Job opening: Fish and Wildlife Biologist
Salary: $47 858 - 62 215 per year
Published at: Sep 20 2023
Employment Type: Full-time
This position is a Fish and Wildlife Biologist, GS- 0401-7 working in Austin, Texas for the Austin Ecological Services Field Office (Region 2).
Duties
As a Fish and Wildlife Biologist your duties will include, but are not limited to, the following:
Gather and compile aquatic and terrestrial habitat and species data using a variety of electronic and hard copy resources.
Provide biological input and develops Determination Keys in coordination with the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) for use in prioritized projects.
Analyze data to recommend solutions to species issues or problems facing federally endangered species and their critical habitats and determine the need for habitat improvement projects.
Map key habitats for suitability and determination of species habitat enhancement or restoration.
Works cooperatively with State, Federal, Tribal agencies to manage aquatic and terrestrial habitats for federally listed species.
Develops environmental analysis reports and biological evaluations of threatened, endangered, and sensitive species for review by senior level biologists.
Participates on interdisciplinary teams to discuss ways to minimize impacts from transportation projects and assists in the development of determination keys that are affected by transportation projects across Texas.
Conduct analysis in accordance with the requirements of the Endangered Species Act (ESA), Migratory Bird Treaty Act, Bald and Golden Eagle Protection Act, and National Environmental Policy Act.
Serves as a Transportation liaison between TxDOT and the Service with tasks focused on ESA compliance.
Assist with the evaluation of TxDOT consultation packages for ESA compliance, conducts meetings with Service and TxDOT staff to facilitate project completion, and provides professional and timely response to TxDOT inquiries.
Uses Geographic Information Systems software to evaluate project impacts and assess species needs, and conduct biological evaluations for listed species.
Promotion Potential: This position involves a multi-grade career ladder. The major duties listed represent the full performance level of GS-GS-9. At lower grade levels, you will perform assignments of a more limited scope and with less independence. You will progressively acquire the background necessary to perform at the full performance level of GS-GS-9.
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 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 09/27/2023 will be considered.
In order to qualify for this position you must possess both the Basic Requirement and Minimum Qualification.
Basic Requirement:
A. Degree: Bachelor's or higher degree in the biological sciences, agriculture, natural resource management, chemistry, or related disciplines appropriate to the position.
OR
B. Combination of education and experience: Courses equivalent to a major, as shown in A above, plus appropriate experience or additional education.
Minimum Qualification [GS-7]:
1. One year of specialized experience comparable in scope and responsibility equivalent to grade GS-5 in the Federal service. Examples of specialized experience include: Assisting with assesses impacts of proposed Federal actions on threatened and endangered species; Assisting in investigations/assessments to determine the impact of various land and water development projects upon the fish and/or wildlife resources; Works with other senior biologist in developing fish and/or wildlife management plans. NOTE: Your resume must contain sufficient information in these areas to be found qualified.
OR
2. One year of graduate-level education from an accredited college or university in wildlife biology, ecology, or a directly related field appropriate to this position or superior academic achievement (S.A.A).
OR
3. A combination of education and experience as described in 1 and 2 above which together equals 100% of the requirement.
Superior Academic Achievement (S.A.A) is based on (1) class standing, (2) grade-point average, or (3) honor society membership.
Class standing -- Applicants must be in the upper third of the graduating class in the college, university, or major subdivision, such as the College of Liberal Arts or the School of Business Administration, based on completed courses.
Grade-point average (G.P.A.)-- Applicants must have a grade-point average of:
3.0 or higher out of a possible 4.0 ("B" or better) as recorded on their official transcript, or as computed based on 4 years of education, or as computed based on courses completed during the final 2 years of the curriculum; or
3.5 or higher out of a possible 4.0 ("B+" or better) based on the average of the required courses completed in the major field or the required courses in the major field completed during the final 2 years of the curriculum.
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 Resources
500 Gold Avenue, SW Room 5222
Albuquerque, NM 87103
US
- Name: Human Resources Staffing Division
- Phone: 000-000-0000
- Email: [email protected]
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