This position is a Wildlife Biologist, GS-0486-11/12 working in Ajo, Arizona for the R2-Cabeza Prieta National Wildlife Refuge. This position is also open to the public under announcement R2-23-12090431-DMJ-DE. You must apply to each announcement separately if you wish to be considered under both recruitment methods.

Duties

As a Wildlife Biologist your duties will include, but are not limited to, the following: For GS-11: Assists with the planning and managing of biological programs involving natural resources. Develops and recommends management plans covering biological programs. Assists in providing biological advice and guidance to management in the development of management plans and coordinates activities with involved agencies, and researchers. Assists with the utilization of qualitative and quantitative methods to analyze findings to include biological data in geographic information systems (GIS). Prepares scientifically defensible reports and articles for publication in peer-reviewed scientific literature and for presentation at professional meetings. Assists management of the Sonoran pronghorn captive breeding facilities. Works closely with the Game and Fish Department in implementing both the captive breeding program as well as the translocation of Sonoran program to other jurisdiction's. For GS-12: Manages populations and habitats for recovery of the species over six different jurisdictions. Develops scopes-of-work for a variety of Sonoran pronghorn projects and manages inter-agency agreements with partner agencies covering population surveys, studies, and habitat improvement projects and a captive breeding program. Develops biological study proposals, survey designs, and scopes-of-work and conducts complex biological field investigations involving wildlife species and habitats, including population and harvest surveys, biological sampling, population health studies, animal collecting, food habit studies, population modeling, and other wildlife monitoring activities. Oversees management of the Sonoran pronghorn captive breeding facilities. Works closely with the Game and Fish Department in implementing both the captive breeding program as well as the translocation of Sonoran program to other jurisdiction's. Uses qualitative and quantitative methods to analyze findings to include biological data in geographic information systems (GIS). Prepares scientifically defensible reports and articles for publication in peer-reviewed scientific literature and for presentation at professional meetings. Prepares issue papers, briefing documents, reports, and portions of management plans, and provides verbal briefings to senior management and others regarding issues that could affect the ecological integrity of resources within Service jurisdiction.

Requirements

• Must be a U.S. Citizen or National.
• Resume (See "Required Documents"). Failure to provide ALL required information on your resume will result in loss of consideration due to an incomplete application package. It is your responsibility to ensure all information is provided on resume.
• Eligibility and Supporting documents - You will ONLY be considered for the eligibilities that you select "yes" to AND submit the required supporting documentation, as listed in the Required Documents section.
• Merit promotion applicants must meet time-in-grade requirement as defined in 5 CFR 300, Subpart F.
• Suitability for employment, as determined by background investigation.
• Driver's License: Selectees MAY be required to possess and maintain a valid State driver's license at all times during their tenure.
• Uniform: Official U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service uniform MAY be required.
• 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.

Qualifications

Only experience and education obtained by 08/28/2023 will be considered. In order to qualify for this position you must possess both the Basic Requirement and Minimum Qualification. Basic Requirement: Degree: A degree in biological science that includes 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 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 9 semester hours in botany or the related plant sciences. OR Combination of education and experience: A combination of education and experience that is 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. AND Minimum Qualification [GS-11] Specialized Experience: One year of specialized experience comparable in scope and responsibility equivalent to grade GS-9 in the Federal service. Experience may include compiling data, including application of GIS/GPS technology and software, in order to develop and maintain pronghorn biological databases used to evaluate pronghorn movements and use of their habitats; synthesize and analyze biological data; designing inventory and monitoring protocols for wildlife and their habitat in order to perform field work and to collect, interpret, and analyze field data; and identifying management recommendations. OR Minimum Qualification Education:Three (3) full years of progressively higher-level graduate education leading to a Ph.D. degree or Ph.D., or equivalent doctoral degree in wildlife biology or a related discipline appropriate to this position. NOTE: Transcripts are required. OR Combination of Education and Experience: A combination of graduate level education and experience as shown in A and B above, sufficient to demonstrate the knowledge, skills, and abilities required to perform work in the occupation, plus additional education and/or experience. AND / OR Minimum Qualification [GS-12] Specialized Experience: One year of specialized experience comparable in scope and responsibility equivalent to grade GS-11 in the Federal service. Experience may include ungulate biology; compiling data, including application of GIS/GPS technology and software, in order to develop and maintain pronghorn biological databases used to evaluate pronghorn movements and use of their habitats; synthesize and analyze biological data; designing inventory and monitoring protocols for wildlife and their habitat in order to interpret and analyze field data; and identifying management recommendations. 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. Time In Grade Requirement: Applicants must meet both eligibility and qualification requirements for the position of interest by the closing date of the JOA. Specifically, i. Area of Consideration. ii. Time-in-grade (TIG) requirements as specified in 5 CFR 300, Subpart F. iii. Time after competitive appointment as specified in 5 CFR 330.502. iv. Qualification requirements outlined in OPM's Qualifications Standards for General Schedule Positions or for Federal Wage System (FWS), wage grade positions, applicants are evaluated using the OPM Job Qualification System for Trades and Labor Occupations and the job element examining method. Your SF-50 will be used to confirm you meet all requirements. Public Land Corps (PLC) Hiring Authority: Served as a qualified youth on an appropriate conservation project completing a minimum of 640 hours of satisfactory service that included at least 120 hours through the PLC and received a certificate of non-competitive eligibility. Completed most recent Corps service, for which a certificate of non-competitive eligibility was issued, within the last 2 years. Appointment must be effected within the 2-year period.

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. For further information, visit: http://www.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ous/international/usnei/us/edlite-visitus-forrecog.html

Contacts

• Address Division of Human Resources Division of Human Resources 500 Gold Avenue, SW Room 5222 Albuquerque, NM 87103 US
• Name: Human Resources Staffing Division
• Phone: 833-512-0482
• Email: [email protected]