The Department of the Interior is seeking highly qualified candidates for the Senior Executive Service (SES) position of Deputy Director, Operations, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, located in Washington, D.C.
The Department classifies SES positions by category to establish minimum pay levels. This position is designated as Category 1, with a minimum annual salary of $207,060
Veterans' preference does not apply to positions in the Senior Executive Service (SES).
Summary
The Department of the Interior is seeking highly qualified candidates for the Senior Executive Service (SES) position of Deputy Director, Operations, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, located in Washington, D.C.
The Department classifies SES positions by category to establish minimum pay levels. This position is designated as Category 1, with a minimum annual salary of $207,060
Veterans' preference does not apply to positions in the Senior Executive Service (SES).
As the Deputy Director of Operations, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS), you will lead Service-wide operations, establish strategic and operational priorities in coordination with the Director, and oversee their implementation to advance the Service's national conservation mission and achieve organizational results.
Major Duties:
Direct the day-to-day operations of the FWS Regional Offices, establishing priorities, coordinating activities across organizational boundaries, resolving significant operational issues, and ensuring consistent implementation of national policies.
Advise the Director on organizational management, operational effectiveness, and resource requirements; evaluate organizational structures and management practices; and direct or recommend improvements to enhance efficiency, accountability, performance, and internal controls.
Oversee implementation of Departmental and Administration policies, priorities, and management initiatives, ensuring compliance with applicable statutory, regulatory, and Departmental requirements.
Align and oversee fiscal, human, organizational, information, and other resources with Service priorities; evaluate performance and major programs and investments; identify operational challenges; and direct or recommend corrective actions.
Review significant Service-wide policy, management, operational, and program recommendations; consider relevant scientific, legal, fiscal, economic, and administrative factors; and approve actions within delegated authority or provide recommendations to the Director and other approving officials.
Represent the Director and FWS in engagements with Congress, the Office of Management and Budget, the Department of the Interior, other Federal agencies, and interagency forums to advance Service priorities, negotiate solutions, and resolve significant program and operational issues.
Exercise the Director's authority, consistent with applicable delegations, during the Director's absence to ensure continuity of executive leadership and operational oversight.
Subject to a background/suitability investigation/determination. You must be able to obtain/maintain a Tier 4 background investigation. This a Public Trust, Non-Sensitive, High-Risk, position.
Public Financial Disclosure (OGE-278 filing within 30 days is required)
Males must meet Selective Service Registration Act requirements. To verify registration visit SSS.gov.
Selections are subject to Department approval. Initial appointments to the SES must undergo an ECQ based structured interview with Office of Personnel Management (OPM).
Initial appointments into the Senior Executive Service require a one-year probationary period.
Individuals selected for an SES position are subject to reassignment
Agencies must request OPM approval to appoint current or former (within 5 years) Executive Branch political appointees to permanent competitive service, non-political excepted service, or career SES positions.
Qualifications
Educational Requirement
Basic requirement, applicants MUST have:
A. Degree: Biological sciences, agriculture, natural resource management, or related disciplines appropriate to the position; OR
B. Combination of education and experience: Courses equivalent to a major, or at least 30 semester hours in courses, as shown in A above, plus appropriate experience or additional education; OR
C. Experience: Four years of experience that demonstrated that the applicant acquired knowledge and understanding of one or more of the biological sciences, agriculture, natural resource management, or related disciplines equivalent to that which would have been acquired through completion of a 4-year course of study as described in A above.
In addition to meeting the basic requirement, candidates should be committed to improving the efficiency of the Federal government, passionate about the ideals of our American republic, and committed to upholding the rule of law and the United States Constitution. Candidates will not be hired based on their race, sex, color, religion, or national origin.
To meet the minimum qualifications, you must submit a two-page resume (max) that shows you possess the Executive Core Qualifications (ECQs) and two Technical Qualifications (TQs). To be considered, only the first 2 pages of your resume will be reviewed to determine your eligibility/qualifications.
Technical Qualifications (TQs) are designed to assess an applicant's experience relevant to the specific position requirements. Your resume should clearly demonstrate your experience and accomplishments related to the two TQs below:
TQ 1- National Fish and Wildlife and Natural Resource Program Leadership
Executive-level experience leading, directing, or integrating complex natural resource, conservation, or other science-based programs involving multiple organizational components, competing program priorities, and significant governmental and external stakeholder interests.
TQ 2- Strategic Organizational, Resource, and Operational Management
Executive-level experience developing and implementing organization-wide strategies, policies, and operational improvements for a large, geographically dispersed natural-resource organization, including evaluating program performance, aligning fiscal and human resources with mission priorities, and advising leadership on significant conservation and operational decisions.
