This position is located in the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS), Wildlife Services (WS) program. You will serve as a Staff Wildlife Biologist within the USDA, APHIS, WS and perform assignments involving National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), Endangered Species Act (ESA), and Migratory Bird Treaty Act (MBTA) implementation. Serves as the lead for wildlife damage management (WDM) data collection and assessment.

Duties

The duties may include, but are not limited to: Independently plans, develops, and manages multiple complex administrative or mission-related projects statewide, regionally, or nationally. Primarily responsible for development, monitoring, editing, maintenance, and renewal of NEPA documents, including categorical exclusions (CEs) and environmental assessments (EAs). Takes initiative to monitor and ensure compliance with annual NEPA take thresholds and Federal, State, and local regulations concerning WDM and program directives. Compiles and evaluates data on damage or hazards caused by various wildlife species for use in NEPA and ESA documents, MBTA permitting processes, and other documents and reports. Leads preparation and completion of program area Migratory Bird reports, CMITS reports, PUP requests, and State registration of EPA products. Coordinates with appropriate Federal and State agencies with respect to consultations relevant to the NEPA, ESA, and MBTA process. Develops and maintains required Administrative and Project Records for NEPA, ESA, and MBTA processes and ongoing projects.

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/.
• 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.
• 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.
• Extended travel or temporary duty may be required of the position. This may involve irregular working hours, including overtime.
• Legal and physical ability to possess and discharge firearms appropriately and safely is required.
• Incumbents must be able to comply with both Federal and State statutory requirements to possess and use firearms in the performance of their duties and must maintain state-mandated firearm use certification requirements.
• Appointment to and maintaining the position is contingent upon negative drug test results on applicable applicant drug screenings and all following random or ongoing screening, as directed.
• 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.

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: Biological science that included: 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. 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, as shown above, plus appropriate experience or additional education. In addition to meeting the basic requirement you must also need to meet the following: 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: Experience interpreting wildlife regulations such as: Migratory Bird Treaty Act (MBTA); National Environmental; Policy Act (NEPA); Endangered Species Act (ESA) and other state or federal policies. Experience providing technical advice to a variety of cooperators in person, by telephone, and via presentations at events. Experience writing or supporting the development and implementation, of NEPA documents such as Environmental Assessments and Categorical Exclusions. Experience using GPS, GIS technologies, and web-based systems for collecting, analyzing, and presentation of data. Experience organizing and conducting sophisticated programs of outreach to APHIS stakeholders and general public. OR 3 years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to a Ph.D. degree in Wildlife Biology, Wildlife Ecology, Wildlife Management or Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree in one of the aforementioned fields of study. Equivalent combinations of education and experience are qualifying 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]