Summary
This position is a Wildlife Refuge Manager, GS- 0485-12 working in Burbank, Washington for theR1-Central WA NWR Complex.
Additional Vacancies: One or more positions may be filled from applications received under this announcement in the advertised office or other U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service offices in the local commuting area.
This position in located in Burbank, Washington and the incumbent will be required to report to that location.
This job is open to
Federal employees - Competitive service
Current federal employees whose agencies follow the U.S. Office of Personnel Management's hiring rules and pay scales.
Career transition (CTAP, ICTAP, RPL)
Federal employees whose job, agency or department was eliminated and are eligible for priority over other applicants.
Land and base management
Current or former employees of a base management agency.
Veterans
Veterans of the U.S. Armed Forces or a spouse, widow, widower or parent of a veteran, who may be eligible for derived preference
Individuals with disabilities
Individuals who are eligible under Schedule A.
Special authorities
Individuals eligible under a special authority not listed in another hiring path.
Clarification from the agency
Government Wide: Current Career or Career Conditional Federal Employees, former federal employees with reinstatement eligibility, Land Management eligibles, 30% disabled veterans, Military Spouse, Peace Corps, AmeriCorps, Vista, VEOA, ICTAP/CTAP, Schedule A, Public Land Corp (PLC), persons eligible under Special hiring authorities.
Duties
As a Wildlife Refuge Manager your duties will include but are not limited to the following:
-Plans, manages, evaluates, and carries out the maintenance and biological program at assigned Refuge.
-Oversees, administers and/or develops required National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) documentation including Environmental Assessments (EAs), Environmental Impact Statements (EISs), Findings of No Significant Impact (FONSis), Categorical Exclusions (CEs), Endangered Species Act (ESA) Section 7 consultations, requests for cultural resource clearances (RCRC), etc. (or major portions thereof).
-Updates, prioritizes, manages, and/or utilizes automated systems for budget tracking, procurement, time and attendance, asset inventories/maintenance, etc. (e.g., MySupport, Service Asset Maintenance and Management System (SAMMI), PowerAutomate FWS, and Refuge Results Platform (aka: RAPP) submissions).
-Administers the facilities and equipment management program. Works with team members/regional experts to develop work plans and organizes projects covering construction, repair and maintenance of equipment, buildings, roads, trails, fences, dikes, and other infrastructure.
-Supervises a team of professional, technical, analytical, administrative support staff, (permanent and seasonal staff), setting a team attitude of adhering to high professional standards and completion of accurate, high quality work.
-Assists with the Fire Management Program on assigned Refuge in accordance with Service/Department policies. Serves as alternate Bureau Representative to ensure coverage and ready rapid response for any emergency (prescribed/wildfires) at the Refuge. Coordinates fire response efforts with surrounding community (both on the giving and receiving end).
Requirements
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.
- This position requires the incumbent to operate a government (or private) motor vehicle as part of their official duties. Selectee must hold and maintain a valid state driver’s license throughout their employment in this position.
- Official U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service uniform is required.
- Selectees who have not previously completed a supervisory probationary period, will be required to serve a one-year supervisory/managerial probationary period for this position.
- Selectees may be required to successfully complete a probationary period.
Qualifications
Only experience and education obtained by 07/20/2026 will be considered.
In order to qualify for this position you must possess both the Basic Requirement and Minimum Qualification.
Basic Education Requirement:
Possess a bachelor's or higher degree from an accredited college or university in zoology, wildlife management, or an appropriate field of biology that included at least 9 semester hours in zoology; 6 semester hours in such wildlife courses as mammalogy, ornithology, animal ecology, or wildlife management; 3 semester hours in botany; and 3 semester hours in conservation biology, OR Possess a combination of education from an accredited college or university and specialized experience - courses equivalent to a major in one of the fields described in A above that included at least 9 semester hours in zoology; 6 semester hours in wildlife courses such as mammalogy, ornithology, animal ecology, or wildlife management; 3 semester hours in botany; and 3 semester hours in conservation biology plus appropriate experience or additional education, OR Previously occupied a position in the GS-0485 series prior to December 3, 2010, and met the basic education requirement of the previous qualification standard. Previous standard: bachelor's or higher degree with major in zoology, wildlife management, or an appropriate field of biology, that includes 9 semester hours in zoology; 6 semester hours in wildlife; and 9 semester hours in botany. You must submit a copy of your SF-50 (Personnel Action), dated prior to Dec 3, 2010, showing that you held a position in the GS-0485 series.
