Fish and Wildlife Biologist

All qualifications must be met by the closing date of this announcement-11/04/2026-unless otherwise stated in this vacancy announcement. To receive credit for experience, your resume MUST state either "full-time" (or "40 hours a week") or "part-time" with the number of hours worked per week to ensure proper crediting of specialized experience.

Failure to adequately provide information needed to determine number of hours worked in each position may result in that time not being credited when evaluating qualifying experience. For periods of time that reflect military service, the DD-214 or Statement of Service is sufficient to meet the full and/or part-time hours requirement as the service dates will be reflected.

Minimum Qualification Requirements: To qualify for this position, you must meet the following minimum qualifications: Basic Educational Requirement AND Specialized Experience for the series to which you are applying. Basic Educational Requirements: In addition to the specialized experience requirements for this position, you must meet at least one of the following: A. Degree in biological sciences, agriculture, natural resource management, chemistry, or related disciplines appropriate to the position.

You must submit transcripts. B. Combination of education and experience that includes coursework equivalent to a major (e.g., 24 semester/36 quarter hours or school equivalent) in biological sciences, agriculture, natural resource management, chemistry, or related disciplines as shown in A above, PLUS appropriate experience or additional education.

This combination of education and experience is comparable to that normally acquired through the successful completion of a full 4-year course of study with a major in the appropriate field as described in A above. AND Specialized Experience: To qualify for this position at the GS-11 grade level: Minimum Qualifications [GS-11]: One year of specialized experience, equivalent to at least the GS-09 grade level in the Federal service.

Specialized experience is defined as demonstrated experience: (1) conducting investigations of moderate complexity to determine the impact of various land and water development projects upon the fish and/or wildlife resources of an area; (2) assisting in developing comprehensive fish and/or wildlife management plans; (3) assisting in preparing and reviewing biological implications of environmental assessment/impact statements or comprehensive resource planning reports to evaluate environmental consequences of proposed actions; (4) implementing federal environmental laws (i.e., Endangered Species Act, Clean Water Act; Fish and Wildlife Coordination Act; National Environmental Policy Act; Marine Mammal Protection Act), regulations, and policies involving natural resource issues.

You must include hours per week worked. OR Three years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to a Ph.D. degree or Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree in a discipline directly related to the position. OR A combination of specialized experience and graduate education as described above that, when combined, equals 100% of the total requirement.

To qualify for this position at the GS-12 grade level: Minimum Qualifications [GS-12]: One year of specialized experience comparable in scope and responsibility to the GS-11 grade level in the Federal service performing work in or directly related to the position to be filled.

Specialized experience is defined as demonstrated experience: (1) implementing conservation strategies, recovery plans, or risk analyses pursuant to federal environmental laws (i.e., Endangered Species Act, Clean Water Act; Fish and Wildlife Coordination Act; National Environmental Policy Act; Marine Mammal Protection Act), regulations, and policies involving natural resource issues; (2) providing technical leadership with actions and restoration initiatives in estuarine systems regarding threatened and endangered species; (3) analyzing and coordinating the development of endangered species conservation initiatives in coordination with other agencies (Federal, state, local), organizations, and the public; (4) preparing and reviewing written correspondence, reports, or papers on natural resource impacts for publication based on literature, observations made, and investigations results; (5) conducting risk assessments related to potential management- or development-related impacts to habitats of threatened and endangered species.

You must include hours per week worked. Volunteer Experience: 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.

As a Fish and Wildlife Biologist your duties will include but are not limited to the following: Coordinates and facilitates activities pursuant to the Marine Mammals Protection Act. Writes Incidental Take Authorizations under the Marine Mammals Protection Act. Provides guidance to, and directs and evaluates the work of, journey level and other lower-graded biologists in matters pertinent to areas of special expertise.

Acts as technical advisor to other Field Office staff on northern sea otters, polar bears and Pacific walrus. Consults with staff in preparation of mitigation measures and conservation recommendations. Coordinates wide ranging initiatives involving other Federal and state agencies, organizations, and the public.

Plans, investigates, conducts, and reviews on-site ecological investigations on a wide variety of the most complex and diverse Federal land and water resource development proposals to determine their effects on fish and wildlife resources, with special emphasis on polar bears, Pacific walrus and northern sea otters in Alaska. Promotion Potential: This position involves a multi-grade career ladder. The major duties listed represent the full performance level of GS-12.

At lower grade levels, you will perform assignments of a more limited scope and with less independence. You will progressively acquire the background necessary to perform at the full performance level of GS-12. Promotion is at the discretion of the supervisor and is contingent upon satisfactory performance, availability of higher level work, and availability of funds. The selectee may be promoted without further competition when all regulatory, qualification, and performance requirements are met.

Selection at a lower grade level does not guarantee promotion to the full performance level.