Biologist.

Duties

There is one vacancy located in the Fish and Wildlife Service's Headquarters Ecological Services Office. The preferred duty location for this position is Baileys Crossroads, Virginia. However, following location negotiations with management, the selectee may be placed in a duty location within a Fish and Wildlife Service Regional Office, or an associated Ecological Services Field Office at the discretion of management. The incumbent will NOT be allowed to work remotely (i.e. from place of residence) on a permanent basis. The salary will be based upon duty station and locality pay once selected. Additional questions regarding placement should be reserved for the interview process.

Salary: The salary may vary depending on locality. Locality tables may be found

As a Biologist your duties will include but are not limited to the following:

• Provide scientific analytical support to U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) offices throughout the country that are completing Species Status Assessment (SSAs).
• Use qualitative and quantitative analytical methods to analyze findings of existing biological data, often times for species that are data poor.
• Apply technical skills (e.g., in data management, statistical analyses, spatial modeling, genetics, wildfire risk modeling, hydrological modeling, or climate science) to support science-based decisions using the SSA Framework and processes.
• Provide expertise with a customer service approach and ensure Branch products are communicated in ways that are useful and understandable to decision makers.
• Assist with the development of national training materials and guidance and interact with Department of Interior officials at briefings and meetings.

Requirements

Conditions of Employment

• Must be a U.S. Citizen or National.
• Resume (See "Required Documents"). Failure to provide ALL required information on your resume will result in loss of consideration due to an incomplete application package. It is your responsibility to ensure all information is provided on resume.
• Eligibility and Supporting documents - You will ONLY be considered for the eligibilities that you select "yes" to AND submit the required supporting documentation, as listed in the Required Documents section.
• Suitability for employment, as determined by background investigation.
• Driver's License: Selectees MAY be required to possess and maintain a valid State driver's license at all times during their tenure.
• Uniform: Official U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service uniform MAY be required.
• Probationary Period: Selectees MAY be required to successfully complete a probationary period.
• Individuals assigned male at birth after 12-31-59 must be registered for the Selective Service. To verify registration visit SSS.gov.

Qualifications

Only experience and education obtained by 08/12/2024 will be considered.

In order to qualify for this position, you must possess both the Basic Requirement and Minimum Qualification.

Basic Requirement

• Bachelor's Degree: biological sciences, agriculture, natural resource management, chemistry, or related disciplines appropriate to the position. -OR-
• Combination of education and experience: Courses equivalent to a major, as shown in A above, plus appropriate experience or additional education.

Minimum Qualification [GS-12]:

• One year of specialized experience comparable in scope and responsibility equivalent to grade GS-11 in the Federal service. Experience includes preparing and providing analytical support for Endangered Species Act (ESA) and/or Species Status Assessment related documents; participates on teams reviewing scientific and biological data to ensure reliability, credibility, or overall quality; applying the principles and regulations which govern the ESA and other pertinent natural resources management statutes; interprets biological and commercial information to draw conclusions to assess and inform management actions and decisions. NOTE: Your resume must contain sufficient information in these areas to be found qualified.

Minimum Qualification [GS-13]:

• One year of specialized experience comparable in scope and responsibility equivalent to grade GS-12 in the Federal service. Experience includes reviewing, evaluating, analyzing and preparing Endangered Species Act (ESA) and/or Species Status Assessment (SSA) related documents; provides technical review of teams evaluating scientific and biological data ensuring reliability, credibility, or overall quality; serving as a technical advisor and analyst on the ESA or SSA for other Service staff, government agencies, land owners, private interest groups, etc.; performs a variety of assessment techniques on qualitative and quantitative findings to inform decisions. NOTE: Your resume must contain sufficient information in these areas to be found qualified.

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.

FOREIGN EDUCATION: 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. For further information, visit:

Additional information

Location Negotiable: The preferred duty location for this position is Baileys Crossroads, Virginia. However, following location negotiations with management, the selectee may be placed in a duty location within a Fish and Wildlife Service Regional Office, or an associated Ecological Services Field Office at the discretion of management. The incumbent will NOT be allowed to work remotely (i.e. from place of residence) on a permanent basis. The salary will be based upon duty station and locality pay once selected.

PCS Information: Yes, entitlements for payment of basic moving expenses, as required and to the extent allowed by the Federal Travel Regulation (FTR) 302-3.101, are authorized for eligible applicants changing duty station when the change meets the distance tests as provided in FTR 302-1.1 and 302-2.6. All moving expenses are taxable.

• In addition, relocation discretionary entitlements MAY be authorized for this position excluding contractor-provided home sale.

Telework: This position is suitable for telework and may be allowed to telework with supervisory approval.

Additional Vacancies: One or more positions may be filled from applications received under this announcement in the advertised office or other U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service offices in the local commuting area.

Career Transition Assistance Plan (CTAP) or Interagency Career Transition Assistance Plan (ICTAP): Department of Interior (DOI) Career Transition Assistance Plan (CTAP) procedures apply in filling this vacancy. CTAP or ICTAP applicants must be determined to be well-qualified for this position in order to receive special selection priority. To be well-qualified, a CTAP or ICTAP applicant must meet the following: OPM qualification requirements for the position, all selective factors, where applicable; special OPM approved qualifying conditions for the position; is physically qualified with reasonable accommodation, where appropriate, to satisfactorily perform the duties of the position upon entry; and receives a rating of at least 85 on the questionnaire. For more information visit:

• A career with the U.S. government provides employees with a comprehensive benefits package. As a federal employee, you and your family will have access to a range of benefits that are designed to make your federal career very rewarding.

Eligibility for benefits depends on the type of position you hold and whether your position is full-time, part-time or intermittent. Contact the hiring agency for more information on the specific benefits offered.