Wildlife Biologist

All qualifications must be met by the closing date of this announcement - 11/06/2026-unless otherwise stated in this vacancy announcement. Competitive candidates must also meet Time-in-Grade requirements as defined in 5 CFR 300, Subpart F. For current Federal employees, if hours worked per week are not included on your resume, you must submit a non-award SF-50 as part of your application to be used to validate your work schedule and determine the amount of specialized experience that you will be granted.

An award SF-50 will not be acceptable documentation for which to consider your amount of qualifying experience. For periods of time that reflect military service, the DD-214 or Statement of Service is sufficient to meet the work schedule requirement as the service dates will be reflected.

For all other applicants who are not current federal employees, 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.-AND- Minimum Qualification Requirements: To qualify for this position, you must meet the following minimum qualifications: Basic Educational Requirement AND/OR 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 science from an accredited college or university 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 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 9 semester hours in botany or the related plant sciences..

You must submit transcripts. -OR- B. Combination of education and experience: course work as shown in A above, plus appropriate experience or additional education. Specialized Experience: To qualify for this position at the GS-11 grade level: To qualify, you must possess at least one full year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-09 level in the Federal service (obtained in either the public or private sectors).

Specialized experience is defined as demonstrated experience: 1) Managing the biological program at a national wildlife refuge or other protected area by analyzing, evaluating, and selecting the appropriate techniques in the collection of biological data with an emphasis on wildlife population assessment, habitat management, or conservation plans; 2) Identifying and making recommendations to resolve wildlife management problems; 3) Providing technical advice relating to wildlife habitat management or conservation plans, wildlife species; 4) Preparing reports and making presentations on findings and recommendations concerning wildlife management issues; 5) analyzing and evaluating diverse environmental conditions; planning and conducting wildlife inventories, monitoring or research.

You must include hours per week worked. -OR- Education: Successful completion of at least three years of progressively higher-level graduate education leading to a Ph.D. degree or Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree. You must include transcripts. -OR- Combination: Have a combination of education and experience as listed above.

Specialized Experience: To qualify for this position at the GS-12 grade level: To qualify, you must possess at least one full year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-11 level in the Federal service (obtained in either the public or private sectors).

Specialized experience is defined as demonstrated experience: 1) Leading and managing the biological program at a national wildlife refuge or other protected area by monitoring, protecting, managing, restoring, and enhancing wildlife and wildlife habitat; 2) Planning, implementing, and using quantitative means to assess the results of research, habitat management, wildlife population management, and species and habitat monitoring work; 3) Working with refuge, regional biology, and partner organization teams to monitor, manage and restore key habitats and species; 4) Using GIS technology and statistical analyses to produce scientifically defensible results; 5) Writing natural resource management plans, Section 7 consultations, and presenting these and other findings to diverse audiences. *There is no substitution of education for experience at the GS-12 grade level.

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.

Some of the major duties you will perform include but are not limited to the following: -Manages and leads the biological work of an extensive National Wildlife Refuge Complex that spans coastal, estuarine, salt marsh and upland habitats. -Develops wildlife habitat and species monitoring, protection and management plans, and grant proposals, and secures funding for these efforts, and coordinates all facets of these programs in the field and administratively. -Works with partners to coordinate and leverage support and funding for complex wildlife and habitat projects, manages and monitors work on and off refuge, and works as a member of local, regional, or national teams. -Uses computer systems to manage data and information, and to prepare statistically defensible reports including the use of Geographic Information Systems (GIS) to prepare maps and display data and results. -Leads and provides technical guidance and quality assurance of the work of junior graded biological team members and volunteers at the refuge. Duties will be developmental in nature when filled below the full performance level.