This position serves as a Wildlife Biologist on a Forest Service Unit providing professional wildlife expertise in protection, management, and improvement of wildlife in forests and rangelands. Please see "Education" section for contact information for each position.

Duties

Responsibilities listed below are at the GS-11 level. Provide professional wildlife expertise in the protection, management, and improvement of wildlife within the framework of multiple-use management of forest and rangelands. Provide guidance for the development of wildlife or habitat management plans for technical soundness and adequacy in meeting overall wildlife management objectives and ensure plans are implemented. Correlate wildlife management with other resource uses (e.g. timber, recreation, and minerals management) and implement wildlife habitat management programs with emphasis on maintaining and enhancing bio-diversity. Analyze data to assess the effects of management activities on fish, wildlife and plant resources and document in an Environmental Assessment. Conduct and monitor special studies on the habitat of unique, rare, threatened and endangered species and make recommendations for habitat protections. Inspect habitat improvement projects for compliance with approved plans and recommend improvements. Prepare or review biological evaluations for threatened, endangered or sensitive species.

Requirements

• Must be a U.S. Citizen or National.
• Males born after 12-31-59 must be registered for Selective Service or exempt.
• Subject to satisfactory adjudication of background investigation and/or fingerprint check.
• Successful completion of one-year probationary period, unless previously served.
• 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.

Qualifications

In order to qualify, you must meet the eligibility and qualifications requirements as defined below by the closing date of the announcement. For more information on the qualifications for this position, visit the Office of Personnel Management's General Schedule Qualification Standards. Your application and resume must clearly show that you possess the experience requirements. Transcripts must be provided for qualifications based on education. Provide course descriptions as necessary. Basic Requirement: GS-0486: Degree: Successful completion of a full 4-year course of study in an accredited college or university leading to a bachelor's or higher degree that included a major field of study in 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 meeting the basic requirement, you must also possess experience and/or directly related education in the amounts listed below. Specialized Experience Requirement: For the GS-07 level: Applicants must have one year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the GS-05 grade level. Qualifying specialized experience is defined as one or more of the following: Assisted with the collection of field data on wildlife habitats and vegetation; Assisted with interpretation of aerial photos to determine vegetation types; Assisted with assembling biological and vegetation use data from records to determine past wildlife and livestock use; Assisted with communication and interpretative programs related to wildlife and their habitats. OR One full year of graduate level education. The education must have been obtained in an accredited college or university and demonstrate the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to do the work in fields such as forestry, forest ecology, botany, biology, ecology. OR An appropriate combination of graduate level education and specialized experience as defined above (only graduate education in excess of 18 semester hours may be used to qualify applicants for this grade level). The education must have been obtained in an accredited college or university and demonstrate the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to do the work. OR Qualified based on Superior Academic Achievement. Go to this site to determine if you are eligible: http://www.opm.gov/qualifications/policy/ApplicationOfStds-04.asp). The education must have been obtained in an accredited college or university and demonstrate the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to do the work. For the GS-09 level: Applicant must have one year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the GS-07 grade level. Qualifying specialized experience is defined as one or more of the following: Served as an advanced trainee specializing in wildlife biology and performing common qualitative and quantitative analyses of wildlife resources; Conducted surveys and drafting tentative professional opinions to assist in determining wildlife resource needs and remedies; Assisted in carrying out a range of analytical/scientific assignments in the wildlife biology profession that included researching and analyzing data, issues, and information that support wildlife project recommendations. OR A master's or equivalent graduate degree or 2 full years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to such a degree or LL.B. or J.D., if related. OR An appropriate combination of specialized experience and education (only graduate education in excess of 18 semester hours may be used to qualify applicants for this grade level). The education must have been obtained in an accredited college or university and demonstrate the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to do the work. For the GS-11 level: Applicant must have one year specialized experience equivalent to the GS-9 grade level. Qualifying specialized experience is defined as one or more of the following: Provided input in the wildlife management program by gathering, compiling, and analyzing data to determine environmental conditions, characteristics, and values, and the interrelationship of wildlife resources with other resources; Analyzed data and recommended solutions to problems involving a limited section of wildlife resources issues, e.g., interpreting the effect and impact of changes on wildlife habitat as a result of specific resource activities; Provided input in the preparation, maintenance, and revision of wildlife plans that involved interpretation of data obtained from studies and field surveys. OR 3 years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to a Ph.D. degree or Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree (coursework directly related to position being filled). OR An appropriate combination of specialized experience and graduate-level education (beyond what is required for a master's degree, i.e., more than 36 semester hours leading to a Ph.D.). 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

See Qualifications section for Education requirements.

Location Information

Mena, AR - Tim Oosterhous at [email protected] (Full Performance level is GS-9)
New Waverly, TX - Frank Stranimier at [email protected] (Full Performance level is GS-9)
Zavalla, TX - Ron Hasken at [email protected] (Full Performance level is GS-9)
Eatonton, GA - Kyle Cox at [email protected] (Full Performance level is GS-9)
Jackson, MS - Rick Dillard at [email protected] (Full Performance level is GS-11)
Double Springs, AL - Andy Scott at [email protected] (Full Performance level is GS-9)
Nebo, NC - Nicholas Larson at [email protected] (Full Performance level is GS-11)
New Bern, NC - (1 of 2 positions at this location) Susan Miller at [email protected] (Full Performance Level is GS-11)
New Bern, NC - (2 of 2 positions at this location) Kara Cassels at [email protected] (Full Performance level is GS-11)
Marion, VA - Edward Wright at [email protected] (Full Performance level is GS-9)
Hot Springs VA - Edward Wright at [email protected] (Full Performance level is GS-9)
Natural Bridge VA - Edward Wright at [email protected] (Full Performance level is GS-9)
Morehead, KY - Kenzie Brown at [email protected] (Full Performance level is GS-11)
London, KY - Jason Nedlo at [email protected] (Full Performance level is GS-11)

Contacts

• Address USDA Forest Service HRM Contact Center DO NOT MAIL IN APPLICATIONS, SEE INSTRUCTIONS IN THE ANNOUNCEMENT. Albuquerque, NM 87109 US
• Name: HRM Contact Center
• Phone: 1-877-372-7248 X2
• Email: [email protected]