Open & closing dates
Opening and closing dates 04/12/2018 to 04/23/2018
Salary
$50,769 to $79,855 per year
Pay scale & grade
GS 9 – 11
Work schedule
Full-Time
Appointment type
Permanent
Location
1 vacancy in the following location:
Albuquerque, NM
Announcement number
R2-18-10187942-CS-DE
Control number
496682400
Duties
Summary
This position is part of the Division of Migratory Birds. As a Wildlife Biologist, you will provide coordination, analysis, and evaluation of efforts by the Service and other Federal agencies, States, and private conservation organizations to monitor the regional status of non-game migratory bird species, specifically eagles.
This announcement is being advertised concurrently under R2-18-10187941-CS-MP for current and former federal employees serving under a competitive service career or career-conditional appointment or reinstatement eligible. You must apply to each announcement separately if you wish to be considered under both recruitment methods.
Responsibilities
Major duties include:
– Servicing as technical advisor on the conservation and management of hawks, eagles, and vultures, and effects of management and take on those populations.
– Provide coordination, analysis, and evaluation of efforts to monitor the regional status of nongame migratory bird species, specifically eagles.
– Participate in the development, revision, implementation, and integration of national and regional conservation plans for nongame birds, specifically eagles.
– Represent the Service and the Regional Migratory Bird Program on regional and national working groups and committees that are formed to coordinate and implement bird conservation plans, specifically eagles.
– Coordinate and develop bald and golden eagle training opportunities for field stations and Service field biologists with regard to the Eagle Conservation Plan Guidance and other eagle related guidance.
-Manage controversial issues such as impacts of eagle take at energy facilities, vultures, and other raptors on public interests, livestock, and wildlife resources.?
-Analyzes proposed Federal migratory bird permit policies and permit applications to avoid adverse impacts to migratory bird populations. Reviews non-routine permit applications and develops biological conditions. Ensures compliance with National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) prior to issuance of permits. Prepares Environmental Assessments for cumulative bird takes authorized by permits, writing justifications for categorical exclusions.
Physical Demands:
The work is primarily sedentary that does not require any special physical effort. Occasional field work will require some physical exertion such as standing, walking over rough terrain, wading in shallow water, or walking through snow. The biologist may be expected to bend, crouch, stoop, and be able to carry or lift moderately heavy (up to 50 pounds) gear.
As required, the incumbent may be expected to drive and ride long distances in a vehicle and operate all-terrain vehicles and boats or to fly as an observer in small fixed wing and rotor wing aircraft.
Travel Required
Occasional travel – To attend meetings, conferences, training, and to perform field work.
Supervisory status
No
Promotion Potential
11
Job family (Series)
0486 Wildlife Biology
Requirements
Conditions of Employment
Must be a U.S. Citizen or National
Males born after 12-31-59 must be registered for Selective Service
Resume and supporting documents (See How To Apply)
Suitability for employment, as determined by background investigation
Official U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service uniform required
May be required to successfully complete a probationary period
Qualifications
Basic Education Requirement:
Possess a Bachelor’s Degree with a major in a biological science that includes the following course work: 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; AND 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; AND 3) at least 9 semester hours in botany or the related plant sciences. Please Note: If you select this response, please provide transcripts to show how you meet this requirement.
OR
Have a combination of education and experience that is equivalent to a major in a biological science. This combination includes 1) at least 9 semester hours in wildlife subjects as described in “A” above; AND 2) 12 semester hours in zoology subjects as described in “A” above; AND 3) 9 semester hours in botany as described in “A” above. Please Note: If you select this response, you must submit transcripts to show how you meet the education requirement.
Additional Qualifications:
Additional qualification requirements for this position at the grade GS-9 level:
Have one year of professional experience equivalent to the GS-7 level in the Federal service. Examples of qualifying specialized experience may include: planning and implementing studies and recommending resource management projects; implementing and/or interpreting results of biological studies and investigations; establishing and maintaining effective working relationships with individuals and/or groups from diverse disciplines; and experience with GIS database management.
OR
Completed 2 years of graduate education leading to a master’s degree in wildlife biology or directly related field.
OR
Possess an equivalent combination of professional experience and graduate level education beyond the second year which together equals
100% of the requirements.
Additional qualification requirements for this position at the grade GS-11 level.
Have one year of professional experience equivalent to the GS-9 level in the Federal service. Examples of qualifying specialized experience may include: planning and implementing studies and recommending resource management projects; implementing and/or interpreting results of biological studies and investigations; establishing and maintaining effective working relationships with individuals and/or groups from diverse disciplines; and experience with GIS database management.
OR
Completed 3 years of graduate education leading to a Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree in wildlife biology or a directly related field.
OR
Possess an equivalent combination of professional experience and graduate level education beyond the second year which together equals 100% of the requirements.
