Fish and Wildlife Biologist

Summary

This position will be filled under the Office of Personnel Management's Direct Hire Authority for COLLEGE GRADUATES 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.

College Graduate appointments are permanent competitive service appointments.

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Duties

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As a Fish and Wildlife Biologist your duties may include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Plans, conducts, and analyzes complex studies to understand how land and water projects affect fish, wildlife, and their habitats; prepares reports and recommends actions to protect these resources.
• Leads the review and processing of permits related to endangered and threatened species, ensuring paperwork is accurate, deadlines are met, and regulations are followed; coordinates with other agencies and keeps records organized.
• Develops and manages plans to restore, protect, and enhance fish and wildlife habitats; gathers and interprets biological and environmental data to improve management practices and solve resource problems.
• Maintains communication and partnerships with biologists, agencies, and community groups; provides technical guidance, regulatory information, and represents the Service at meetings and public events.
• Reviews new laws and regulations, responds to public and media inquiries, and prepares written materials to inform and educate others about conservation programs and requirements.

Duties will be developmental in nature when filled below the full performance level.

Requirements

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Conditions of employment

• Must be a U.S. Citizen or National.
• Appointment subject to background investigation and favorable adjudication.
• Males born after 12-31-59 must be registered for Selective Service.
• Direct Deposit participation required.
• Successfully pass the E-Verify employment verification check. To learn more, visit
• Must have and maintain a valid driver's license throughout employment.
• You cannot hold an active real estate license, nor can you have an interest or hold stocks in firms with interest in Federal Lands.
• You are required to complete training, obtain and maintain a government credit card with travel and purchase authority.

Probationary Period: As a condition of employment for accepting this position, you will be required to serve a 1-year probationary period during which your fitness and whether your continued employment advances the public interest will be evaluated.

This 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 your employment will be terminated unless you receive certification, in writing, that your continued employment advances the public interest.

Qualifications

Only experience and education obtained by 09/11/2026 will be considered.

All applicants must have received a bachelors or advanced degree within the previous two years or two years from the date of an individual's discharge or release from the uniformed services.

In order to qualify for this position you must possess both the Basic Requirement and Minimum Qualification.

Basic Requirement:

1. Degree in biological sciences, agriculture, natural resource management, chemistry, or related disciplines appropriate to the position. OR
2. Combination of education and experience that is equivalent to a major in a biological science plus appropriate experience or additional education.

Minimum Qualification [GS-05]

1. Possess a degree in biological sciences, agriculture, natural resource management, chemistry, or related disciplines appropriate to the position. OR
2. A combination of education and experience as described above which together equals 100% of the requirement

Minimum Qualification [GS-07]

1. One year of specialized experience comparable in scope and responsibility equivalent to grade GS-05 in the Federal service. Experience must demonstrate meeting the following: (1) assisting in reviewing biological portions of environmental assessment/impact statements or comprehensive resource planning reports to evaluate environmental consequences of proposed actions; (2) researching potential impacts of proposed programs or actions to determine the effects of those programs or actions on threatened and endangered species; (3) assisting with preparing portions of draft biological opinions/assessments as required under Section 7 of the Endangered Species Act (ESA) for the supervisor's review and/or discussion; (4) maintaining and updating files on permits issued for activities associated with endangered, threatened, proposed, and candidate species and their habitats; (5) gathering, organizing, and interpreting biological, ecological, pathological, public use, or other pertinent information to ensure management plans are current; and/or (6) implementing federal environmental laws (i.e., Endangered Species Act, specifically Sections 7 and 10; Clean Water Act; Fish and Wildlife Coordination Act; National Environmental Policy Act), regulations, and policies involving natural resource issues; OR
2. At least 1 full year of graduate education from an accredited college or university in biological sciences, agriculture, natural resource management, chemistry, or related disciplines appropriate to the position; OR
3. A combination of education and experience as described in 1 and 2 above which together equals 100% of the requirement; OR
4. Superior Academic Achievement (S.A.A.). S.A.A. is based on (1) Class Standing, (2) Grade-Point Average, or (3) Honor Society Membership. (1) Class Standing: Upper one-third of the graduating class in the college, university, or major subdivision based on completed courses. (2) Grade-Point Average: A grade point average of (a) 3.0 or higher out of a possible 4.0 (B or better) as recorded on the official transcript or as computed based on four years of education, or computed based on courses completed during the final two years of the curriculum; -or- (b) 3.5 or higher out of a possible4.0 0 (B+ or better) based on the average of the required courses completed in the major field or the required courses in the major field completed during the final two years of the curriculum. (3) Election to Membership in a National Scholastic Honor Society: Applicants may be considered eligible based on membership in one of the national scholastic honor societies. Freshman scholastic honor societies cannot be used to meet the requirements of this position.

Volunteer Experience: 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.

May be selected at any grade level advertised with non-competitive promotion potential to the target grade. Non-competitive promotion to the target grade is based on time-in-grade requirements and demonstrated ability to perform the higher graded duties.

Education

PROOF OF EDUCATION: All applicants 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 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. For further information, visit: Recognition of Foreign Qualifications | International Affairs Office (ed.gov).

Additional information

To register or verify your registration go to the Selective Service System at

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.

Telework:

This position is suitable for telework and may be allowed to telework with supervisory approval.

Physical Demands: Work is sedentary and requires average agility and dexterity. Some field work will require periods of physical exertion such as walking over wet, rough, uneven, or rocky surfaces; bending, crouching, stooping, stretching, reaching, or similar activities; occasionally carrying light items, such as books, small instruments or samples, and other similar materials; or driving a motor vehicle.

Work Environment: The work requires both office and outdoor work. The office is adequately lighted, heated and ventilated. Temperature and weather extremes may be encountered in the performance of the outdoor work. The incumbent is expected to conduct duties in a safe and orderly manner so as not to endanger self, fellow workers, or property with which entrusted.

Cost of Living Allowance: In addition to the yearly salary, this position is entitled to a 1.49% cost-of-living allowance (COLA) .This allowance is subject to annual review, adjustment, and rate decrease.

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.

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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.

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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.