This position is a Fish and Wildlife Biologist (Environmental Contaminants), GS- 0401-11/12 working in Portland, Oregon, for the R1-Oregon Fish and Wildlife Office.

Duties

The Environmental Contaminants Program addresses chemical pollution of lands, waters and wildlife populations. As a consequence the Service's Oregon Fish and Wildlife Office is involved with many highly complex and controversial issues which require extensive interaction with numerous Federal, state and local agencies, Tribes, non-governmental organizations, industry and the general public. As a Fish and Wildlife Biologist (Environmental Contaminants) your duties will include but are not limited to the following: Plans, investigates, conducts, and reviews on-site ecological investigations on a wide variety of the most complex and diverse actual or suspected contaminant sites to determine their effects on fish and wildlife resources and their habitats, with special emphasis on rare, candidate, proposed, and federally listed threatened and endangered species, and aquatic systems, including wetlands and other habitats of concern. Serves as field office technical expert on environmental contaminants and pesticides as they relate to effects on fish and wildlife resources for assigned area of duty. Provides technical assistance to other Service project leaders relative to environmental contaminant related issues and opportunities, and provides guidance on proper implementation of policies, procedures, standards, and guidelines. Reviews existing, new, and proposed regulations, legislation, and statutes pertaining to environmental contaminants and fish and wildlife resources. Recommends appropriate procedures for implementing provisions of these mandates and establishes key contacts with other agencies. Prepares objective and complete written reports and other documents and delivers oral presentations to Service, professional, and public groups as to investigations conducted, and results of such investigations with regard to impacts of environmental contaminants on fish and wildlife resources. Participates in diverse, complex, and multi-disciplinary planning efforts with public and private groups, and state, local, tribal, and Federal agencies to achieve Service goals. Negotiates with project proponents and Federal/state agencies concerning measures, standards, and procedures to protect, restore, and enhance fish and wildlife resources adversely affected by contaminated sites and discharge permits. Prepares responses to inquiries from congressional staff, the public, organizations, and the news media, obtaining and providing requested information within established office guidelines and in conformance with agency and departmental policy. This position involves a multi-grade career ladder. The major duties listed represent the full performance level of GS-12. 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-12. Promotion is at the discretion of the supervisor and is contingent upon satisfactory performance, availability of higher level work, and availability of funds. The selectee may be promoted without further competition when all regulatory, qualification, and performance requirements are met. Selection at a lower grade level does not guarantee promotion to the full performance level.

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.
• 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 01/15/2024 will be considered. In order to qualify for this position you must possess both the Basic Requirement and Minimum Qualification. Basic Requirement: Successfully completed 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 sciences, agriculture, natural resource management, chemistry, or related disciplines appropriate to the position. OR Possess a combination of education and experience--courses equivalent to a major, as shown in "1" above, plus appropriate experience or additional education. To combine education and experience, first take the number of semester hours (or equivalent) earned towards your degree and divide by 120 semester hours (or equivalent). To determine the percentage of qualifying experience, divide the total number of months of acceptable specialized experience by 12 months. Add your percentages of education and experience together. The two percentages must total at least 100%. Minimum Qualification [GS-11] Possess at least one year of specialized experience, equivalent to at least the GS-09 level in the Federal service. Experience must include performance of the following duties: assisting with managing moderately-complex Natural Resource Damage Assessment and Restoration (NRDAR) cases; providing technical assistance to a variety of stakeholders in determining the effects of environmental contaminants on fish and wildlife species; assisting with the preparation of reports and other written materials to present findings concerning the impact of environmental contaminants on fish and wildlife resources. OR Possess 3 years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to a Ph.D. degree or Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree in the biological sciences, natural resource management, or a closely related field which provided me with the knowledge, skills, and abilities to perform the duties of this position. OR A combination of education and experience as described in 1 and 2 above which together equals 100% of the requirement Minimum Qualification [GS-12]: Possess at least one year of specialized experience, equivalent to at least the GS-11 level in the Federal service. Experience must include performance of the following duties: assisting with overseeing and directing habitat restoration associated projects; managing aspects of NRDAR cases; conducting and reviewing on-site ecological investigations on a wide variety of diverse actual or suspected contaminant sites; providing technical assistance to a variety of stakeholders on the effects of environmental contaminants on fish and wildlife species; preparing a variety of correspondence and reports related the impacts of environmental contamination on fish and wildlife resources. 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 Eastside Federal Complex 911 NE Eleventh Avenue Portland, OR 97232 US
• Name: Human Resources Staffing Division
• Email: [email protected]