This position is a Ecologist, GS- 0408-9/11 working in Alamo, Texas for the R2-Lower Rio Grande Valley NWR.

Duties

As a Ecologist your duties will include but are not limited to the following: Develops sound proposals for plant propagation in a plant nursery and conducts native plant restoration projects including plant surveys, negotiating agreements for surveys, and other actions in cooperation with other Federal and State agency personnel, private organization representatives, contractors and local universities. Uses qualitative and quantitative methods to analyze findings to include ecological data in geographic information systems (GIS). Prepares scientifically defensible reports and articles for publication in peer reviewed scientific literature and for presentation at professional meetings. Responsible for program operations and maintenance of a plant nursery, equipment and a small fleet of vehicles. Administrative responsibilities include micro-purchasing, training, and upkeep of facilities. Coordinates with other agencies, scientists, conservation organizations, local planning agencies, and knowledgeable individuals to encourage cooperative efforts to obtain and use the best scientific data for use in assessing the biological and taxonomic status of plants, and other fish and wildlife. Prepares technical or administrative scientific reports and plans pertaining to plant ecology. Provides guidance to, and directs and evaluates the work of, journey level and other lower-graded biologists, students, and volunteers, in matters pertinent to areas of special expertise,

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 09/09/2024 will be considered. In order to qualify for this position you must possess both the Basic Requirement and Minimum Qualification at the grade level for which you would like to be considered. Basic Requirement GS-0408 Series: The 0408 Ecology occupational series has an educational requirement that must be met by all applicants to qualify for a position in the 0408 occupational series. Education: Applicant must possess a degree in biology, or a related field of science underlying ecological research that included at least 30 semester hours in basic and applied biological sciences. These hours must have included at least 9 semester hours in ecology, and 12 semester hours in physical and mathematical sciences. -AND- Minimum Qualification GS-0408-9 Experience: One year of specialized experience comparable in scope and responsibility equivalent to grade GS-7 in the Federal service. Experience may include: (1) participating in field evaluations of the biological status, threats, and conservation needs of high priority plants; (2) conducting habitat surveys or restoration for listed and rare species, with an emphasis on plants; (3) preparing biological reports and management plans. 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 Education: Successful completion of two years of graduate education leading to a Master's Degree OR equivalent graduate degree in ecology or a discipline directly related to the position (i.e. Biology). NOTE: Transcripts required. OR Combination: Possess a combination of qualifying specialized experience and qualifying graduate education (both as described above) that, when computed as percentages of their respective requirements, equals at least 100% when combined. Only education beyond the second graduate year (36 semesters or equivalent) is creditable using this method. NOTE: Transcripts are 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. -OR- Minimum Qualification GS-0408-11 Experience: One year of specialized experience comparable in scope and responsibility equivalent to grade GS-9 in the Federal service. Experience may include: (1) participating in field evaluations of the biological status, threats, and conservation needs of high priority plants; (2) conducting habitat surveys or restoration for listed and rare species, with an emphasis on plants; (3) preparing biological reports and management plans; (4) assisting in the development of project or program goals and objectives, with emphasis on plants; (5) coordinating with other agencies, scientists, conservation organizations, local planning agencies, and/or knowledgeable individuals to obtain and use the best scientific data in assessing the biological and taxonomic status of plants. 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 Education: Successful completion of three years of progressively higher-level graduate education leading to a Ph.D., or possess a Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree, in ecology or a discipline directly related to the position (i.e. Biology). NOTE: Transcripts required. OR Combination; Possess a combination of qualifying specialized experience and qualifying graduate education (both as described above) that, when computed as percentages of their respective requirements, equals at least 100% when combined. Only education beyond the second graduate year (36 semesters or equivalent) is creditable using this method. NOTE: Transcripts are 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. 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]