This position is a Wildlife Biologist, GS- 0486-9 working in Bell City, LA for the R4-Southwest Louisiana Refuges Complex. This is a term position expected to last 13 months but may be extended up to a total of 4 years at management's discretion.

Duties

As a Wildlife Biologist your duties will include, but are not limited to, the following: Reviews and monitors ongoing oil and gas activities on the Refuge Complex for compliance with applicable State and Federal regulations. Coordinates with oil and gas companies operating on the Refuge Complex and with federal and state agencies with oil and gas industry oversight responsibilities, including the Bureau of Land Management, Environmental Protection Agency, Louisiana Department of Environmental Quality, Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries, and the U.S. Coast Guard, to ensure compliance. Conducts oil and gas facility and pipeline inspections for the complex. Reviews right-of-way agreements for transmission pipelines through the refuge and coordinates with companies as needed. Collects data and documentation on all oil and gas activities on the Refuge Complex, including exploration, production, facility installation and maintenance, flow line and pipeline maintenance, and seismic activities. Collects, analyzes and summarizes biological field data and writes reports and correspondence related to oil and gas activities. Assists higher level staff in developing and monitoring restoration and mitigation projects on the Refuge Complex that are required to offset damages from oil and gas activities. Coordinates pre-permit activities with oil and gas companies, including dissemination of rules and regulations, information on permitting process and compliance requirements. Evaluates all permit applications for proposed oil and gas activities on the Refuge Complex, including determination of impacts. Develops recommendations for damage reducing alternatives. Develops, issues and monitors Special Use Permits, and special conditions and stipulations governing oil and gas activities; incorporating the most recent advances in operating procedures, equipment and methodologies which protect fish, wildlife and habitats. Assists in refuge operations involving management of programs, including implementation of monitoring, restoration and mitigation projects for habitat improvement, conducting systematic surveys of vegetation and wildlife for the complex, administration, and facility/grounds/equipment maintenance. Works with other individuals (staff, volunteers, partners, and general public) involving refuge management activities. Assists with coordinating partnerships with agencies and academic institutions to conduct research and monitoring as part of long-term assessments and monitoring of projects implemented to restore habitat. Assist complex with special projects related to habitat and biological needs. Responsible for assisting with the maintenance of a GIS library for the complex. Coordinates Refuge Complex oil and hazardous material spill response program including development of a response plans. Coordinates with Regional Spill Coordinator for refuges, Complex Biologist, and applicable state and federal agencies.Attends pertinent training and responds to all spill events on or affecting the Refuge Complex.

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.
• 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 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 Selective Service. To verify registration, visit SSS.gov.

Qualifications

Only experience and education obtained by 09/11/2023 will be considered. In order to qualify for this position you must possess both the Basic Requirement and Minimum Qualification. Basic Requirement: Bachelors or higher degree 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 in A above, plus appropriate experience or additional education. The quality of the combination demonstrates that I possess the knowledge, skills, and abilities required to perform the work of the position. Minimum Qualification [GS-9} One (1) year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the GS-7 grade level that equipped you with the particular knowledge, skills and abilities to perform successfully the duties of this position and that is typically in or related to the work of this position to be filled. Specialized experience may include: assisting with planning habitat restoration projects, assisting in preparing biological portions of environmental assessment/impact statements; assisting in preparing in preparing comprehensive conservation plans and/or habitat management plans, reviewing right-of-way agreements for transmission pipelines; assisting with coordinate pre-permit activities with oil and gas companies; assisting in evaluating permit applications for activities; ensuring appropriate Federal statutes and regulations such as the Endangered Species Act (ESA) and National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) are used in relation to restoration projects and/or environmental compliance. OR Successfully completed 2 years of progressively higher-level graduate education leading to a master's degree or master's or equivalent graduate degree in wildlife biology or a directly related field from an accredited college or university. One year of graduate education is considered to be the number of credit hours that 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) is considered as satisfying the requirement for one year of full- time graduate study. OR Possess a combination of qualifying specialized experience and more than one year of graduate education (both as described above) that, when computed as percentages of their respective requirements, equals at least 100% when combined. Only graduate education beyond the first full year (18 semesters/27 quarters) is creditable using this method. 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. 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 Capital Management 1875 Century Blvd Suite 370 Atlanta, GA 30345 US
• Name: Human Resources Staffing Division
• Phone: 000-000-0000
• Email: [email protected]