Fish and Wildlife Biologist

The Fish and Wildlife Biologist position at the US Fish and Wildlife Service in Jackson, MS involves drafting reports, analyzing biological data, conducting status surveys for species, and managing databases. Applicants need a degree in biological sciences or related fields and relevant experience. The role requires collaboration with partners and stakeholders, focusing on environmental assessments and species conservation.
Summary This position is a Fish and Wildlife Biologist, GS- 0401-9/11 working in Jackson, Mississippi for the R4-Mississippi Ecological Services Field Office. Responsibilities As a Fish and Wildlife Biologist your duties will include but are not limited to the following: Drafting letters and reports as they pertain to consultation under Section 7 of the ESA and the Fish and Wildlife Coordination Act. Analyze and interpret biological data, review scientific studies, and present analyses. Assist in status surveys for both listed and candidate species. Manage databases, including entering or extracting data for reporting. Participates in partnerships/collaborative groups and meet with partners, stakeholders and general public. Requirements Conditions of Employment Qualifications Only experience and education obtained by 09/26/2024 will be considered. In order to qualify for this position you must possess both the Basic Requirement and Minimum Qualification. Basic Requirement: Degree: biological sciences, agriculture, natural resource management, chemistry, or related disciplines appropriate to the position. OR Combination of education and experience that includes courses equivalent to a major, as shown in 1 above, plus appropriate experience or additional education. Minimum Qualification [GS-9]: One year of specialized experience comparable in scope and responsibility equivalent to grade GS-7 in the Federal service. Examples of specialized experience may include: 1) Review and assist with evaluating impacts of proposed actions on threatened and endangered species, 2) Assist in preparing and reviewing biological implications of proposed projects or environmental assessments; 3) Conduct biological work and/or habitat preservation studies. OR Two years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to a master's degree or master's or equivalent graduate degree in a discipline directly related to the position. OR A combination of education and experience as described in 1 and 2 above which together equals 100% of the requirement. Minimum Qualification [GS-11]: One year of specialized experience comparable in scope and responsibility equivalent to grade GS-9 in the Federal service. Examples of specialized experience may include: 1) Assess impacts of proposed actions on threatened and endangered species; 2) Conduct environmental, species, or habitat assessments; 3) Assist in preparing and reviewing biological implications of proposed projects or environmental assessments; 4) Plan, organize, and conduct biological work an4/or habitat preservation studies. 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 related to the position. OR A combination of education and experience as described in 1 and 2 above which together equals 100% of the requirement. 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 Performance rating of record review: All applicants must provide a copy of their current performance rating dated within the past 18 months verifying their performance is at a fully successful level or higher. Applicants who do not have a current rating of record available must provide a reason and certify that their performance is acceptable, and they have not been advised that their performance is currently at an unacceptable level. Applicants who have an unsuccessful performance rating, or who have certified that their performance is not at an acceptable level will not be eligible for hiring consideration. All applicants must be performing at a fully successful level or higher in order to be considered for this position. Applicants must provide a current rating of record dated within the past 18 months at the fully successful or higher level. Applicants who do not have a current rating of record available must provide a reason and certify that their performance is acceptable, and they have not been advised that their performance is currently at an unacceptable level. You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications for this position. This vacancy utilizes a multiple hurdle assessment process to determine the qualifications of applicants. The first hurdle consists of applicants completing an online occupational questionnaire related to the major duties and competencies of the position. The second hurdle consists of verification that your performance in your current position is acceptable, and you have not been advised that your performance is currently at an unacceptable level. Education PROOF OF EDUCATION: All applicants who are using education or a combination of education and experience to qualify must submit copies of official or unofficial transcripts which include grades, credit hours earned, major(s), grade point average or class ranking, institution name, and student name. If any required coursework is not easily recognizable on transcripts, or if you believe a portion of a particular course can be credited toward meeting an educational requirement, you must also provide a memorandum on letterhead from the institution's registrar, dean, or other appropriate official stating the percentage of the course that should be considered to meet the requirement and the equivalent number of units. Unofficial transcripts are acceptable; however, if you are selected for the position, you will be required to produce the original official transcripts. PASS/FAIL COURSES: If more than 10 percent of your undergraduate course work (credit hours) were taken on a pass/fail basis, your claim of superior academic achievement must be based upon class standing or membership in an honor society. GRADUATE EDUCATION: One academic year of graduate education is considered to be the number of credits hours your graduate school has determined to represent one academic year of full-time study. Such study may have been performed on a full-time or part-time basis. If you cannot obtain your graduate school's definition of one year of graduate study, 18 semester hours (or 27 quarter hours) should be considered as satisfying the requirement for one year of full-time graduate study. FOREIGN EDUCATION: If you are using education completed in foreign colleges or universities to meet the qualification requirements, you must show the education credentials have been evaluated by a private organization that specializes in interpretation of foreign education. For further information, visit: Recognition of Foreign Qualifications | International Affairs Office (ed.gov) Additional Information PCS INFORMATION: -No PCS entitlements authorized Telework: This position is suitable for telework and may be allowed to telework with supervisory approval. Additional Vacancies: One or more positions may be filled from applications received under this announcement in the advertised office or other U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service offices in the local commuting area. 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/" Reasonable Accommodation: The USFWS 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. 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.