Deadline: Wed, 07/17/2024 - 12:00pm Employer: USDA Job Field: Wildlife Job Type: Full Time Location: Virginia Location Detail: Richmond or Essex County, VA Job Description: Summary: This position is located with the Wildlife Services (WS) Program, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service of the U.S. Department of Agriculture in Tappahannock, Virginia. The assignment involves the performance of duties relating to wildlife management and use of control techniques aimed at controlling wildlife damage, when it conflicts with man’s economic interest, health or safety. The incumbent will assist with the implementation of an integrated beaver damage management program to reduce damage and conflicts associated with beavers flooding roads and bridges as well as other properties in a 12 County area surrounding Tappahannock, VA. The incumbent will be required to independently conduct beaver trapping activities and other damage management activities for various other wildlife species over a large geographic area in the northern neck and mid-peninsula area of Virginia with input and guidance from the Assistant District Supervisor and District Supervisor. Work environment may include swampy areas, ponds, lakes, and rivers during extreme heat and cold conditions. DUTIES: Responsible for organizing and conducting direct control operations to reduce wildlife damage within a geographical area or technical/subject area of program involvement. Uses Wildlife Damage Management (WDM) tools/devices which may include some or all of the following depending on need in assigned area: firearms; foothold, body-grip, cage traps; foot snares; neck snares; chemical control methods; pyrotechnics; noise cannons/exploders; drop nets; rocket/cannon nets; various other scaring devices. Utilizes working knowledge of WDM methods and strategies to independently recommend appropriate WDM strategies which alleviate wildlife damage for cooperators and the general public through technical assistance. Independently determines and selects the most effective means of control for individual situations. Modifies or adapts established damage control techniques as necessary to meet local conditions and address specific environmental, economic or political considerations. Enters data into established WDM database/system of record. Uses data to prepare and submit routine reports regarding daily, weekly or monthly activities, observations, and events. Complies with restrictions and mitigation measures established through consultation with relevant Federal and State agencies. Carries out duties in accordance with program decisions made in compliance with the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) and Endangered Species Act (ESA) under guidance and oversight by supervisor. Must be familiar with a range of various threatened and endangered species, and their habitats, that are or may be affected by program activities within area of jurisdiction. Demonstrates a respect for safety in all operations, including the operation of motor vehicles, firearms, control devices and materials, and equipment. Conducts all operations using approved safety procedures and in accordance with local, State and Federal laws and regulations, and USDA, APHIS, and WS policies. Assists in conducting demonstrations and training for others, including other cooperators or other interested groups, on WDM methods, procedures, and program objectives. Performs other duties, as required. Qualifications: • Must be a U.S. Citizen• Must be 18 years old• If you are a male born after December 31, 1959 and are at least 18 years of age, civil service employment law (5 U.S.C. 3328) requires that you must be registered with the Selective Service System, unless you meet certain exemptions (proof of registration and/or exemption required). Website: http://www.sss.gov. REQUIRED DOCUMENTS: Resume that includes: 1) Personal information such as name, address, contact information 2) Education3) Detailed work experience related to this position as described in the announcement including Work schedule including hours per week Dates of employment; Title, series, grade (if applicable) 4) All supervisors' phone numbers and if they may be contacted 5) Other qualifications Transcripts (if qualifying on education, education must have been obtained from an accredited institution. Education completed in a foreign institution must include an evaluation by an organization that specializes in interpretation of foreign education programs that it was deemed equivalent to an accredited U.S. education program, see: Foreign Education Evaluation. All transcripts must be in English or include an English translation.) DD-214 (Member 4 copy) VA letter required if claiming disabled Veteran’s Preference Current active duty members must submit a certification that they are expected to be discharged or released from active duty under honorable conditions not later than 120 days after the date the certification is submitted. MINIMUM ELIGIBLITY REQUIREMENTS: To qualify, applicants MUST meet all minimum qualification requirements, except Medical Requirements, by the closing date of the announcement. QUALIFICATIONS REQUIRED: For the GS-4 Grade Level: Applicants must have 6 months of