- Position Title
- Wildlife Biologist
- Agency
- Interior, US Fish and Wildlife Service
- Announcement Number
- R7-19-10551573-TC Opens in new window
- Open Period
- Monday, July 22, 2019 to Monday, August 12, 2019
For preview purposes only. To apply, please return to the USAJOBS announcement and click the Apply button.
Eligibilities
1.
Do you claim Veterans' Preference?
2.
Are you a current or former federal employee displaced from the agency hiring for this position?
If yes, confirm:
• you are located in the same local commuting area of the vacancy; AND,
• you are applying to a position that is at or below the grade level of the position from which you were or will be separated; AND,
• you are applying to a position that does not have greater promotion potential than the position from which you were or will be separated; AND,
• your last performance rating of record is at least fully successful or the equivalent.
For more information, review the USAJOBS Help Center.
To verify your eligibility, you must submit supporting documentation such as a Reduction in Force (RIF) separation notice or a Proposed Removal/Separation notice to include your latest performance rating (if the notice does not have this information included, you must submit a copy of your most recent performance appraisal) and a copy of your latest Notification of Personnel Action, Standard Form 50.
If yes, confirm:
• you are located in the same local commuting area of the vacancy; AND,
• you are applying to a position that is at or below the grade level of the position from which you were or will be separated; AND,
• you are applying to a position that does not have greater promotion potential than the position from which you were or will be separated; AND,
• your last performance rating of record is at least fully successful or the equivalent.
For more information, review the USAJOBS Help Center.
To verify your eligibility, you must submit supporting documentation such as a Reduction in Force (RIF) separation notice or a Proposed Removal/Separation notice to include your latest performance rating (if the notice does not have this information included, you must submit a copy of your most recent performance appraisal) and a copy of your latest Notification of Personnel Action, Standard Form 50.
3.
Do you meet one of the following Competitive Merit Promotion eligibilities:
- Current or Former Federal Employee who has held or currently holds a career or career conditional appointment in the competitive service and has never held the full performance level of the position being announced.
- Veterans Employment Opportunity Act (VEOA)
- Land Management Workforce Flexibility Act (LMWFA)
4.
Are you a current or former federal employee displaced from a position in a Federal agency other than the agency hiring for this position? If yes, confirm:
• you are located in the same local commuting area of the vacancy; AND,
• you are applying to a position that is at or below the grade level of the position from which you were or will be separated; AND,
• you are applying to a position that does not have greater promotion potential than the position from which you were or will be separated; AND,
• your last performance rating of record is at least fully successful or the equivalent. For more information, review the USAJOBS Help Center.
To verify your eligibility, you must submit supporting documentation such as a Reduction in Force (RIF) separation notice to include your latest performance rating (if the notice does not have this information included, you must submit a copy of your most recent performance appraisal) and a copy of your latest Notification of Personnel Action, Standard Form 50.
• you are located in the same local commuting area of the vacancy; AND,
• you are applying to a position that is at or below the grade level of the position from which you were or will be separated; AND,
• you are applying to a position that does not have greater promotion potential than the position from which you were or will be separated; AND,
• your last performance rating of record is at least fully successful or the equivalent. For more information, review the USAJOBS Help Center.
To verify your eligibility, you must submit supporting documentation such as a Reduction in Force (RIF) separation notice to include your latest performance rating (if the notice does not have this information included, you must submit a copy of your most recent performance appraisal) and a copy of your latest Notification of Personnel Action, Standard Form 50.
5.
Are you a current or former employee of a Land Management Agency and are serving or served under a time-limited competitive service appointment? You may be eligible to compete under the Land Management Workforce Flexibility Act, P.L. 114-47.
Current land management agency appointees must have initially been hired under competitive procedures for a time-limited appointment; must have served under one or more time-limited appointments by a land management agency for a period totaling more than 24 months without a break in service of two or more years; and must have performed at an acceptable level during each period of service.
Former land management agency employees must have initially been hired under competitive procedures for a time-limited appointment; must have served under one or more time-limited appointments by a land management agency for a period totaling more than 24 months without a break in service of two or more years; and must have performed at an acceptable level during each period of service; must have been separated (with respect to their most recent separation) for reasons other than misconduct or performance, and must apply for a position covered by these provisions within two years of their most recent date of separation.
You must provide documentation showing all required periods of service (generally SF-50s) and acceptable performance (generally performance appraisal ratings or references from supervisors if employed for periods of time too short to require an appraisal.)
Current land management agency appointees must have initially been hired under competitive procedures for a time-limited appointment; must have served under one or more time-limited appointments by a land management agency for a period totaling more than 24 months without a break in service of two or more years; and must have performed at an acceptable level during each period of service.
