This position is a Wildlife Biologist, GS- 0486-9/11 working in Las Vegas, NV for the R8-Desert National Wildlife Range. Job Questions: Michael Matthews, at 725-301-6925 or [email protected]. Link Website: Desert National Wildlife Refuge This position is also open to the public under announcement R8-24-12497668-KD-DE. You must apply to each announcement separately if you wish to be considered under both recruitment methods.

Duties

As a Wildlife Biologist your duties will include but are not limited to the following: Plays a fundamental role in desert bighorn sheep management by monitoring springs and guzzlers, planning guzzler improvement and installation projects, performing duties as an aerial observer to conduct Desert Bighorn Sheep population surveys and habitat evaluation, and designing evaluation programs that contribute to management objectives. Plans, designs, and implements investigations evaluating wildlife resource utilization, ecological problems, population trends, and habitat management problems. Analyzes the collected data and synthesizes results into meaningful summaries for use in management decision making and publications as appropriate. Utilizes GIS technology to prepare maps, charts, or graphs that document biological resources. Coordinates biological research on the refuge by preparing on-site formal and informal research proposals, field investigations and similar studies. Reviews and comments on outside organization's research proposals and monitors progress of research. Acts as liaison between refuge and outside organizations, such as Nevada Department of Wildlife, U.S. Air Force, and other federal, Tribal, state, county, and local agencies, as well as educational institutions, and private organizations proposing wildlife research on, or related to, refuge lands. Provides input and assists in the development of refuge management planning, program planning, budget preparation and execution of the planned programs by gathering data, making recommendations, and summarizing information. Prepares issue papers, briefing documents, reports, environmental compliance documentation and portions of management plans, and provides verbal briefings to senior level management and others regarding issues that could affect ecological integrity of resources within Service jurisdiction. Conducts environmental education workshops or tours for the public, government agencies, private industry and academic institutions.

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.
• Uniform: Official U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service uniform MAY be required.
• 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.
• Employee may be required to work other than normal duty hours, which may include evenings, weekends, and holidays.

Qualifications

Only experience and education obtained by 08/19/2024 will be considered. In order to qualify for this position you must possess both the Basic Requirement and Minimum Qualification. Basic Requirement: 1. Bachelor's degree or higher in biological sciences that include: at least 9 semester hours in such wildlife subjects as mammalogy, ornithology, animal ecology, wildlife management, or research courses in the field of wildlife biology; and at least 12 semester hours in zoology in such subjects as general zoology, invertebrate zoology, vertebrate zoology, comparative anatomy, physiology, genetics, ecology, cellular biology, parasitology, entomology, or research courses in such subjects (Excess courses in wildlife biology may be used to meet the zoology requirements where appropriate.); and at least 9 semester hours in botany or related plant sciences. NOTE: Transcripts required. OR 2, A combination of education and experience: equivalent to a major in biological science (i.e., at least 30 semester hours), with at least 9 semester hours in wildlife subjects, 12 semester hours in zoology, and 9 semester hours in botany or related plant science, as shown in A above, PLUS appropriate experience or additional education. NOTE: Transcripts required and Your resume must contain sufficient detail of this level of work, i.e., complete begin/end dates, hours worked per week, duties performed, etc. for each timeframe for consideration. Minimum Qualification [GS-09] 1. One (1) year of specialized experience, equivalent to at least the GS-07 grade level in the Federal service. Examples of specialized experience may include: Participating in the planning, and organization of biological activities; Assisting with study proposals, survey designs, and scopes-of-work and assists with biological field investigations involving wildlife species and habitats, including population and harvest surveys, biological sampling, population health studies, animal collecting, food habit studies, population modeling, and other wildlife monitoring activities; Communicating with the other staff members and the public. NOTE: Your resume must contain sufficient detail of this level of work, i.e., complete begin/end dates, hours worked per week, duties performed, etc. for each timeframe for consideration. OR 2. Completed two (2) years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to a master's degree or master's or equivalent graduate degree in a discipline directly related to the position. NOTE: Transcripts required OR 3. A combination of specialized experience and graduate education as described above that, when combined, equals 100% of the total requirement. NOTE: Transcripts required, and your resume must contain sufficient information, e.g., complete begin/end dates, work schedule, duties performed, etc., for each period of work for consideration to meet this standard. Minimum Qualification [GS-11] 1. One (1) year of full-time specialized experience comparable to the GS-9 grade level in Federal service that equipped me with the particular knowledge, skills and abilities to perform successfully the duties of this position, and that is typically in or related to the work of the position to be filled. Specialized experience may include: 1) Assisting in the management of public lands or wildlife habitat; 2) independently conducting and/or coordinating ecosystem and wildlife research, which provides management recommendations; 3) assisting in developing guidance and working with external partners in the creation or enhancement wildlife habitat; 4) harvest management; and/or statistical modelling. NOTE: Your resume must contain sufficient detail of this level of work, i.e., complete begin/end dates, hours worked per week, duties performed, etc. for each timeframe for consideration. OR 2. Completed three (3) academic years of progressively higher-level graduate education leading to a Ph.D. or equivalent degree in wildlife biology or a directly related field. NOTE: Transcripts required. OR 3. A combination of specialized experience and graduate education as described above that, when combined, equals 100% of the total requirement. NOTE: Transcripts required, and your resume must contain sufficient information, e.g., complete begin/end dates, work schedule, duties performed, etc., for each period of work for consideration to meet this standard. 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 The Land Management Workforce Flexibility Act (LMWFA),P.L. 114-47, allows certain individuals who currently or formerly were under time-limited competitive appointments at certain land management agencies to compete under merit promotion procedures. Note: You MUST submit ALL SF-50s and performance information for each period of temporary/term employment that qualifies for LMWFA. Performance documentation can be obtained by contacting the supervisors for the positions you served in during your 24 months. If they did not complete performance appraisals ask them to provide a statement of performance for each period of service. The statement must specify the dates for each employment period and your level of performance (dates should match the dates on the SF-50s). Current appointees: Must have been hired under competitive examining procedures to a time limited appointment with a land management agency; Must have served under 1 or more time limited appointments by a land management agency for a period totaling more than 24 months without a break in service of 2 or more years; AND Must have performed at an acceptable level. Former appointees: Must have been hired under competitive examining procedures to a time limited appointment with a land management agency; Must have served under 1 or more time limited appointments by a land management agency for a period totaling more than 24 months without a break in service of 2 or more years; Must apply for position within 2 years after separation; Must have been separated for reasons other than misconduct or performance; AND Must have performed at an acceptable level. Public Land Corps (PLC) Hiring Authority: Served as a qualified youth on an appropriate conservation project completing a minimum of 640 hours of satisfactory service that included at least 120 hours through the PLC and received a certificate of non-competitive eligibility. Completed most recent Corps service, for which a certificate of non-competitive eligibility was issued, within the last 2 years. Appointment must be effected within the 2 year period.

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]