Four positions are being filled through this vacancy. Two on the Monongahela National Forest in Richwood and Marlinton, WV, and two on the Superior National Forest in Cook and Ely, MN. The position is responsible for providing professional wildlife expertise in the protection, management, and improvement of wildlife within the framework of multiple-use management of forests. For more information about the position location and contact information, see the Additional Information section.

Duties

Provide professional wildlife expertise in the protection, management, and improvement of wildlife within the framework of multiple-use management of forest and rangelands. Correlate wildlife management with other resource uses (e.g. timber, recreation, and minerals management) and implement wildlife habitat management programs with emphasis on maintaining and enhancing bio-diversity. Prepare or review biological evaluations for threatened, endangered or sensitive species. Review Environmental Assessments to determine the adequacy of coordination of wildlife needs. Provide guidance for the development of wildlife or habitat management plans for technical soundness and adequacy in meeting overall wildlife management objectives and ensure plans are implemented. Analyze data to assess the effects of management activities on fish, wildlife and plant resources and document in an Environmental Assessment. Conduct and monitor special studies on the habitat of unique, rare, threatened and endangered species and make recommendations for habitat protections. Responsibilities are listed at the full performance level (GS-11). Performs supervisory duties 20% or less of the time.

Requirements

• Must be a U.S. Citizen or National.
• Males born after 12/31/1959 must be Selective Service registered or exempt.
• Subject to satisfactory adjudication of background investigation and/or fingerprint check.
• Successful completion of one year probationary period, unless previously served.
• Per Public Law 104-134 all Federal employees are required to have federal payments made by direct deposit to their financial institution.
• Successfully pass the E-Verify employment verification check. To learn more about E-Verify, including your rights and responsibilities, visit e-verify.gov

Qualifications

In order to qualify, you must meet the eligibility and qualifications requirements as defined below by the closing date of the announcement. For more information on the qualifications for this position, visit the Office of Personnel Management's General Schedule Qualification Standards. Your application and resume must clearly show that you possess the experience requirements. Transcripts must be provided for qualifications based on education. Provide course descriptions as necessary. Basic Requirement: For the GS-0486 series: Successful completion of a full 4-year course of study in an accredited college or university leading to a bachelor's or higher degree that included a major field of study 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 above, plus appropriate experience or additional education. In addition to meeting the basic requirement, you must also possess experience and/or directly related education in the amounts listed below. Specialized Experience Requirement: For the GS-09: You must have one year specialized experience equivalent to GS-07 level. Specialized experience includes one or more of the following: Served as an advanced trainee specializing in wildlife biology and performing common qualitative and quantitative analyses of wildlife resources; Conducted surveys and drafting tentative professional opinions to assist in determining wildlife resource needs and remedies; Assisted in carrying out a range of analytical/scientific assignments in the wildlife biology profession that included researching and analyzing data, issues, and information that support wildlife project recommendations. OR A master's or equivalent graduate degree or 2 full years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to such a degree or LL.B. or J.D., if related. The education must have been obtained in an accredited college or university and demonstrate the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to do the work. AND/OR An appropriate combination of specialized experience and education (only graduate education in excess of 18 semester hours may be used to qualify applicants for this grade level). For the GS-11: You must have one year specialized experience equivalent to GS-09 level. Specialized experience includes one or more of the following: Provided input in the wildlife management program by gathering, compiling, and analyzing data to determine environmental conditions, characteristics, and values, and the interrelationship of wildlife resources with other resources; Analyzed data and recommending solutions to problems involving a limited section of wildlife resources issues, e.g., interpreting the effect and impact of changes on wildlife habitat as a result of specific resource activities; Provided input in the preparation, maintenance, and revision of wildlife plans that involved interpretation of data obtained from studies and field surveys. OR Applicants must have 3 years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to a Ph.D. degree or Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree (coursework directly related to position being filled). AND/OR An appropriate combination of specialized experience and graduate level education (beyond what is required for a master's degree, i.e., more than 36 semester hours leading to a Ph.D.). 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: If you are a current federal employee in the General Schedule (GS) pay plan and applying for a promotion opportunity, you must meet time-in-grade (TIG) requirements of 52 weeks of service at the next lower grade level in the normal line of progression for the position being filled. This requirement must be met by the closing date of this announcement.

Education

See above for education that may be qualifying for the specific grade level.

Contacts

• Address USDA Forest Service HRM Contact Center DO NOT MAIL IN APPLICATIONS, SEE INSTRUCTIONS IN THE ANNOUNCEMENT. Albuquerque, NM 87109 US
• Name: HRM Contact Center
• Phone: 1-877-372-7248 X2
• Email: [email protected]