Former land management agency employees must have initially been hired under competitive procedures for a time-limited appointment; must have served under one or more time-limited appointments by a land management agency for a period totaling more than 24 months without a break in service of two or more years; and must have performed at an acceptable level during each period of service; must have been separated (with respect to their most recent separation) for reasons other than misconduct or performance, and must apply for a position covered by these provisions within two years of their most recent date of separation.
You must provide documentation showing all required periods of service (generally SF-50s) and acceptable performance (generally performance appraisal ratings or references from supervisors if employed for periods of time too short to require an appraisal.)
6.
Are you currently employed as a Federal civilian employee in the Competitive Service at the same grade level as this position or higher with the same or higher promotion potential?
To verify your eligibility, you must submit a copy of your latest Notification of Personnel Action, Standard Form 50 (SF-50) or equivalent personnel action form reflecting your permanent, competitive status. Your latest SF-50 (or equivalent personnel action form) must reflect:
• Career or Career-conditional (Tenure field is 1 or 2); AND,
• your status in the competitive service (Position Occupied field is 1).
To verify your eligibility, you must submit a copy of your latest Notification of Personnel Action, Standard Form 50 (SF-50) or equivalent personnel action form reflecting your permanent, competitive status. Your latest SF-50 (or equivalent personnel action form) must reflect:
• Career or Career-conditional (Tenure field is 1 or 2); AND,
• your status in the competitive service (Position Occupied field is 1).
7.
Are you currently employed as a civilian employee in the competitive service in a Federal agency other than the Agency hiring for this position at the same grade level as this position or higher with the same or higher promotion potential?
To verify your eligibility, you must submit a copy of your latest Notification of Personnel Action, Standard Form 50 (SF-50) or equivalent personnel action form reflecting your permanent, competitive status. Your latest SF- 50 (or equivalent personnel action form) must reflect:
• career or career-conditional (Tenure field is 1 or 2); AND,
• your status was in the competitive service (Position Occupied field is 1).
To verify your eligibility, you must submit a copy of your latest Notification of Personnel Action, Standard Form 50 (SF-50) or equivalent personnel action form reflecting your permanent, competitive status. Your latest SF- 50 (or equivalent personnel action form) must reflect:
• career or career-conditional (Tenure field is 1 or 2); AND,
• your status was in the competitive service (Position Occupied field is 1).
8.
Were you formerly employed as a Federal civilian employee on a permanent competitive appointment or did you obtain career-conditional status (and are within 3 years of the date of separation or are a preference eligible) at the same grade level as this position or higher with the same or higher promotion potential?
To verify your eligibility, you must submit a copy of your separation Notification of Personnel Action, Standard Form 50 (SF-50) or equivalent personnel action form reflecting your permanent, competitive status. Your separation SF-50 (or equivalent personnel action form) must reflect:
• career or career-conditional (Tenure field is 1 or 2); AND,
• your status in the competitive service (Position Occupied field is 1).
To verify your eligibility, you must submit a copy of your separation Notification of Personnel Action, Standard Form 50 (SF-50) or equivalent personnel action form reflecting your permanent, competitive status. Your separation SF-50 (or equivalent personnel action form) must reflect:
• career or career-conditional (Tenure field is 1 or 2); AND,
• your status in the competitive service (Position Occupied field is 1).
9.
Do you meet one of the following Non-Competitive eligibilities:
- Current or Former Federal Employee who has held or currently holds a career or career conditional appointment in the competitive service and has held a permanent (non-temporary) position in the competitive service at the same or higher full performance level as the position being announced
- Veterans who have a service connected disability of 30% or more
- Certain Military Spouses (Relocating with your spouse under Permanent Change of Station (PCS) orders / a spouse of a service member who is 100% disabled due to a service-connected injury / a spouse of a service member killed while on active duty)
- Certain Overseas Family Members (A family member of a federal employee, or uniformed service member, who has completed 52 weeks of service in a federal position overseas.)
- Peace Corps/VISTA
- Foreign Service Employees
- Miscellaneous Authorities not regulated by OPM (Postal Career Service Employee; Postal Rate Commission Employee; Government Accountability Office (GAO) Employee; Administrative Office of the U.S. Courts Employee)
- DOI or FWS Authorities not regulated by OPM
- Individuals with a Disability: Schedule A Disability appointments (Severe Physical, Psychiatric, Mental Disability)
- Interchange agreement with other merit systems
10.
Are you currently employed as a Federal civilian employee in the Competitive Service and have never held the grade or full performance level of this position?