Minimum Qualification [GS-12]
Specialized experience may include: 1) Prepares proposals for developmental/improvement projects (to include timeframes and costs) for the assigned Refuge and submits for review/approval during annual budget cycle, 2) Recognizes emerging conflicts with refuge management objectives and facilitates collaborative problem-solving with partners to reconcile differing interests and achieve mutually supported conservation outcomes. 3) Plans and administers the Refuge's public relations/public use program including off-refuge programs, interpretive and educational programs, hunting, fishing, wildlife observation, and other recreational management activities, 4) Develops and implements short to long-range plans, annual work plans, budgets and work schedules. 5) Administers the facilities and equipment management program. Develops various work plans and organizes projects covering construction, repair and maintenance of equipment, buildings, roads, trails, fences, dikes, and other infrastructure.
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 or for Federal Wage System (FWS), wage grade positions, applicants are evaluated using the OPM Job Qualification System for Trades and Labor Occupations and the job element examining method
The Land Management Workforce Flexibility Act (LMWFA),P.L. 114-47, allows certain individuals who currently or formerly were under time-limited competitive appointments at certain land management agencies (U.S. Forest Service; Bureau of Land Management; National Park Service; Fish and Wildlife Service; Bureau of Indian Affairs; or Bureau of Reclamation) to compete under merit promotion procedures. Note: You MUST submit ALL SF-50s and performance information for each period of temporary/term employment that qualifies for LMWFA. Performance documentation can be obtained by contacting the supervisors for the positions you served in during your 24 months. If they did not complete performance appraisals ask them to provide a statement of performance for each period of service. The statement must specify the dates for each employment period and your level of performance (dates should match the dates on the SF-50s).
Public Land Corps (PLC) Hiring Authority: 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. Applicants who apply under this job opportunity announcement agree to have their application, associated documents and applicable personal information shared with other Bureaus/Offices within the Department of the Interior (DOI) who have vacancies within the same occupational series, grade, full performance level and in the same geographic location(s), including within the same metro/commuting area. Applying to this announcement does not replace the need to apply to other job opportunity announcements for which you wish to receive consideration.
Education
This position has a positive education requirement (see qualification section for education requirements). You MUST submit a copy of ALL your college transcripts or a list of ALL college courses that include hours and grades from an accredited U.S. college/university. Upon selection, official transcripts must be received prior to appointment. If you are using education completed in foreign colleges or universities to meet qualification requirements, you must show that your education credentials have been evaluated by a private organization that specializes in interpretation of foreign education programs and such education has been deemed equivalent to that gained in an accredited U.S. education program; or full credit has been given for the courses at a U.S. accredited college or university.
All selections and tentative offers of selection are contingent upon submission and verification of 'official' transcripts.
Probation/Trial Period:
A probationary period is an extension of the appointment process and therefore requires the agency to determine if continued employment would advance the public interest, meet the organization goals and mission of the agency, and/or otherwise promote the efficiency of the service. In determining if your employment advances the public interest, the agency will consider:
- your performance and conduct;
- the needs and interests of the agency;
- whether your continued employment would advance organizational goals of the agency or the Government; and
- whether your continued employment would advance the efficiency of the Federal service.
Under applicable law, the employment of an individual serving a probationary or trial period automatically terminates when that period ends unless the agency affirmatively certifies, in writing, that the individual's employment should continue and that their appointment should be finalized. In the absence of agency action to affirmatively certify continued employment beyond the probationary or trial period, such appointments are terminated. Upon completion of your [probationary period -OR- trial period] your employment will be terminated unless you receive certification, in writing, that your continued employment advances the public interest.
Additional information
PCS INFORMATION:
-No PCS entitlements authorized
If eligible and qualified, you may be offered a recruitment or relocation incentive. The decision to offer an incentive will be made on a case-by-case basis and is neither promised nor guaranteed.
Telework:
This position is suitable for telework and may be allowed to telework with supervisory approval.
