Job Title:Biologist (Endangered Species)

Department:Department Of The Interior

Agency:Interior, US Fish and Wildlife Service

Job Announcement Number:FS-1289720-KB15

JOB SUMMARY:

U. S. Fish and Wildlife Service
Conserving the Nature of America

The primary purpose of this position is to determine the impact and effect of land and water development projects on fish and wildlife resources to assist in making recommendations for remediation or decisions to modify major land and water development plans.
APPLICATIONS WILL BE ACCEPTED FROM:
1) All U.S. Citizens;
2) Status Candidates – this includes current Federal employees who serve under a competitive career or career-conditional appointment in the competitive service, reinstatement eligibles (former Federal employees who served under a career appointment in the competitive service) and VEOA eligibles (veterans with preference and veterans who have been honorably discharged and substantially completed at least 3 years of continuous active duty service.  Please apply under occupational specialty 002 if you meet the criteria mentioned above; and
3) Noncompetitive and Special Hiring Authorities – this includes applicants who are eligible for noncompetitive or special appointment authorities such as: 30% or more compensably disabled veterans, Veterans’ Recruitment Appointment (VRA – for positions at GS-11 and below), and persons with disabilities (Schedule A), military spouse preference, Federal employees in excepted positions covered under an interchange agreement, and other eligible special hiring authorities (such as Peace Corps, Boren Fellows, etc.). This also includes applicants who previously held, or currently hold, this grade or higher with the same promotion potential as announced for this position. For more information about special hiring authorities, visit http://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/hiring-authorities/competitive-hiring/#url=Types-of-Appointments. Please apply under occupational specialty 003 if you meet the criteria mentioned above.
Documentation to verify your eligibility under Noncompetitive and Special Hiring Authorities or as a Status Candidate needs to be submitted with your application in order to be considered.
More than one vacancy may be filled through this announcement should the need arise.
Full Performance Level: GS-11

TRAVEL REQUIRED

• Occasional Travel
• You may be required to travel occasionally to make site visits and attend training.

RELOCATION AUTHORIZED

• No

KEY REQUIREMENTS

• U. S. Citizenship is required.
• Successful completion of a background investigation is required.
• An initial one-year probationary period is required.
• Travel/Relocation expenses are not authorized for this position.

DUTIES:

Back to top

Major Duties, include but are not limited to:

• Planning and conducting investigations of proposed land use management and development projects to determine the impacts on trust resources, including listed, proposed and candidate species, and to determine the appropriate conservation and mitigation measures for affected trust resources.
• Evaluating and commenting on Federal Agency projects, including U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Bureau of Reclamation and Federal Highways, in accordance with the applicable Federal laws such as Endangered Species Act, Fish and Wildlife Coordination Act, Clean Water Act, and National Environmental Policy Act and other environmental laws to ensure legal standards and other requirements are met and implemented in a manner beneficial to fish and wildlife resources.
• Gathering, organizing, analyzing and interpreting biological, ecological, and other scientific information; and conducting investigations of the status, life requirements, habitat availability, and improvement and recovery needs of various fish and wildlife species.
• Drawing sound conclusions and making recommendations on the effects of development projects on trust resources; and developing and preparing objective scientific reports, briefings, correspondence and other technical documents on a wide variety of topics related to projects affecting fish, wildlife and plant resources.
• Representing the Service at public meetings, conferences, negotiation sessions, and other public forums and limited access meetings to explain Service positions and negotiate agreements for conserving trust resources with other agencies and private interests.

If selected to fill this position at the GS-09 grade level, your duties will be the same as those listed above, but under closer supervision until the full performance level of GS-11 is achieved

QUALIFICATIONS REQUIRED:

Back to top

BASIC QUALIFICATION REQUIREMENT – You must meet one of the following Basic Qualification Requirements:

A. Have successfully completed a full 4-year course of study in an accredited college or university leading to a bachelor’s or higher degree in biological sciences, agriculture, natural resource management, chemistry, or related disciplines appropriate to the position.

Note: You must submit a copy of your college transcripts (official or unofficial) to document meeting this requirement.

