Clarification from the agency

FWS- wide: Open to current U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service employees serving under a Career or Career-Conditional appointment, Land Management eligibles, CTAP.

As a Deputy Chief of Staff your duties will include but are not limited to the following:

• Coordinates decision-making among the Director, Deputy Directors, Assistant Directors, and Regional Directors assuring
  consistency with policy, objectives, and goals.
• In coordination with the Chief of Staff, may be called to represent and speak for the Director, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) on key managerial, operational, and programmatic decisions, including representing the Director in meetings with high-level senior managers of the Department of the Interior, other federal agencies, the Office of Management and Budget, and congressional members and staff, regarding Service policy and program priorities.
• Reviews and edits briefing statements, event memos, and other documents on behalf of the Directorate in response to Departmental, Administration, and/or congressional inquiries and requests.
• Provides ongoing communication and work with programs and regions on highly visible partnership projects including strategic advice and counsel to assure accurate information on project direction; and is responsible for difficult and complex issues which involve the laws and regulations that govern FWS.
• Provides administrative support activities through a small staff ensuring equal opportunity for all employees in training, promotions, awards, recognition, and career development.

Conditions of employment

• Must be a U.S. Citizen or National.
• Merit promotion applicants must meet time-in-grade requirement as defined in 5 CFR 300, Subpart F.
• Suitability for employment, as determined by background investigation.
• 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 05/18/2026 will be considered.

In order to qualify for this position you must possess the Minimum Qualification.

Minimum Qualification [GS-14]

One year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-13 grade level in Federal service. Specialized experience may include the following: Experience with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service culture, statutes, and policies governing the management, operations, and program implementation to advise regional and program managers and partners for advancing goals, objectives, and initiatives; building and maintaining partnerships with similarly situated organizations, Congress, the Department and other federal agencies; communicating principles, methods, practices, and techniques; analytical methods and interpersonal relationships practices; preparing presentations, reports, briefing statements and memoranda in response to Departmental, Administration, and/or congressional inquiries and requests; providing administrative support activities, resolving staff grievances and complaints; administering discipline, making decisions on personnel matters, and ensuring compliance with management programs.

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.

Time In Grade Requirement: Applicants must meet both eligibility and qualification requirements for the position of interest by the closing date of the JOA. Specifically,
i. Area of Consideration.
ii. Time-in-grade (TIG) requirements as specified in 5 CFR 300, Subpart F.
iii. Time after competitive appointment as specified in 5 CFR 330.502.
iv. Qualification requirements outlined in OPM's Qualifications Standards for General Schedule Positions

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.

Resumes must not exceed two single-sided pages and resumes longer than two pages will not be accepted. The minimum font size is 10-point for all body text. Headers may be slightly larger but must remain legible. All resumes must maintain a minimum 0.5-inch margins on all sides to ensure readability and prevent excessive content compression. Including supplemental pages or attachments disguised as resume extensions are prohibited and will not be reviewed to determine your eligibility/qualifications.

You will be evaluated based on how your application materials reflect the qualification requirements of this position. Once the application process is complete, we will review your application to ensure you meet the job requirements. To determine if you are minimally qualified for this job, HR will complete a review of your resume and supporting documentation.

In addition to meeting the minimum qualifications requirement(s), the best qualified candidates will be identified through a structured resume review panel that will result in issuing a ranking referral list to the hiring manager. The panel will measure the specialized experience and critical competencies and/or job elements listed below that are required to successfully perform in the position.

• Knowledge of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and its culture, statutes, and policies governing the management, operations, and program implementation used to advise regional and program managers and partners on their applicability in advancing Bureau goals, objectives, and initiatives.
• Skill with making presentations, providing advice to and negotiating with Department and Service management, partners, and other high level officials.
• Understanding of the Service's structure, needs, condition, direction, leadership, sources, and networks.
• Skill in applying supervisory/managerial principles and methods in order to direct and motivate staff.

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.

You must submit a complete application package. We will not make assumptions about your experience and/or education.

Required Documents:

1. Resume: You may only submit one resume. Only the resume submitted under the "Resume" "Document Type" will be used to determine your qualifications and for rating purposes. Your resume must describe your job-related qualifications (paid and non-paid work experience) that includes job title, beginning and ending dates (month and year), hours worked per week, and description of job duties. You are highly encouraged to use USAJOBS Resume Builder to ensure all required information is included. If you use your own resume, curriculum vitae, or any other written form, you must ensure this information is provided. Your resume must show complete information for each job entry to support minimum qualifications. Failure to provide ALL required information on your resume will result in loss of consideration due to an incomplete application package. Note: Current and former Federal employees should include pay plan, series, and grade level for relevant federal experience.

• Do not include the following types of information in your resume:
  • Classified or government sensitive information
  • Social Security Number (SSN)
  • Photos of yourself
  • Personal information, such as age, gender, religious affiliation, etc.
  • Encrypted and digitally signed documents.

2. SF-50: (non-award), or equivalent Notification of Personnel Action if you are a current or former Federal employee. Your SF-50 (non-award) must show tenure code 1 or 2 in block 24, and position occupied code 1 (competitive service) in block 34. If you have previously held a higher grade than the grade/position you currently occupy, you must submit a copy of the last non-award SF-50 you received for that position.

If you have any questions regarding which SF-50's to submit, it is highly recommended that you contact the person listed on this vacancy announcement before the closing date.

3. Applicants applying under PL-114-47, Land Management Workforce Flexibility Act must submit documentation verifying eligibility. Required documentation includes: First and last SF-50 (Notification of Personnel Action) for each appointment verifying the Position Occupied code (block 34, code 1-Competitive Service), AND Documentation of satisfactory performance for each appointment, such as, performance evaluations, memorandum of record, whereas the supervisor(s) documented an acceptable performance level for a specified rating/employment period. Failure to submit required documentation may result in loss of consideration. Note: You must submit ALL SF-50s and performance information for each period of temporary/term employment if you are requesting to be considered Land Management Workforce Flexibility Act eligibility.

4. Performance Appraisal: Please submit 1) a copy of your most recent performance appraisal/evaluation and 2) a list of any awards (e.g. superior performance awards, special act or achievement awards, quality step increase, etc.) you received in the last 5 years. Any performance appraisal/evaluation and award documentation you provide will be forwarded to the selecting official. The selecting official will review this documentation and give it due weight consideration during the overall selection process. If you do not have your most recent performance appraisal/evaluation, please submit a statement as to why it is not available. Please indicate if any prior performance appraisals/evaluations were at an acceptable level.

Additional Documentation if applicable:

1. Cover Letter

2. 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 also submit an SF-15, "Application for 10-Point Veterans' Preference" plus 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.

3. CTAP Documentation: If you are applying under CTAP, 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 eligible.

Failure to submit any of the above-mentioned required documents will result in loss of consideration due to an incomplete application package. It is your responsibility to ensure all required documents have been submitted.

Next steps