Fish and Wildlife Biologist

Summary

You will serve as a Fish and Wildlife Biologist, GS-0401-11 with U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service working for Ventura Fish and Wildlife Office.

Pay will vary based on duty location for which you're selected. First time hires to the Federal government normally start at the step 1 rate.

Learn more about this agency

Duties

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Some of the major duties you will perform include but are not limited to the following:

• Plans and conducts ecological investigations and environmental assessments to evaluate the impacts of land and water development projects on fish, wildlife, and their habitats.
• Reviews and processes Endangered Species Act (ESA) permits and related documents, ensuring compliance with applicable regulations, policies, and procedures.
• Develops and implements fish and wildlife management and mitigation plans to conserve, protect, restore, and enhance species and their habitats.
• Analyzes biological data, prepares technical reports and biological opinions, and recommends measures to minimize adverse impacts on threatened and endangered species.
• Coordinates with Federal, Tribal, and state agencies, conservation partners, and the public to provide biological guidance, regulatory assistance, and conservation information.

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.

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

All qualifications must be met by the closing date of this announcement-11/09/2026-unless otherwise stated in this vacancy announcement.

To receive credit for experience, your resume MUST state either "full-time" (or "40 hours a week") or "part-time" with the number of hours worked per week to ensure proper crediting of specialized experience. Failure to adequately provide information needed to determine number of hours worked in each position may result in that time not being credited when evaluating qualifying experience. For periods of time that reflect military service, the DD-214 or Statement of Service is sufficient to meet the full and/or part-time hours requirement as the service dates will be reflected.

Minimum Qualification Requirements : To qualify for this position, you must meet the following minimum qualifications:

Basic Educational Requirement AND Specialized Experience for the series to which you are applying.

Basic Educational Requirements : In addition to the specialized experience requirements for this position, you must meet at least one of the following:

• A. Degree: Possess a degree in biological sciences, agriculture, natural resource management, chemistry, or related disciplines appropriate to the position.. You must submit transcripts. You must submit transcripts.

-OR-

• B. Combination of education and experience: course work as shown in A above, plus appropriate experience or additional education.

-AND-

Specialized Experience: To qualify for this position at the GS-11 grade level:

• A. Experience : To qualify, you must possess at least one full year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-09 level in the Federal service (obtained in either the public or private sectors). Specialized experience is defined as demonstrated experience: (1) Independently planning and conducting biological or ecological investigations of low-to-moderate complexity to evaluate the effects of land or water development projects on fish, wildlife, or their habitats. (2) Analyzing biological or ecological data, evaluating environmental impacts, and developing recommendations to address identified resource management concerns. (3) Independently reviewing standard permit applications or evaluating projects of low-to-moderate complexity for compliance with applicable environmental laws, regulations, and policies. (4) Assisting in developing comprehensive fish and wildlife conservation or management plans, conducting biological studies, and recommending improvements to management practices in coordination with diverse partners. You must include hours per week worked.

OR-

• B. Education : Successful completion of at least 3 years of graduate education leading to a Ph.D. degree or Ph.D or equivalent doctoral degree in wildlife biology, ecology, or a directly related field appropriate to this position.. You must include transcripts.

-OR-

• C. Combination of education and experience as listed above.

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.

Education

This position has a mandatory education requirement.

You must submit a copy of your transcript(s) to support claimed education if substituting education for experience. Transcripts must include your name, school name, grades, credit hours earned, major(s), grade point average or class ranking, and date the degree was conferred, if applicable. A typed list of courses, grades, semester/quarter hours, GPA, etc. will not be accepted. Non-submission may result in being rated not qualified for the position. Unofficial transcripts are acceptable, but if you are selected for this position and you used your education to qualify, you must provide official transcripts before you begin work.

Foreign Education: To receive credit for education completed outside the United States, you must show proof that the education has been submitted to a private organization that specializes in interpretation of foreign educational credentials and such education has been deemed at least equivalent to that gained in conventional U.S. education programs. Recognition of Foreign Qualifications | U.S. Department of Education.

Additional information

All new hires earn the beginning salary of their pay grade (Step 1). See 2026 Salary Tables and select the pay chart for Atascadero, California; Ventura, California; Watsonville, California. If no specific chart is listed for this geographic location, see the "rest of U.S." chart.

Additional vacancies may be filled using this job announcement.

This is a Bargaining Unit position, for more information see USA Jobs What are bargaining units?

Salary Information:

Atascadero, CA: Step 1: $87,061 - Step 10: $113,185

Ventura, CA: Step 1: $87,061 - Step 10: $113,185

Watsonville, CA: Step 1: $93,358 - Step 10: $121,371

Telework:

The duties of this position are suitable for telework and the selectee may be allowed to situationally telework with supervisory approval.

All Department of Interior (DOI) employees, their spouses, and minor children may not acquire or retain any claim, permit, lease, small tract entry, or other rights granted by the Department in Federal lands, with limited exceptions. Additional ethics prohibitions can be found here,

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.