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: http://www.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ous/international/usnei/us/edlite-visitus-forrecog.html
Additional information
Career Transition Assistance Plan (CTAP) or Interagency Career Transition Assistance Plan (ICTAP): These programs apply to employees who have been or may be involuntarily separated (e.g. reduction in force, declining to relocate/transfer outside their local commuting area) from a Federal service position within the competitive service or Federal service employees whose positions have been deemed surplus or no longer needed. To receive selection priority for this position, you must: (1) meet CTAP or ICTAP eligibility criteria; (2) be rated well-qualified for the position; and, (3) submit the appropriate documentation to support your CTAP or ICTAP eligibility (e.g., Certification of Expected Separation, Reduction-In-Force Separation Notice, or Notice of Proposed Removal or Removal Notice; SF-50 that documents the RIF separation action; or Removal and most recent performance appraisal.). For more information visit: https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/workforce-restructuring/employee-guide-to-career-transition/
To register or verify your registration go to the Selective Service System at https://www.sss.gov/RegVer/wfRegistration.aspx
FWS has determined that the duties of this position are suitable for telework and the selectee may be allowed to telework with supervisor approval.
We may use this announcement to fill additional vacancies within 90 days of April 23, 2018; OR More than one position may be filled from applications received under this announcement in the advertised office or other U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service offices in the local commuting area
Relocation expenses are not authorized.
If you are unable to apply online or need to fax a document you do not have in electronic form, view the following link for information regarding an Alternate Application: https://help.usastaffing.gov/Apply/index.php?title=Alternate_Application_Information.
How You Will Be Evaluated
You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.
Once the announcement has closed, a review of your resume and supporting documentation will be used to determine whether you meet the basic qualification requirements listed on this announcement. If you meet the basic qualifications your resume and supporting documentation will be compared against your responses to the assessment questionnaire to determine your level of experience. If, after reviewing your resume and/or supporting documentation, a determination is made that you have inflated your qualifications and/or experience which resulted in you being listed in the highest quality category, you may lose consideration, or be assigned to a lower quality category for this position. Please follow all instructions carefully when applying, errors or omissions may affect your eligibility.
Your qualifications will be evaluated on the following competencies (knowledge, skills, abilities and other characteristics):
Knowledge of the theories, principles, concepts, techniques, and practices of wildlife biology and wildlife habitat management; along with
knowledge of related disciplines, such as conservation biology, soil science, botany, ecology, and hydrology sufficient to conduct assessments,
collaborate with others, recommending management actions, and/or identifying areas for further review.
Knowledge of Federal regulations and Department of the Interior and U.S Fish and Wildlife Service policies related to the conservation of
migratory birds and their habitats sufficient to advise on a wide range of actions such as issuing and/or denying permits; determining species
priorities; developing planning documents; and providing advice to Service staff and public and private cooperators/partners.
Ability to communicate orally to inform peers and cooperators/partners, explain results, and present scientific papers and presentations at
meetings or in training sessions.
Ability to communicate in writing to prepare correspondence, reports, and scientific papers for diverse audiences.
All qualified candidates will be assigned to a quality category. The category assignment is a measure of the degree in which your background matches the competencies required for this position. The category ratings for this position are:
Best Qualified
Well Qualified
Qualified
The Category Rating Process does not add veterans’ preference points or apply the “rule of three” but protects the rights of Veterans by placing them ahead of non-preference eligibles within each quality category. Veterans’ preference eligibles who meet the basic qualification requirements and who have a compensable service-connected disability of at least 10 percent will be listed in the highest quality category (except in the case of scientific or professional positions at the GS-09 level or higher).
If you are a veteran with preference eligibility and you are claiming 5-point veterans’ preference, you must attach a copy of your DD-214 showing you were honorably discharged. If you are claiming 10-point veterans’ preference, you must attach an SF-15,” Application for 10-Point Veterans’ Preference” in addition to the proof required by that form.
Background checks and security clearance
Security clearance
Not Applicable
Required Documents
Required Documents
To apply for this position, you must submit a complete Application Package which includes:
Resume or Application. At a minimum, your resume MUST contain job title (include job series and grade, if federal), duties, starting and ending dates (month and year), hours worked per week, and salary. USAJOBS has a template to ensure a complete resume. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8YX7o1PBoFk
Other supporting documents:
Cover Letter, optional
Official or unofficial College Transcript(s), if the position has education requirements, or if you are using your education to qualify. A copy of your official transcripts will be required if you are selected.
Veterans’ Preference documentation, if applicable (e.g., DD-214 Member Copy 4 showing type of discharge/character of service, SF-15 Form and related documentation, VA letter, etc.)
If applicable, documentation/proof that you are eligible Career Transition Assistance Program/Interagency Career Transition Assistance Program documentation, if applicable (e.g., Certification of Expected Separation, Reduction-In-Force Separation Notice, or Notice of Proposed Removal; SF-50 that documents the RIF separation action; and most recent performance appraisal.)
If you are relying on your education to meet qualification requirements:
Education must be accredited by an accrediting institution recognized by the U.S. Department of Education in order for it to be credited towards qualifications. Therefore, provide only the attendance and/or degrees from schools accredited by accrediting institutions recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.
