Clarification from the agency

Recent graduates from a qualifying educational institution having completed an academic program within the preceding two years OR will be receiving a degree or certificate no later than December 31, 2023. Note: Veterans who were precluded by their military service obligation from meeting this requirement will have up to six years to apply.

The Pathways Recent Graduate Program is for recently graduated or graduating individuals who are looking for developmental experiences in the Federal Government intended to promote possible careers in the civil service. Recent Graduates will serve on this appointment for one year. During the first year the selectee will perform developmental activities designed to help them acquire the competencies of the target position in which they may be placed upon completion of the program. Participants who successfully complete the Recent College Graduates Program may be eligible for conversion to the target position on a permanent or term (more than one to four years in duration) basis without further competition. For more information on the Pathways Recent Graduate Program, please visit https://www.usajobs.gov/StudentsAndGrads.

As a Wildlife Inspector Field Senior Wildlife Inspector your duties may include, but are not limited to, the following:

GS-7

• Assists with targeted interdiction activities intended to expose and counter wildlife trafficking at ports-of-entry.
• Under close supervision conducts basic field activities, cargo and passenger lookouts, following procedures and inspections plans.
• Assists in identification and investigations into suspected violations of federal, state, and international wildlife laws, regulations and treaties.
• Under close supervision conducts routine inspections and investigations in compliance with laws, regulations and Service guidance governing search, seizure, detains, collects, stores, preserves documents, takes samples, photographs, or other documentation; and disposes of evidence.
• Prepares correspondence, documents, and reports related to inspection duties.

GS-9

• Assists in identification and investigations into suspected violations of federal, state, and international wildlife laws, regulations and treaties.
• Under close supervision conducts routine inspections and investigations in compliance with laws, regulations and Service guidance governing search, seizure, detains, collects, stores, preserves documents, takes samples, photographs, or other documentation; and disposes of evidence.
• Prepares correspondence, documents, and reports related to inspection duties.
• Obtains compliance with fish and wildlife laws and regulations through education and other outreach activities.
• Assists with targeted interdiction activities intended to expose and counter wildlife trafficking at ports-of-entry.
• Conducts routine field activities, cargo and passenger lookouts, following established procedures and inspections plans.

GS-11

• Conducts targeted interdiction activities intended to expose and counter wildlife trafficking at ports-of-entry.
• Conducts field activities, creates cargo and passenger lookouts, procedures and inspections plans.
• Identifies and initiates investigations into suspected violations of federal, state, and international wildlife laws, regulations and treaties.
• Conducts inspections and complex investigations in compliance with laws, regulations and Service guidance governing search, seizure, detains, collects, stores, preserves documents, takes samples, photographs, or other documentation; and disposes of evidence.
• Examines shipments imported and exported via various methods of international transport including, but not limited to, ocean freight, cargo, passenger baggage, land border, express couriers, shipping containers and other conveyances to interdict illegal wildlife and facilitate the expedited movement of legal wildlife trade.
• Participates as a technical expert on wildlife trade with law enforcement agents in civil and criminal investigations into illegal wildlife trade and/or other violations of federal, state, tribal, and international wildlife protection laws.
• Routinely generates reports, correspondence, guidance documents, and presentations for management, law enforcement partners, industry stakeholders, and the public.
• Formulates training and updates to other law enforcement officers, other Fish and Wildlife Service (Service) employees, the import/export community, and the public to enforce law enforcement goals and objectives.
• Develops and conducts a variety of outreach activities to increase compliance with wildlife laws, educate the public about wildlife trade, and enhance collaboration with other federal, state, and international government partners.

You MUST submit official or unofficial College Transcript(s) showing the date degree or certificate is conferred.

• If your degree or certificate has not been conferred, you must provide a letter from the school documenting current standing, degree being obtained and expected graduation date, with your application package, in addition to your most recent College Transcript(s)
• Your degree or certificate must be conferred no later than 12/31/2023
• A firm job offer will not be presented until receipt of official transcripts showing degree conferred.

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.
• Suitability for employment, as determined by background investigation
• Drug testing position
• Must meet Pathways eligibility requirements
• 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.
• Males born after 12-31-59 must be registered for Selective Service
• Notice of Financial Disclosure Report Requirement: This position is subject to a financial disclosure requirement and you will be required to complete either OGE Form 278e or OGE Form 450 as applicable within 30 days of your appointment.

Qualifications

Pay tables: https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/pay-leave/salaries-wages/2023/general-schedule

Only experience obtained by 09/30/2023 will be considered.

