This position is a Fish and Wildlife Biologist, GS- 0401-11/12 working in State College, PA for the R5-Pennsylvania Ecological Services Field Office.

Duties

As a Fish and Wildlife Biologist your duties will include but are not limited to the following: Review of proposed and ongoing Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) hydropower projects to determine potential effects to aquatic and terrestrial species, including native fish, migratory birds, and endangered species (e.g., bats, bog turtles, freshwater mussels, and plants). Assess research needs and provide recommendations to support aquatic organism passage at hydropower facilities, mitigate impacts to aquatic organisms (e.g., fish impingement/entrainment), and minimize habitat destruction or alteration of species' habitats. Work closely with important partners such as other U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service programs (e.g., Fish and Aquatic Conservation), State natural resource agencies, other Federal agencies, and private companies to develop conservation measures for protection of natural resources. Participate in regional hydropower team meetings and conferences geared toward information sharing and developing best practices and standards for achieving fish and wildlife conservation objectives in FERC hydropower licensing proceedings.

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 02/07/2024 will be considered. In order to qualify for this position you must possess both the Basic Requirement and Minimum Qualification. Basic Requirement: Degree: biological sciences, agriculture, natural resource management, chemistry, or related disciplines appropriate to the position. OR Combination of education and experience: Courses equivalent to a major, as shown above, plus appropriate experience or additional education. Minimum Qualification [GS-11] One year of specialized experience comparable in scope and responsibility equivalent to grade GS-09 in the Federal service. Experience includes 1) Assists with preparation of written documents, participates in internal discussions, and delivers oral presentations regarding impacts of hydropower projects or other development projects on fish, wildlife, and plant resources; 2) Provides technical assistance and implements policies and procedures specific to hydropower or other natural resource-related issues and opportunities; 3) Reviews and summarizes available scientific literature relating to aquatic organism passage at hydropower facilities, as well as methods to mitigate impacts and minimize habitat destruction; 4) Supports planning efforts with public and private groups and state, local, tribal, and federal agencies to achieve organizational goals; and 5) Coordinates with senior staff to inspect projects for compliance with organizational policies, standards, and plans, followed by recommendations to support compliance. NOTE: Your resume must contain sufficient information in these areas to be found qualified. OR 3 years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to a Ph.D. degree or Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree. OR A combination of professional experience and graduate level education beyond the second year which together equals 100% of the requirements. (When combining education with experience, first determine the total qualifying education as a percentage of the education required for the grade level; then determine the experience as a percentage of the experience required for the grade level; finally, add the two percentages. The total percentage must equal at least 100 percent to qualify an applicant for that grade level.) Minimum Qualification [GS-12] One year of specialized experience comparable in scope and responsibility equivalent to grade GS-11 in the Federal service. Experience includes 1) Prepares objective and complete written documents, leads internal discussions, and delivers oral presentations to the Service and/or other groups regarding the impacts of hydropower projects or other development projects, reviews, and investigations conducted on fish, wildlife, and plant resources; 2) Serves as technical expert on fish/aquatic organism passage, hydropower and other natural resource-related issues, provides assistance on related issues and opportunities, and develops guidance on proper implementation of policies and procedures; 3) Provides recommendations, based on current and relevant scientific literature, to support aquatic organism passage at hydropower facilities, mitigate impacts, and minimize habitat destruction; 4) Participates in diverse, complex and multi-disciplinary planning efforts with public and private groups and state, local, tribal, and federal agencies to achieve organizational goals; and 5) Inspects projects for compliance with organizational policies, standards, and plans, followed by recommendations to assure compliance. NOTE: Your resume must contain sufficient information in these areas to be found qualified. 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: Recognition of Foreign Qualifications | International Affairs Office (ed.gov)

Contacts

• Address Division of Human Resources Division of Human Resources 300 Westgate Center Drive Hadley, MA 01035 US
• Name: Human Resources Staffing Division
• Email: [email protected]