Supervisory Wildlife Biologist

Full Job Description

You will serve as an Assistant District Supervisor within the USDA, APHIS, Wildlife Services.

Primary duties involve assisting in the planning, recommending, organizing, and administering of operational and technical assistance programs designed to safely reduce wildlife damage that adversely impacts agricultural interests, human health and safety, property, and natural resources.

Applicants must meet all qualifications and eligibility requirements by the closing date of the announcement including time-in-grade restrictions, specialized experience and/or education, as defined below.

TIME-IN-GRADE: Current federal employees applying for a promotion opportunity must meet time-in-grade (TIG) requirement of 52 weeks of service at the next lower grade level in the normal line of progression for the position being filled.

BASIC REQUIREMENT: A.

Degree: - Biological science 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.

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.

FOR THE GS-07 LEVEL: Applicants must have one year of specialized experience (equivalent to the GS-5 grade level) that demonstrates: Designing a wildlife survey program that detects spatial and temporal differences in wildlife abundance and provides a suitable index of conflicts with wildlife.

Experience leading a team, including developing and providing training in wildlife damage mitigation.

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 1 year of graduate-level education 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 1) have a class standing in the upper third of the graduating class, 2) membership in a national scholastic honor society (excluding Freshman honor societies), or 3) must meet certain GPA requirements.

GPA requirements: 3.0 or higher out of a possible 4.0 as recorded on official transcripts or as computed based on 4 years of education, or courses completed during the final 2 year of the curriculum; OR 3.5 or higher out of a possible 4.0 based on the average of the required course completed in the major field or courses completed during the final 2 years of the curriculum (GPA will be rounded to one decimal place, e.g., 2.95 rounds to 3.0 and 2.94 rounds to 2.9).

Equivalent combinations of education and experience are qualifying for this grade level.

TRANSCRIPTS are required if: 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-07 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.

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 and can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment.

You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience. Major Duties:

• The duties described are for the full-performance level. At developmental grade levels, assignments will be of more limited scope, performed with less independence and limited complexity.
• The duties may include, but are not limited to:
• Utilizing standard and precedented methods and techniques, assists immediate supervisor in planning, organizing, coordinating, and executing a WS program within a work unit.
• Assists with the implementation of conventional strategic plans based on WS Directives and program needs
• Within the work unit, ensures compliance with the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), parallel State environmental laws, and other applicable Federal and State laws and regulations.
• With guidance from the supervisor, supports environmental compliance efforts through provision of information and review of administrative and project records, and environmental impact statements.
• May assist supervisor with tracking and managing budgets and funds provided for WDM operations of the work unit.
• Assists in the supervision of the work unit’s Federal employees and, in some cases, cooperative employees (collaborators), possibly including technicians, seasonal or intermittent personnel, and interns.
• Assists the supervisor in development of performance standards and evaluation and monitoring of work performance of subordinates.