Supervisory Wildlife Inspector

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is hiring a Supervisory Wildlife Inspector in Atlanta, GA. This role involves overseeing inspections and compliance related to wildlife import/export laws, managing a team of inspectors, and engaging with various stakeholders. Key responsibilities include reviewing documents, determining species compliance, conducting investigations, and preparing reports. Candidates must be U.S. citizens and meet specific qualifications and medical requirements.
Summary

This position is a Supervisory Wildlife Inspector, GS-1801-13, for the R9-Chief, Office of Law Enforcement. As a Supervisory Wildlife Inspector, you will be responsible for full range of complex inspection and compliance work involving the enforcement and administration of laws and regulations governing the importation, exportation, and interstate commerce of live wildlife, parts thereof, and wildlife products.

Duties

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As a Supervisory Wildlife Inspector your duties will include but are not limited to the following:
• Reviews import/export, transportation documents, customs invoices, and federal forms to ensure all regulations are met and required documents are present.
• Determines the genus and species of live specimens, parts, or wildlife products to ensure compliance with protection laws and shipping regulations.
• Exercises authority to seize shipments as evidence, conducts preliminary investigations, gathers original documents, and interviews relevant parties.
• Prepares detailed reports on violations, testifies in criminal and civil proceedings, and serves as the Service's representative to various stakeholders.
• Supervises Wildlife Inspectors, provides educational and technical advice, coordinates multi-agency operations, and resolves conflicts with local trade communities and federal agencies.

Requirements

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Conditions of employment
• Must be a U.S. Citizen or National.
• Merit promotion applicants must meet time-in-grade requirement as defined in 5 CFR 300, Subpart F.
• Suitability for employment, as determined by background investigation.
• Drug testing position: Selectees tentatively selected for this position will be required to submit to urinalysis to screen for illegal drug use prior to appointment.
• Medical Requirements: Selectees must pass a pre-employment medical examination and may be subject to post-employment medical examinations to determine if they are maintaining the fitness standards for this position.
• Driver's License: This position requires incumbent to operate a government (or private) motor vehicle as part of their official duties. Selected individuals must hold and maintain a valid state driver's license throughout employment in this position.
• Uniform: Official U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service uniform is required.
• Probationary Period: Selectees may be required to successfully complete a probationary period.
• Supervisory Probationary Period: Selectees who have not previously completed a supervisory probationary period, will be required to serve a 1-year supervisory/managerial probationary period for this position.
• Notice of Financial Disclosure Report Requirement: This position is subject to a financial disclosure requirement and you will be required to complete either OGE Form 278e or OGE Form 450 as applicable within 30 days of your appointment
• 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 09/03/2025 will be considered.

In order to qualify for this position you must possess the Minimum Qualifications.

Minimum Qualification GS-13:

One (1) year of full-time specialized experience comparable in difficulty and responsibility to the next lower level (comparable to GS-12) in the Federal government. The experience equipped me with the knowledge, skills and ability to successfully perform the duties of this position, and included: 1) Implementing federal inspection program goals and strategies, setting priorities, directing and coordinating overall port operations; conducting preliminary investigations pertaining to illegal import and export of wildlife and/or other commodities in the import/export trade; 2) Drafting summaries or reports on import/export issues and of investigations conducted; 3) Auditing or reviewing records on import/export activities; 4) Responding to inquiries related to import/export inspection work and procedures; 5) Acting as liaison with other agencies, tribes, and organizations.

There is no substitution of education for specialized experience at the GS-13 grade level.

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: Applicants must meet both eligibility and qualification requirements for the position of interest by the closing date of the JOA. Specifically,

i. Area of Consideration.

ii. Time-in-grade (TIG) requirements as specified in 5 CFR 300, Subpart F.

iii. Time after competitive appointment as specified in 5 CFR 330.502.

iv. Qualification requirements outlined in OPM's Qualifications Standards for General Schedule Positions or for Federal Wage System (FWS), wage grade positions, applicants are evaluated using the OPM Job Qualification System for Trades and Labor Occupations and the job element examining method. Your SF-50 will be used to confirm you meet all requirements.

Reasonable Accommodation: The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service provides reasonable accommodations to applicants with disabilities. Please visit USAJOBS Help Center | Reasonable accommodation policy if you need a reasonable accommodation for any part of the application and hiring process.

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

Education

There is no substitution of education for specialized experience. Nor does this position have a positive education requirement. See Qualifications section.

Additional information

Duty Station: A total of nine (9) candidates will be selected to fill vacancies across the following Office of Law Enforcement locations: Atlanta, GA; Elizabeth, NJ; Miami, FL; Rosemont, IL; Torrance, CA; Valley Stream, NY; and Louisville, KY. Salaries will be based on the geographic locality pay for the assigned location. Locality pay tables are available at: https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/pay-leave/salaries-wages/2025/general-schedule/. Questions regarding placement should be addressed during the interview process.

PCS INFORMATION: No PCS entitlements authorized.

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

Career Transition Assistance Plan (CTAP): Department of Interior (DOI) Career Transition Assistance Plan (CTAP) procedures apply in filling this vacancy. CTAP provides placement assistance to permanent Federal employees who are surplus, displaced, or involuntarily separated. Applicants claiming CTAP eligibility must submit a copy of their most recent performance appraisal, proof of eligibility, and most current SF-50 noting position, grade level, and duty location with their application. To be considered under CTAP, applicants must be well-qualified (i.e., meet the minimum qualification requirements, including any selective placement factors; education, and experience requirements), score at least 85 on the assessment questionnaire, and be able to perform the duties of the position upon entry. For information on CTAP visit: https://www.usajobs.gov/Help/working-in-government/unique-hiring-paths/federal-employees/career-transition/"

The Land Management Workforce Flexibility Act (LMWFA), P.L. 114-47, allows certain individuals who currently or formerly were under time-limited competitive appointments at certain land management agencies to compete under merit promotion procedures.

Note: You must submit ALL SF-50s and performance information for each period of temporary/term employment that qualifies for LMWFA. Performance documentation can be obtained by contacting the supervisors for the positions you served in during your 24 months. If they did not complete performance appraisals, ask them to provide a statement of performance for each period of service. The statement must specify the dates for each employment period and your level of performance (dates should match the dates on the SF-50s).

Current appointees:
• Must have been hired under competitive examining procedures to a time limited appointment with a land management agency;
• Must have served under 1 or more time limited appointments by a land management agency for a period totaling more than 24 months without a break in service of 2 or more years; AND
• Must have performed at an acceptable level.

Former appointees:
• Must have been hired under competitive examining procedures to a time limited appointment with a land management agency;
• Must have served under 1 or more time limited appointments by a land management agency for a period totaling more than 24 months without a break in service of 2 or more years;
• Must apply for position within 2 years after separation;
• Must have been separated for reasons other than misconduct or performance; AND
• Must have performed at an acceptable level.

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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

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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.

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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.