Summary
This position is a Biologist, GS- 0401-12/13 for the R2-Div of Endangered Species and Habitat Conserv working in one of the following negotiable locations: Phoenix, AZ; Albuquerque, NM; Tulsa, OK; Houston, Fort Worth, and Corpus Christi, TX depending on available space in Ecological Services Field Offices or Regional Office.
2024 General Schedule (GS) Pay Tables
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
As a Biologist (Environmental Contaminants) your duties will include but are not limited to the following:
- Provides overall program support and oversight which may include technical, policy, program, and budget support. Leads the formulation of program objectives, priorities, and techniques. Provides long range resource planning, program direction, coordination, and evaluation. Participates in developing overall program goals, objectives, policies and strategies necessary to direct the program. Evaluates and monitors the program's accomplishments against stated goals and objectives. Coordinates and collaborates with partners.
- As needed, directs, participates and/or oversees program and field work/activities such as monitoring, inventory, surveys, invasive species monitoring and control, research, impacts of point and non-point pollution, restoration, project reviews, and other related field activities. Reviews and approves study proposals to obtain information and data on monitoring, inventory, surveys, habitat restoration and related field activities. When required, provides on the ground support and assistance and arranges for or directs additional efforts designed to gather specific information that supports the FWS and program position or the development of strategies for achieving targets and goals.
- Prepares required documents and reports related to planning, programming, budgeting, and evaluating the assigned program area. Contributes to the development of conceptual plans such as strategic conservation plans, habitat protection priorities, and decision documents for fish and wildlife management issues. Develops overall strategies and plans, and coordinates with other cooperators those surveys designed to track population trends and habitat changes, ensuring that projects meet regional and Service goals and objectives.
- Provides science-based recommendations regarding program/project direction, taking into consideration the complexities of the assigned program area and integration with other programs, shifting environmental conditions, and the need to coordinate with multiple State and Federal agencies, industry and the general public. Provides advice or consultation or both to the Service Director, Deputy Director(s), Assistant Regional Directors, and/or other Service leaders on the administration of activities within their assigned program areas.
- Develops scientific data standards and reviews biological and commercial data to ensure that the data used by the Service to implement the nation's natural resource laws are reliable, credible, and represents the best scientific and commercial data available. These data standards are used in formulating, supporting or justifying Agency decisions related to our authorities under natural resource law, which may include: assessing the status of species, drafting proposed and final rules that implement our authorities, and determining the effects of projects on listed species and other sensitive or protected resources and commenting on such actions in compliance with our authorities
Promotion Potential: This position involves a multi-grade career ladder. The major duties listed represent the full performance level of GS-13. At lower grade levels, you will perform assignments of a more limited scope and with less independence. You will progressively acquire the background necessary to perform at the full performance level of GS-13. Promotion is at the discretion of the supervisor and is contingent upon satisfactory performance, availability of higher level work, and availability of funds. The selectee may be promoted without further competition when all regulatory, qualification, and performance requirements are met. Selection at a lower grade level does not guarantee promotion to the full performance level.
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.
- 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 10/04/2024 will be considered.
In order to qualify for this position you must possess both the Basic Requirement and Minimum Qualification.
Basic Requirement:
- Successfully completed a full 4-year course of study in an accredited college or university leading to a bachelor's or higher degree that included a major field of study in biological sciences, agriculture, natural resource management, chemistry, or related disciplines appropriate to the position. OR
- Possess a combination of education and experience--courses equivalent to a major, as shown in "A" above, plus appropriate experience or additional education. To combine education and experience, first take the number of semester hours (or equivalent) earned towards your degree and divide by 120 semester hours (or equivalent). To determine the percentage of qualifying experience, divide the total number of months of acceptable specialized experience by 12 months. Add your percentages of education and experience together. The two percentages must total at least 100%.
Minimum Qualification [GS-12]: Possess at least one year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-11 level or higher in the Federal service (obtained in either the public or private sectors). Experience must include performance of the following duties: (1) assisting with overseeing and directing habitat restoration associated projects; (2) assisting with evaluation and response to oil and hazardous chemical spills with familiarity with the Oil Spill Liability Fund Center; (3) conducting and reviewing on-site ecological investigations on a wide variety of diverse actual or suspected contaminant sites; (4) providing technical assistance to a variety of stakeholders on the effects of environmental contaminants on fish and wildlife species and their habitats; (5) reviewing and providing comment on Water Quality Standards, Pesticide Use Plans, or other related documents, and (6) preparing a variety of correspondence and reports related the impacts of environmental contamination on fish and wildlife resources. NOTE: Your resume must contain sufficient detail to clearly prove that you have one year experience equivalent to the GS-11 level performing these duties.
Minimum Qualification [GS-13]: Possess at least 1 year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-12 grade level or higher in the federal service. Experience must include: (1) leading or facilitating habitat restoration associated projects; (2) ensuring readiness of personnel and resources for and managing response to oil and hazardous chemical spills including experience with funding through the Oil Spill Liability Fund Center; (3) serving as a technical expert on environmental contaminants, water quality standards, pesticides, and/or other substances that impact fish and wildlife and their habitats; (4) conducting and reviewing on-site ecological investigations on a wide variety of diverse actual or suspected contaminant sites; (5) serving as the regional technical expert on the effects of environmental contaminants and applying national policies and procedures regarding field office implementation of Clean Water Act (CWA), Oil Pollution Act (OPA) Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act (CERCLA), and other federal compliance statues; and (6) demonstrated experience in building and maintaining effective partnerships with internal and external partners. NOTE: Your resume must contain sufficient detail to clearly prove that you have one year experience equivalent to the GS-12 level performing these duties.
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 knowledge, skills and abilities required to successfully perform the work of this position.
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 and description of job duties. Note: Current and former Federal employees should include the grade level of their federal positions. 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. College Transcripts: Unofficial transcripts are acceptable. A copy of your official transcripts may be required if you are selected.
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/12541499.
- Please ensure you check the acknowledgement checkbox then click the Submit Application button to submit your application.
- Applications must be received by 10/04/2024, 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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