Clarification from the agency

Recent Graduate with U.S. Citizenship

• Plans, evaluates, conducts a wide variety of complex ecological investigations or inspections to determine their impact upon fish and/or wildlife resources and habitats
• Reviews and/or prepares biological portions of environment assessment/impact statements or comprehensive resource planning reports to evaluate environmental consequences of proposed actions
• Leads efforts in the development of review and processing of research/recovery permits and other recovery/ESA-related documents in coordination with Federal, Tribal, and state agencies
• Submits recommendations to the supervisor on technical and policy matters regarding application of the ESA for sensitive issues with regard to permits
• Develops comprehensive fish and/or wildlife mitigation or management plans to insure preservation, protection, and enhancement of fish and/or wildlife and their habitat for a geographic area
• Maintains contact and communication with biologists throughout the assigned Region and with other agencies (Federal, Tribal, and state) that have endangered species programs

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
• Hawaii and Guam vacancies require possession of US Passport
• Must meet the eligibility requirements for the Recent Graduate Program. Recent Graduates will enter a formal training program with a mentor and execute an Individual Development Plan outlining training requirements and program expectations.
• Recent Graduates must receive at least 40 hours of formal training directly linked to their employment field.
• Recent Graduates serve a trial period for the duration of their excepted service appointment.
• Recent Graduates will be required to sign a Pathways Recent Graduate Participant Agreement.
• Applicants must provide documentation of completion within the previous 2 years of a qualifying associates, bachelors, masters, professional, doctorate, degree or certificate from a qualifying educational institution.
• Possession of current valid state driver's license is required.

Qualifications

Only experience and education obtained by June 30, 2018 (30 days after closing date) wil be considered.

This General Natural Resources Management and Biological Sciences Job Series, 0401, has a basic education requirement. You must possess one of the following to be considered for this series.
A. A full 4-year course of study in an accredited college or university leading to a bachelor's or higher degree in biological sciences, agriculture, natural resource management, chemistry, or related disciplines appropriate to the position. NOTE: To be found qualified under this option, you must submit transcripts (official or unofficial) to verify your education.
B. A combination of education and experience that consisted of courses equivalent to a major (24 semester hours) in fields such as those shown in response A above, plus appropriate experience or additional education. The quality of the combination of education and experience is sufficient to demonstrate that I possess 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 leading to a bachelor's degree with a major in the appropriate field. NOTE: To qualify under this option you must submit transcripts to verify your education and include proof of your experience in the text of your resume.

In addition to meeting at least one of the Basic Qualification Requirements for the 0401 series, you must also meet at least one of the following Qualification Requirements to qualify for this position at the GS-7 grade level.
A. One year of full-time equivalent specialized experience comparable in difficulty and responsibility to the next lower grade level in the Federal service (GS-5). To meet this requirement, you must have experience performing the following as primary duties: 1) collecting data to carry out less complex studies or portions of larger investigations to assist higher grade biologists in order to determine the impact of various land and water development projects on the fish and wildlife resources of an area; 2) collecting, analyzing, and assessing biological and ecological data; AND 3) assisting in implementing laws (Endangered Species Act, 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 ALL areas to be found qualified.
B. Successful completion of at least one full year of graduate level education (18 semester/27 quarter hours or school equivalent) in a discipline directly related to fish and wildlife biology from an accredited college or university. The quality of the education must demonstrate that the applicant possesses the particular knowledge, skills, and abilities required to perform the work of the position to be filled. NOTE: Your must submit transcripts that clearly reflect this education
C. An equivalent combination of appropriate level work experience (as described in "A" above, Additional Qualifications Requirements) and graduate education (as described in "B" above) that when combined meet the qualification requirements. The quality of the combination of education and experience must demonstrate that the applicant possesses the particular knowledge, skills, and abilities required to perform the work of the position to be filled. NOTE: Your resume and transcripts must support this experience and education.
D. Successful completion of all requirements for a bachelor's degree in biological sciences, agriculture, natural resource management, chemistry, or a discipline closely related to fish and wildlife biology, AND meets one of the following under the Superior Academic Achievement provisions:
A grade point average of B (a GPA of 3.0 or higher) for all completed undergraduate courses, or those completed in the last 2 full years of undergraduate study; or a grade point average of B+ (a GPA of 3.5 or higher) for all courses in your major field of study, or those courses in your major completed in the last two years of undergraduate study; or Rank in the upper one-third of your class in the college, university, or major subdivision; or membership in a national honor society (other than freshman honor societies) recognized by the Association of College Honor Societies.

In addition to meeting at least one of the Basic Qualification Requirements for the 0401 series, you must also meet at least one of the following Qualification Requirements to qualify for this position at the GS-9 grade level.
A. Have the equivalent of one year of full-time specialized experience comparable in difficulty and responsibility to at least the next lower level in the federal service (GS-7). My experience has equipped me with the knowledge, skills, and ability to successfully perform these functions as primary duties: 1) Conducting investigations of moderate complexity to determine the impact of various land and water development projects upon the fish and/or wildlife resources of an area; 2) Assisting in developing comprehensive fish and/or wildlife management plans; 3) Assisting in preparing and reviewing biological implications of environmental assessment/impact statements or comprehensive resource planning reports to evaluate environmental consequences of proposed actions; AND 4) Implementing federal or state environmental laws (i.e., Endangered Species Act, specifically Sections 7 and 10; Clean Water Act; Fish and Wildlife Coordination Act; National nvironmental Policy Act), regulations, and polices involving natural resource issues. My resume clearly demonstrates this.
B. Have successfully completed two full years (36 semester/54 quarter hours or school equivalent) of progressively higher level graduate education leading to a master's degree or equivalent graduate degree in a discipline directly related to fish and wildlife biology, which has equipped me with the knowledge, skills and ability to successfully perform the duties of this position as described. The transcripts I am including with my application verify this.
C. In addition to meeting the basic education requirement, I have a combination of specialized experience described in "A" above, PLUS graduate education described in "B" above in excess of 18 semester/27 quarter hours, which is creditable when combined and has equipped me with the knowledge, skills and ability to successfully perform the duties of this position as described. The transcripts and course information I submitted verify my education accomplishments and my resume clearly demonstrates my experience is creditable, and in combination equals 100% of the additional qualifications requirements.

Promotion Potential: This position involves a multi-grade career ladder. The major duties listed represent the full performance level of GS-7/9. 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-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.

How you will be evaluated

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

• Knowledge of applicable Federal environmental laws and Executive Orders
• Knowledge of the habitat and life history requirements of fish and wildlife species to evaluate Federal projects, actions, and programs in relation to their effects on the subject species, wetlands, migrating birds and other trust resources.
• Skill in applying and adapting biological methods, procedures, and techniques and in exercising independent judgment in order to make day-to-day decisions where standard methods and procedures do not apply.
• Skill in evaluating and interpreting biological reports, research papers, environment assessment/impact statements (i.e., NEPA and ESA), and comprehensive resource planning reports to evaluate environmental consequences of proposed actions on Federal fish and wildlife resources of concern; and to apply findings to solve current management problems and accomplish Service objectives.
• 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.