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Fish and Wildlife Biologist

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

Summary

These positions are Fish and Wildlife Biologist, GS- 0401-7/9.

These positions are also open to status candidates under announcement R1-21-11162167-LP-MP. You must apply to each announcement separately if you wish to be considered under both recruitment methods.

Salary will be based upon duty station and locality pay once selected. Locality tables may be found here.

Overview

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Hiring complete
Open & closing dates
07/13/2021 to 07/26/2021
Salary
$43,683 to - $76,094 per year
Pay scale & grade
GS 7 - 9
Locations
7 vacancies in the following locations:
Boise, ID
Chubbuck, ID
Coeur d'Alene, ID
Portland, OR
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
Yes—- See "Additional Information" section for locations that offer relocation.
Appointment type
Permanent
Work schedule
Full-time
Service
Competitive
Promotion potential
11
Supervisory status
No
Security clearance
Not Required
Drug test
No
Position sensitivity and risk
Non-sensitive (NS)/Low Risk
Trust determination process
Announcement number
R1-21-11162166-LP-DE
Control number
607237200

Duties

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These are developmental Fish and Wildlife Biologist positions designed to prepare employees for the full performance level work (GS-11). The primary purpose of these positions is to provide biological support on a variety of issues relating to restoration and conservation of fish and wildlife and their habitats. Responsibilities may include:

  • Conducting a wide variety of complex biological and ecological surveys, investigations or inspections involving complex land and water resource development actions to determine the effects on threatened, endangered, candidate or species of concern.
  • Review projects to assess restoration and project impacts for the involved area.
  • Assisting or developing fish and/or wildlife recovery or management plans to insure conservation and enhancement of fish and/or wildlife and their habitat for a geographic area having a variety of habitat conditions.

Description of each vacancy:

Positions in Boise, Chubbuck, and Coeur d'Alene, Idaho will work as part of the Idaho Fish and Wildlife Office (IFWO) with varying duties related to the Endangered Species Act (including section 7 consultation and listing and recovery actions), hydropower relicensing, and working with the Partners for Fish and Wildlife Program. Working collaboratively across all IFWO offices, as well as with our Federal, State, and Tribal partners will be a key component for identifying and implementing conservation opportunities. Core skills/specialized experience important in this position include: oral and written communication, interpersonal skills, problem solving, creativity/innovation, partnering, and influencing/negotiating.

Position in Portland, Oregon, is for an Urban Conservation Coordinator within the Conservation Partnerships Division of the Oregon Fish and Wildlife Office. This position coordinates with local governmental, Tribal, conservation, education, land management, industry and/or community organizations, in addition to other USFWS programs, to further the mission of the USFWS in the greater Portland metropolitan area. Potential opportunities may include participating in collaborative workgroups, conservation and management efforts, educational engagement, restoration partnerships, mentoring, and coordinating financial assistance with partner organizations.

Positions in Lacey, Spokane, and Wenatchee, Washington will serve as a fish and wildlife biologist in the Washington Ecological Services office. Duties include coordination and implementation of activities pursuant to the Endangered Species Act, including wide ranging initiatives involving other Federal and state agencies, organizations, and the public. Participates in diverse, complex, and multi-disciplinary planning efforts to achieve Service policies, objectives, and goals. Prepares objective and complete written reports and other documents and delivers oral presentations to Service, other agency and organization professional, and public groups.

Requirements

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Conditions of employment

  • 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: Depending on location, selectees may be required to possess and maintain a valid State driver's license at all times during their tenure.
  • Uniform: Depending on location, Official U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service uniform may be required.
  • Probationary Period: Selectees may be required to successfully complete a probationary period.

Qualifications

Only experience and education obtained by 07/26/2021 will be considered.

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

Basic Requirement:

  1. Degree: Biological sciences, agriculture, natural resource management, chemistry, or related disciplines appropriate to the position. -OR-
  2. A combination of education and experience: Courses equivalent to a major, as shown above, plus appropriate experience or additional education.
Minimum Qualification [GS-07]
  1. One year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-05 grade level in the Federal service that demonstrates your ability to perform the following: 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
  2. Successful completion of 1 full year (18 semester hours) of education from an accredited college or university in wildlife biology, ecology, or a directly related field appropriate to this position; OR
  3. Successful completion of a 4-year course of study leading to a bachelor's degree in a field of study that demonstrates the competencies required by this position with either (1) a grade point average (GPA) of 3.0 based on a 4.0 scale; (2) a 3.5 GPA based on a 4.0 scale for all required courses completed in a qualifying major field of study at either the time of application or during the last two years of your undergraduate curriculum; (3) class standing of upper third of the graduating class in the college, university, or a major subdivision of the college; or, (4) membership in a National Scholastic Honor Society certified by the Association of College Honor Societies, excluding freshman honor societies; OR
  4. An equivalent combination of specialized experience and education beyond the first 60 semester hours towards a bachelor's degree which together equals 100% of the requirements. (When combining education with experience, first determine the total qualifying education as a percentage of the education required for the grade level; then determine the experience as a percentage of the experience required for the grade level; finally, add the two percentages. The total percentage must equal at least 100 percent to qualify an applicant for that grade level.)
Minimum Qualification [GS-09]
  1. One year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-07 grade level in the Federal service that demonstrates your ability to perform the following: 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. NOTE: Your resume must contain sufficient information in these areas to be found qualified. OR
  2. 2 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. An equivalent combination of specialized experience and graduate level education beyond the first year which together equals 100% of the requirements. (When combining education with experience, first determine the total qualifying education as a percentage of the education required for the grade level; then determine the experience as a percentage of the experience required for the grade level; finally, add the two percentages. The total percentage must equal at least 100 percent to qualify an applicant for that grade level.)
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.

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

Relocation Authorization:

  • For positions in Idaho: Yes, 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. Discretionary entitlements are not authorized for this position.
  • For positions in Oregon: No PCS entitlements are authorized.
  • For positions in Washington: No PCS entitlements are authorized.
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.

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

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 the theory, principles and methods of fish and wildlife biology, fishery biology, and/or wildlife biology and a working familiarity with related disciplines.
  • Knowledge of applicable Federal environmental laws and Executive Orders, (e.g., Endangered Species Act, National Environment Policy Act, Coastal Barrier Resources Act, Clean Water Act, Marine Mammal Protection Act, Fish and Wildlife Coordination Act, Oil Pollution Act and Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act); 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).
  • Ability to research literature (including familiarity with appropriate scientific journals and computer searching processes),analyze data, and apply scientific methods as related to the formulation of mitigation or management plans and recovery packages and related documents.
  • Ability to communicate orally to inform peers and cooperators/partners, explain results, and present information at meetings.
  • Ability to communicate in writing to prepare correspondence, and reports for diverse audiences
  • Attention to Detail
  • Decision Making
  • Flexibility
  • Integrity/Honesty
  • Interpersonal Skills
  • Learning
  • Reading
  • Reasoning
  • Self-Management
  • 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.

All qualified candidates will be assigned to a quality category. The category assignment is a measure of the degree in which your background matches the competencies required for this position. The category ratings for this position are: Best Qualified, Well Qualified, and Qualified

The category rating process protects the rights of veterans by placing them ahead of non-preference eligibles within each quality category. Veterans' preference eligibles who meet the qualification requirements and who have a compensable service-connected disability of at least 10 percent will be listed in the highest quality category (except in the case of scientific or professional positions at the GS-09 level or higher).

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