Summary
This position is a Biologist, GS- 0401-7/9 working in Albuquerque, New Mexico for the R2-New Mexico F and W Conservation Office.
This job is open to
Clarification from the agency
This position is only open to those who are eligible for ICTAP/CTAP; Veterans eligible for VEOA; Public Land Corp Eligibles.
Duties
As a Biologist your duties will include, but are not limited to, the following:
- Reviews research and reports prepared by outside parties, such as technical reports, biological assessments, and Environmental impact reports, and provides recommendations orally and in writing to identify conservation needs and opportunities for imperiled species.
- Conducts routine field experiments using various data-collection systems and extracts and analyzes data from these systems. Modifies and adapts standard techniques, processes and procedures; assesses, selects and applies precedents; and recommends strategies and plans to overcome significant resource problems. Deploys remote data-collection systems and manipulates and analyzes data from these systems.
- Gathers, organizes, and interprets a wide variety of biological, ecological, pathological, public use data or other information pertinent to scientific studies. Analyzes and synthesizes quantitative and qualitative data using a wide variety of methods and software in ways that support project needs.
- Participates in partnerships/collaborative groups and meets with partners, stakeholders, and general public to communicate the mission of the USFWS, respective USFWS office priorities and conservation needs.
Requirements
Conditions of Employment
- Must be a U.S. Citizen or National.
- Resume (See "Required Documents"). Failure to provide ALL required information on your resume will result in loss of consideration due to an incomplete application package. It is your responsibility to ensure all information is provided on resume.
- Eligibility and Supporting documents - You will ONLY be considered for the eligibilities that you select "yes" to AND submit the required supporting documentation, as listed in the Required Documents section.
- 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 06/25/2024 will be considered.
In order to qualify for this position you must possess both the Basic Requirement and Minimum Qualification.
Basic Requirement:
- Possess a bachelor's or higher degree from an accredited college or university in biological sciences, agriculture, natural resource management, chemistry, or related disciplines appropriate to the position. OR
- Possess a combination of education and experience which includes courses equivalent to a major in the biological sciences (at least 24 semester hours) as shown above, plus appropriate experience or additional education that is comparable to that normally acquired through the successful completion of a full 4-year course of study in the biological sciences, agriculture, or natural resources management or related disciplines appropriate to the position.
Minimum Qualification [GS-07]
- One year of specialized experience comparable in scope and responsibility equivalent to grade GS-05 in the Federal service. Experience may include assisting in collecting and reviewing biological data for conservation related projects; maintaining and updating reports and files; -AND- gathering, organizing, and interpreting biological, ecological, pathological, public use, or other pertinent information for scientific studies involving natural resource issues. NOTE: Your resume must contain sufficient information in these areas to be found qualified.OR
- Successfully completed at least 1 full year of graduate education from an accredited college or university in biological sciences, wildlife biology, ecology, or a directly related field appropriate to this position. OR
- Superior Academic Achievement (S.A.A.) Successful completion of a 4-year course of study leading to a bachelor's degree in a field of study that demonstrates the competencies required by this position with either (1) Class Standing, (2) Grade-Point Average, or (3) Honor Society Membership. (1) Class Standing: Upper one-third of the graduating class in the college, university, or major subdivision based on completed courses. (2) Grade-Point Average: A grade point average of (a) 3.0 or higher out of a possible 4.0 (B or better) as recorded on the official transcript or as computed based on four years of education, or computed based on courses completed during the final two years of the curriculum; -or- (b) 3.5 or higher out of a possible 4.0 0 (B+ or better) based on the average of the required courses completed in the major field or the required courses in the major field completed during the final two years of the curriculum. (3) Election to Membership in a National Scholastic Honor Society: Applicants may be considered eligible based on membership in one of the national scholastic honor societies. Freshman scholastic honor societies cannot be used to meet the requirements of this position. OR
- A combination of education and experience as described in 1 and 2 above which together equals 100% of the requirement.
Minimum Qualification [GS-09]:
- One year of specialized experience comparable in scope and responsibility equivalent to grade GS-07 in the Federal service. Experience may include planning studies related to natural resource issues; drafting scientific reports; gathering biological, ecological, pathological, and/or public use data for scientific studies; -AND- communicating biological information to a wide array of audiences. NOTE: Your resume must contain sufficient information in these areas to be found qualified. OR
- Successfully completed two full years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to a master's degree or master's or equivalent graduate degree in biological sciences, wildlife biology, ecology, or a directly related field appropriate to this position. OR
- A combination of education and experience as described in 1 and 2 above which together equals 100% of the requirement.
