This position is a Wildlife Refuge Specialist (Deputy Project Leader), GS- 0485-11/12 working in Kotzebue, Alaska for the R7-Selawik National Wildlife Refuge. This position is also open to the public under announcement R7-23-12131760-AF-DE. You must apply to each announcement separately if you wish to be considered under both recruitment methods.

Duties

As a Wildlife Refuge Specialist (Deputy Project Leader) your duties will include but are not limited to the following: Natural Resources Program Management Plans, manages, evaluates, and carries out the biological program at assigned Refuge. Prepares proposals for developmental/improvement projects. Reviews projects proposed by other agencies, stakeholders/partners (i.e., Bureau of Land Management, Bureau of Reclamation, state fish and wildlife agencies, Tribal representatives), identifying possible conflicts with Refuge management objectives, and develops recommendations for senior management approval. Ensures all projects comply with national, regional, and Refuge policies, regulations, and mandates. Develops, fosters, and maintains partnerships with other Federal, state, and local agencies, Tribes, Alaska Native Organizations, Alaska Native Corporations, private organizations, and special interest groups to protect lands around the Refuge. Manages and carries out active stewardship of natural resources beyond the boundaries of the Refuge to improve, enhance, and protect trust resources over large geographic areas. Wildlife Biology, Ecology, and Habitat Management Develops long-range plans, annual work plans, budgets, and work schedules. Develops cost estimates and the work sequence for major and minor rehabilitation projects of Refuge facilities and lands to prepare funding proposals that support internal and external funding. Implements or oversees funded projects. Prepares administrative reports, annual narrative reports, and other documents associated with wildlife management and administrative programs. Applies current and changing natural resources laws, rules and regulations to ensure management of the Refuge program remains in compliance. Facilities and Equipment Management Administers the facilities and equipment management program. Plans and schedules operations and maintenance projects. Develops various work plans and organizes projects covering the construction, repair and maintenance of equipment, buildings, roads, trails, fences, and other infrastructure. Drafts, reviews, and negotiates service and construction contracts in cooperation with Service subject matter experts. Monitors contractors and serves as on-site representative for various contract work as needed. Supervision Supervises a small team of professional, technical, analytical, administrative support staff, and blue collar workers (permanent and seasonal staff), staff as well may include Contractors, Volunteers, Interns, NGO, Partners, etc. Responsible for creating an environment that encourages and rewards cooperation, collective problem solving and participative decision-making. Develops the ability of others to perform and contribute to the organization by providing feedback and by providing opportunities to learn through formal and informal methods. Ensures that work is conducted safely and actively supports, implements, and complies with the Equal Employment Opportunity Program. Visitor Services Plans and administers the Refuge's public relations/public use program including off-refuge programs, interpretive and educational programs, wildlife dependent recreations (hunting, fishing, wildlife observation), and other recreational management activities. Reviews and edits brochures, press releases, interpretive panels/exhibits, websites, etc. Participates with senior management or agency specialists in the development and review of site plans and designs. Reviews and makes priority public use recommendations based on expert knowledge of refuge compatibility and appropriate use policy. Routinely responds to information request from individuals, local groups, and organizations.

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.
• Uniform: Official U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service uniform MAY be required.
• Probationary Period: Selectees may be required to successfully complete a probationary period.
• Supervisory Probationary Period: Selectees who have not previously completed a supervisory probationary period, will be required to serve a one-year supervisory/managerial probationary period for this position.
• 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 10/13/2023 will be considered. In order to qualify for this position you must possess both the Basic Requirement and Minimum Qualification. Basic Requirement 0485 Series: Education: Successful completion of a 4-year course of study in an accredited college or university leading to a bachelors or higher degree with major in zoology, wildlife management, or an appropriate field of biology that included at least: 9 semester hours in zoology; 6 semester hours in such wildlife courses as mammalogy, ornithology, animal ecology, or wildlife management; 3 semester hours in botany, and 3 semester hours in conservation biology. NOTE: Unofficial transcripts are accepted. Official Transcripts will be required if selected. OR Combination: Successful completion of courses in an accredited college or university equivalent to a major in zoology, wildlife management, or appropriate field of biology that included at least 9 semester hours in zoology; 6 semester hours in such wildlife courses as mammalogy, ornithology, animal ecology, or wildlife management; 3 semester hours in botany, and 3 semester hours in conservation biology PLUS appropriate experience and/or additional education comparable to the completion of a 4-year course of study. NOTE: Transcripts required and your resume must contain sufficient detail of this level of work, i.e., complete begin/end dates, hours worked per week, duties performed, etc. for each timeframe for consideration. AND Minimum Qualification [GS-11] One year of specialized experience comparable in scope and responsibility equivalent to grade GS-9 in the Federal service. Specialized experience may include: 1) Planning, administering, evaluating, managing, and/or operating some programs; 2) Communicates with agency staff, other agencies, partners and stakeholders; 3) Demonstrated knowledge or experience with agreements; 4) Routinely responds to information request from individuals, local groups, and organizations; 5) Works with volunteer groups, interns or YCC crews; 6) Attends meeting communicating agency information; 7) Planning, administering, evaluating, managing, activities and projects associated with conserving and managing fish and/or wildlife; 8) Functions as part of a diverse team conducting day to day operations. OR Education: Must possess 3 years of progressively higher-level graduate education leading to a PhD or PhD or equivalent doctoral degree in a field of study directly related to the position. OR A combination of education and experience as described in 1 and 2 above which together equals 100% of the requirement OR Minimum Qualification [GS-12] One year of specialized experience comparable in scope and responsibility equivalent to grade GS-11 in the Federal service. Specialized experience may include: 1) experience planning and directing a broad variety of management operations in a natural resource setting; 2) planning, directing, and evaluating all aspects of a wildlife management program; developing long- and short-term management plans; 3) leading a staff of professional and nonprofessional personnel. NOTE: Your resume must contain sufficient detail, e.g., complete begin/end dates, hours worked per week, duties performed, etc., for each period of work for consideration. 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

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 1101 East Tudor Road Anchorage, AK 99503 US
• Name: Human Resources Staffing Division
• Phone: 000-000-0000
• Email: [email protected]