If selected, you will be performing duties relating to wildlife management and use of techniques aimed at controlling damage caused by wildlife to help protect agriculture, natural resources, property, and threats to human health and safety. The work is primarily concerned with wildlife damage management (WDM) operations relating to the assessment, reduction, and/or elimination of problems associated with wild and/or feral animal species in urban, suburban, and rural environments.

Duties

The duties described are for the full-performance level. At developmental grade levels, assignments will be of more limited scope, performed with less independence and limited complexity. The duties may include, but are not limited to: Plans, organizes, and conducts direct control operations to reduce wildlife damage within a geographical area or technical/subject area. Inspects and surveys areas and, as necessary, will revise existing WDM programs. Determines strategies and logistics for providing services. Uses WDM tools/devices which may include some or all of the following depending on need in assigned area: firearms; foothold, body-grip, cage traps; foot snares; neck snares; chemical control methods. Utilizes knowledge of WDM methods and strategies to independently recommend appropriate WDM strategies. Identifies current, and forecasts future, damage problems and relates them to the damage-causing species. Modifies or adapts established damage control techniques as necessary to meet local conditions. Assists in the negotiation of cooperative service agreements with landowners, lessees, or administrators.

Requirements

• You must be a US Citizen or US National.
• Individuals who were born male 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.
• Direct Deposit: 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 at https://www.e-verify.gov/
• Testing Designated Position: Selectee must submit to a urinalysis to screen for illegal drug use prior to appointment and random testing thereafter. Final appointment and continued employment is conditional on negative results for illegal drug use.
• Valid state driver's license is required at the time of application.
• Legal and physical ability to possess and discharge firearms appropriately and safely is required.
• Incumbents must be able to comply with Federal and State statutory requirements to possess and use firearms in their job duties and must maintain state-mandated firearm use certification requirements.
• The incumbent of this position must maintain the required background investigation or security clearance level and any applicable secure access credentials sufficient to perform the essential functions of the position.
• To fulfill field or laboratory requirements in this position, proof of specific vaccinations and boosters, may be required as a condition of employment to prevent contracting preventable diseases.
• Work is performed in both office and field setting which frequently include remote uninhabited areas.
• The work includes regular and recurring exposure to moderate risk and discomfort, such as adverse weather conditions, noisy environments, uneven and rocky terrain, extensive vehicle travel, and work with aerial operations crews.
• The incumbent may need to transport self and equipment for performing official duties by operating 4X4 vehicles (all-terrain and utility task vehicles), boats, snow mobiles, or ride horseback over rough terrain and in other off-road environments.
• The incumbent may also actively participate in aerial activities as a passenger and/or crew member of a fixed- or rotary-winged aircraft.
• The incumbent may be exposed to hazards such as foothold, body-grip, cage traps; foot snares; neck snares; chemical control methods; pyrotechnics; noise cannons/exploders; drop nets; rocket/cannon nets; various other scaring devices.
• Safety precautions are necessary and protective clothing and equipment are required.

Qualifications

Applicants must meet all qualifications and eligibility requirements by the closing date of the announcement, including specialized experience and/or education, as defined below. FOR THE GS-06 LEVEL: Applicants must have one year of specialized experience (equivalent to the GS-05 level) that may have been obtained in the private or public (local, county, state, Federal) sectors which demonstrates: Dealing with human-wildlife conflicts and principles of wildlife damage management. Creating/maintaining public contacts to formulate assistance strategies that incorporate technical assistance and operational control techniques. Conducting wildlife damage assessments, counts and abundance surveys. Identifying and assessing damage caused to crops, livestock and property by North American wildlife species. The use of firearms, traps, snares, pesticides, immobilizing drugs, pyrotechnics, electronic harassment devices, and other non-lethal control tools. OR One full year of graduate level education with an emphasis on wildlife. One year of full-time graduate education is considered to be the number of credit hours that the school attended has determined to represent one year of full-time study. If that information cannot be obtained from the school, 18 semester hours should be considered as satisfying the one year of full-time study requirement. Part-time graduate education is creditable in accordance with its relationship to a year of full-time study at the school attended. Equivalent combinations of education and experience are qualifying for this grade level. TRANSCRIPTS are required if: You are qualifying for the position based on education. You are qualifying for this position based on a combination of experience and education. This education must have been successfully completed and obtained from an accredited school, college, or university. COMBINATION OF EDUCATION & EXPERIENCE AT THE GS-06 GRADE LEVEL: Applicants may have combinations of successfully completed education and specialized experience to meet total qualification requirements. The total percentages must equal at least 100 percent to qualify for that grade level. 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 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

Please see above for education qualification requirement information.

Contacts

• Address Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service USDA APHIS MRPBS 250 Marquette Avenue, Suite 410 Minneapolis, MN 55401 US
• Name: MRP Human Resources
• Phone: 612-336-3227
• Email: [email protected]