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Biologist

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

Summary


This position is a Biologist / Interjurisdictional Invasive Species Rapid Team (IInSRRT) Coordinator GS- 0401-13 working for the R9-Branch of Wildlife Resources. The location will be negotiable after a selection has been made. This is not a remote position.

See the duties section for further summary regarding this position.

Overview

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Hiring complete
Open & closing dates
06/04/2024 to 06/15/2024
This job will close when we have received 200 applications which may be sooner than the closing date. Learn more
Salary
$103,409 to - $167,336 per year

Salary dependent on duty location

Pay scale & grade
GS 13
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
None
Supervisory status
No
Security clearance
Other
Drug test
No
Position sensitivity and risk
Moderate Risk (MR)
Trust determination process
Announcement number
R9-24-12416593-MT-SDHA
Control number
794031200

This job is open to

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Clarification from the agency

This position will be filled under the Office of Personnel Management's Direct Hire Authority and is open to all United States citizens and U.S. nationals. Veteran's preference and traditional rating and ranking of applications do not apply. All qualified applicants will be referred to the hiring manager for consideration for this position.

Duties

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

  • Provides scientific and technical leadership for a large, complex biological program/project.
  • Provides overall program support and oversight which may include technical, policy, program, and budget support. Leads the formulation of program objectives, priorities, and techniques.
  • Manage overall program operations including program development, planning, coordination, communication (e.g., internally, externally), preparedness activities, decision-making processes (e.g., criteria for deploying IInSRRTs), and deployment logistics;
  • Provides science-based recommendations regarding program/project direction, taking into consideration the complexities of the assigned program area and integration with other programs, shifting environmental conditions, and the need to coordinate with multiple State and Federal agencies, tribal and territorial agencies, industry and the general public.
  • Form and coordinate the IInSRRT Advisory Group and collaborate with other federal, state, tribal, and territorial agencies as appropriate, to develop the overall program.
  • Work closely with other programs and bureau emergency management experts to align with tools and standard operating procedures for Incident Command System (ICS) and incident response and integrate into existing incident response information systems and structures as appropriate.
The scope of the program is to implement a coordinated resource to support rapid response of new invasive species introductions (any taxa) to the United States, a secondary introduction (e.g., an introduction beyond the original introduction), a species introduced a significant distance away from an existing population (e.g., introduction into a new watershed), a species that poses a new threat to high priority areas, or a species that would lead to significant harm without intervention.

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.
  • 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 06/17/2024 will be considered.

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

Basic Requirement:

  1. Successfully completed a full four year course of study in an accredited college or university leading to a bachelor's degree in biological sciences, agriculture, natural resource management, chemistry, or a discipline related to this position. NOTE: Transcripts required. (OR)
  2. An appropriate combination of education and experience that included course work equivalent to a major (i.e. 24 semester hours) in biological sciences, agriculture, natural resource management, chemistry, or a discipline related to this position; PLUS appropriate experience or additional course work. The quality of the combination must demonstrate that you possess the knowledge, skills, and abilities required to perform the work of the position and is comparable to that normally acquired through the completion of a full four year course of study with a major as described above. NOTE: Transcripts required and Your resume must contain sufficient detail of this level of work, i.e., complete begin/end dates, hours worked per week, duties performed, etc. for each timeframe for consideration.

Minimum Qualification [GS-13]

Possess one (1) year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the GS-12 grade level in the Federal service that equipped you with the particular knowledge, skills and abilities to perform successfully the duties of this position and that is typically in or related to the work of this position to be filled. Specialized experience may include:1) developing, implementing, refining, and evaluating techniques and approaches for addressing complex resource management issues; (2) managing invasive or pest species; (3) participating in or leading natural resource incident command system or emergency response efforts; (4) comprehension and application of environmental legislation as it applies to agency planning and management programs; (5) implement policy coordinating with and advising governmental (federal, state, local) agencies, Tribes, nongovernmental organizations and/or others to conserve special designated areas; (6) building and maintaining relationships with Federal, State, and Tribal agencies, or others to manage difficult or controversial natural resources management issues related to special designation conservation areas. NOTE: Your resume must contain sufficient detail of this level of work, i.e., complete begin/end dates, hours worked per week, duties performed, etc. for each timeframe for consideration.

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: Recognition of Foreign Qualifications | International Affairs Office (ed.gov)

Additional information

Duty Stations: The salary will be based upon duty station and locality pay once selected. Locality tables may be found at: https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/pay-leave/salaries-wages/2024/general-schedule Please Note: 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.

PCS INFORMATION:
-No PCS entitlements 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 or ICTAP applicants must be determined to be well-qualified for this position in order to receive special selection priority. To be well-qualified, a CTAP or ICTAP applicant must meet the following: OPM qualification requirements for the position, all selective factors, where applicable; special OPM approved qualifying conditions for the position; is physically qualified with reasonable accommodation, where appropriate, to satisfactorily perform the duties of the position upon entry; and receives a rating of at least 85 on the questionnaire. For more information visit: OPM's Employee Guide to Career Transition

Reasonable Accommodation: The USFWS provides reasonable accommodations to applicants with disabilities. Please visit USAJOBS Help Center | Reasonable accommodation policy if you need a reasonable accommodation for any part of the application and hiring process.

Cost of Living Allowance: In addition to the yearly salary, this position may be entitled to a cost-of-living allowance (COLA) https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/pay-leave/pay-systems/nonforeign-areas/#url=COLA-Rates .This allowance is subject to annual review, adjustment, and rate decrease.

How you will be evaluated

You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.

All applicants who submit a complete and legible application by the closing date of this vacancy announcement {or cut-off} will have their qualifications reviewed to determine if they possess the following knowledge, skills and abilities required to successfully perform the work of this position.

Knowledge of the theories, principles, practices, concepts methodologies and techniques of biology and of related biological and ecological fields (e.g., invasion ecology, fish biology, ecology, wildlife biology, conservation science, botany, chemistry, toxicology, hydrology, entomology, parasitology, etc.) in order to serve as a scientific and technical expert; undertake complex, cross-programmatic and interjurisdictional biological projects; evaluate policies and programs; and, to apply new scientific findings, developments, and advances to critical problems of a unique, novel, or highly controversial nature.

Knowledge in developing and managing a large budget from one or more appropriated fund sources, including conducting reviews and internal audits as needed.

Ability to perform project management including develop timelines and implement projects according to schedules (e.g. significant coordination and working with others to develop timelines and accomplish program objectives).

Ability to establish positive working relationships/partnerships and exercise tact and diplomacy in coordinating activities with co-workers, and as needed, with representatives of other federal agencies, state, Tribal and local organizations, conservation organizations, private entities, and the general public.

Knowledge in the development and execution of financial contracts, cooperative and grant agreements, interagency agreements, or Memoranda of Agreement/Understanding to achieve program objectives.

Applicants eligible for priority consideration under DOI's Career Transition Assistance Program/Plan, employees eligible under the Interagency Career Transition Plan (ICTAP). Eligible candidates on the Reemployment Placement List (RPL). A qualified and eligible permanent DOI employee may be selected before an ICTAP eligible.

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