You will serve as a Staff Wildlife Biologist within the USDA, APHIS, WS and performs assignments involving National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), Endangered Species Act (ESA), and Migratory Bird Treaty Act (MBTA) implementation and as a lead for State or local level wildlife damage management (WDM) data collection and assessment.

Duties

The duties described are for the full-performance level. At developmental grade levels, assignments will be of more limited scope, performed with less independence and limited complexity. The duties may include, but are not limited to: Conducts environmental compliance of WDM projects and programs and evaluates impacts on the quality of the human environment in the work unit. Monitors and ensures compliance with annual NEPA take thresholds and Federal, State, and local regulations concerning WDM and program directives. Compiles and evaluates data on damage or hazards caused by various wildlife species for use in NEPA and ESA documents, MBTA permitting processes, and other documents. Prepares required routine scientific and administrative program reports, including coordination/compilation of materials and response to national and regional data calls. May perform or instruct on a variety of technical procedures on a limited basis, including capture, restraint, chemical immobilization, marking, transport, euthanasia, and/or necropsy of wildlife. Conducts WDM activities to accomplish WDM objectives as assigned by the supervisor. Provides technical assistance to a variety of cooperators, along with conducting site visits or assessments to identify wildlife damage issues or threats. Communicates safe and effective damage management techniques through outreach and other channels to the general public. Completes pesticide use reports and documents reported and known pesticide impacts on other resources.

Requirements

• You must be a US Citizen or US National.
• Individuals who were born male after 12/31/1959 must be Selective Service registered or exempt.
• Subject to satisfactory adjudication of background investigation and/or fingerprint check.
• Direct Deposit: Per Public Law 104-134 all Federal employees are required to have federal payments made by direct deposit to their financial institution.
• Successfully pass the E-Verify employment verification check. To learn more about E-Verify, including your rights and responsibilities, visit E-Verify at https://www.e-verify.gov/
• Successful completion of one-year trial period.
• Testing Designated Position: Selectee must submit to a urinalysis to screen for illegal drug use prior to appointment and random testing thereafter. Final appointment and continued employment is conditional on negative results for illegal drug use.
• Valid state driver's license is required at the time of application.
• The work is primarily sedentary, requiring some standing and walking. There are no special physical demands.
• The work requires the ability to move around the office and carry files, manuals, and other items.

Qualifications

Applicants must meet all qualifications and eligibility requirements by the closing date of the announcement, including specialized experience and/or education, as defined below. BASIC REQUIREMENT: 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 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. In addition to the basic requirement applicants must also possess: FOR THE GS-07 LEVEL: Applicants must have one year of specialized experience (equivalent to the GS-05 grade level) that demonstrates: Experience selecting appropriate wildlife damage management strategies, techniques, tools and applying them to specific situations. The Migratory Bird Treaty Act (MBTA), Endangered Species Act, National Environmental Policy Act, and Federal Air Regulations. Experience using firearms, capture devices, cable devices, pesticides, immobilizing drugs, pyrotechnics, electronic harassment devices, and other nonlethal control tools. Experience identifying North American wildlife species and assess their abundance, behavior, and habitats. OR 1 year of graduate-level education in one of the following degree fields: Wildlife Biology, Wildlife Ecology, or Wildlife Management. OR Superior Academic Achievement: To qualify based on superior academic achievement, you must have completed the requirements for a bachelor's degree from an accredited institution AND 1) have a class standing in the upper third of the graduating class, 2) membership in a national scholastic honor society (excluding Freshman honor societies), or 3) must meet certain GPA requirements. GPA requirements: 3.0 or higher out of a possible 4.0 as recorded on official transcripts or as computed based on 4 years of education, or courses completed during the final 2 year of the curriculum; OR 3.5 or higher out of a possible 4.0 based on the average of the required course completed in the major field or courses completed during the final 2 years of the curriculum (GPA will be rounded to one decimal place, e.g., 2.95 rounds to 3.0 and 2.94 rounds to 2.9). Equivalent combinations of education and experience are qualifying for this grade level. FOR THE GS-09 LEVEL: Applicants must have one year of specialized experience (equivalent to the GS-07 level) that may have been obtained in the private or public (local, county, state, Federal) sectors which demonstrates: Independently conducts wildlife damage management activities in an integrated pest management (IPM) approach to prevent or reduce aircraft hazards and alleviate human, health and safety threats. Planning and carrying out wildlife damage control operations in a variety of settings, including but not limited to airports. Interpreting and applying policies, regulations, laws, and ordinances that affect wildlife damage management operations at an airport and working within those guidelines. Utilizing and working with research scientists to determine wildlife populations on large landscapes OR 2 years of progressively higher-level graduate education leading to a master's degree or master's or equivalent graduate degree in one of the following degree fields: Wildlife Biology, Wildlife Ecology, or Wildlife Management. Equivalent combinations of education and experience are qualifying for this grade level. TRANSCRIPTS are required: This position requires specific coursework or a degree in a specific field to be basically qualified. You are qualifying for the position based on education. You are qualifying for this position based on a combination of experience and education. You are qualifying for this position based on Superior Academic Achievement. This education must have been successfully completed and obtained from an accredited school, college, or university. COMBINATION OF EDUCATION & EXPERIENCE AT THE GS-07/09 GRADE LEVEL: Applicants may have combinations of successfully completed education and specialized experience to meet total qualification requirements. The total percentages must equal at least 100 percent to qualify for that grade level. 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 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

Please see above for education qualification requirement information.

Contacts

• Address Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service USDA APHIS MRPBS 250 Marquette Avenue, Suite 410 Minneapolis, MN 55401 US
• Name: APHIS Human Resources
• Phone: 612-336-3227
• Email: [email protected]