Skip to main content
U.S. flag
Back to results

Wildlife Biologist

Department of the Interior
Bureau of Land Management
This job announcement has closed

Summary

Explore a new career with the BLM - where our people are our most precious resource.

This position is located in Battle Mountain, Nevada and Tonopah, Nevada. Information about Battle Mountain and Tonopah and the surrounding area can be found at Battle Mountain and Tonopah

We expect to fill four vacancies at this time; however, additional positions may be filled from this announcement if they become available.

This position is authorized a 10% incentive - see Additional Information

Overview

Help
Job canceled
Open & closing dates
11/27/2024 to 12/12/2024
This job will close when we have received 30 applications which may be sooner than the closing date. Learn more
Salary
$59,966 to - $94,317 per year
Pay scale & grade
GS 9 - 11
Locations
4 vacancies in the following locations:
Battle Mountain, NV
Tonopah, NV
Remote job
No
Telework eligible
Yes—as determined by the agency policy.
Travel Required
Occasional travel - 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
Job family (Series)
Supervisory status
No
Security clearance
Not Required
Drug test
No
Position sensitivity and risk
Non-sensitive (NS)/Low Risk
Trust determination process
Financial disclosure
No
Bargaining unit status
No
Announcement number
NV-DEU-25-12613749-KJ
Control number
821156300

This job is open to

Help

Clarification from the agency

All U.S. Citizens - No previous Federal Service is required. CTAP and ICTAP candidates in the local commuting area.

Duties

Help
  • The following duties listed are at the GS-11 Full Performance Level.
  • Reviews the recommendations and data input from the Field/District offices on the wildlife issues. May also provide guidance and quality control to the projects and products of other resource specialist at the District and the Field office levels.
  • Identifies impacts to wildlife habitat/Threatened and Endangered species by other resource activities; evaluates inventory/monitoring data to determine population trends/impacts; formulates strategies designed to recover or mitigate impacts.
  • Works with the Lead Wildlife Biologist, local interest groups, TRIBAL Councils, and other federal agencies to coordinate issues pertaining to the impact of the application of biological decisions, habitat conservation, and laws/ regulations.
  • Serves on district/field level interdisciplinary teams responsible for writing/reviewing multi-field office biological input to environmental assessments/biological assessments/development of protective stipulations and resource management plans.
  • Works closely with the Lead Wildlife Biologist in the State Office on coordination issues with local interest groups, Tribal Councils, and other federal agencies on matters pertaining to the impact of the application of biological decisions.

Requirements

Help

Conditions of employment

  • U.S. Citizenship is required.
  • Be sure to read the How to Apply and Required Documents Sections.
  • You cannot hold an active real estate license: nor can you have an interest or hold stocks in firms with interest in Federal Lands.
  • Direct Deposit Required.
  • Appointment will be subject to a favorably adjudicated background/suitability investigation/determination.
  • Your resume must contain enough information to show that you meet the qualification requirements as defined in the announcement. In addition, your responses to the questions must adequately reflect in your resume.
  • May require a one-year probationary period.

Qualifications

In order to be rated as qualified for this position, we must be able to determine that you meet the qualification requirements - please be sure to include this information in your resume. No assumptions will be made about your experience.

This position has a Basic Education Requirement

Meets the basic requirement for Wildlife Biologist because:
1. Completed a bachelor`s Degree: biological science that included at least 9 semester hours in such wildlife subjects as mammalogy, ornithology, animal ecology, wildlife management, or research courses in the field of wildlife biology; and at least 12 semester hours in zoology in such subjects as general zoology, invertebrate zoology, vertebrate zoology, comparative anatomy, physiology, genetics, ecology, cellular biology, parasitology, entomology, or research courses in such subjects (Excess courses in wildlife biology may be used to meet the zoology requirements where appropriate.); and at least 9 semester hours in botany or the related plant sciences; OR
2. A Combination of education and experience -- equivalent to a major in biological science (i.e., at least 30 semester hours), with at least 9 semester hours in wildlife subjects, 12 semester hours in zoology, and 9 semester hours in botany or related plant science, as shown above, plus appropriate experience or additional education. Must provide a copy of college transcript.
3. Does not have the education or specialized experience (or combination) described above.

For the GS-09: Meet the basic requirement AND one (1) year of professional experience equivalent to GS-07 in the Federal service. At this level assignments are more difficult and complex than those performed at GS-05. Work requires application of expanded professional knowledge. Examples include plan and conduct wildlife field inventories & monitoring studies, interpret data and assist in preparing wildlife management plans; preparing reports; recommend habitat management practices OR meet the basic requirement AND I have completed 2 years of graduate education leading to a master`s degree in wildlife biology or directly related field OR meet the basic requirement AND I possess an equivalent combination of professional experience and second year graduate level education for a total of 1 year.

For the GS-11: Meet the basic requirement AND one (1) year of professional wildlife biologist experience equivalent to GS-09 in the Federal service. Work is moderately difficult and requires considerable additional professional training. Examples include prepare wildlife portions of environmental assessments, analyze surface use proposals on Threatened & Endangered Species, plan & conduct wildlife field inventories & monitoring studies, interpret data & prepare wildlife management plans; OR meet the basic requirement AND I have completed 3 years of graduate education leading to a Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree in wildlife biology or a directly related field OR meet the basic requirement AND I have a combination of professional experience and third year graduate level education for a total of 1 year.

Superior Academic Achievement (See OPM's General Policies, Application of Qualification Standards Section 4.f.) S.A.A. must have been gained in a curriculum that is qualifying for the position to be filled.

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.

