Biologist

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Duties

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

• Designs, plans, and conducts conventional investigations, assessments or inspections involving a full range of biological, chemical, and physical processes.
• Identifies alternatives to restore natural resources and habitats.
• Conducts program analyses, and reviews results of studies or investigations.
• Conducts field experiments using a wide variety of data-collection systems and extracts and analyzes data from these systems.
• Maintains contact and communication with biologists throughout the assigned organization and the Service, as needed, and with other agencies (federal, tribal, and state) with similar programs.
  
  

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Requirements

Conditions of Employment

• Must be a U.S. Citizen or National.
• Suitability for employment, as determined by background investigation.
• 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.
• Direct Hire Authority will be used to fill this position.
  
  

Qualifications

Only experience and education obtained by 12/20/2024 will be considered.

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

Basic Requirement

• Possess a bachelor's or higher degree from an accredited college or university in biological sciences, agriculture, natural resource management, chemistry, or related disciplines appropriate to the position. OR
• Possess a combination of education and experience which includes courses equivalent to a major in the biological sciences (at least 24 semester hours) as shown above, plus appropriate experience or additional education that is comparable to that normally acquired through the successful completion of a full 4-year course of study in the biological sciences, agriculture, or natural resources management or related disciplines appropriate to the position.
  
  

Minimum Qualification [GS-11]:

• One year of specialized experience comparable in scope and responsibility equivalent to grade GS-9 in the Federal service. Experience may include designing and implementing monitoring programs for endangered species, public use, or habitat management; overseeing large crews of biologists and volunteers in the field; leading development of natural resource management or public use plans; and presenting complex scientific information to natural resource and land managers. OR
• Three years of progressively higher-level graduate education leading to a Ph.D. degree or Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree at an accredited college or university with a major area of study in wildlife biology, ecology, natural resource management, or a closely related field which provided me with the knowledge, skills, and abilities to perform the duties of this position. OR
• 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.

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 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

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. 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 for this position, you must: (1) meet CTAP or ICTAP eligibility criteria; (2) be rated well-qualified (i.e., meet the minimum qualification requirements, including any selective placement factors; education, and experience requirements) for the position with a score of 85 or above on the assessment questionnaire, and be able to perform the duties of the position upon entry. 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.

For more information visit: http://www.opm.gov/rif/employee_guides/career_transition.asp.

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 is entitled to a 1.69% 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.

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• Help Help 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.
  
  

Review our 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.

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 to review proposed investigations and impacts of projects on the surrounding environment.
• Knowledge of the National Environmental Policy Act, Endangered Species Act, environmental laws, Executive Orders, regulations, and policies sufficient to review proposals, assist with preparation of environmental compliance documents, assessments or inspections and prepare project findings.
• Skill reviewing field and laboratory techniques to collect and analyze samples and statistical procedures for the interpretation of study results.
• Ability to establish positive working relationships/partnerships and exercise tact and diplomacy in coordinating activities with coworkers, and as needed, with representatives of other federal agencies, state, tribal and local organizations, conservation organizations, private entities, and the general public.
• Ability to communicate orally and build consensus with individuals and special interest groups with diverse and potentially conflicting viewpoints with regard to natural resource management, to share information, and to present findings and recommendations.
• Ability to communicate in writing in order to prepare correspondence, scientific, and administrative reports, management plans, and similar documents