Wildlife Biologist

Summary The position is located in the Forest Supervisor's Office of the Helena-Lewis and Clark National Forest and serves as Forest Wildlife Biologist. For additional information about the duties of this position, please contact Molly Ryan at molly.ryan@usda.gov . Learn more about this agency Duties Help Reviews and provides guidance for the development of wildlife management plans and/or habitat management plans to ensure adherence to established laws, regional and local policies, and Forest Service regulations and standards. Inspects habitat improvement projects for compliance with approved plans and recommends habitat protection or improvements. Serves as the budget coordinator in assigned program areas and leads development of the budget and annual program of work. Participates on interdisciplinary teams for evaluating the impact of Forest Service or non-Forest Service activities on National Forest System lands. Reviews Out-Service reports and requests information pertinent to the Environmental Analysis Reports and other NEPA required documents to determine the adequacy of coordination with wildlife/TES needs. Conducts and monitors special studies on the habitat of unique, rare, threatened and endangered species. Identifies wildlife resource problems; proposes corrective action to management staff and provides leadership and direction in initiating programs to solve problems. Serves as the Forest's primary contact and maintains and develops relationships with other governmental entities, and external organizations. Prepares project work plans and coordinates project work with other District and other S.O. personnel in relation to other multiple-use management of forest resources, such as timber, recreation, and minerals management. Requirements Help Conditions of employment Must be a U.S. Citizen or National. Males born after 12/31/1959 must be Selective Service registered or exempt. Subject to satisfactory adjudication of background investigation and/or fingerprint check. Successful completion of one-year probationary period, unless previously served. Refer to the Next Steps section for more information. Per Public Law 104-134 all Federal employees are required to have federal payments made by direct deposit to their financial institution. Successfully pass the E-Verify employment verification check. To learn more about E-Verify, including your rights and responsibilities, visit e-verify.gov Qualifications In order to qualify, you must meet the eligibility and qualifications requirements as defined below by the closing date of the announcement. For more information on the qualifications for this position, visit the Office of Personnel Management's General Schedule Qualification Standards. Your application and resume must clearly show that you possess the experience requirements. Transcripts must be provided for qualifications based on education. Provide course descriptions as necessary.

Basic Requirement:

GS-0486

Series Degree:

Successful completion of a full 4-year course of study in an accredited college or university leading to a bachelor's or higher degree that included a major field of study in 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 A 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 meeting the basic requirement, you must also possess experience and/or directly related education in the amounts listed below.

Specialized Experience Requirement:

For the GS-12 : Applicants must have one (1) year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the GS-11 grade level. Specialized experience is defined as meeting ONE (1) or more of the following: Studied, planned, and proposed wildlife management activities and coordinated/implemented approved resource management plans such as habitat improvement projects; Planned and conducted studies/projects, follow-up investigations, and evaluations, and recommended preventative or mitigative actions based on these studies; and/or Prepared environmental assessments based on analysis of study findings on the effects of management activities on wildlife resources. 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.

TIME IN GRADE REQUIREMENT

If you are a current federal employee in the General Schedule (GS) pay plan and applying for a promotion opportunity, you must meet time-in-grade (TIG) requirements of 52 weeks of service at the next lower grade level in the normal line of progression for the position being filled. This requirement must be met by the closing date of this announcement. Education See above Qualifications section for education requirements. Additional information Career Transition Assistance Plan (CTAP) or Reemployment Priority List (RPL): To exercise selection priority for this vacancy, CTAP/RPL candidates must meet the basic eligibility requirements and all selective factors. CTAP candidates must be rated and determined to be well qualified (or above) based on an evaluation of the competencies listed in the How You Will Be Evaluated section. When assessed through a score-based category rating method, CTAP applicants must receive a rating of at least 85 out of a possible 100. Land Management Workforce Flexibility Act (LMWFA) provides current or former temporary and term employees the opportunity to compete for permanent competitive service positions. Individuals must have more than 24 months of service without a break between appointments of two or more years and the last temporary or term appointment must have been with the Forest Service. Service must be in the competitive service and have been at a successful level of performance or better. Part-time and intermittent service will be credited only for time actually worked. Non-pay status such as leave without pay is credited for up to six months in a calendar year; anything beyond six months is not credited. Applicants are responsible for providing sufficient information/documentation to determine if the 24 month criteria is met. The Forest Service may use certain incentives and hiring flexibilities, currently offered by the Federal government, to attract highly qualified candidates. Additional Information is available on the OPM Website. Transfer of Station may be authorized. Final determination will be made at time of official job offer. This is a bargaining unit position and is represented by either NFFE, AFGE, or NAGE. Forest Service daycare facilities may be available. Government Housing may be available. We may select from this announcement or any other source to fill one or more vacancies. Multiple positions may be filled from this announcement. Expand Hide additional information Candidates should be committed to improving the efficiency of the Federal government, passionate about the ideals of our American republic, and committed to upholding the rule of law and the United States Constitution. Benefits Help 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. Opens in a new windowLearn more about federal benefits. 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.