OR

B. Have a combination of education and experience equivalent to a major (i.e., at least 30 semester hours), in biological science agriculture, natural resource management, chemistry, or directly related disciplines appropriate to the position, as shown in A above, plus appropriate experience or additional education. The quality of the combination of education and experience must be sufficient to demonstrate that you possess the knowledge, skills, and abilities comparable to those normally acquired through the successful completion of a full 4-year course of study.  Note: You must submit a copy of your college transcripts (official or unofficial), and your resume must show where, when and how you performed biology work related to endangered species to document how you meet the Basic Qualification requirement through a combination of education and experience.

ADDITIONAL QUALIFICATION REQUIREMENT, GS-09: In addition to meeting the Basic Qualifications listed above, you must also meet the following additional qualification requirement for the GS-09 grade level:

A. Have at least one year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-07 grade level in the federal Government (can be obtained in the public or private sector).  This experience must include activities such as: 1) applying and adapting scientific, biological, and ecological methods, procedures, and techniques to make day-to-day decisions where standard methods and procedures do not apply; 2) conducting portions of data analysis to assist higher graded Biologist in determining the effect of land and water development projects on fish and wildlife resources; 3) utilizing GIS and statistics to gather, evaluate, and conduct data analysis; and 4) communicating orally and in writing to present data and its analysis and to write objective reports requiring minimum review and editing.  NOTE: Your resume must show where, when and how you performed these duties.

OR

B. Have successfully completed two (2) full years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to a master’s degree, or master’s or equivalent graduate degree in biological sciences, agriculture, natural resource management, chemistry, or directly related disciplines appropriate to the position which equipped you with the knowledge, skills and abilities to successfully perform the duties of this position.  NOTE: You must submit a copy of your college transcripts (official or unofficial).

OR

C. Have a combination of graduate education and specialized experience.  To combine education and experience, first take the number of semester hours or equivalent earned towards a graduate degree, in excess of 18 semester hours, and divide by 18 semester hours or equivalent. Then take the number of months of experience and divide by 12 months. Add the percentages together. The total must equal at least 100 percent to qualify.  NOTE: You must submit a copy of your college transcripts (official or unofficial), and your resume must show where, when and how you performed the specialized experience defined in item A above to document meeting the Additional Qualification requirement through a combination of education and experience.

ADDITIONAL QUALIFICATION REQUIREMENT, GS-11: In addition to meeting the Basic Qualifications listed above, you must also meet the following additional qualification requirement for the GS-11 grade level:

A. Have at least one full year of specialized experience comparable in scope and responsibility to the GS-09 level in the Federal service (can be obtained in either the public or private sectors); performing all of the following: 1) applying a wide range of techniques and procedures to the solution of problems affecting natural resources utilizing scientific, biological, and ecological principles, methodologies and practices; 2) determining the effect of land and water development projects on fish and wildlife resources; 3) utilizing GIS and statistics to conduct data analysis to assess the impact of proposed projects on resources; 4) utilizing problem solving skills to recognize critical trends in natural resources, assess, select, and make optimal use of precedents and available data, and to draw sound conclusion as to recommended actions; and 5) communicating orally and in writing to present data and its analysis and to write objective reports requiring minimum review and editing.  NOTE: Your resume must show where, when and how you performed these duties.

OR

B. Successful completion of 3 years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to a Ph.D. degree or a Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree in biological sciences, agriculture, natural resource management, chemistry, or directly related disciplines appropriate to the position.  NOTE: You must submit transcripts (official or unofficial).

OR

C. Have a combination of the type of experience described in A above and the type of education described in B above.  To combine education and experience, first take the number of semester hours or equivalent earned towards a graduate degree, in excess of 36 semester hours, and divide by 18 semester hours or equivalent. Then take the number of months of experience and divide by 12 months. Add the percentages together.  The total must equal at least 100 percent to qualify.  NOTE: You must submit official or unofficial transcripts and your resume must show where, when and how you performed the duties as described in item A above.

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; or 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: For any college courses, graduate work, research, thesis or other non-descript courses listed on your transcript (such as “Independent Research”), please indicate through your resume or attachment memorandum from an academic professor how each course fulfills the specific education requirement, i.e., state number of semester hours credited, topic of study, grade earned.

