Fish and Wildlife Biologist

All qualifications must be met by the closing date of this announcement - 11/12/2026-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. 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: biological sciences, agriculture, natural resource management, chemistry, or related disciplines appropriate to the position. You must submit transcripts. -OR- B. Combination of education and experience: course work as shown in A above, plus appropriate experience or additional education.

To qualify for the GS-11: Specialized Experience: 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) Assisting in conducting investigations to determine the impact of land and water development projects on fish and wildlife resources, under the guidance of a supervisor or senior biologist.

1. Reviewing and providing input on permit or license applications (e.g., Section 10 recovery permits, US Army Corps of Engineers, EPA, FERC licensing, or state permit programs) related to fish and wildlife resources. 3) Gathering, organizing, and summarizing biological or habitat data to support regulatory decision documents, written technical recommendations, or fish and wildlife management plans.
2. Assisting in writing biological opinions or other regulatory decision documents, agency recommendations, species status assessments, environmental assessments, or resource planning reports evaluating effects on fish and wildlife resources. 4) Partnering with federal, state, municipal, or non-governmental organizations including communicating agency recommendations, positions, goals, etc.

You must include hours per week worked. -OR- Education: Successful completion of at least 3 years of progressively higher-level graduate education leading to a Ph.D. or equivalent degree -OR- have earned a Ph.D. or equivalent degree in the biological sciences, agriculture, natural resource management, chemistry, or closely related field which provided me with the knowledge skills, and abilities to perform the duties of this position.

You must include transcripts. -OR- Combination of education and experience as listed above. To combine education and experience, first take the number of progressively higher-level graduate education you have completed and then divide it by 54. Then take the number of months of full-time experience and divide by 12 months. Add the percentages together. The total must equal at least 100 percent to qualify. You must include hours per week and transcripts.

To qualify for the GS-12: Specialized Experience: 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) Planning, conducting, and reviewing ecological evaluations and investigations of land and water resource development proposals to determine effects on fish and wildlife resources.

1. Independently leading standard consultations under the Endangered Species Act and/or participation in FERC licensing and exemption activities. This includes using best available data to independently draft biological opinions, agency recommendations, prescriptions, and other documents stating agency positions and decisions.
2. Serving as technical advisor to other field office staff and external partners on the natural history and conservation of species and habitats, relevant statutes and regulations, and agency and field office policy and practice. 4) Independently leading meetings and otherwise effectively communicating with federal, state, and local agencies; non-governmental organizations; and the public using written, verbal, and digital/video formats. 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.

Some of the major duties you will perform include but are not limited to the following: Coordinates and facilitates compliance work for federal environmental statutes and regulations (e.g. Endangered Species Act (sections 4,6,7, and 10)).

Works under deadlines to plan and conduct reviews and ecological investigations of a wide variety of complex and diverse land and water resource development proposals to determine their effects on fish and wildlife resources, with special emphasis on rare, candidate, proposed, and federally listed species habitat and designated critical habitat; migratory species including anadromous fish, aquatic connectivity; and habitats of concern in the affected area.

Participates in diverse, complex, and multi-disciplinary planning efforts with public and private groups and state, local, and federal agencies to achieve Service policies, objectives, and goals. Prepares objective and complete written biological reports, decision documents such as biological opinions, letters conveying biological and regulatory technical assistance, and other documents.

Delivers oral presentations to Service staff, other agency and organization professionals, and public groups based on investigations conducted and analysis of present and future impacts of various complex project alternatives on fish, wildlife, and habitat resources. Acts as technical advisor to other Field Office staff on species' needs and ecology, statutory and regulatory topics, current agency policies, and problem solving.

Provides guidance to, and directs the work of, lower-graded biologists in matters pertinent to areas of special expertise. Duties will be developmental in nature when filled below the full performance level.