Please see the following website for full job posting and application link: https://www.usajobs.gov/GetJob/ViewDetails/514601800
Summary
This position is part of the Division of Migratory Birds. As a Wildlife Biologist (Ornithology) you will be responsible for facilitating binational biological planning, evaluation, research, and habitat conservation activities for the Sonoran Joint Venture.
Applicants must have a professional working proficiency in Spanish.
Responsibilities
This announcement is being advertised concurrently under R2-19-10338449-LLP-MP for current and former federal employees serving under a competitive service career or career-conditional appointment or reinstatement eligible. You must apply to each announcement separately if you wish to be considered under both recruitment methods.
The duties of the position include but are not limited to:
- Leading the Sonoran Joint Venture (SJV) Science Working Group
- Maintaining and updating the Bird Conservation and Waterfowl Management appendices of the SJV Conservation implementation Plan
- Providing leadership to federal, state, and local conservation groups in the interpretation and implementation of the conservation objectives and priorities of the SJV Conservation Implementation Plan
- Developing, maintaining, and promoting SJV science databases
- Leading the process of review and ranking of the SJV Awards Program proposals
- Working with scientists in other agencies and organizations to identify research needs
- Developing or assisting in the development of grant proposals to obtain funding or other resources needed to advance the SJV’s understanding of landscape and bird resources of the SJV Region.
Conditions of Employment
- Must be a U.S. Citizen or National
- Males born after 12-31-59 must be registered for Selective Service
- Resume and supporting documents (See How To Apply)
- Suitability for employment, as determined by background investigation
- Official U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service uniform may be required
- May be required to successfully complete a probationary period
- Must possess and maintain a valid State driver’s license prior to operating Government-owned vehicles
- Must have a professional working proficiency in Spanish
Qualifications
SELECTIVE PLACEMENT FACTOR: Applicants must have a professional working proficiency in Spanish.
BASIC EDUCATION REQUIREMENT:
A. Must possess a Bachelor’s Degree with a major in a biological science that includes the following course work: 1) 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 2) 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; AND 3) at least 9 semester hours in botany or the related plant sciences. Please Note: If you select this response, please provide transcripts to show how you meet this requirement.
OR
B. Must have a combination of education and experience that is equivalent to a major in a biological science. This combination includes 1) at least 9 semester hours in wildlife subjects as described in “A” above; AND 2) 12 semester hours in zoology subjects as described in “A” above; AND 3) 9 semester hours in botany as described in “A” above. Please Note: If you select this response, you must submit transcripts to show how you meet the education requirement.
ADDITIONAL QUALIFICATION:
Must have one year of professional experience equivalent to the GS-11 level in the Federal service. Specialized experience includes: leading the development of a comprehensive conservation science and monitoring program in support of bird or natural resource conservation, including implementation, monitoring, and evaluation; building partnerships and relationships to increase collaboration and support for bird and habitat conservation, monitoring, and management; expertise in bird identification, bird survey/monitoring techniques, and bird ecology and natural history in arid landscapes, and applying this knowledge in the field.
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.
Education
PROOF OF EDUCATION: All applicants who are using education or a combination of education and experience to qualify must submit copies of official or unofficial transcripts which include grades, credit hours earned, major(s), grade point average or class ranking, institution name, and student name. If any required coursework is not easily recognizable on transcripts, or if you believe a portion of a particular course can be credited toward meeting an educational requirement, you must also provide a memorandum on letterhead from the institution’s registrar, dean, or other appropriate official stating the percentage of the course that should be considered to meet the requirement and the equivalent number of units. Unofficial transcripts are acceptable; however, if you are selected for the position, you will be required to produce the original official transcripts.
PASS/FAIL COURSES: If more than 10 percent of your undergraduate course work (credit hours) were taken on a pass/fail basis, your claim of superior academic achievement must be based upon class standing or membership in an honor society.
GRADUATE EDUCATION: One academic year of graduate education is considered to be the number of credits hours your graduate school has determined to represent one academic year of full-time study. Such study may have been performed on a full-time or part-time basis. If you cannot obtain your graduate school’s definition of one year of graduate study, 18 semester hours (or 27 quarter hours) should be considered as satisfying the requirement for one year of full-time graduate study.
How You Will Be Evaluated
You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.
Once the announcement has closed, a review of your resume and supporting documentation will be used to determine whether you meet the basic qualification requirements listed on this announcement. If you meet the basic qualifications your resume and supporting documentation will be compared against your responses to the assessment questionnaire to determine your level of experience. If, after reviewing your resume and/or supporting documentation, a determination is made that you have inflated your qualifications and/or experience which resulted in you being listed in the highest quality category, you may lose consideration, or be assigned to a lower quality category for this position. Please follow all instructions carefully when applying, errors or omissions may affect your eligibility.
Your qualifications will be evaluated on the following competencies (knowledge, skills, abilities and other characteristics):
1. Skill in developing and implementing conservation plans that include resource inventory, management strategies, objectives, implementation, and ongoing evaluation.
2. Ability to design and implement statistically valid biological monitoring programs and share the results of research findings.
3. Ability to use or direct the use of GIS to develop spatially-explicit conservation objectives and monitor progress toward those objectives.
4. Knowledge of bird research techniques.
5. Knowledge of advanced principles, concepts, theories, and methods of conservation biology and related sciences with emphasis on ornithology and migratory bird populations.
All qualified candidates will be assigned to a quality category. The category assignment is a measure of the degree in which your background matches the competencies required for this position. The category ratings for this position are:
Best Qualified
Well Qualified
Qualified
The Category Rating Process does not add veterans’ preference points or apply the “rule of three” but protects the rights of Veterans by placing them ahead of non-preference eligibles within each quality category. Veterans’ preference eligibles who meet the basic qualification requirements and who have a compensable service-connected disability of at least 10 percent will be listed in the highest quality category (except in the case of scientific or professional positions at the GS-09 level or higher).
If you are a veteran with preference eligibility and you are claiming 5-point veterans’ preference, you must attach a copy of your DD-214 showing you were honorably discharged. If you are claiming 10-point veterans’ preference, you must attach an SF-15,” Application for 10-Point Veterans’ Preference” in addition to the proof required by that form.
Required Documents
To apply for this position, you must submit a complete Application Package which includes:
- Resume or Application. At a minimum, your resume MUST contain job title (include job series and grade, if federal), duties, starting and ending dates (month and year), hours worked per week, and salary. USAJOBS has a template to ensure a complete resume. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8YX7o1PBoFk
- Other supporting documents:
- Cover Letter, optional
- Official or unofficial College Transcript(s), if the position has education requirements, or if you are using your education to qualify. Education must be accredited by an accrediting institution recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. A copy of your official transcripts will be required if you are selected. If you are using education completed in foreign colleges or universities to meet the qualification requirements, you must show 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://http://www.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ous/international/usnei/us/edlite-visitus-forrecog.html
- Veterans’ Preference documentation, if applicable (e.g., DD-214 Member Copy 4 showing type of discharge/character of service, SF-15 Form and related documentation, VA letter, etc.)
- If applicable, documentation/proof that you are eligible Career Transition Assistance Program/Interagency Career Transition Assistance Program documentation, if applicable (e.g., Certification of Expected Separation, Reduction-In-Force Separation Notice, or Notice of Proposed Removal; SF-50 that documents the RIF separation action; and most recent performance appraisal.)
If you are relying on your education to meet qualification requirements:
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. Therefore, provide only the attendance and/or degrees from schools accredited by accrediting institutions recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.
Failure to provide all of the required information as stated in this vacancy announcement may result in an ineligible rating or may affect the overall rating.