OPM's Qualification standard: http://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/classification-qualifications/general-schedule-qualification-standards/final-groupcoveragequalificationstandardforpathwaysprogramschedule-20d.pdf. Applicants meet the following eligibility requirement, and provide documentation such as a copy of your official transcript and/or veteran's documentation by the closing date of the announcement to be considered:

In order to qualify for this position you must meet requirements of the Pathways Recent Graduate Program and possess Minimum Qualification.

Pathways Recent Graduate
Must obtained degree or certificate within the previous two years OR will be receiving no later than December 31, 2023, a qualifying associate's, bachelor's, master's, professional, doctorate, vocational or technical degree or certificate from a qualifying educational institution; OR a veteran that completed all the requirements for an academic course of study within the previous six years.

Minimum Qualification GS-7

1. One year of specialized experience comparable in scope and responsibility equivalent to grade GS-5 in the Federal service. Experience may include 1) Participated in training on the identification of wildlife; 2) Perform specific risk assessments and analyze data; 3) Convey mission and objectives clearly via written or oral communication; and 4) Work with others in federal, state, tribal, and/or nongovernmental organizations. OR
2. 1 full year of graduate level education or superior academic achievement. 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-9

1. One year of specialized experience comparable in scope and responsibility equivalent to grade GS-7 in the Federal service. Experience may include: 1) Participated in training on the identification of wildlife, their parts and products; 2) Perform specific risk assessments and analyze trade data and trends for recommendations to higher level employee for action; 3) Communicate mission and objectives clearly by initiating analytical reports; and 4) Work with others in federal, state, tribal, and/or international laws and
   regulations. OR
2. Master's or equivalent graduate degree or 2 full years of progressively higher-level graduate education leading to such a degree or LL.B. or J.D., if related. 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-9 in the Federal service. Experience may include 1) Conducts targeted interdiction activities and inspections intended to expose lack of compliance with or illegal activity of U.S. and/or foreign laws, treaties and regulations. 2) Identify wildlife, their parts and products, and refer specimens requiring advanced identification techniques. 3) Perform specific risk assessments and analyze trade data and trends to develop criteria required to evaluate compliance with regulations and permits/licenses. 4) Communicate mission and objectives clearly by initiating analytical reports. 5) Work with other law enforcement partners in civil and criminal investigations into illegal wildlife trade and/or other violations of federal, state, tribal, and international laws. OR
2. Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree or 3 full years of progressively higher-level graduate education leading to such a degree or LL.M., if related. 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.

Promotion Potential: This position involves a multi-grade career ladder. The major duties listed represent level of GS-7/9/11. 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-12. 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:

• Require to obtain and wear an official U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service uniform.
• Must be able to operate a government-owned or leased motor vehicle. A valid state driver's license is required.
• THIS IS A DRUG TESTING DESIGNATED POSITION: Applicant(s) tentatively selected for this position will be required prior to appointment to submit to urinalysis to screen for illegal drug use. As a condition of continued employment in this position, incumbent(s) will be subject to random testing for illegal drug use.
• This position sensitivity level has been designated as critical sensitive. The selectee must undergo a Single Scope Background Investigation (SSBI) prior to appointment.
• The employee selected may be required to work a non-standard tour of duty that may include weekends, holidays, and night shifts.

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.

If you are a veteran with preference eligibility and you are claiming 5-point veterans' preference, you must attach a copy of your DD-214 showing you were honorably discharged. If you are claiming 10-point veterans' preference, you must attach an SF-15," Application for 10-Point Veterans' Preference" in addition to the proof required by that form.

Unranked list: Applicants who meet basic eligibility criteria are listed by veterans' preference category: 10 percent or more compensable disabled veterans, 10-point preference eligible veterans, 5-point preference eligible veterans and non-preference eligible veterans. Agencies must consider the candidates in the highest preference group first. Agencies cannot select non-preference eligible veterans until the preference eligible veterans are exhausted or the agency has gone through the proper pass over procedures with respect to the remaining preference eligible veterans.

§ 302.302 Examination of applicants.
(a)Eligibility. An evaluation of the qualifications of applicants for positions covered by this part may be conducted at any time before an appointment is made. The evaluation may involve only determination of eligibility or ineligibility or may include qualitative rating of candidates. If the evaluation involves only basic eligibility numerical scores will not be assigned and eligible candidates will be referred in accordance with the procedures described in paragraph (b)(5) of § 302.304.