Explore a new career with the BLM - where our people are our most precious resource. This position is located in Billings Field Office, duty stationed in Billings, MT. Information about Billings and the surrounding area can be found at Home | Billings Chamber of Commerce. We expect to fill one (1) vacancy at this time; however, additional positions may be filled from this announcement if they become available.

Duties

Selection at the GS-9 level, the incumbent will perform the duties of the position, with a reduced level of responsibility and/or difficulty, while receiving on-the-job trainee assignments or other appropriate training. Works with the Lead Wildlife Biologist in the State Office on issues with local interest groups, Tribal Councils, and other federal agencies on the application of biological decisions, habitat conservation, and laws and regulations. Manage and perform professional, research or scientific work that involves conserving, protecting and administering wildlife species. Oversight of program for the management of the surrounding ecology, behavior and conservation of habitat of wild animals. Serves as the point of contact for input to the wildlife portion of the field/district’s annual work plan. Coordinating wildlife management programs with other natural resources activities, such as land use planning, forest and range management programs.

Requirements

• U.S. Citizenship is required.
• Be sure to read the 'How to Apply' and 'Required Documents' Sections.
• You cannot hold an active real estate license: nor can you have an interest or hold stocks in firms with interest in Federal Lands.
• Direct Deposit Required.
• Appointment will be subject to a favorably adjudicated background/suitability investigation/determination.
• Your resume must contain enough information to show that you meet the qualification requirements as defined in the announcement. In addition, your responses to the questions must adequately reflect in your resume.
• May require a one-year probationary period.

Qualifications

In order to be rated as qualified for this position, we must be able to determine that you meet the qualification requirements - please be sure to include this information in your resume. No assumptions will be made about your experience. In addition to the Basic Requirements, described in the education section, you must have specialized experience, as described below. Specialized Experience for the GS-09 Wildlife Biologist: One year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the GS-07 level in wildlife management-related work. Specialized experience is defined as experience which includes the application of professional knowledge and competence in wildlife conservation or wildlife management. Examples: planning and conducting wildlife field inventories and monitoring studies; interpreting data and assisting in preparing wildlife management plans; preparing reports; and recommending habitat management practices; -OR- Education: 2 years of progressively higher-level graduate education leading to a master's degree or master's or equivalent graduate degree related to occupation. -OR- Combination of Education and Experience: You may meet qualifications requirement for this position with an equivalent combination of specialized experience and appropriate graduate education. Graduate level education must demonstrate the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to do the work of this position. Specialized Experience for the GS-11 Wildlife Biologist: One year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the GS-09 level in wildlife-management-related work. Specialized experience is defined as experience which includes the application of professional knowledge and competence in wildlife conservation or wildlife management. Examples: preparing wildlife portions of environmental assessments; analyzing surface use proposals on Threatened and Endangered Species; planning and conducting wildlife field inventories and monitoring studies; and interpreting data and preparing wildlife management plans; -OR- Education: 3 years of progressively higher-level graduate education leading to a Ph.D. degree or Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree related to occupation. -OR- Combination of Education and Experience: You may meet qualifications requirement for this position with an equivalent combination of specialized experience and appropriate graduate education. Graduate level education must demonstrate the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to do the work of this position. 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. You must meet all qualification requirements by the closing date of the announcement. Federal employees in the competitive service are also subject to the Time-In-Grade requirement in accordance with 5 CFR 300.604. If you are a current Federal employee in the General Schedule (GS) pay plan and applying for a promotion opportunity, you must have completed a minimum of 52 weeks at the next lower grade level. Physical Demands: The individual works in an office setting at this level, however, in order to gather samples and complete monitoring activities, the individual frequently may be required to walk or ride vehicles over rough terrain, perform duties that require recurring bending, crouching, stooping, reaching or lifting. Work may also include lifting of moderately heavy items, such as equipment and samples. Work Environment: Much of the work is performed in an office setting. However, frequent field work is necessary to complete the work involving outdoor exposure. Outdoor exposure involves some discomfort in extremes of temperature or inclement weather. The incumbent may be subjected to hostile wildlife, chemical and physical hazards.

Education

This position has a positive education requirement which requires that you have a degree in biological science, or a combination of education and experience--courses equivalent to a major, as shown below, plus appropriate experience or additional education.

(NOTE: You must attach a copy of your transcripts. Failure to submit transcripts will result in an ineligible rating.)

Degree: in biological science that included: 1.) 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; 2.) 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.); 3.) 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 in A above, plus appropriate experience or additional education.

Contacts

• Address BLM Montana State Office BLM Montana State Office, MT-933 Branch of Human Resources 5001 Southgate Drive Billings, MT 59101 US
• Name: Antoniette Bonenberger
• Phone: 406-896-5233
• Email: [email protected]