Executive Core Qualifications (ECQs). Your two-page resume should also show that you possess the Executive Core Qualifications listed below. Your resume should clearly demonstrate your experience and accomplishments related to the ECQs. By statute, the Office of Personnel Management prescribes Executive Core Qualifications (ECQs) for the appointment of career SES members. The ECQs were designed to assess executive experience and not technical expertise.
ECQ 1: Commitment to the Rule of Law and the Principles of the American Founding: This core qualification requires a demonstrated knowledge of the American system of government, commitment to uphold the Constitution and the rule of law, and commitment to serve the American people. Sub-Competencies: Knowledge of the American System of Government, Commitment to the Rule of Law, Civic-Mindedness
ECQ 2: Driving Efficiency: This core qualification involves the demonstrated ability to strategically and efficiently manage resources, budget effectively, cut wasteful spending, and pursue efficiency through process and technological upgrades. Sub-Competencies: Fiscal Responsibility, Managing Resources, Leveraging Technology
ECQ 3: Merit and Competence: This core qualification involves the demonstrated knowledge, ability, and technical competence to effectively and reliably produce work that is of exceptional quality. Sub-Competencies: Technical Skill, Problem Solving, Agility, and Resilience.
ECQ 4:Leading People: This core qualification involves the demonstrated ability to lead and inspire a group toward meeting the organization's vision, mission, and goals, and to drive a high-performance, high-accountability culture. This includes, when necessary, the ability to lead people through change and to hold individuals accountable. Sub-Competencies: Accountability, Developing Others, Executive Judgement
ECQ 5: Achieving Results: This core qualification involves the demonstrated ability to achieve both individual and organizational results, and to align results to stated goals from superiors. Sub-Competencies: Operational Mindset, Innovation, Strategic Thinking
In addition to meeting the basic requirement and demonstrating the required ECQs and TQs, candidates should be committed to improving the efficiency and effectiveness of the Federal Government, supporting the principles of the American republic, and upholding the rule of law and the United States Constitution.
Already SES Certified? If you are currently serving under a career Senior Executive Service appointment, are eligible for reinstatement into the Senior Executive Service, or have completed a Senior Executive Service Candidate Development Program (SES CDP) approved by OPM, you only need to submit a two-page resume and personnel action showing you have held a career SES position. SES CDP graduates must submit a two-page resume and a copy of their CDP program certification with their package.
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.
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 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. For further information, visit: Recognition of Foreign Qualifications | International Affairs Office (ed.gov).
Additional information
SES does not have Veteran's Preference and time in grade restrictions. Competitive status is not required.
Individuals selected for Senior Executive Service positions may be subject to reassignment across geographical, organizational, and functional lines.
The Department of the Interior structures its SES positions into categories to determine the minimum pay for each position. This is a category 1 position; the pay range is $207,060-$228,000.
Annual pay increases and recognition, if applicable, are based on performance in the SES.
A recruitment incentive may be authorized for a newly selected employee when appointed to a permanent, temporary, or term position. A Federal employee who is transferring to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service from another Federal agency and who does not meet the conditions under 5 CFR ยง575.102 is not eligible for a recruitment incentive.
A relocation incentive may be authorized for a Federal employee when the employee must move, as directed by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS), to a different location at least 50 miles away from the one where his/her position of record is currently located, due to a need of the FWS.
Candidates should be committed to improving the efficiency of the Federal government, passionate about the ideals of our American republic, and committed to upholding the rule of law and the United States Constitution.
A career with the U.S. government provides employees with a comprehensive benefits package. As a federal employee, you and your family will have access to a range of benefits that are designed to make your federal career very rewarding. Opens in a new windowLearn more about federal benefits.
Eligibility for benefits depends on the type of position you hold and whether your position is full-time, part-time or intermittent. Contact the hiring agency for more information on the specific benefits offered.
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 on the quality and extent of your accomplishments and experience. ECQs and TQs must be demonstrated within your two-page resume. Applicants who do not demonstrate sufficient possession of the ECQs and TQs will be determined ineligible for further consideration. If you meet the basic qualifications and eligibility requirements, a panel of SES members will evaluate your resume and determine the degree to which you possess each of the listed qualifications. The highest qualified applicants will be considered for one or more interviews.
If the selectee does not have Qualifications Review Board (QRB) certification by the Office of Personnel Management (OPM), he/she will be required to undergo an ECQ based structured interview with OPM for SES appointment approval.
A career with the U.S. government provides employees with a comprehensive benefits package. As a federal employee, you and your family will have access to a range of benefits that are designed to make your federal career very rewarding. Opens in a new windowLearn more about federal benefits.
Eligibility for benefits depends on the type of position you hold and whether your position is full-time, part-time or intermittent. Contact the hiring agency for more information on the specific benefits offered.
