Job Title:Wildlife Biologist

Job Title:Wildlife Biologist

Department:Department Of The Interior

Agency:Interior, US Fish and Wildlife Service

Job Announcement Number:PH-NM-12-744452

SALARYRANGE: / $63,271.00 to $98,586.00 / Per Year
OPEN PERIOD: / Thursday, September 20, 2012 to Thursday, October 11, 2012
SERIES & GRADE: / GS-0486-11/12
POSITION INFORMATION: / Full Time - Permanent
PROMOTION POTENTIAL:
12
DUTY LOCATIONS: / 1 vacancy in the following location:
Hadley, MAUnited States
WHO MAY BE CONSIDERED: / US Citizens and Status Candidates

JOB SUMMARY:

Wildlife Biologist, GS-0486-11/12

Working for the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service is more than a career. It is a commitment shared by more than 9,000 men and women representing a diverse range of professions, backgrounds, and specialties who are dedicated to conserving, protecting, and enhancing fish, wildlife, plants, and their habitats. From the Arctic Ocean to the South Pacific, the Atlantic to the Caribbean, Service personnel are working hard to ensure future generations will be able to enjoy nature's beauty and bounty.

You too can make a difference in our world. The work of the US Fish and Wildlife Service is meaningful and varied. Want to know more about what it is like to work for us? Click here to watch short podcasts entitled Meet Your New Boss and Diversity is our Strength

This announcement is open to both all U.S. citizens and merit promotion eligibles. You are eligible for merit promotion if you are a current career or career-conditional federal employee, former federal employee with reinstatement eligibility, or person eligible under Federal Special Hire Authorities. Veterans who are preference eligibles or who have been separated from the armed forces under honorable conditions after 3 or more years of continuous active service may apply under the Veterans Employment Opportunity Act (VEOA). Career Transition Assistance Program (CTAP) and Interagency Career Transition Assistance Plan (ICTAP) eligibles within the local commuting area of this vacancy may receive priority consideration.

One or more positions may be filled using this vacancy announcement.

KEY REQUIREMENTS

U.S. Citizenship is required.

A valid state driver's license is required.

Occasional travel for training or meetings is required.

PCS (Moving expenses) may be authorized. See Requirements.

DUTIES:

As a Wildlife Biologist in the Northeast Regional office of the Division of Migratory Birds/Joint Venture, you will be responsible for:

Coordinating and integrating the efforts of Federal and State agencies and non-governmental organizations in the development of strategies for and the implementation of conservation projects that meet the objectives of the Atlantic Coast Joint Venture (ACJV) strategic plan and other migratory bird conservation initiatives;

Developing and managing multiple large and diverse partnerships for conservation projects;

Providing technical assistance and guidance to partners in developing conservation project proposals for submission to the North American Wetlands Conservation Act or other national and regional habitat grants programs; and

Using biological planning and ecological models to set and measure progress towards population and habitat objectives

QUALIFICATIONS REQUIRED:

In order to be qualified for this position, you must meet the basic requirement:

A. A Bachelors or higher degree in biological sciences that included 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 -

B. A combination of education and experience which includes courses equivalent to a major in biological sciences (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 qualify for the GS-11 level, you must possess one of the following:

A. One year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-09 grade level in the federal service performing the following duties: implementing conservation plans for the protection of various bird species; collecting, analyzing, and evaluating data to make recommendations for the management activities; maintaining positive working relationships with key stakeholders; and using GIS technology to collect and analyze biological data. - OR -

B. A Ph.D degree or equivalent doctoral degree or successfully completed 3 years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to a Ph.D degree in a discipline directly related to the position. Such education provided me with the knowledge, skills and abilities to perform the duties of the position. - OR -

C. A combination of graduate education as described under letter C above and specialized experience identified under letter B above, which when combined, is equivalent to 100% of the qualification requirement. Only graduate education in excess of the Masters level may be used in this calculation. (Please review the vacancy announcement for information on how to combined education and experience.)

D. I do not meet the experience and/or education described in the statements above.

In addition, to qualify for the GS-12 level, you must possess one year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-11 grade level in the federal service performing the following duties: assisting with the planning of and independently implementing conservation plans for the protection of various bird species; reviewing data compiled by other researchers to determine its accuracy, reliability, or ensure it meets legal requirements; developing positive working relationships with key stakeholders; and monitoring project plans to ensure milestones are met and/or work meets quality and timelines goals.

ARE YOU USING YOUR EDUCATION TO QUALIFY? You MUST provide transcripts or other documentation to support your educational claims. Unless otherwise stated: (1) unofficial transcripts are acceptable, or (2) you may submit a list with all of your courses, grades, semester, year, and credit for the course. All materials must be submitted by the closing date of the announcement.

Foreign Education: For education completed in foreign colleges or universities to be used to meet qualification requirements, you must show that 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:

Only experience obtained by the closing date of this announcement will be considered.

Status candidates must meet time in grade requirements (52 weeks at the next lower grade level.)

PCS Move authorized for current career or career-conditional Federal employees as follows: Travel and Relocation expenses including reimbursable real estate expenses will be authorized in accordance with the Federal travel regulations excluding contractor-provided home sale.

All new employees of the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service must identify a financial institution for direct deposit of pay prior to appointment.