Reasonable Accommodation: The USFWS provides reasonable accommodations to applicants with disabilities. Please visit USAJOBS Help Center | Reasonable accommodation policy if you need a reasonable accommodation for any part of the application and hiring process.
Career Transition Assistance Plan (CTAP) or Interagency Career Transition Assistance Plan (ICTAP): Department of Interior (DOI) Career Transition Assistance Plan (CTAP) procedures apply in filling this vacancy. These programs apply to employees who have been involuntarily separated 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 (i.e., meet the minimum qualification requirements, including any selective placement factors; education, and experience requirements) for the position with a score of 85 or above on the assessment questionnaire, and be able to perform the duties of the position upon entry. Applicants claiming CTAP/ICTAP eligibility must submit a copy of their most recent performance appraisal, proof of eligibility, and most current SF-50 noting position, grade level, and duty location with their application.
For more information visit: http://www.opm.gov/rif/employee_guides/career_transition.asp.
See Qualifications Section for more information on The Land Management Workforce Flexibility Act (LMWFA),P.L. 114-47.
Current appointees:
- Must have been hired under competitive examining procedures to a time limited appointment with a land management agency;
- Must have served under 1 or more time limited appointments by a land management agency for a period totaling more than 24 months without a break in service of 2 or more years; AND
- Must have performed at an acceptable level.
Former appointees:
- Must have been hired under competitive examining procedures to a time limited appointment with a land management agency;
- Must have served under 1 or more time limited appointments by a land management agency for a period totaling more than 24 months without a break in service of 2 or more years;
- Must apply for position within 2 years after separation;
- Must have been separated for reasons other than misconduct or performance; AND
- Must have performed at an acceptable level.
See Qualifications Section for more information on Public Land Corps (PLC) Hiring Authority.
See Education Section for more information on Probation/Trial Period.
Candidates should be committed to improving the efficiency of the Federal government, passionate about the ideals of our American republic, and committed to upholding the rule of law and the United States Constitution.
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.
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.
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.
Required Documents
You must submit a complete application package. We will not make assumptions about your experience and/or education.
Required Documents:
1. Resume: Only the resume submitted under the "Resume Document Type" will be used. 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 encouraged to use USAJOBS Resume Builder to ensure all required information is included. 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. If experience is for a career ladder position, please ensure to clearly distinguish the job duties for each grade level and how long you were working in each grade level.
- Do not include in your resume:
- Classified/government sensitive information
- Social Security Number (SSN)
- Photos
- Personal information, such as age, gender, religious affiliation, etc.
- Encrypted/digitally signed documents.
2. College Transcripts: Refer to the education section above for additional information. Unofficial transcripts are acceptable. A copy of your official transcripts may be required if you are selected.
3. Current and former federal career and career-conditional employees: Submit a copy of your most recent (non-award) SF-50, Notification of Personnel Action, or equivalent document that verifies tenure (block 24, code 1 or 2) and Competitive Status (block 34, code 1).
Note: Federal employees who have reinstatement eligibility please review the How to Apply for Reinstatement page for all required documents.
4. Performance Appraisal: 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, submit a statement as to why it is not available. Indicate if any prior performance appraisals/evaluations were at an acceptable level
Additional Documentation if applicable:
1. 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. NOTE: To be eligible for a Veterans Employment Opportunity Act (VEOA) appointment under Merit Promotion procedures, you must be a preference eligible, or a Veteran separated after 3 years or more of continuous active service performed under honorable conditions.
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. Former Public Land Corps Member: Submit your Certificate of Eligibility for Non-Competitive Hiring Based for Public Land Corps Service along with a copy of your "PLC Participant Verification Work Hours Sheet."
4. 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.
5. Other Special Hiring Authorities. If you are applying for this position based on eligibility under other noncompetitive special appointing authorities, you MUST submit proof of this eligibility.
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. You may qualify for more than one eligibility, so please choose carefully. If you respond that you
do not meet any of the eligibility criteria, you
will not be considered for this position under this announcement.
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/12999279.
- Please ensure you check the acknowledgement checkbox then click the Submit Application button to submit your application.
- Applications must be received by 07/20/2026 , 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.