Summary
This is a Wildlife Refuge Manager (Deputy Refuge Manager), GS- 0485-13 position working for the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service at one of the following locations:
Galena, Alaska (1 Position)
Fairbanks, Alaska (1 Position)
King Salmon, Alaska (1 Position)
This position is also open to status candidates under announcement R7-23-12130064-AF-MP. You must apply to each announcement separately if you wish to be considered under both recruitment methods.
Clarification from the agency
Open to all U.S. Citizens. ICTAP/CTAP eligibles.
Duties
As a Wildlife Refuge Manager (Deputy Refuge Manager) your duties will include, but are not limited to, the following:
Wildlife Biology Ecology and Habitat Management
- Formulates, develops and implements the Refuge/WMD's policies and programs.
- Oversees and administers the biological program at assigned Refuge/WMD(s), administering land and aquatic conservation activities, habitat development, clean-up, contaminant and restoration projects, research programs, population studies, wildlife inventory, and monitoring activities to include species lifecycle requirements and management.
- Ensures all projects comply with national, regional, and Refuge/WMD policies, regulations, and mandates.
- May also explore and plan land acquisition activities and issues in coordination with realty specialists and landowners.
- Ensures preparation and approves Special Use Permits, as needed, for activities such as grazing, planting, and harvesting hay or other crops, wildlife and ecological research, military land restoration and clean-up, specialized uses (rights-of-way, telecommunication sites, military installations, etc.) and/or commercial filming.
- Develops and implements permit specific compatibility criteria.
- Oversees and ensures the administration of general operations associated with Fire Management (application, prevention and suppression) and Law Enforcement programs.
Natural Resources Program Management
- Oversees, administers, and ensures the development and coordination of Comprehensive Conservation Plans, Habitat Management Plans, Land Acquisition and Protection Plans, Refuge Operational Needs plans, etc.
- Remains abreast of current and changing natural resources laws.
- Develops networks and builds alliances with stakeholders and partners.
- Collaborates to build strategic relationships, achieve common goals, and eliminate barriers.
- Represents the Service as refuge management.
- Participates in the coordination and development of national level policy on wildlife refuge management programmatic and/or operational issues.
Visitor Services
- Oversees and administers the Refuge/WMD's Visitor Services program.
- Designs, formulates, and implements public use studies to develop new techniques and methodologies for effecting solutions to unique, unusual, and/or controversial problems and to develop diverse public use programs.
- Reviews and makes priority public use decisions based on expert knowledge of criteria and policy.
- Oversees and ensures the development and review of brochures, interpretive panels, exhibits, websites, etc.
- Develops and implements site plans. Reviews and comments on site designs developed by staff, Service specialists, or contractors.
Program Planning and Business Administration
- Initiates and ensures the development, approval, and implementation of annual work plans, budgets, cost estimates, grants funding administration, and program schedules.
- Coordinates with state, local and other Federal agencies and special interest groups when formulating long-range plans for the management of the Refuge/WMD's natural resources.
- Develops, drafts, and submits funding proposals for internal and external funding.
- Implements funded projects.
- Oversees and reviews the development of administrative reports associated with wildlife management and administrative programs.
- Identifies and implements best practices and lessons learned.
- Oversees and ensures the administration of the facilities and equipment management programs.
Supervision
- Supervises a multifaceted team of professional, technical, analytical, and administrative support staff.
- Exercises significant responsibilities in dealing with management/officials throughout the Service and across program areas and directs a program or major program segment with significant resources and national importance.
- Sets work priorities consistent with the Service's long-term strategies.
- Emphasizes quality and organizational and employee performance measurement.
- Responsible for creating an environment that encourages and rewards cooperation, collective problem solving, and participative decision-making.
- Develops the ability of others to perform and contribute to the organization by providing feedback and by providing opportunities to learn through formal and informal methods.
- Ensures that work is conducted safely and actively supports, implements, and complies with the Equal Employment Opportunity Program.
- Actively supports and implements the Service's Human Resources program. This includes ensuring equal opportunity for all supervised employees and selections for training and education programs, promotions and awards, as well as fair and impartial recruitment and selection for new employees.
- Responsible for ensuring compliance with the Service's Safety Creed.
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.
