This position is a Biologist, GS- 0401-9/11 working in Yreka, California for the Yreka Fish and Wildlife Office (Region 8).

Duties

The Yreka Fish and Wildlife Office (Yreka FWO) is an Ecological Services Office located in Siskiyou County, northern California a few miles south of the Oregon border. Our office supports conservation work within the Shasta-Trinity and Klamath National Forests and adjoining private lands within Siskiyou, Trinity, and Shasta Counties. It was established in 1987 as the Klamath River Fisheries Resource Office and has evolved over time to include programs focused on the conservation and recovery of threatened, endangered, and at-risk species, and the restoration of forest and riparian habitats. Covering almost 6 million acres (over 9,000 square miles), the Yreka FWO is one of four U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service offices in the Klamath River watershed. These include the Klamath Basin National Wildlife Refuge Complex headquartered in Tulelake, CA, the Klamath Falls Fish and Wildlife Office in Oregon, and the Arcata Fish and Wildlife Office on the northern California coast. The Yreka FWO covers the mid-Klamath watershed, which has a rich cultural and natural history that includes Tribal, mining, timber management, farming and ranching activities. It was part of the California gold rush with miles of tailings yet to be restored in the Scott, Shasta, and Klamath River drainages. Surrounded by forests, wildfire and fuels management are a central focus of our office work. Conserving fish and wildlife cannot be successful without the partnership of local Tribes. The mid-Klamath is home to the Karuk and Quartz Valley Tribes, with whom the Yreka FWO works collaboratively to maintain, strengthen, and promote positive working relationships for the future of the Klamath River watershed. As a Biologist your duties will include but are not limited to the following: Identifies, develops, coordinates, and implements fish passage and other habitat restoration projects at the watershed scale. Projects are often complex and require the development of highly specialized on-site solutions. Identifies and obtains project funding from sources such as the Service's National Fish Passage and Partners for Fish and Wildlife programs, and other Federal and State agencies and programs. Cooperatively develops projects with local watershed groups and non-profits, and coordinates activities with other agencies, organizations, consultants, and landowners on fish passage and other habitat restoration issues. This includes the development and management of grants and cooperative agreements to carry out habitat restoration projects and other activities. Meets with outside entities and presents and explains Service programs, policies, positions, recommendations, etc. Ensures that all required State, Federal, and local permitting requirements for fish passage and other restoration projects at Yreka Fish and Wildlife Office are met. Also ensures Service responsibilities under the Federal Power Act, Fish and Wildlife Coordination Act, and the U.S. Endangered Species Act for listed and candidate species are met.

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
• Must meet Pathways eligibility requirements
• Must meet the eligibility requirements for the Recent Graduate Program. Recent Graduates will enter a formal training program with a mentor and execute an Individual Development Plan outlining training requirements and program expectations.
• Recent Graduates must receive at least 40 hours of formal training directly linked to their employment field.
• Recent Graduates serve a trial period for the duration of their excepted service appointment.
• Recent Graduates will be required to sign a Pathways Recent Graduate Participant Agreement.
• Applicants must provide documentation of completion within the previous 2 years of a qualifying associates, bachelors, masters, professional, doctorate, degree or certificate from a qualifying educational institution.
• Males born after 12-31-59 must be registered for Selective Service
• Uniform: Official U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service uniform may be required.
• Driver’s License: Selectees MAY be required to possess and maintain a valid State driver's license at all times during their tenure.

Qualifications

The Pathways Recent Graduate Program is for recently graduated or graduating individuals who are looking for developmental experiences in the Federal Government intended to promote possible careers in the civil service. Recent Graduates will serve on this appointment for one year. During the first year the selectee will perform developmental activities designed to help them acquire the competencies of the target position in which they may be placed upon completion of the program. Participants who successfully complete the Recent College Graduates Program may be eligible for conversion to the target position on a permanent or term (more than one to four years in duration) basis without further competition. For more information on the Pathways Recent Graduate Program, please visit https://www.usajobs.gov/StudentsAndGrads. Only experience and education obtained by 03/18/2024 will be considered. OPM's Qualification standard: http://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/classification-qualifications/general-schedule-qualification-standards/final-groupcoveragequalificationstandardforpathwaysprogramschedule-20d.pdf. Applicants meet the following eligibility requirement, and provide documentation such as a copy of your official transcript and/or veteran's documentation by the closing date of the announcement to be considered: In order to qualify for this position you must possess both the Basic Requirement and Minimum Qualification. Basic Requirement: A. Degree: 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-9] One year of specialized experience comparable in scope and responsibility equivalent to grade GS-7 in the Federal service. Specialized experience may include: conducting biological or ecological investigations to determine the impact of various land and water development projects upon the fish and/or wildlife resources of an area; reviewing permit applications; assisting in developing comprehensive fish and/or wildlife management plans; preparing portions of draft biological opinions/assessments as required under Section 7 of the Endangered Species Act (ESA); reviewing biological portions of environment assessment/impact statements or resource planning reports; implementing biological work and/or habitat preservation and development work for endangered, threatened, proposed, and candidate species and their habitats; and implementing federal environmental laws (i.e., Endangered Species Act, specifically Sections 7 and 10; Clean Water Act; Fish and Wildlife Coordination Act; National Environmental Policy Act), regulations, and policies involving natural resource issues. NOTE: Your resume must contain sufficient information in these areas to be found qualified. OR Completion of two years of progressively higher-level graduate education at an accredited college or university leading to a master's degree or equivalent graduate degree in wildlife biology, ecology, or a directly related field appropriate to 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-11]: One year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-9 level in the Federal service. Examples of specialized experience may include: conducting moderately complex biological or ecological investigations to determine the impact of various land and water development projects upon endangered species and their habitats; negotiating alternative actions or mitigation measures, etc.; developing habitat conservation or restoration projects; serving as a technical advisor on the Endangered Species Act for other staff, government agencies, land owners, private interest groups, etc.; preparing biological portions of environmental assessment/impact statements or comprehensive resource planning reports; and implementing federal environmental laws (i.e., Endangered Species Act, specifically Sections 7 and 10; Clean Water Act; Fish and Wildlife Coordination Act; National Environmental Policy Act), regulations, and policies involving natural resource issues. NOTE: Your resume must contain sufficient information in these areas to be found qualified. OR Completion of three years of progressively higher-level graduate education at an accredited college or university leading to a Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree in wildlife biology, ecology, or a directly related field appropriate to this position. OR A combination of education and experience as described in 1 and 2 above which together 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. Promotion Potential: This position involves a multi-grade career ladder. The major duties listed represent the full performance level of GS-9/11. 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-9/11. 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. (NOTE: You must attach a copy of your transcripts. Failure to submit transcripts will result in an ineligible rating.)

Education

PROOF OF EDUCATION: All applicants 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. Failure to submit transcripts will result in an ineligible rating. 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 2800 Cottage Way Sacramento, CA 95825 US
• Name: Human Resources Staffing Division
• Phone: 000-000-0000
• Email: [email protected]