You must meet all qualification requirements by the closing date of the announcement.

Physical Demands:
For GS 09: Some of the work is performed in an office setting. However, in order to gather samples and complete monitoring activities, much of the work requires the individual to walk, ride horseback, or ride vehicles over rough terrain, and perform duties that require recurring bending, crouching, stooping, reaching or lifting. Work may also include lifting of moderately heavy items, such as equipment and samples

For GS 11: The individual works in an office setting at this level, however, in order to gather samples and complete monitoring activities, the individual frequently may be required to walk or ride over rough terrain, perform duties that require recurring bending, crouching, stooping, reaching or lifting. Work may also include lifting of moderately heavy items, such as equipment and samples.

Work Environment:
For GS 09: Some of the work is performed in an office setting, however, considerable field work is required to complete projects. This may include camping or relatively long-term exposure to inclement weather. The employee may be exposed to discomfort from harsh weather, insects, or vegetation. The incumbent may also be subjected to hostile wildlife, chemicals and other physical hazards.

For GS 11: Much of the work is performed in an office setting. However, frequent field work is necessary to complete the work involving outdoor exposure. Outdoor exposure involves some discomfort in extremes of temperature or inclement weather. The incumbent may be subjected to hostile wildlife, chemical and physical hazards.

Education

This position falls under the Wildlife Biology Series, 0486 Individual Occupational Requirements (IOR).

This position has a positive education requirement (see qualification section for education requirements). You MUST submit a copy of ALL your college transcripts or a list of ALL college courses that include hours and grades from an accredited U.S. college/university. Upon selection, official transcripts must be received prior to appointment. If you are using education completed in foreign colleges or universities to meet qualification requirements, you must show that your education credentials have been evaluated by a private organization that specializes in interpretation of foreign education programs and such education has been deemed equivalent to that gained in an accredited U.S. education program; or full credit has been given for the courses at a U.S. accredited college or university.

All selections and tentative offers of selection are contingent upon submission and verification of 'official' transcripts.

Additional information

Relocation/Recruitment Incentive: This position is offering a Relocation/Recruitment Incentive, 10% of the annual salary. To be eligible for a Relocation Incentive, you must be a current Federal Employee and the selectee must be employed with the Federal Government and the selectees current duty location is more than 50 miles from the duty location of this position. To be eligible for a Recruitment Incentive, selectee must not be employed by the Federal Government.

DOI uses E-Verify to confirm employment eligibility of all newly hired employees. To learn more about E-Verify, including your rights and responsibilities, please visit E-Verify

Career Transition Assistance Plan (CTAP)/lnteragency Career Transition Assistance Program (ICTAP): These programs apply to employees who have been involuntarily separated from a Federal service position within the competitive service or Federal service employees whose positions have been deemed surplus or no longer needed. To receive selection priority, you must: 1) meet CTAP or ICTAP eligibility criteria; 2) be rated well qualified for the position with a score of 90 or above; and 3) submit the appropriate documentation to support your CTAP or ICTAP eligibility. For more information: CTAP or ICTAP

Males born after 12/31/59 must be registered for Selective Service

Travel and relocation expenses will not be paid by the Department of the Interior. Any travel, transportation and relocation expenses associated with reporting for duty in this position will be the responsibility of the selected employee.

The official worksite for the selectee is the duty station identified in this vacancy announcement. The selectee will typically report to this duty location on a regular and recurring weekly basis. The selectee may be allowed to telework with supervisor approval.

This announcement is being advertised concurrently under number NV-Merit-25-12613750-KJ, for status candidates and special hiring authority eligible. You must apply to each announcement separately if you wish to be considered under both recruitment methods.

Certain incentives (such as Recruitment, Relocation or Student Loan Repayment) may be authorized to eligible selectees. If eligible and qualified, you may be offered a recruitment or relocation incentive. The decision to offer an incentive will be made on a case-by-case basis and is neither promised nor guaranteed. For information visit: Recruitment Incentive or Relocation Incentive or Student Loan Repayment.

Career Ladder Only: This position is considered a career ladder opportunity, with a full performance level of GS-11. If selected at a lower grade level, you may be non-competitively promoted to the next grade level at the discretion of your supervisor and is contingent upon meeting regulatory and legal requirements for promotion, satisfactory performance, and the availability of higher-level work. Promotion is not guaranteed, and no promise of promotion is implied.

How you will be evaluated

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

Once the application process is complete, we will review your application to ensure you meet the job requirements. To determine if you are qualified for this job, a review of your resume, supporting documentation and responses to the online questionnaire will be made. Your responses to the online questionnaire will be used to measure the degree to which your background matches the requirements for this position. Qualified applicants will be placed in one of three predefined categories: Best Qualified, Well Qualified and Qualified. However, your resume must support your responses to the scored occupational questionnaire, or your score may be lowered. Within these categories, applicants eligible for veteran's preference will receive selection priority over non-veterans.

In addition, one or more Subject Matter Experts will conduct a resume review. Candidates placed in the Best Qualified category will be identified for referral to the hiring manager and may be contacted for an interview. The interviews may be conducted on a pass/fail basis or may be scored.

Your answers to the online questionnaire will be used to evaluate your competencies in the following areas:

  • Customer Service
  • Partnering
  • Public Planning
  • Technical Competence
  • Wildlife Biology


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 successful completion of the following additional assessment: Subject Matter Expert Resume Panel Review. These assessments measure the critical competencies listed above that are required to successfully perform the job.

Your session is about to expire!

Your USAJOBS session will expire due to inactivity in 8 minutes. Any unsaved data will be lost if you allow the session to expire. Click the button below to continue your session.