New employees who are expected to travel on official business are required to apply for a Government travel charge card within 30 days of their appointment.

A background security investigation MAY be required for all new hires. Appointment will be subject to the applicant's successful completion of a background security investigation and favorable adjudication. Failure to successfully meet these requirements will be grounds for termination.

Appointment to this position may require a one-year probationary period.

HOW YOU WILL BE EVALUATED:

Once the application process is complete, a review of your resume and supporting documentation will be made and compared against your responses to the assessment questionnaire to determine if you are qualified for this job. Applicants applying under "All U.S. Citizens" (DEU procedures) will be assessed under category rating procedures. Qualified candidates will be assigned to a quality category: Best Qualified, Well Qualified, or Qualified. Although veterans do not receive additional points, veterans' preference is still applied by placing them ahead of non-preference eligible within each category. Preference eligible who meet the minimum qualification requirements and who have a compensable service-connected disability of at least 10 per cent must be listed in the highest quality category (except in the case of scientific or professional positions at the GS-09 level or higher). Applicants applying under merit promotion procedures will receive a numeric rating based upon their responses to the assessment questionnaire. The category assignment and/or numeric rating serves as a measure of the degree in which your background matches the competencies required for this position. Please follow the instructions carefully. Errors or omissions may affect your category assignment. Your qualifications will be evaluated on the following competencies (knowledge, skills, abilities and other characteristics):

Technical Competence - Bird Conservation Principles and Practices

Technical Competence - Population Modeling

Project Management

Oral Communication

BENEFITS:

The Federal government offers a number of exceptional benefits to its employees. This link provides an overview of the benefits currently offered to Federal employees.

OTHER INFORMATION:

1. If you are a veteran with preference eligibility and you are claiming 5-points veterans' preference, you must submit a copy of your DD-214 or other proof of eligibility. If you are claiming 10-point veterans' preference, you must also submit an SF-15, "Application for 10-Point Veterans' Preference" plus the proof required by that form. For more information on veterans’ preference see

2. Males born after 12-31-59 must be registered or exempt from Selective Service (see ).

3. Interagency Career Transition Assistance Program (ICTAP): For information on how to apply as an ICTAP eligible see To be well-qualified and exercise selection priority for this vacancy, displaced Federal employees must be rated at 85 or above on the rating criteria for this position.

4. If you are eligible for a special appointment authority, such as those authorized for the severely disabled and certain Vietnam era and disabled veterans, and you meet the qualification requirements for this position, you may be able to receive additional consideration for this position under a non-competitive hiring authority. Please contact the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Region 5, Human Resources Office in Hadley, MA. (

For information regarding eligibility for special appointment authorities, refer to the following OPM website:

5. In addition to applying through competitive procedures certain applicants with disabilities may be considered non-competitively under a Schedule A hiring authority. To qualify for employment under Schedule A, an applicant must provide proof of disability and certification of job readiness. As proof of disability and certification of job readiness, applicants may provide records, statement, or other appropriate information issued from a licensed medical professional (e.g., a physician or other medical professional duly certified by a State, the District of Columbia, or a U.S. territory to practice medicine); a licensed vocational rehabilitation specialist (i.e., State or private); or an Federal agency, State agency, or an agency of the District of Columbia or a U.S. territory that issues or provides disability benefits. Proof of disability and certification of job readiness must be included in the application package.

HOW TO APPLY:

To apply for this position, you must provide a complete Application Package which includes:

1. Your Résumé

2. A complete Assessment Questionnaire

3. Other supporting documents:

- Veterans Preference Documentation, if applicable

- College transcript(s)

- SF-50, Notification of Personnel Action, if applicable

The complete Application Package must be submitted by 11:59 PM (EST) on Thursday, October 11, 2012.

To begin the process, click the Apply Online button to create an account or log in to your existing USAJOBS account. Follow the prompts to complete the assessment questionnaire. Please ensure you click the Submit My Answers button at the end of the process.

Note: To return to a previously Saved or Incomplete application you may use the following link:

To fax supporting documents you are unable to upload, complete this cover page using the following Vacancy ID 744452. Fax your documents to 1-478-757-3144.

If you cannot apply online:

1. Click the following link to view and print the assessment questionnaire View Occupational Questionnaire and
2. Print this 1203FX form to provide your response to the assessment questionnaire and
3. Fax the completed 1203FX form along with any supporting documents to 1-478-757-3144. Your 1203FX will serve as a cover page for your fax transmission.

REQUIRED DOCUMENTS:

For this job announcement the following documents are required:

Resume

Transcripts

Qualifications Questionnaire

Veterans documentation, if applicable

SF-50, Notice of Personnel Action, if applicable

AGENCY CONTACT INFO:

Philadelphia Services Branch
Phone: (215)861-3074
Email:

Agency Information:
Philadelphia Services Branch
US Office of Personnel Management
600 Arch Street
Philadelphia, PA
19106
USA

WHAT TO EXPECT NEXT:

Once the online questionnaire is received you will receive an acknowledgement email that your submission was successful. After a review of your complete application is made you will be notified of your rating and or referral to the hiring official. If further evaluation or interviews are required you will be contacted.

Control Number: 326145100