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. For further information, visit: Recognition of Foreign Qualifications | International Affairs Office (ed.gov)
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. Opens in a new windowLearn 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 You Will Be Evaluated
You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.
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 qualification requirements listed on this announcement. If you meet the qualifications your resume and supporting documentation will be compared against your responses to the assessment questionnaire to determine your level of experience. Note: If a determination is made that you have inflated your qualifications or experience, your score may be lowered, or you may lose consideration for this position. Please follow all instructions carefully; errors or omissions can affect your rating.
Candidates who apply under Competitive Merit Promotion procedures will undergo a quality review to determine if they are highly qualified based on the content of their resume and their responses to the questionnaire. Best qualified candidates will be referred if all required supporting documentation has been provided.
Candidates who apply under Noncompetitive Merit Promotion procedures will undergo a quality review to determine if they are minimally qualified based on the content of their resume and their responses to the questionnaire. Qualified candidates will be referred if all required supporting documentation has been provided.
Your qualifications will be evaluated on the following competencies (knowledge, skills, abilities and other characteristics):
- Knowledge of the theories, principles and concepts of biology; related biological and physical science disciplines such as botany, chemistry, toxicology, hydrology, entomology, limnology, parasitology, and ecology.
- Skill utilizing field and laboratory techniques to collect and analyze samples and statistical procedures for the interpretation of study results.
- Ability to communicate in writing in order to prepare correspondence, scientific, and administrative reports, management plans, and similar documents.
- Ability to communicate orally in order to share information and present findings.
- Ability to establish positive working relationships and exercise tact and diplomacy in coordinating activities with co-workers, and as needed, with representatives of other Federal agencies, state, tribal and local organizations, conservation organizations, and the general public.
Required Documents
You must submit a complete application package. We will not make assumptions about your experience and/or education.
Required Documents:
1. Resume: You are highly encouraged to use USAJOBS Resume Builder to ensure all required information is included in your Resume. If you use your own resume, curriculum vitae, or any other written form you choose then you must describe your job-related qualifications that includes beginning and ending dates for paid and non-paid work experience, hours worked per week, month and year of employment for each job title listed, and description of job duties. Include name and address of employer; supervisor name and telephone number. Additional information on what to include can be found here. Your experience needs to address every required qualification. Note: Failure to provide ALL required information on your resume will result in loss of consideration due to an incomplete application package.
2. Proof of Eligibility:
CTAP/ICTAP Documentation:
- Certification of Expected Separation or Reduction-In-Force Separation Notice or Notice of Proposed Removal AND
- Most recent Performance Rating AND
- Most recent SF-50 noting current position, grade level, and duty location or SF-50 that documents the RIF separation action.
OR
Veterans' Preference Documentation: 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 Member Copy 2 or 4 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 (i.e. VA letter). You may not be awarded preference if you do not attach the correct Veteran Documentation as specified above.
OR
Public Land Corps (PLC) Documentation: Certificate showing you served as a qualified youth on an appropriate conservation project completing a minimum of 640 hours of satisfactory service that included at least 120 hours through the PLC and received a certificate of non-competitive eligibility. Completed most recent Corps service, for which a certificate of non-competitive eligibility was issued, within the last 2 years. Appointment must be effected within the 2 year period.
3. College Transcripts: A copy of your transcripts must be submitted. Unofficial transcripts are acceptable. A copy of your official transcripts will be required if you are selected.
Additional Documentation if applicable:
1. Cover Letter
Failure to submit any of the above-mentioned required documents may result in loss of consideration due to an incomplete application package. It is your responsibility to ensure all required documents have been submitted.
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.
How to Apply
Review the appointment eligibility criteria in the application preview linked below: The eligibility section of the application allows you to choose how you wish to be considered for this vacancy announcement. You will ONLY be considered for the eligibilities that you select "yes" to and submit the required supporting documentation, as listed in the Required Documents section or the application text.
To apply for this position, you must provide a complete Application Package. See required documents section.
Click 'Apply' to create an account or log in to your existing USAJOBS account.
- Follow the prompts to complete the assessment questionnaire and upload required documents. To previous the assessment questionnaire, click https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/12398467.
- Please ensure you check the acknowledgement checkbox then click the Submit Application button to submit your application.
- Applications must be received by 06/25/2024, 11:59pm ET to receive consideration.
- Check application status by logging into your USAJOBS account, in Applications tab, click the position title you applied to for the status. For information on what each Application Status means, visit: https://www.usajobs.gov/Help/how-to/application/status/.
If you are unable to apply online, you must request an alternative application which is available from the Human Resources Office. Please contact the Human Resources Office via email at fwshiring@fws.gov.
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 hiring official.
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.
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