This position is located in the Wildlife Services (WS) National Feral Swine Damage Management Program (NFSP). The incumbent works under the NFSP Assistant Director and has responsibility for coordinating, conducting, and facilitating operational activities, data collection, and data analyses for states.

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: Serves as a NFSP operational liaison to interface with WS state programs, the National Wildlife Research Center, and external entities in support of efforts to eliminate feral swine. Collaborates with stakeholders to plan, organize, coordinate, and participate in the development and implementation of strategic plans that promote WS NFSP activities. Provides input and coordination to operational objectives to enhance feral swine mitigation strategies and metrics to meet NFSP objectives. Serves as technical expert in feral swine management and control, participates as needed in efforts to ensure NFSP environmental assessments are current and accurate. Prepares required scientific and administrative program reports and provides technical guidance in feral swine management to biologists, technicians, and students. Assists employees with operational data collection, maintenance, manipulation, post-processing, various analyses, and other assignments. Works to ensure fidelity between NFSP activities and existing program, agency and department standards, policies, and procedures. Works with NWRC scientists to help develop and prioritize studies or assist research efforts by supporting field studies. The incumbent will lead in the development and implementation of NFSP wildlife personnel training events, ensuring that NFSP field employees maintain current operational knowledge.

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 https://www.e-verify.gov/.
• Valid state driver's license is required at the time of application.
• All USDA employees are required to be enrolled in Continuous Vetting, which authorizes government agencies to receive notifications of criminal activity on individuals who hold low risk, public trust, or national security positions.
• May need to operate 4-wheel drive vehicles over rough terrain and other off-road environments.
• Work is performed in office, laboratory, and field locations.
• There is regular and recurring exposure to moderate risks and discomfort, such as adverse weather conditions, noisy environments, extensive vehicle travel, and work with the aerial operations crew.
• The incumbent will often work with biological specimens that may contain pathogens, and hazardous chemicals such as sedatives and anesthetics.
• The incumbent may be required to receive pre-exposure and post-exposure vaccinations to prevent contacting preventable diseases.

Qualifications

Applicants must meet all qualifications and eligibility requirements by the closing date of the announcement including time-in-grade restrictions, specialized experience and/or education, as defined below. TIME-IN-GRADE: Current federal employees applying for a promotion opportunity must meet time-in-grade (TIG) requirement of 52 weeks of service at the next lower grade level in the normal line of progression for the position being filled. BASIC REQUIREMENT: Degree in biological science 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 the related plant sciences. TRANSCRIPS are required OR 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, plus appropriate experience or additional education. In addition to meeting the BASIC REQUIREMENT, you must all meet the following requirements: FOR THE GS-11 LEVEL: Applicants must have one year of specialized experience (equivalent to the GS-09 level) that may have been obtained in the private or public (local, county, state, Federal) sectors which demonstrates: Possess experience and a background in wildlife biology and wildlife damage management necessary to determine effective feral swine damage control strategies and methods and evaluate their impact on populations. Possess ability to communicate programmatic information, both orally and in writing as demonstrated through preparing briefing papers, environmental assessments, scientific publications, and participating in wildlife conferences/workshops. Possess ability and practical experience related to a variety of technical procedures used in wildlife biology including animal capture, restraint and transport; marking and collection of biological data and samples; chemical immobilization; and animal euthanasia and necropsy. OR 3 years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to a Ph.D. degree or Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree in one of the following degree fields: Wildlife Biology, Wildlife Ecology, or Wildlife Management. Equivalent combinations of education and experience are qualifying for this grade level. FOR THE GS-12 LEVEL: Applicants must have one year of specialized experience (equivalent to the GS-11 level) that may have been obtained in the private or public (local, county, state, Federal) sectors which demonstrates: The majority of the above Specialized Experience required at the GS-11 Level. Possess experience and ability to analyze programmatic Management Information System (MIS) data necessary to evaluate National Feral Swine Program impacts on agriculture, natural resources, property, animal health, and human health and safety. Possess ability to develop and implement techniques to determine economic impacts to agriculture, natural resources, and property caused by feral swine. Note: There is no education substitution for this grade level. TRANSCRIPTS are required if: This position requires specific coursework or a degree in a specific field to be basically qualified. 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-11 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]