Summary
This position is a Biologist, GS- 0401-12/13 working from Bloomington, Minnesota for the R3-Assistant Regional Director-Ecological Services.
This job is open to
Clarification from the agency
This position will be filled under the Office of Personnel Management's Direct Hire Authority and is open to all United States citizens and U.S. nationals. Veteran's preference and traditional rating and ranking of applications do not apply. All qualified applicants will be referred to the hiring manager for consideration for this position.
Duties
There is one position being filled; this position will work in one of the Great Lakes States (Minnesota, Michigan, Ohio, Indiana, Illinois, Wisconsin, New York or Pennsylvania) for the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative Program Manager (under the R3-Assistant Regional Director - Ecological Services). Within the above referenced States, if selected, you may have the option to be placed at your current duty location (regional office, field office, DOI-owned or leased worksite, or remote site) at the discretion of management. Incumbent will be required to physically report to work at a DOI facility or current duty station in one of the States listed above. The salary will be based upon duty station and locality pay once selected. Additional questions regarding placement should be reserved for the interview process.
Salary: The Salary listed is for Rest of US locality area; the final salary will be based upon duty station and locality pay once selected. The salary may vary depending on locality. Locality tables may be found here.
The incumbent for this position will serve as the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative (GLRI) Assistant Program Manager. The duties of the position include but are not limited to:
- Work as part of a team with the GLRI Program Manager, budget analyst, and others to support the coordination, delivery and tracking of US Fish and Wildlife Service projects and efforts representing nearly $1/2 billion in conservation investments across the Great Lakes.
- Coordinate, communicate and collaborate with US Fish and Wildlife Service supervisors, biologists, administrative officers and others to support a seamless, sound, accessible, and integrated approach to GLRI project initiation and tracking across two regions (Midwest and Northeast Regions) and multiple Service programs (Fisheries, Ecological Services, Refuges, and Migratory Birds).
- Draft, finalize and track yearly reimbursable agreements with the Environmental Protection Agency (setting up ~$60-$80M/year) ensuring engagement and coordination of relevant staff at the US Fish and Wildlife Service, Environmental Protection Agency, and other agencies. Ensure project results are summarized and linked to yearly agreements and elevated when appropriate.
- Participate in agency and interagency GLRI planning sessions, workshops, and meetings (including other Service activities, Environmental Protection Agency, and other Federal, Tribal, and State agencies), for the purposes of communicating and negotiating Service-wide GLRI positions and objectives.
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.
- Uniform: Official U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service uniform MAY be required.
- 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 09/20/2024 will be considered.
In order to qualify for this position, you must possess both the Basic Requirement and Minimum Qualification.
Basic Requirement:
- Bachelor's Degree: biological sciences, agriculture, natural resource management, chemistry, or related disciplines appropriate to the position. -OR-
- Combination of education and experience: Courses equivalent to a major, as shown in A above, plus appropriate experience or additional education.
Minimum Qualification [GS-12]:
- One year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the GS-11 grade level in the Federal service. Experience related to fish and wildlife conservation projects that must include least two of the following 1) participating in partnership efforts focused on site specific habitat restoration and conservation projects 2) providing technical assistance in assessing, developing, or analyzing restoration or conservation projects; 3) managing and tracking funding agreements (grants, cooperative agreements, contracts, or reimbursable funding); 4) summarizing and presenting data, including through formal written reports and oral presentations to a variety of audiences. NOTE: Your resume must contain sufficient information in these areas to be found qualified.
Minimum Qualification [GS-13]:
- One year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the GS-12 grade level in the Federal service. Experience related to fish and wildlife conservation projects that must include at least two of the following 1) leading complex restoration or conservation program with engagement by multiple partnering organizations and across a region/multiple sites, 2) serving as expert or lead biologist that initiates, develops and completes conservation projects: 3) utilizing multiple types of funding award types (e.g. grant, cooperative agreements, contracts, reimbursable funding) to complete conservation projects; 4) developing written documents (such as Environmental Assessments, peer reviewed journal articles, biological opinions, formal habitat restoration plans, or strategic plans) or oral presentations to decision makers that include recommendations for changes, improvement of operations, or program plans. 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.
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.
All applicants who submit a complete and legible application by the closing date of this vacancy announcement {or cut-off} will have their qualifications reviewed to determine if they possess the following knowledge, skills and abilities required to successfully perform the work of this position.
- Knowledge of the theories, principles, practices, concepts methodologies and techniques of biology and an in-depth working knowledge of related biological and ecological fields (e.g., fish biology, ecology, conservation science, wildlife biology, botany, chemistry, toxicology, hydrology, entomology, limnology, parasitology, etc.) in order to serve as a scientific and technical expert; undertake complex, cross-program and multi-agency biological studies and projects; evaluate policies and programs; and, to apply new scientific findings, developments, and advances to critical problems of a unique, novel, or highly controversial nature.
- Ability to establish positive working relationships/partnerships 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, private entities, and the public.
- Ability to effectively articulate complex environmental issues to a broad variety of audiences including government agencies, the public, academic audiences and lawmakers.
- Skill in integrating complex technical, policy, and legal considerations in reviewing actions that affect fish and wildlife species and habitats, to effectively evaluate actions and develop recommendations and solutions to complex problems.
Applicants eligible for priority consideration under DOI's Career Transition Assistance Program/Plan, employees eligible under the Interagency Career Transition Plan (ICTAP). Eligible candidates on the Reemployment Placement List (RPL). A qualified and eligible permanent DOI employee may be selected before an ICTAP eligible.
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.
- Salary and description of job duties.
- 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.
Important Note: Failure to provide ALL required information on your resume will result in loss of consideration due to an incomplete application package
USAJOBS Help Center | What should I include in my federal resume?
USAJOBS Help Center | What should I leave out of my federal resume?
2. College Transcripts: Unofficial transcripts are acceptable. A copy of your official transcripts may be required if you are selected. 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. Note: Failure to provide your college transcripts will result in loss of consideration due to an incomplete application package.
Additional Documentation if applicable:
1. Cover Letter
2. CTAP/ICTAP Documentation: If you are applying under CTAP or ICTAP, you MUST submit proof of eligibility under 5 CFR 330.602(a) for CTAP and 5 CFR 330.704 for ICTAP. This includes a copy of the agency notice, a copy of your most recent performance rating, and a copy of your most recent SF-50 (Notification of Personnel Action) showing your position, grade level, and duty location. Please annotate your application to reflect that you are applying as a CTAP or ICTAP eligible.
3. Current and former federal employees- It is recommended that you submit a copy of your SF-50(s) (Notification of Personnel Action) to support your experience. Examples of appropriate SF-50s include appointments/separations, promotions, within-grade increases.
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 preview the assessment questionnaire, click https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/12511796.
- Please ensure you check the acknowledgement checkbox then click the Submit Application button to submit your application.
- Applications must be received by 09/20/2024, 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.
|