This position is a Conservation Planner, GS-0401-11/12 working in Anchorage, Alaska for the R7-Division of Refuge Realty. The full performance level of this position is GS-12.

Duties

As a Conservation Planner your duties will include but are not limited to the following: Plans, evaluates, conducts a wide variety of complex analyses of refuge management and restoration projects to determine their effects upon biological, physical, cultural, and socioeconomic resources to ensure that legal standards, regulations, policy, and other requirements are met. Reviews and/or writes all or portions of environment assessment/impact statements for refuge plans to evaluate environmental consequences of proposed actions on the environment. Leads, develops, coordinates, or reviews plans that may encompass any and all programs that affect refuge fish and/or wildlife and their habitat conditions including, but not limited to, comprehensive conservation plans, natural resources (habitat) management, fire management, visitor services, hunting and fishing management and/or habitat restoration. Participates in the development, review, and processing of a variety of permits and other compliance documents for refuges in coordination with refuge and regional office staff, Federal, Tribal, and state agencies; and with other parties as required. Maintains contact and communication with refuge staff throughout the Regional leadership and with other agencies (Federal, Tribal, and state) that are stakeholders in refuge planning processes. Provides technical guidance to refuge staff on refuge planning regulations, policies, and procedures.

Requirements

• Must be a U.S. Citizen or National.
• 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 11/18/2024 will be considered. In order to qualify for this position you must possess both the Basic Requirement and Minimum Qualification. Basic Requirement: Possess a degree in biological sciences, agriculture, natural resource management, chemistry, or related disciplines appropriate to the position. OR Combination of education and experience that includes courses equivalent to a major (e.g., credit hours specified by the college or university, or 24 semester hours), as shown above, plus appropriate experience or additional education. This combination of education and experience is comparable to successful completion of a full 4-year course of study with a major in biological sciences, agriculture, natural resource management, chemistry, or related disciplines appropriate to the position - AND - Minimum Qualification [GS-11] One year of specialized experience comparable in scope and responsibility equivalent to grade GS-09 in the Federal service. Experience may include:1) Preparing species status summaries and assessments, conservation plans, environmental assessments, or other scientific documents related to management of endangered, threatened or at risk species; 2) Conducting site visits and studies as necessary to document pre-and post-restoration conditions; 3) Applying the principles and regulations which govern the management of natural resources and at risk species; 4) Applying the principles and regulations which govern the Endangered Species Act (ESA); 5) Communicating with staff members and members of the public. NOTE: Your resume must contain sufficient information in these areas to be found qualified. OR Possess three years of progressively higher-level graduate education leading to a Ph.D. degree or Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree in biological sciences, agriculture, natural resource management, chemistry, or related disciplines appropriate to the position. OR A combination of education and experience as described in 1 and 2 above which together equals 100% of the requirement OR Minimum Qualification [GS-12] One year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the GS-11 grade-level in the Federal service. Specialized experience may include: 1) Conducting a wide variety of investigations, assessments, inspections, and studies to determine the status of populations of rare species; 2) Designing and managing the development of fish and/or wildlife management plans, to determine their impact upon resources and habitats; 3) Development and implementation of strategies to conserve and protect habitats and populations; 4) Conducting field experiments using a wide variety of data-collection systems, and extracting and analyzing data; 5) Applying the principles and regulations which govern the Endangered Species Act (ESA) and other pertinent natural resources management statutes; 6) Communicating with staff biologists and with officials from federal, tribal, state, and private sector, in disseminating scientific and resource information. NOTE: Your resume must contain sufficient information in these areas to be found qualified. 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. Performance rating of record review: All applicants must provide a copy of their last final Employee Performance Appraisal Plan (EPAP) dated within the past 18 months verifying their performance is at a fully successful level or higher. Applicants who do not have a finalized EPAP within the last 18 months available must provide a reason and certify that their performance is acceptable, and they have not been advised that their performance is currently at an unacceptable level. Applicants who have an unsuccessful performance rating, or who have certified that their performance is not at an acceptable level will not be eligible for hiring consideration. 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.

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]