Failure to provide all of the required information as stated in this vacancy announcement may result in an ineligible rating or may affect the overall rating.
Benefits
Benefits
A career with the U.S. Government provides employees with a comprehensive benefits package. As a federal employee, you and your family will have access to a range of benefits that are designed to make your federal career very rewarding. Learn more about federal benefits.
Review our benefits
Eligibility for benefits depends on the type of position you hold and whether your position is full-time, part-time, or intermittent. Contact the hiring agency for more information on the specific benefits offered.
How to Apply
How to Apply
Review the Appointment Eligibility Criteria: The eligibility section of the application process is designed to allow you to choose how you wish to be considered for this vacancy announcement. You will ONLY be considered for the appointment eligibilities that you selected. You must provide proof of your eligibility as required by appointment eligibility to be considered.
Resume or Application. At a minimum, your resume MUST contain job title (include job series and grade, if federal), duties, starting and ending dates (month/day/year), hours worked per week, and salary. USAJOBS has a template to ensure a complete resume.
You must also complete the online application and assessment questionnaire and submit the documentation specified in the Required Documents section below.
DEADLINE DATE: A complete application package must be received by 11:59 PM (EST) on April 23, 2018 to receive consideration.
To begin, click Apply to access the online application. You will need to be logged into your USAJOBS account to apply. If you do not have a USAJOBS account, you will need to create one before beginning the application.
Follow the prompts to select your resume and/or other supporting documents to be included with your application package. You will have the opportunity to upload additional documents to include in your application before it is received. Your uploaded documents may take several hours to clear the virus scan process.
After acknowledging you have reviewed your application package, complete the Include Personal Information section as you deem appropriate and click to continue with the application process.
You will be taken to the online application which you must complete in order to apply for the position. Complete the online application, verify the required documentation is included with your application package, and submit the application.
You will be considered for all eligibilities for which you select “yes” and submit the required documents and supporting documentation (e.g. DD 214, Schedule A letter, etc.). The supporting documentation you submit will be used to determine your eligibility. Please review the list of documentation provided in the eligibilities language to ensure you provide the appropriate information.
Please note, your eligibility will be based solely on the selections you have indicated “yes” in this section. You must provide the supporting documentation to support your claim to be considered. You may choose more than one eligibilities in this section.
To view the assessment questionnaire, click here: https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/10187942
To verify the status of your application, log into your USAJOBS account (https://my.usajobs.gov/Account/Login), all of your applications will appear on the Welcome screen. The Application Status will appear along with the date your application was last updated. For information on what each Application Status means, visit: https://www.usajobs.gov/Help/how-to/application/status/.
Agency contact information
Christina Smith Christina Smith
Phone
505-248-6939
Email
christina_smith@fws.gov
Address
Division of Human Resources
Division of Human Resources
500 Gold Avenue, SW Room 5222
Albuquerque, NM
US
Learn more about this agency
Next steps
Once you submit all the required documents and the online application in USAJOBS, you will receive an acknowledgement email that your submission was successful. After the evaluation process is complete, you will be notified of your status and/or referral to the hiring official. If further evaluation or interviews are required, you will be contacted by the customer office.
You will be notified if this job is filled or canceled. Timelines for this process vary widely.
You may check the status of your application at any time by logging in to your USAJobs Account as we will not be responding to inquiries about the status of applications as long as the system has been updated.
Fair & Transparent
Fair & Transparent
The Federal hiring process is setup to be fair and transparent. Please read the following guidance.
Equal Employment Opportunity Policy
The United States Government does not discriminate in employment on the basis of race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy and gender identity), national origin, political affiliation, sexual orientation, marital status, disability, genetic information, age, membership in an employee organization, retaliation, parental status, military service, or other non-merit factor.
Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) for federal employees & job applicants
Reasonable Accommodation Policy
Federal agencies must provide reasonable accommodation to applicants with disabilities where appropriate. Applicants requiring reasonable accommodation for any part of the application and hiring process should contact the hiring agency directly. Determinations on requests for reasonable accommodation will be made on a case-by-case basis.
A reasonable accommodation is any change to a job, the work environment, or the way things are usually done that enables an individual with a disability to apply for a job, perform job duties or receive equal access to job benefits.
Under the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, federal agencies must provide reasonable accommodations when:
An applicant with a disability needs an accommodation to have an equal opportunity to apply for a job.
An employee with a disability needs an accommodation to perform the essential job duties or to gain access to the workplace.
An employee with a disability needs an accommodation to receive equal access to benefits, such as details, training, and office-sponsored events.
You can request a reasonable accommodation at any time during the application or hiring process or while on the job. Requests are considered on a case-by-case basis.
Learn more about disability employment and reasonable accommodations or how to contact an agency.
Legal and regulatory guidance
Financial suitability
Social security number request
Privacy Act
Signature and false statements
Selective Service
New employee probationary period