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:

• 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, principles of wildlife damage management and

airport wildlife hazard management.

• Selecting appropriate wildlife damage management strategies, techniques, and tools and

apply them to specific situations.

• The Migratory Bird Treaty Act (MBTA), Endangered Species Act, National

Environmental Policy Act, and Federal Air Regulations.

• 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,

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:

• Designing a wildlife survey program that detects spatial and temporal differences in

wildlife abundance and provides a suitable index of wildlife hazards at airports.

• 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

2 years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to a masters degree or masters or

equivalent graduate degree in Wildlife Biology, Wildlife Ecology, 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.

• 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/classificationqualifications/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

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 certification as an Airport Wildlife Biologist.

• 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/fairand- 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 this

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 workplace 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 to masking, physical distancing, testing, travel, and quarantine.