This position is a Fish and Wildlife Biologist, GS- 0401-11/12, working in East Orland, ME for the R5-Maine Ecological Services Field Office.

Duties

As a Fish and Wildlife Biologist your duties will include but are not limited to the following: Representing the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service) in fish passage settlement negotiations and hearings with agency/tribal entities and industry; Working with agency/tribal entities and industry to design and review fish passage and other aquatic and riparian species studies; Working with agency/tribal entities and industry to implement adaptive management strategies; Coordinating with other Ecological Services field offices, Service programs, and the Regional Hydropower Coordinator on landscape-scale fish passage and recovery strategies for endangered and at-risk species (e.g., Atlantic salmon, American eel, American shad, river herring, etc.); Preparing, filing, and maintaining all associated license documents for the FERC administrative record in coordination with the Solicitor's Office.

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.
• 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 04/22/2024 will be considered. In order to qualify for this position you must possess both the Basic Requirement and Minimum Qualification. Basic Requirement: Degree in biological sciences, agriculture, natural resource management, chemistry, or related disciplines appropriate to the position. OR A combination of education and experience that includes courses equivalent to a major in biological sciences, agriculture, natural resource management, chemistry, or related disciplines appropriate to the position, PLUS appropriate experience or additional education. This combination of education and experience sufficiently demonstrates the knowledge, skills, and abilities required to perform work in the 0401 occupational series and is comparable to completion of a full 4-year course of study with a major in an appropriate field as described previously. 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. Qualifying experience includes (1) assisting with the preparation of written documents, participating in internal discussions, and delivering oral presentations regarding impacts of hydropower projects or other development projects on fish, wildlife, and plant resources; (2) providing technical assistance on and implementing policies and procedures specific to hydropower or other natural resource-related issues and opportunities; (3) reviewing and summarizing available scientific literature relating to aquatic organism passage at hydropower facilities, as well as methods to mitigate impacts and minimize habitat destruction; (4) supporting planning efforts with public and private groups and other agencies (federal, state, tribal, local) to achieve organizational goals; (5) coordinating with senior staff to inspect projects for compliance with organizational policies, standards, and plans, followed by recommendations to support compliance. OR Three years of progressively higher-level graduate education leading to a Ph.D. degree -OR- possess a Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree with major study in or related to the work of the position to be filled (e.g., fish and/or wildlife biology, ecology, conservation science, etc.).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] One year of specialized experience comparable in scope and responsibility to the GS-11 grade level in the Federal service performing work in or directly related tot he position to be filled. Qualifying experience includes (1) preparing objective and complete written documents, leading internal discussions, and delivering oral presentations regarding impacts of hydropower projects or other development projects, reviews, or investigations on fish, wildlife, and plant resources; (2) serving as a technical expert on fish/aquatic organism passage, hydropower, and other natural resource-related issues, providing assistance on related issues and opportunities, and developing guidance on proper implementation of policies and procedures; (3) providing recommendations to support aquatic organism passage at hydropower facilities, mitigate impacts, and minimize habitat destruction; (4) participating in diverse, complex, and multi-disciplinary planning efforts with public and private groups, and agencies (federal, state, tribal, local) to achieve organizational goals; (5) inspecting projects for compliance with policies, standard, and plans, and providing recommendations to ensure compliance. 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
• Name: Human Resources Staffing Division
• Email: [email protected]