This position is a Fish and Wildlife Biologist, GS- 0401-11/12 working in State College, Pennsylvania, or Abingdon, Virginia, for the R5-Ecological Services Program.

Duties

As a Fish and Wildlife Biologist your duties will include but are not limited to the following: Coordinates and facilitates activities pursuant to sections 4, 6, 7, 8, and 10 of the Endangered Species Act. Plans and conducts status surveys for both listed and candidate species, in cooperation with other Federal and state agency personnel, private organization representatives, and contractors; negotiates agreements for status surveys with prospective contractors and personnel of cooperating agencies. Acts as technical advisor to other Field Office staff on the habitat needs of rare, candidate, proposed, and federally listed species for the purpose of Section 7 consultations with other Federal agencies and designated non-Federal representatives; also consults with staff in preparation of reasonable and prudent measures, reasonable and prudent alternatives, and conservation recommendations. Prepares written correspondence, reports, and papers for publication, based on the literature, observations made, and investigations conducted. Reports and papers are used to analyze current conditions and assess implications of future actions on rare, candidate, proposed, threatened and endangered species and their habitats. Inspects projects for compliance with policies, standards, guidelines, agreements, and plans, followed by recommendations for action to assure compliance. Reviews rules, regulations, legislation and statutes pertaining to rare, candidate, proposed, threatened, and endangered fish, wildlife, and plant resources. Recommends appropriate procedures for implementing provisions of these mandates and establishes key contacts with other agencies, organizations, and the public. Plans, investigates, conducts, and reviews on-site ecological investigations on a wide variety of the most complex and diverse Federal land and water resource development proposals to determine their effects on fish and wildlife resources, with special emphasis on rare, candidate, proposed, federally listed threatened and endangered species habitat, riparian habitat, wetland ecology and management, and other habitats of concern in the affected area. 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.
• Merit promotion applicants must meet time-in-grade requirement as defined in 5 CFR 300, Subpart F.
• 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 08/02/2024 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 Combination of education and experience: Courses equivalent to a major, as shown in A above, PLUS appropriate experience or additional education. Minimum Qualification [GS-11] Possess at least one year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-9 level in the Federal service. Examples of this experience may include: 1) applying knowledge of biology and conservation principles and related disciplines to determine the effects of human activities on fish and wildlife resources and to develop conservation measures to minimize adverse effects; 2) applied regulatory standards to project information and the results of biological analyses; 3) coordinated conservation activities with other offices, other agencies, and organizations; 4) delivering presentations, explaining regulatory requirements, and exercising tact and diplomacy in communications with Federal, state, and local agencies, nongovernmental organizations, and individuals; 5) determine the effect of land and water development projects on the fish and/or wildlife resources of an area; and 6) applying critical trends in natural resources, to assess, select, and make optimal use of precedents and available data, and to draw sound conclusions as to the action to be recommended to ensure compliance with applicable laws and policies. OR Completed three years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to a Ph.D. degree or equivalent doctoral degree that clearly demonstrates the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to do the specific 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]: Have at least one year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-11 level in the Federal service. Examples this experience may include: 1) implementing an Endangered Species Act (ESA) regulatory program with responsibility for tracking and reporting; coordinating with field offices, other Service programs and Regions, Headquarters, Solicitor's Office, states, and species experts; 2) applying and providing guidance on application of law, regulation, and policy in the implementation of an ESA regulatory program including workingwith other offices and Solicitor's Office attorneys to address novel and/or complex situations; 3) developing ESA policy guidance and program processes and procedures; 4) working with project proponents to resolve disagreement under tense circumstances; 5) applying knowledge of the ESA and the regulations, policies and case law relating to its administration; 6) working cooperatively with immediate staff, as well as with personnel of other agencies and the public; and resolving disputes among competing groups and resource uses, especially related to those associated with compliance with the ESA; 7) applying knowledge of the biology of rare, candidate, proposed, and listed species occurring within the area of responsibility, including habitats, distribution, life history, food habits, habitat use, behavior, taxonomy, and population ecology; and 8) applying policies and applicable statutes related to protection, consultation, and recovery efforts of listed species. 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. Time In Grade Requirement: Applicants must meet both eligibility and qualification requirements for the position of interest by the closing date of the JOA. Specifically, i. Area of Consideration. ii. Time-in-grade (TIG) requirements as specified in 5 CFR 300, Subpart F. iii. Time after competitive appointment as specified in 5 CFR 330.502. iv. Qualification requirements outlined in OPM's Qualifications Standards for General Schedule Positions or for Federal Wage System (FWS), wage grade positions, applicants are evaluated using the OPM Job Qualification System for Trades and Labor Occupations and the job element examining method Your SF-50 will be used to confirm you meet all requirements

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]