- Drug Testing Position: Selectees tentatively selected for this position will be required to submit to urinalysis to screen for illegal drug use prior to appointment.
- Driver's License: Selectees MAY be required to possess and maintain a valid State driver's license at all times during their tenure.
- Firearm: Selectees will be required to carry a firearm in the performance of their duties.
- Uniform: Official U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service uniform may required.
- Probationary Period: Selectees may be required to successfully complete a probationary period.
- Supervisory Probationary Period: 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.
- Notice of Financial Disclosure Report Requirement: This position is subject to a financial disclosure requirement and you will be required to complete either OGE Form 278e or OGE Form 450 as applicable within 30 days of your appointment
- Individuals assigned male at birth after 12-31-59 must be registered for Selective Service. To verify registration, visit SSS.gov.
Qualifications
Only experience and education obtained by 10/03/2023 will be considered.
In order to qualify for this position you must possess both the Basic Requirement and Minimum Qualification.
Basic Education Requirement 0485 Series:
- Degree: Successful completion of a 4-year course of study in an accredited college or university leading to a Bachelor's or higher degree with major 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. (Unofficial Transcripts are accepted. Official Transcripts may be required if selected) OR
- Combination: Successful completion of courses in an accredited college or university equivalent to a major in zoology, wildlife management, or 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 PLUS appropriate experience and/or additional education comparable to the completion of a 4-year course of study. NOTE: This experience must be detailed in your resume if qualifying under this standard.
AND
Minimum Qualification [GS-13]
- One year of specialized experience comparable in scope and responsibility equivalent to grade GS-12 in the Federal service. Specialized experience includes: Planning, administering, evaluating, managing, and/or operating programs, activities, and projects associated with conserving and managing fish and/or wildlife resources on public or private land for the purpose of providing critical habitat for fish and wildlife; overseeing budgets; collaborating with internal and/or external groups on natural resource issues, such as Federal and/or State agencies, elected officials and their staff, and/or tribal governments, environmental groups, recreation groups, or the public to gain understanding on controversial or technical issues and respond to concerns; supervising a team to accomplish tasks and projects; make recommendations on conservation matters.
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: http://www.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ous/international/usnei/us/edlite-visitus-forrecog.html
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.
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 outlined 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, after reviewing your resume and supporting documentation, a determination is made that you have inflated your qualifications which resulted in you being listed in the highest quality category, you may lose consideration, or be assigned to a lower quality category for this position. Please follow all instructions carefully when applying, errors or omissions may affect your eligibility.
Your qualifications will be evaluated on the following competencies (knowledge, skills, abilities and other characteristics):
Final KSAs:
- Ability to resolve complicated, unprecedented, or controversial resource issues related to wildlife habitat management in areas of heavy use consistent with applicable laws and regulations.
- Skill in developing relationships with stakeholders across several geographic locations or organizations.
- Skill in applying management and administrative principles to develop and implement business objectives.
- Ability to supervise a multi-disciplinary staff and achieve management objectives by working with others.
All qualified candidates will be assigned to a quality category. The category assignment is a measure of the degree in which your background matches the competencies required for this position. The category ratings for this position are: Best Qualified, Well Qualified, and Qualified
The category rating process protects the rights of veterans by placing them ahead of non-preference eligibles within each quality category. Veterans' preference eligibles who meet the qualification requirements and who have a compensable service-connected disability of at least 10 percent will be listed in the highest quality category (except in the case of scientific or professional positions at the GS-09 level or higher).
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. College Transcripts: Please 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.
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, 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.
3. 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.
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.
Multiple Hurdle Assessment Information: This vacancy will utilize a multiple hurdle assessment process to determine the qualifications of applicants. The first hurdle will consist of applicants completing an occupational questionnaire related to the major duties and competencies of the position. The second hurdle will consist of applicant resumes being reviewed by a Subject Matter Expert (SME) panel for related position competencies against a pre-determined rating schedule. This process will determine the final rating of the applicant for possible referral to the hiring official for hiring consideration.
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/12130063.
- Please ensure you check the acknowledgement checkbox then click the Submit Application button to submit your application.
- Applications must be received by 10/03/2023 ,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 or need to fax a document you do not have in electronic form, view the following link for information regarding an Alternate Application: https://help.usastaffing.gov/Apply/index.php?title=Alternate_Application_Information
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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