NOTE: Education must be accredited by an accrediting institution recognized by the U.S. Department of Education in order for it to be credited towards qualifications (particularly positions with a positive education requirement). All education claimed by applicants will be verified by the appointing agency accordingly. Applicants can verify accreditation at http://www2.ed.gov/admins/finaid/accred/index.html

Special Instructions For Foreign Education:  If you are using education completed in foreign colleges or universities to meet the 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 http://www.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ous/international/usnei/us/edlite-visitus-forrecog.html.
Time-in-Grade Requirements: Under competitive merit promotion procedures, any individual who is currently holding, or who has held within the previous 52 weeks, a General Schedule position under non-temporary appointment in the competitive or excepted service must meet time in grade requirements (have served 52 weeks at the next lower grade in the Federal service). Some exclusions are found in 5 CFR 300.602. You must include an SF-50 (you may need to submit more than one) that supports meeting this requirement with your application package.
All qualifications and time-in-grade requirements must be met by the closing date of this announcement.

HOW YOU WILL BE EVALUATED:

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. If a determination is made that you have inflated your qualifications and or experience, you may lose consideration for this position. Please follow all instructions carefully; errors or omissions may affect your rating.
Candidates who apply under All U.S. Citizens procedures will be rated and ranked using Category Rating procedures. These procedures place candidates with veteran’s preference above non-preference eligibles within each category, and veterans with a service-connected disability of at least 10 percent are listed in the highest quality category. Under Category Rating, candidates will be rated and ranked into one of three categories:
•Highly Qualified – applicants possessing experience that substantially exceeds the minimum qualifications of the position including all selective factors and are highly proficient in all requirements of the job and can perform effectively in the position;

•Well Qualified – applicants possessing experience that exceed the minimum qualifications of the position including all selective factors and are proficient in most of the requirements of the job; and

•Qualified – applicants possessing experience that meets the minimum qualifications of the position including all selective factors and are proficient in some, but not all of the requirements of the job.

Candidates who apply under Competitive Merit Promotion procedures will undergo a quality review to determine if they are highly qualified based on the content of their resume and their responses to the questionnaire. Highly qualified candidates will be referred if all required supporting documentation has been provided.
Candidate who apply under Noncompetitive and Special Hiring Authorities procedures will undergo a quality review to determine if they are minimally qualified based on the content of their resume and their responses to the questionnaire. Qualified candidates will be referred if all required supporting documentation has been provided.

All candidates will be evaluated against the following competencies:

1. Knowledge of and skill in conducting biological analysis and investigations.
2. Knowledge of and skill in locating, organizing and analyzing scientific data.
3. Skill in oral communication
4. Skill in written communication

BENEFITS:

Back to top

The Federal Government offers a comprehensive benefits package. Explore the major benefits offered to most Federal employees at https://help.usajobs.gov/index.php/Pay_and_Benefits#icc.

OTHER INFORMATION:

HOW TO CLAIM VETERANS PREFERENCE (FedsHireVets.gov):
If you are a Discharged, Non-Disabled Veteran, you must submit a copy of your DD-214 showing character of discharge (Member 4 copy), or other Documentation of Service and Separation under Honorable Conditions, as listed on the SF-15 found at http://www.opm.gov/forms/pdf_fill/sf15.pdf. If you don’t have your DD-214, you may request it after discharge from the National Archives at www.archives.gov/veterans.
If you are a veteran within 120 days of discharge, you must submit signed documentation from the Armed Forces certifying: 1) your expected release/retirement from active duty, 2) under honorable conditions, 3) your pay grade/rank/rate at time of discharge, 4) dates of active duty service, 5) any campaign or expeditionary medals received, 6) dated within 120 days of your separation.
If you are a Disabled Veteran, Purple Heart Recipient, or Mother or Spouse of a Disabled or Deceased Veteran, you must submit all additional proof required by the SF15, and if applicable, a completed SF-15. If you don’t have your Department of Veterans Affairs letter establishing proof of disability, you may request it at www.ebenefits.va.gov or call 1-800-827-1000.
Males born after 12-31-1959 must be registered or exempt from www.sss.gov.
All qualification requirements must be met by the closing date of this announcement.

HOW TO APPLY:

Back to top

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

1.Your Résumé and other supporting documents specified in the Required Documents section below.
2.A complete Assessment Questionnaire
A complete Application Package must be received by 11:59 PM, Eastern Time, on the closing date of Wednesday, February 04, 2015.
* To begin the process, click the Apply Online button to create a USAJOBS account or log in to your existing account. Follow the prompts to select your USAJOBS resume and/or other documents and complete the assessment questionnaire. Please ensure you click the Submit My Answers button at the end of the process.

