Public Land Corps (PLC) Hiring Authority: 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 and received a certificate of non-competitive eligibility. Completed most recent Corps service, for which a certificate of non-competitive eligibility was issued, within the last 2 years. Appointment must be effected within the 2 year period.

Applicants who apply under this job opportunity announcement agree to have their application, associated documents and applicable personal information shared with other Bureaus/Offices within the Department of the Interior (DOI) who have vacancies within the same occupational series, grade, full performance level and in the same geographic location(s), including within the same metro/commuting area. Applying to this announcement does not replace the need to apply to other job opportunity announcements for which you wish to receive consideration.

Reasonable Accommodation (RA) Requests: If you believe you have a disability (i.e., physical or mental), covered by the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 as amended and Americans with Disabilities Act 1990 as amended, that would interfere with completing the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments, you will be granted the opportunity to request a RA in your online application. Requests for RA for the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments and appropriate supporting documentation for RA must be received prior to starting the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments. Decisions on requests for RA are made on a case-by-case basis. If you meet the minimum qualifications of the position, after notification of the adjudication of your request, you will receive an email invitation to complete the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments. You must complete all assessments within 48 hours of receiving the URL to access the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments, if you received the link after the close of the announcement. To determine if you need a RA, please review the Procedures for Requesting a Reasonable Accommodation for Online Assessments here: https://help.usastaffing.gov/Apply/index.php?title=Reasonable_Accommodations_for_USA_Hire

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 scientific, biological, and ecological theories, principles, methodologies, and practices in relation to fish and wildlife resources on private, tribal, and public lands.
  • Ability to apply the processes and procedures used to initiate, plan, develop, and implement habitat restoration projects on private, tribal, or public land.
  • Ability to develop and implement annual and long-range goals, objectives, plans, and budgets for watersheds, focus areas, and ecosystem priorities within the incumbent's area of responsibility.
  • Skill in strategic communication including best practices for communicating with different value-orientations, using effective conservation messaging and verbal and written communication.
  • Skill in coordinating activities with tribes, government agencies, nongovernment conservation organizations, agribusiness organizations, citizen groups, and private landowners.
  • 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.

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