To verify your eligibility, you must submit a copy of your latest Notification of Personnel Action, Standard Form 50 (SF-50) or equivalent personnel action form reflecting your permanent, competitive status. Your latest SF-50 (or equivalent personnel action form) must reflect:
• career or career-conditional (Tenure field is 1 or 2); AND,
• your status in the competitive service (Position Occupied field is 1).
To verify your eligibility, you must submit a copy of your latest Notification of Personnel Action, Standard Form 50 (SF-50) or equivalent personnel action form reflecting your permanent, competitive status. Your latest SF-50 (or equivalent personnel action form) must reflect:
• career or career-conditional (Tenure field is 1 or 2); AND,
• your status in the competitive service (Position Occupied field is 1).
11.
Were you formerly employed as a Federal civilian employee on a permanent competitive appointment or did you obtain career-conditional status (and are within 3 years of the date of separation or are a preference eligible) and have you never held the full performance level of this position?
To verify your eligibility, you must submit a copy of your separation Notification of Personnel Action, Standard Form 50 (SF-50) or equivalent personnel action form reflecting your permanent, competitive status. Your separation SF-50 (or equivalent personnel action form) must reflect:
• career or career-conditional (Tenure field is 1 or 2); AND,
• your status in the competitive service (Position Occupied field is 1).
To verify your eligibility, you must submit a copy of your separation Notification of Personnel Action, Standard Form 50 (SF-50) or equivalent personnel action form reflecting your permanent, competitive status. Your separation SF-50 (or equivalent personnel action form) must reflect:
• career or career-conditional (Tenure field is 1 or 2); AND,
• your status in the competitive service (Position Occupied field is 1).
12.
Are you currently employed as a civilian employee in the competitive service in a Federal agency other than the Agency hiring for this position and have you never held the grade or full performance level of this position?
To verify your eligibility, you must submit a copy of your latest Notification of Personnel Action, Standard Form 50 (SF-50) or equivalent personnel action form reflecting your permanent, competitive status. Your separation SF- 50 (or equivalent personnel action form) must reflect:
• career or career-conditional (Tenure field is 1 or 2); AND,
• your status was in the competitive service (Position Occupied field is 1).
To verify your eligibility, you must submit a copy of your latest Notification of Personnel Action, Standard Form 50 (SF-50) or equivalent personnel action form reflecting your permanent, competitive status. Your separation SF- 50 (or equivalent personnel action form) must reflect:
• career or career-conditional (Tenure field is 1 or 2); AND,
• your status was in the competitive service (Position Occupied field is 1).
13.
Are you a veteran whose latest discharge was under honorable conditions AND you:
• served three or more years of continuous active duty service in the military (Note: if released shortly before completing a 3-year tour, you are considered to meet the eligibility); OR,
• are entitled to veterans' preference?
For more information, review USAJOBS Veterans resources.
To verify your eligibility, you must submit a copy of your latest Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty, DD-214 (copy indicating character of service) or other proof of service which includes character of service.
• served three or more years of continuous active duty service in the military (Note: if released shortly before completing a 3-year tour, you are considered to meet the eligibility); OR,
• are entitled to veterans' preference?
For more information, review USAJOBS Veterans resources.
To verify your eligibility, you must submit a copy of your latest Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty, DD-214 (copy indicating character of service) or other proof of service which includes character of service.
14.
Are you a veteran who separated from active duty under honorable conditions AND you:
• recently separated (within the past 3 years); OR
• are a disabled veteran; OR
• served on active duty during a war, campaign or expedition; OR,
• received an Armed Forces Service Medal?
For more information, review USAJOBS Veterans resources.
To verify your eligibility, you must submit a copy of your latest Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty, DD-214 (copy indicating character of service) or other proof of your service which includes character of service. If claiming disability preference, you must also submit the disability letter from the Department of Veterans Affairs or Armed Service and the Application for 10-Point Veteran Preference, Standard Form 15.
• recently separated (within the past 3 years); OR
• are a disabled veteran; OR
• served on active duty during a war, campaign or expedition; OR,
• received an Armed Forces Service Medal?
For more information, review USAJOBS Veterans resources.
To verify your eligibility, you must submit a copy of your latest Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty, DD-214 (copy indicating character of service) or other proof of your service which includes character of service. If claiming disability preference, you must also submit the disability letter from the Department of Veterans Affairs or Armed Service and the Application for 10-Point Veteran Preference, Standard Form 15.
Preferences
1.
Select the lowest grade you are willing to accept for this position.
Assessment 1
For each question, choose the response that best describes your experience and training. Mark only one response for each question. Please note that your answers will be verified against the information you provided in your resume or application and information provided by your references.
Basic Education Requirement
1.
