This position is a Social Scientist, GS- 0101-13 working for the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service R9-Natural Resources Program Center in Fort Collins, Colorado. This position is also open to status candidates under announcement R9-25-12607851-AF-MP. You must apply to each announcement separately if you wish to be considered under both recruitment methods.

Duties

As a Social Scientist your duties will include, but are not limited to, the following: Provides leadership and expert advice on conservation social science in addressing the human dimensions of wildlife and other natural resource conservation. Brings innovative social science approaches and supports the development of strategies and activities aimed at achieving improved conservation outcomes for regional, Program, and Service priorities. Represents program in agency-wide strategic planning for mainstreaming social science in conservation planning, implementation and evaluation as standard practice in the Service. Assists work unit and program in building capacity and integrating social science to better understand conservation issues and priorities, and, in turn, develop and implement more effective conservation policies and actions. Communicates formally (group presentations, webinars, technical write-ups) and informally (one-on-one discussion, less technical blogs for wider audiences) on the use of conservation social science tools, resources, and research to address natural resources management challenges/questions and/or to increase conservation knowledge of laypersons.

Requirements

• Must be a U.S. Citizen or National.
• Suitability for employment, as determined by background investigation.
• Driver’s License: This position requires the incumbent to operate a government (or private) motor vehicle as part of their official duties. Selectee must hold and maintain a valid state driver’s license throughout their employment in this position.
• 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 Selective Service. To verify registration, visit SSS.gov.

Qualifications

Only experience and education obtained by the closing date 12/02/2024 will be considered. In order to qualify for this position you must possess both the Basic Requirement and Minimum Qualification. Basic Requirement 0101 Series: Education: Successfully completed a course of study in an accredited college or university leading to a degree (with a major course of study equivalent to at least 24 semester hours) in behavioral or social science or related disciplines appropriate to the position. Note: Transcripts are required. OR Experience: Four years of appropriate experience, which demonstrates that I have acquired knowledge of one or more of the behavioral or social sciences equivalent to a major in the field (24 semester hours related to behavioral or social science). OR Combination: Possess an appropriate combination of education and experience that included course work equivalent to a major (i.e. 24 semester hours) in behavioral or social science or closely related disciplines appropriate to the position; PLUS appropriate experience. NOTE: Transcripts are required, AND Minimum Qualification [GS-0101-13] One year of specialized experience comparable in scope and responsibility equivalent to grade GS-12 in the Federal service. Examples of specialized experience must include at least 3 of the 6 requirements: 1) Lead, coach, and mentor interdisciplinary teams to integrate social science to address complex natural resource management issues; 2) Applied conservation social science disciplines to improve natural resource management practices and processes. Examples include the application of human values, attitudes and behaviors; stakeholder engagement; socio demographics, conflict resolution; or strategic communications; 3) Applied approaches to monitor and/or evaluate conservation strategies or programs; 4) Applied formal stakeholder assessment techniques to understand audiences and their concerns related to natural resource issues; 5) Communicated social science to natural resource practitioners including presentations and briefings to practitioners and decision-makers aimed at informing and influencing decisions and policy; and 6) Collaborated with natural resource practitioners to increase awareness and impact of social science to address complex natural resource issues such as endangered species recovery, wildlife health, pollinator conservation, landscape conservation, grassland/sagebrush conservation, visitor management, or private lands conservation. 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.

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 programs and such education has been deemed equivalent to that gained in an accredited U.S. education program; or full credit has been given for the courses at a U.S. accredited college or university. For further information, visit: Recognition of Foreign Qualifications | International Affairs Office (ed.gov).

Contacts

• Address
• Name: Human Resources Staffing Division
• Email: [email protected]