This position is a Fish and Wildlife Biologist, GS- 0401-9/11 working in Davis, WV for the R5-West Virginia Ecological Services Field Office. This position is also open to the public under announcement R5-23-12113969-CU-DE. You must apply to each announcement separately if you wish to be considered under both recruitment methods.

Duties

The primary purpose of this position is to provide biological support on a variety of issues relating to conservation of fish and wildlife and their habitats as part of the West Virginia Field Office Team. Responsibilities may include: coordination under Sections 4, 6, 7, and 10 of the ESA including conducting a wide variety of complex ecological investigations or inspections involving complex land and water resource development actions and to assist or develop fish and/or wildlife mitigation or management plans to insure preservation, protection, and enhancement of fish and/or wildlife and their habitat for a geographic area having a variety of habitat conditions.

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 are required to possess and maintain a valid State driver's license at all times during their tenure.
• 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 10/11/2023 will be considered. In order to qualify for this position you must possess both the Basic Requirement and Minimum Qualification. Basic Requirement: Bachelor's or higher degree in biological sciences, agriculture, natural resource management, chemistry, or related disciplines appropriate to the position. OR Combination of education and experience that includes courses equivalent to a major in the biological sciences, agriculture, natural resource management, chemistry, or related disciplines appropriate to the position, PLUS appropriate experience or additional education. The quality of the combination of education and experience must be sufficient to demonstrate possession of the knowledge, skills, and abilities required to perform work in the occupation, and be comparable to successful completion of a full 4-year course of study with a major in the appropriate field. Minimum Qualification [GS-9] One year of specialized experience comparable in scope and responsibility to the GS-7 grade level in the Federal service performing work in or directly related to the position to be filled. Examples of specialized experience may include: (1) participating in biological or ecological investigations to determine impacts of land and water development projects on fish and/or wildlife resources; (2) reviewing permit applications; (3) assisting in developing comprehensive fish and wildlife management plans; (4) preparing portions of draft biological opinions/assessments as required under Section 7 of the Endangered Species Act; (5) implementing biological work and/or habitat preservation and development work for endangered, threatened, proposed, and candidate species and their habitats; and/or (6) implementing Federal environmental laws involving natural resources (e.g., Endangered Species Act, Clean Water Act, Fish and Wildlife Coordination Act, National Environmental Policy Act, etc.). OR Two years of progressively higher-level graduate education leading to a master's degree, OR possess a master's or equivalent graduate degree, with a major study in or directly related to biological sciences, agriculture, natural resource management, chemistry, or related disciplines appropriate to the position that provided the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to satisfy the minimum qualification requirement and perform the duties of the position. OR A combination of education and experience as described in 1 and 2 above that equals 100% of the requirement. Minimum Qualification [GS-11] One year of specialized experience comparable in scope and responsibility to the GS-9 grade level in the Federal service performing work in or directly related to the position to be filled. Examples of specialized experience may include: (1) conducting biological or ecological investigations to determine impacts of land and water development projects upon endangered species and their habitats; (2) negotiating alternative actions or mitigation measures; (3) developing habitat conservation or restoration projects; (4) serving as a technical advisor on the Endangered Species Act; (5) preparing biological portions of environmental assessment/impact statements or resource planning reports; and/or (6) implementing Federal environmental laws involving natural resources (e.g., Endangered Species Act, Clean Water Act, Fish and Wildlife Coordination Act, National Environmental Policy Act, etc.). OR Three years of progressively higher-level graduate education leading to a Ph.D., or possess a Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree with a major study in or directly related to biological sciences, agriculture, natural resources management, chemistry, or related disciplines appropriate to the position that provided the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to satisfy the minimum qualification requirement and perform the duties of the position. OR A combination of education and experience as described in 1 and 2 above that equals 100% of the requirement. 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: Area of Consideration. Time-in-grade (TIG) requirements as specified in 5 CFR 300, Subpart F. Time after competitive appointment as specified in 5 CFR 330.502. 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 The Land Management Workforce Flexibility Act (LMWFA),P.L. 114-47, allows certain individuals who currently or formerly were under time-limited competitive appointments at certain land management agencies to compete under merit promotion procedures. For Eligibility Information click here: USAJOBS Help Center | Land Management/ 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 300 Westgate Center Drive Hadley, MA 01035 US
• Name: Human Resources Staffing Division
• Phone: 000-000-0000
• Email: [email protected]