Wildlife Biologist

MINIMUM ELIGIBLITY REQUIREMENTS:

 

To qualify, applicants MUST meet all minimum qualification requirements, by the closing date of the announcement.

BASIC REQUIREMENT: Degree: biological science that includes:

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 in A above, plus appropriate experience or additional education. In addition to meeting the Basic Requirement you must also qualify:

FOR THE GS-07 LEVEL: Applicants must have one year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-05 level that demonstrates experience with the following:

· Dealing with the principles of wildlife ecology and management.

· Identifying North American wildlife species and assess their abundance, behavior, and habitats.

· Dealing with human-wildlife conflicts and principles of wildlife damage management.

· Selecting appropriate wildlife damage management strategies, techniques, and tools and applying them to specific situations.

· The Migratory Bird Treaty Act (MBTA), Endangered Species Act, and National Environmental Policy Act.

· The skilled use of firearms, traps, snares, pesticides, immobilizing drugs, pyrotechnics, electronic harassment devices, and other non-lethal control tools.

· Using computers for word processing, spreadsheets, and database applications.

OR 1 year of graduate-level education (18 semester hours) in Wildlife Biology, Wildlife Ecology, or Wildlife Management.

OR Superior Academic Achievement: To qualify based on superior academic achievement, you must have completed the requirements for a bachelor's degree from an accredited institution AND must meet certain GPA requirements. For more details click: Superior Academic Achievement Equivalent combinations of education and experience are qualifying for this grade level. FOR THE GS-09 LEVEL: Applicants must have one year of specialized experience (equivalent to the GS-07 level) that demonstrates: All requirements of the GS-07 level and the following:

· Representation at Federal, State, County, City, and/or non-profit Wildlife meetings

· Presentations at wildlife conferences and meetings.

· Interpreting and applying policies, regulations, laws, and ordinances that affect wildlife damage management operations and working within those guidelines.

· Using GPS, GIS technologies, and web-based systems for data entry and administrative processes.

OR

 

graduate degree in Wildlife Biology, Wildlife Ecology, Wildlife Management.2 years of progressively higher-level graduate education leading to a master’s degree or equivalent 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.

· You are qualifying for this position based on Superior Academic Achievement.

· This education must have been successfully completed and obtained from an accredited school, college, or university.

 

COMBINATION OF EDUCATION & EXPERIENCE AT THE GS-7/9 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. To learn more about combining education and experience for this series, open the following: (https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/classification-qualifications/general-schedule-qualification-policies/#url=e3)

 

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.

 

OTHER REQUIREMENTS:

 

· Must obtain or have a valid U.S. driver’s license. Operation of Government-owned or leased vehicles is required.

· Position is subject to random and applicant drug testing.

· 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 history or police records. Selection and retention in this position is contingent on a successfully adjudicated FBI National Criminal History Check (fingerprint check).

· The work requires moderately strenuous physical exertion. Physical exertion includes lifting moderate weights, walking over wet, rough, uneven, muddy, or rocky surfaces, bending, crouching, and stooping, stretching or similar activities. This work does require average agility and dexterity. The job also requires a flexible schedule, working odd hours, possible weekend work, and must be conducted at the affected site.

· Work is performed primarily in an outdoor environment but does require minimal work in office locations. There is sporadic and irregular exposure to moderate risks and discomfort, such as adverse weather conditions, noisy environments and extensive off-road vehicle travel.

· The incumbent is expected to conduct all duties in a safe and orderly manner to prevent injury to self, fellow workers, cooperators, or property.

· The incumbent will be required to obtain a Qualified Applicator’s Certificate from the California Department of Pesticide Regulations.

· The incumbent will be required to successfully obtain and maintain all secure access credentials, vehicle operation certifications, and other certifications or trainings required by the agency and host entity for operations.

 

Emergency Response – APHIS is an emergency response agency. This means that all Agency employees may be asked or assigned to participate in rotating temporary duty assignments to support

emergency programs at some time during their careers with APHIS. It is difficult to predict the frequency with which such emergency situations may occur – and could range from several emergencies in a year to none over the course of many years. In the event that you are called upon to support an emergency program, this may require irregular working hours, including overtime, and may include duties other than those specified in your official position description. While some emergency program support assignments may be able to be performed at the employee’s current duty station, in other cases employees may be asked to go on-site to a temporary duty state location. In addition, it may be necessary for employees to participate in multiple rotations to an emergency program assignment. Attempts will be made to keep disruption to the employee to a minimum.

 

See this link: https://www.usajobs.gov//Help/working-in-government/fair-and- transparent/signature-false-statements/

 

Failure to follow application instructions regarding filing appropriate forms and answering questions may result in loss of employment considerations for this position. All applications must be signed, dated, and received by the closing date of this announcement.

 

NOTE: APPLICANTS FOR THIS POSITION WILL BE REQUIRED TO SUBMIT TO URINALYSIS TO SCREEN FOR ILLEGAL DRUG USE PRIOR TO APPOINTMENT. APPOINTMENT TO THE POSITION WILL BE CONTINGENT UPON A NEGATIVE DRUG TEST RESULT. INCUMBENTS OF THIS POSITION WILL BE REQUIRED TO SUBMIT TO URINALYSIS TO SCREEN FOR ILLEGAL DRUG USE ON AN ONGOING BASIS AFTER APPOINTMENT, AS DIRECTED.

 

Carrying a firearm is a condition of employment – In the passing of the Lautenberg Amendment, Congress passed legislation which prohibits anyone who has been convicted of a misdemeanor crime of domestic violence from possessing a firearm or ammunition. If selected you will be required to sign the form, “Inquiry for Positions Requiring Possession of Firearms,” certifying that you meet the necessary criteria.

The United States Government does not discriminate in employment on the basis of race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy and gender identity), national origin, political affiliation, sexual orientation, marital status, disability, genetic information, age, membership in an employee organization, retaliation, parental status, military service, or other non-merit factor.

Reasonable Accommodation Policy-

Federal agencies must provide reasonable accommodation to applicants with disabilities where appropriate. Applicants requiring reasonable accommodation for any part of the application and hiring process should contact the hiring agency directly. Determinations on requests for reasonable accommodation will be made on a Case-by-Case basis.

A reasonable accommodation is any change in the work place or the way things are customarily done that provides an equal employment opportunity to an individual with a disability. Under the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) must provide reasonable accommodations:

· An applicant with a disability needs an accommodation to have an equal opportunity to apply for a job.

· An employee with a disability needs an accommodation to perform the essential job duties or to gain access to the workplace.

· An employee with a disability needs an accommodation to receive equal access to benefits, such as details, training, and office-sponsored events.

 

Relocation costs will not be paid for this position.

 

To ensure compliance with an applicable preliminary nationwide injunction, which may be supplemented, modified, or vacated, depending on the course of ongoing litigation, the Federal Government will take no action to implement or enforce the COVID-19 vaccination requirement pursuant to Executive Order 14043 on Requiring Coronavirus Disease 2019 Vaccination for Federal Employees. Therefore, to the extent a Federal job announcement includes the requirement that applicants must be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 pursuant to E.O. 14043, that requirement does not currently apply. Federal agencies may request information regarding the vaccination status of selected applicants for the purposes of implementing other workplace safety protocols, such as protocols related t