* It is your responsibility to ensure your responses and appropriate documentation are submitted prior to the closing date.

* To verify your application is complete, log into your USAJOBS account, https://my.usajobs.gov/Account/Login, select the Application Status link and then select the more information link for this position. The Details page will display the status of your application, the documentation received and processed, and any correspondence the agency has sent related to this application. Your uploaded documents may take several hours to clear the virus scan process.

* To return to an incomplete application, log into your USAJOBS account and click Update Application in the job announcement. You must re-select your resume and/or other documents from your USAJOBS account or your application will be incomplete.

To fax supporting documents you are unable to upload, complete this cover page http://staffing.opm.gov/pdf/usascover.pdf using the following Vacancy ID 1289720. 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 http://www.opm.gov./forms/pdf_fill/OPM1203fx.pdf 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:

The following documents are required and must be received by the closing date of this announcement:
1.Your Résumé
2.A complete Assessment Questionnaire
3.Other Supporting Documents (No Photos Please):

•Veterans Preference Documentation, if applicable.
•College transcripts, to support meeting the Basic Qualification requirement and/or if qualifying based on education to meet the Additional Qualification requirement.
•Current or former Federal employees MUST submit a copy of their SF-50 Form which shows position title, pay plan, series, grade, tenure group, position occupied (competitive/excepted), agency, and salary. If you are applying for a higher grade, please provide the SF-50 Form(s) which demonstrates serving 52 weeks at the next lower level, or at the highest grade level achieved. If you have promotion potential in your current position, please provide proof. THERE MAY BE SITUATIONS WHERE MORE THAN ONE SF-50 IS NEEDED TO VERIFY TIME-IN-GRADE REQUIREMENTS AS WELL AS ELIGIBILITY FOR CONSIDERATION. IF YOU DO NOT SUBMIT SUFFICIENT REQUIRED DOCUMENTATION, YOU WILL NOT RECEIVE CONSIDERATION AS A STATUS CANDIDATE.
•Documentation of your eligibility to apply as a Noncompetitive candidate or under a Special Appointing Authority, if applicable. Employees applying with an interchange agreement must provide proof of their permanent appointment. THERE MAY BE SITUATIONS WHERE MORE THAN ONE SF-50 IS NEEDED TO VERIFY ELIGIBILITY FOR CONSIDERATION. IF YOU DO NOT SUBMIT SUFFICIENT REQUIRED DOCUMENTATION, YOU WILL NOT RECEIVE CONSIDERATION AS A NONCOMPETITIVE CANDIDATE.
If you are a displaced Federal employee within in the local commute area of this announcement, you must include ALL the following documents to receive Interagency/Career Transition Assistance Plan consideration for this vacancy:
1. Proof you are a displaced Federal employee under 5 CFR 330.702, e.g., one of the following: RIF Separation Notice; Notice of Proposed Removal for Declining a Transfer of Function; Agency certification of inability to place after termination of work-related disability compensation; OPM Notice of Termination of Disability Annuity; or certification of a Military Reserve Technician or National Guard Technician special disability retirement annuity.
2. SF-50s (Notification of Personnel Action) sufficient to show all of the following: 1) that you held career/career-conditional competitive status in your position of record; 2) the promotional potential of your position of record; and 3) the duty location of your position of record. NOTE: You may need to submit more than one SF-50.
3. Most Recent Performance Appraisal. This requirement does not apply if you qualify for ICTAP due to injury compensation or disability annuity.
Interagency/Career Transition Assistance Plan (I/CTAP): To exercise selection priority for this vacancy, displaced or surplus Federal employees must be rated well-qualified or above in accordance with the agency’s merit promotion procedures on the rating criteria for this position. For further information about the I/CTAP programs, visit http://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/workforce-restructuring/employee-guide-to-career-transition/.

AGENCY CONTACT INFO:

Karen R. Brown
Phone: (209)951-0646
Email: KAREN.BROWN@OPM.GOV

Agency Information:
USOPM San Francisco Services Branch
San Francisco Federal Building
90 Seventh Street Suite 13-300
San Francisco, CA
94103

WHAT TO EXPECT NEXT:

Once the online questionnaire is received you will receive an acknowledgement email that your submission was successful. If your name is referred to the hiring official, you may be contacted directly by that office for a possible interview. You will receive notice via email or mail when this process is completed (generally 4-6 weeks).