general experience and 6 months of specialized experience (equivalent to the GS-03 level) that may have been obtained in the private or public (local, county, state, Federal) sectors which demonstrates: Experience to identifying North American wildlife species. Experience with firearms. Experience to meet and communicate with individuals and groups. Experience with computers, word processing, spreadsheets, and data bases. OREducation Substitution at the GS-4 Grade Level: Successful completion of 2 years of study that included at least 12 semester hours in any combination of courses such as biology, chemistry, statistics, entomology, animal husbandry, botany, physics, agriculture, or mathematics. At least 6 semester hours of courses must be in wildlife. ORCombination of Education and Experience at the GS-4 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. For the GS-5 Grade Level: Applicants must have one year of specialized experience (equivalent to the GS-4 level) that may have been obtained in the private or public (local, county, state, federal) sectors which demonstrate experience in: Experience in wildlife damage mitigation methods and techniques. Experience using lethal and non-lethal animal control techniques. Conducting basic computer operations for record keeping, data analysis, report writing and correspondence. OR Successful completion of a full 4-year course of study leading to a bachelor’s degree with major study, or at least 24 semester hours, in any combination of scientific or technical courses such as biology, chemistry, entomology, animal husbandry, botany, physics, agriculture, or mathematics, with at least 6 semester hours in wildlife. ORCombination of Education and Experience at the GS-5 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. For the GS-6 Grade Level: Applicants must have one year of specialized experience (equivalent to the GS-5 level) that may have been obtained in the private or public (local, county, state, federal) sectors which demonstrates experience in: Dealing with human-wildlife conflicts and principles of wildlife damage management. The requirements of the Migratory Bird Treaty Act (MBTA), Endangered Species Act, and National Environment Policy Act. Conducting wildlife damage assessments, counts and abundance surveys. The use of firearms, traps, snares, pesticides, immobilizing drugs, pyrotechnics, electronic harassment devices, and other non-lethal control tools. Creating/maintaining public contacts to formulate assistance strategies that incorporate technical assistance and operational control techniques. OR Successfully completed 1 year of graduate education (18 semester hours) in wildlife. ORCombination of Education and Experience at the GS-6 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. OTHER REQUIREMENTS: Direct Deposit: Per Public Law 104-134 all Federal employees are required to havefederal payments made by direct deposit to their financial institution. Occasional travel may be required. Successfully pass the E-Verify employment verification check. To learn more aboutE- Verify, including your rights and responsibilities, visit https://www.e-verify.gov/. Must obtain or have a valid state driver’s license at time of application. Must demonstrate a respect for safety in all operations, including the operation of motor vehicles, firearms, control devices, and equipment. In order to perform the essential duties of this position, you must have the legal and physical ability to possess and discharge firearms. You must be able to pass a government background check and meet any additional requirements to carry and use firearms. A background check will include answering questions about where you’ve lived, worked, went to school, and any military HOW YOU WILL BE EVALUATED Applicants who meet basic minimum qualifications may be referred to the hiring manager for selection. Qualified candidates eligible for veterans’ preference will receive referral and selection priority over non-veterans. history or police records. Selection and retention in this position is contingent on a successfully adjudicated FBI National Criminal History Check (fingerprint check). Miscellaneous: Announcement #: VA-WS-24-04 This is a 100% remote position that must be located within the counties listed in the vacancy announcement. The duty station for a remote designation is the selectee’s home and must be established within the defined geographic options prior to start date. The selectee is not required to regularly work from a government facility however, the option may be available.(Relocation expenses will not be paid) Salary: $36,209 - 59,853 per year How to Apply: HOW TO APPLY: Additional materials not listed above (i.e. position descriptions, training certificates, etc.) may not be considered. Applicants who do not submit the required items listed above may not be considered. Applications with all supporting documents must be submitted to the contact office and must be RECEIVED by the CLOSING DATE of this announcement. Interested individuals should send a resume, transcripts, veteran documentation (if applicable) to the address listed here: CONTACT OFFICE: Dage C. BlixtDistrict Supervisor USDA-APHIS-Wildlife Services Dage.c.blixt@usda.gov 703-897-7488
