Supervisory Wildlife Biologist (State Director)

Full Job Description

You will serve as a State Director of the California program within the Western Region of USDA, APHIS, WS.

Primary duties involve planning, developing, organizing, and administering complex operational and technical assistance programs designed to efficiently, effectively, and 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: 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 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 above, plus appropriate experience or additional education.

In addition to the basic requirement applicants must also possess: FOR THE GS-15 LEVEL: Applicants must have one year of specialized experience (equivalent to the GS-14 level) that may have been obtained in the private or public (local, county, state, Federal) sectors which demonstrates: Fostering and maintaining diverse long-term relationships with federal, state, and county agencies; municipalities; universities; organizations; and private entities to develop complex cooperative wildlife damage management projects.

Overseeing the planning, administration, and timely and effective execution of wildlife damage management projects to meet goals and objectives through oversight of a state program of federal employees, including subordinate supervisors, administrative staff, wildlife biologists, and technicians.

Leading programs to ensure planning, coordinating, and compliance with the National Environmental Policy Act, Migratory Bird Treaty Act, Endangered Species Act, and Federal Aviation Regulations for wildlife damage management activities conducted within a State.

Note: There is no education substitution for this grade level. TRANSCRIPTS are required: This position requires specific coursework or a degree in a specific field to be basically qualified.

This education must have been successfully completed and obtained from an accredited school, college, or university.

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 may include, but are not limited to:
• Plans, develop, organize, and administer complex operational and technical assistance Wildlife Services programs.
• Ensure that program objectives are accomplished within the limits of Federal, State/Territorial, and local laws and regulations, multiple funding mandates, and sound conservation and management principles.
• Prepares long-range work plans, work schedules and priorities, formulates budget estimates, and administers fund expenditures for highly diverse, complex, multi-funded programs.
• Leads strategic planning sessions with a work unit management team, comprised of subordinate supervisors and administrative staff, to evaluate specific objectives, needs, and program delivery and management effectiveness.
• Directs and oversee a large workforce of Federal and, in some cases, cooperative employees (collaborators), including subordinate supervisors, administrative staff, wildlife biologists, and more.
• Directs subordinate supervisors who each direct and supervise substantial workloads requiring coordination, integration and consolidation of administrative and complex technical work.