Please select the letter that best describes how you meet the Basic Requirements for this position.
Minimum Qualification
2.
Please select one response from the choices below to show how you meet the additional qualification requirements for this position at the grade GS-12 level.
3.
Select one response from the choices below to show how you meet the additional qualification requirements for this position at the grade GS-11 level. Be sure your resume supports the response you select.
Knowledge of the theories, principles, concepts and methods of wildlife biology and wildlife management; professional knowledge of the habitat, status, ecology, conservation of wildlife species and related biological and physical science disciplines to develop and implement biological programs and/or scientific studies.
Select the one statement that most accurately describes your training and experience carrying out each task using the scale provided.
4.
Assesses the diversity of plant or animal species to determine actual and potential diversity of species on islands and nearshore marine waters in the refuge unit (i.e., coordinates), and makes recommendations to restore or maintain appropriate biodiversity.
5.
Reviews and implements long-term seabird monitoring program including population trends, patterns of productivity, and diets.
6.
Apply knowledge of marine wildlife biology and statistics to help set priorities and develop proposals and study plans for high priority marine birds and other island-dwelling and nearshore marine wildlife.
7.
Conduct biological studies on high priority wildlife and habitats, including applying rigorous survey design and data analysis approaches.
Ability to communicate orally and in writing in a effective, clear, and tactful manner in interagency and public forums that may involve interactions with Alaskan natives, and ability to interact in a culturally sensitive, tactful, and objective manner.
Select the one statement that most accurately describes your training and experience carrying out each task using the scale provided.
8.
Prepares issue papers based on knowledge of marine conservation issues for managers.
9.
Prepares and presents written and verbal briefings on major conservation issues for managers and others.
10.
Documents results of inventories, monitoring efforts, and special studies in reports.
11.
Publishes findings from studies in peer-reviewed scientific literature.
12.
Presents results of biological work at professional meeting.
13.
Provides expert advice to resource professionals at the Federal, State and local levels on technical, scientific or policy matters pertaining to ecosystems.
Ability to design and safely conduct a variety of biological surveys and investigations, including planning complex logistics in remote areas involving boats and aircraft, in order to write biological reports, scientific papers, briefings, and the wildlife potions of environmental assessments.
Select the one statement that most accurately describes your training and experience carrying out each task using the scale provided.
14.
Plans and coordinates field studies and provides technical oversight of technicians and volunteers.
15.
Develops budgets, plans logistics, orders supplies, and develops work schedules for field projects in isolated areas with little or no resupply for up to two months.
16.
Trains or coordinates training for field crews.
17.
Prepare annual budget submissions, work on portions of annual work plans, to ensure workload and performance targets are appropriate, reasonable, and implemented.
18.
Provide long-range resource planning, program direction, coordination and evaluation of wildlife management and related activities for sites within the conservation estate.
Knowledge of resource planning and budgeting to perform statistical analysis of biological data, interpreting results from statistical analyses, drawing rational and objective conclusions, preparing clear, concise technical and administrative reports on the results, and ability to transform findings of studies into practical applications for wildlife species.
Select the one statement that most accurately describes your training and experience carrying out each task using the scale provided.
19.
Works on a team of interdisciplinary professionals to accomplish specific biological projects/studies.
20.
Establishes appropriate databases for data on marine wildlife and habitats.
21.
Uses geographic information system technology to conduct spatial analysis.
22.
Prepare annual budget submissions, work on portions of annual work plans, to ensure workload and performance targets are appropriate, reasonable, and implemented.
Business Necessity Questions
Select “Yes” or “No” to the following question(s).
23.
I am willing and able to carry and use a firearm for protection purposes from bears and other wildlife. I have not been convicted of a misdemeanor or felony crime of domestic violence.
24.
I understand that I will be required to obtain and wear an official U. S. Fish and Wildlife Service uniform.
25.
I am willing and able to travel occasionally for extended periods of time and live in primitive conditions. I am willing and able to walk over wet, rough, uneven, or rocky surfaces; bending, crouching, stooping, stretching, reaching or similar activities and lift up to 75 pounds. I am able to sit in cramped conditions for long periods in blinds or light aircraft. I am able and willing to travel to remote study sites via fixed-wing aircraft, helicopter, small watercraft, snowmobile, 4-wheeler and on foot. I understand I will be flying in small fixed-wing and rotary aircraft below 500 feet altitude while conducting wildlife studies.
Verification Statement
26.
Your rating is subject to verification based on the application materials that you submit, and through verification of references as appropriate. A deliberate attempt to falsify information on your application materials is grounds for non-selection and for termination. In addition, falsifying information on your application can result in your being barred from Federal employment. Please choose the appropriate response below.