Please upload the following documents:
- Transcripts
- Resume (not to exceed two pages). If more than 2 pages are submitted, only the first 2 pages will be reviewed to determine your eligibility/qualifications.
- We highly recommend that you DO NOT use the USAJOBS Resume Builder to create your resume.
- If a current or former Federal employee, submit SF-50, Notification of Personnel Action (or equivalent) please do not send an SF-50 for an award.
- Strongly Recommended: Performance Evaluation (not more than 2 years old)
- If you are already SES Certified but have NOT held a career SES position, please upload your OPM QRB SES certification.
Note: You may be asked to provide additional documentation to support your eligibility and the information provided in your resume.
You must submit the documentation specified in the Required Documents section. To receive consideration, the complete application package must be submitted by 11:59 PM (EST) on the closing date. WE DO NOT ACCEPT HARD-COPY OR E-MAIL APPLICATION PACKAGES.
1. Select Apply. If you are not logged in, you will be prompted to log in or create an account.
Prompted to start the Application Process by selecting "Start Application."
2. Add your two-page resume.
3. Select the documents you want to be included in this application.
4. Review the package to acknowledge that your documents were reviewed.
5. After reading and certifying that the application is true and submitted in good faith, select "Continue to Agency Site."
6. Follow onscreen prompts and instructions to complete your application.
7. Add the supporting documents by indexing your documents with the dropdown.
Upload any missing required documents or optional documents.
8. Review and Submit Application.
9. While logged in, you can check the status of your application by selecting "+" next to the job title for this position.
10. You can review or revise your application at any point during the open period of the announcement. To update an application, you should log into your USAJOBS account and select "+" next to the job title for this position. Select "Update Application" for this job. Note: When you click Update Application, you will be prompted to re-select your documents from USAJOBS. Documents submitted with the first application will no longer be associated with the applicant record. So, you must select all documents you want to use in the re-application.
If you are unable to apply online, you must request an alternative application which is available from the Human Resources Office. Please contact the Human Resources Office via email.
The Department of the Interior will conduct a qualifications evaluation of applicants who supply all the required
material. Qualified applicants will be rated and ranked by an executive-level rating panel.
Highly qualified candidates will be referred to the selecting official for further consideration and possible interview. You
will be notified of the outcome after the completion of the selection process.
The Federal hiring process is set up to be fair and transparent. Please read the following guidance.
Please upload the following documents:
- Transcripts
- Resume (not to exceed two pages). If more than 2 pages are submitted, only the first 2 pages will be reviewed to determine your eligibility/qualifications.
- We highly recommend that you DO NOT use the USAJOBS Resume Builder to create your resume.
- If a current or former Federal employee, submit SF-50, Notification of Personnel Action (or equivalent) please do not send an SF-50 for an award.
- Strongly Recommended: Performance Evaluation (not more than 2 years old)
- If you are already SES Certified but have NOT held a career SES position, please upload your OPM QRB SES certification.
Note: You may be asked to provide additional documentation to support your eligibility and the information provided in your resume.
You must submit the documentation specified in the Required Documents section. To receive consideration, the complete application package must be submitted by 11:59 PM (EST) on the closing date. WE DO NOT ACCEPT HARD-COPY OR E-MAIL APPLICATION PACKAGES.
1. Select Apply. If you are not logged in, you will be prompted to log in or create an account.
Prompted to start the Application Process by selecting "Start Application."
2. Add your two-page resume.
3. Select the documents you want to be included in this application.
4. Review the package to acknowledge that your documents were reviewed.
5. After reading and certifying that the application is true and submitted in good faith, select "Continue to Agency Site."
6. Follow onscreen prompts and instructions to complete your application.
7. Add the supporting documents by indexing your documents with the dropdown.
Upload any missing required documents or optional documents.
8. Review and Submit Application.
9. While logged in, you can check the status of your application by selecting "+" next to the job title for this position.
10. You can review or revise your application at any point during the open period of the announcement. To update an application, you should log into your USAJOBS account and select "+" next to the job title for this position. Select "Update Application" for this job. Note: When you click Update Application, you will be prompted to re-select your documents from USAJOBS. Documents submitted with the first application will no longer be associated with the applicant record. So, you must select all documents you want to use in the re-application.
If you are unable to apply online, you must request an alternative application which is available from the Human Resources Office. Please contact the Human Resources Office via email.
The Department of the Interior will conduct a qualifications evaluation of applicants who supply all the required
material. Qualified applicants will be rated and ranked by an executive-level rating panel.
Highly qualified candidates will be referred to the selecting official for further consideration and possible interview. You
will be notified of the outcome after the completion of the selection process.
Fair and transparent
The Federal hiring process is set up to be fair and transparent. Please read the following guidance.
