Wildlife Biologist GS 11

Position: Wildlife Biologist GS 11

Organization: USDA Animal & Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS)

Announcement number: DE-11323467-22-WS-SA

Control number: 627031300

To apply visit: https://www.usajobs.gov/job/627031300

Deadline: December 21st, 2021 at 11:59 PM Eastern Time

Summary: In this position you will serve as a Staff Wildlife Biologist performing assignments involving National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), Endangered Species Act (ESA), and Migratory Bird Treaty Act (MBTA) implementation. You are the lead for wildlife damage management (WDM) data collection and assessment, national and regional data call and Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) collection and compiling of information and response, project and program delivery with minimal supervision.

Duties

• The duties described are for the full-performance level. At developmental grade levels, assignments will be of more limited scope, performed with less independence and limited complexity.
• The duties may include, but are not limited to:
• Leads preparation and completion of program area Migratory Bird reports, CMITS reports, PUP requests, and State registration of EPA products.
• Supports national NEPA efforts through provision of information and review, upon request. Ensures that all activities of the work unit are in compliance with NEPA, ESA, MBTA, and other Federal laws.
• Develops and maintains required Administrative and Project Records for NEPA, ESA, and MBTA processes and ongoing projects.
• Compiles and evaluates data on damage or hazards caused by various wildlife species for use in NEPA and ESA documents, MBTA permitting processes, and other documents and reports.
• Compiles and evaluates data on damage or hazards caused by various wildlife species for use in NEPA and ESA documents, MBTA permitting processes, and other documents and reports.
• Recommends areas for potential research or developmental study. May assist the WS research effort by participating in field tests of proposed WDM materials, devices, or methods.
• Conducts large scale WDM activities to accomplish objectives as assigned by the supervisor. May serve as the lead on complex operational WDM projects.
• May serve on internal and external state, regional, and/or national committees, representing the work unit (i.e., state, region, or national program) or WS program on WS issues.
• Incumbent may be asked to perform additional duties as assigned by the supervisor.

Qualifications

Applicants must meet all qualifications and eligibility requirements by the closing date of the announcement, including specialized experience and/or education, as defined below.

BASIC REQUIREMENT:

Degree: biological science that included:

• At least 9 semester hours in such wildlife subjects as mammalogy, ornithology, animal ecology, wildlife management, or research courses in the field of wildlife biology; and
• At least 12 semester hours in zoology in such subjects as general zoology, invertebrate zoology, vertebrate zoology, comparative anatomy, physiology, genetics, ecology, cellular biology, parasitology, entomology, or research courses in such subjects (Excess courses in wildlife biology may be used to meet the zoology requirements where appropriate.); and
• At least 9 semester hours in botany or the related plant sciences.

OR

Combination of education and experience: equivalent to a major in biological science (i.e., at least 30 semester hours), with at least 9 semester hours in wildlife subjects, 12 semester hours in zoology, and 9 semester hours in botany or related plant science, as shown above, plus appropriate experience or additional education.

In addition to meeting the basic requirement you will also need to meet the following:

FOR THE GS-11 LEVEL: Applicants must have one year of specialized experience (equivalent to the GS-09 level) that may have been obtained in the private or public (local, county, state, Federal) sectors which demonstrates:

• Experience interpreting wildlife regulations such as: Migratory Bird Treaty Act (MBTA); National Environmental; Policy Act (NEPA); Endangered Species Act (ESA) and other state or federal policies.
• Experience communicating orally and in writing to cooperators, stakeholders and other internal and external organizations/agencies.
• Experience using and working with Wildlife Damage Management (WDM) methods, related to: behavior modification, surveillance, population management and others.

OR

3 years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to a Ph.D. degree or Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree in one of the following degree fields: Wildlife Biology, Wildlife Ecology, or Wildlife Management.

Equivalent combinations of education and experience are qualifying for this grade level.

TRANSCRIPTS are required:

• This position requires specific coursework or a degree in a specific field to be basically qualified.
• You are qualifying for the position based on education.
• You are qualifying for this position based on a combination of experience and education.
• This education must have been successfully completed and obtained from an accredited school, college, or university

COMBINATION OF EDUCATION & EXPERIENCE AT THE GS-11 GRADE LEVEL: Applicants may have combinations of successfully completed education and specialized experience to meet total qualification requirements. The total percentages must equal at least 100 percent to qualify for that grade level.

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 and can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience.

How You Will Be Evaluated

You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.

Applications will be evaluated in accordance with Office of Personnel Management's (OPM) Delegated Examining Procedures and USDA policy using category rating. Applicants who meet basic minimum qualifications will be placed in one of three categories: Best Qualified, Well Qualified, or Qualified. Within these categories, applicants eligible for veteran's preference will receive selection priority over non-veterans. Category placement will be determined based on applicants' quality of experience and the extent they possess the following knowledge, skills, and abilities (KSA) or competencies:

• Research
• Spatial Orientation
• Wildlife Biology

Your application, including the online Assessment Questionnaire, will be reviewed to determine if you meet (a) minimum qualification requirements and (b) the resume supports the answers provided to the job-specific questions. Your resume must clearly support your responses to all the questions addressing experience and education relevant to this position. Those determined to be in the best qualified category will be referred to the selecting official for consideration.

Note: If, after reviewing your resume and/or supporting documentation, a determination is made that you have inflated your qualifications and or experience, your score may be adjusted to more accurately reflect your abilities, or you may be found ineligible. Please follow all instructions carefully. Errors or omissions may affect your rating. Providing inaccurate information on Federal documents could be grounds for non-selection or disciplinary action up to including removal from the Federal service.

To preview the application questionnaire, please visit: https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/11323467