Assistant Director - Ecological Services

Full Job Description

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) works with others to conserve, protect, and enhance fish, wildlife, plants, and habitats for the American people.

FWS responsibilities are to protect and conserve migratory birds, endangered species, and marine mammals and fish.

FWS partners with farmers and ranchers, State and local governments, Federal agencies, Tribes, citizen volunteers, corporations, and conservation groups to accomplish its mission.

You can find additional information at WWW.FWS.GOV You must meet all qualification requirements outlined within this vacancy by 11:59 PM (EST) on 05/15/2026 of this announcement.

Educational Requirement As a basic requirement, applicants MUST have: A. Degree: Biological sciences, agriculture, natural resource management, or related disciplines appropriate to the position; OR B.

Combination of education and experience: Courses equivalent to a major, or at least 30 semester hours in courses, as shown in A above, plus appropriate experience or additional education; OR C.

Experience: Four years of experience that demonstrated that the applicant acquired knowledge and understanding of one or more of the biological sciences, agriculture, natural resource management, or related disciplines equivalent to that which would have been acquired through completion of a 4-year course of study as described in A above.

As a basic requirement for entry into the Senior Executive Service (SES), you must show in your resume evidence of progressively responsible leadership that is indicative of senior executive level managerial capability and that is directly related to the skills and abilities outlined under the Executive Core Qualifications (ECQs) and Technical Qualifications (TQs) listed below.

To meet the minimum qualification requirements for this position, you must show that you possess the ECQs and TQs related to this position within your resume.

Resumes must not exceed 2 pages and resumes over the 2-page limit will not be reviewed.

Your resume should include examples of experience, education, and accomplishments applicable to the qualification(s).

If your resume does not reflect demonstrated evidence of these qualifications, you will not receive consideration for the position.

It is recommended that your resume emphasize levels of responsibility, scope and complexity of programs managed, program accomplishments, and results.

You will be evaluated to determine if you meet the minimum qualifications required of the position.

Please be sure to give concrete examples of your experience and demonstrate the complexity of the knowledge you possess.

Separate narrative statements for the ECQs and TQs are not required and will not be reviewed if submitted.

EXECUTIVE CORE QUALIFICATIONS (ECQs): Below are descriptions of the ECQs that must be clearly demonstrated in your resume.

ECQ 1: Commitment to the Rule of Law and the Principles of the American Founding This core qualification requires a demonstrated knowledge of the American system of government, commitment to uphold the Constitution and the rule of law, and commitment to serve the American people.

Leadership Competencies: Knowledge of the American System of Government; Commitment to the Rule of Law; Civic-Mindedness ECQ 2: Driving Efficiency This core qualification involves the demonstrated ability to strategically and efficiently manage resources, budget effectively, cut wasteful spending, and pursue efficiency through process and technological upgrades.

Leadership Competencies: Fiscal Responsibility; Managing Resources; Leveraging Technology ECQ 3: Merit and Competence This core qualification involves the demonstrated knowledge, ability and technical competence to effectively and reliably produce work that is of exceptional quality.

Leadership Competencies: Technical Skill; Problem Solving; Agility; Resilience ECQ 4: Leading People This core qualification involves the demonstrated ability to lead and inspire a group toward meeting the organization's vision, mission, and goals, and to drive a high-performance, high-accountability culture.

This includes, when necessary, the ability to lead people through change and to hold individuals accountable.

Leadership Competencies: Accountability; Developing Others; Executive Judgement ECQ 5: Achieving Results This core qualification involves the demonstrated ability to achieve both individual and organizational results, and to align results to stated goals from superiors.

Leadership Competencies: Operational Mindset; Innovation; Strategic Thinking TECHNICAL QUALIFICATIONS: Below are descriptions of the TQ's that must be clearly demonstrated in your resume.

TQ 1: Knowledge of and experience in applying principles of natural resources administration to drive innovation in the production of scientific data and development of regulatory reforms.

TQ 2: Experience leading multi-disciplinary teams to ensure all members remain accountable, productive, and customer focused. Major Duties:

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) is the only federal government agency whose primary responsibility is to manage fish and wildlife resources in the public trust.

These functions are frequently conducted in cooperation with Tribes, other Federal and state agencies, and non-governmental organizations, and other partners.

The Assistant Director for Ecological Services (AD-ES) provides leadership and oversight to an exceptionally complex and far reaching program area which focuses primarily on activities related to assisting other federal agencies and non-federal parties in complying with a variety of federal wildlife laws, including the Endangered Species Act (ESA), Marine Mammal Protection Act, Fish and Wildlife Coordination Act, Federal Power Act, Coastal Barrier Resources Act, Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act (CERCLA), and National Environmental Policy Act.

The incumbent must process and apply executive level expertise in the administration of environmental law and policy to direct and manage policy development within the rapidly changing social and political landscape of conservation in the Nation.

The AD-ES provides frequent counsel and recommendations to the Director and other members of the FWS Directorate on matters of policy and the implementation and management of specific issues within the program area.

ES Program activities are among the most complex and sensitive in all of natural resource management and are subject to constant litigation, frequent Congressional oversight, and extensive media interest and are often raised to the attention of the highest political levels in the United States including the DOI Secretary, the White House, and Congress.

On a regular and routine basis, the AD-ES represents FWS to high level officials including Assistant Secretaries, Representatives and Senators (and their staffs), state government officials, foreign leaders, and Presidents/CEOs of non-governmental organizations and businesses.

The AD-ES frequently testifies before Congress on legislation relative to the program and is often the spokesperson for National issues in the media involving the program area.