U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Logo
Position Title
Fish and Wildlife Biologist (Private Lands)
Agency
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
Announcement Number
MR-21-11224024-MR-MP Opens in new window
Open Period
Tuesday, September 7, 2021 to Friday, September 17, 2021
For preview purposes only. To apply, please return to the USAJOBS announcement and click the Apply button.
Eligibilities
1. Do you claim Veterans’ Preference? (limit characters)
2. Are you a veteran who separated from active duty under honorable conditions AND you:
• have a rating by the Department of Veterans Affairs showing a compensable service-connected disability of 30% or more; OR,
• are retired from active military service with a service-connected disability rating of 30% or more

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. 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.
(limit characters)
3. 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.
(limit characters)
4. 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)  
(limit characters)
5. 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.
(limit characters)
6. 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
 
(limit characters)
7. Do you have a severe physical, psychiatric or mental disability that qualifies you for a Schedule A Disability appointment? For more information, review USAJOBS Individuals with Disabilities resources

To verify your eligibility, you must provide appropriate medical documentation, i.e., a letter signed by a licensed medical professional or licensed vocational rehabilitation specialist stating your condition and restrictions.
(limit characters)
8.

Reasonable Accommodations for taking the online assessments are provided on a case-by-case basis only to qualified individuals with a disability covered by the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, as amended, and the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, as amended.

Do you have a disability (physical or mental) that you believe will interfere with completing the online assessments and require a Reasonable Accommodation?

(limit characters)
9. 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.
(limit characters)
Preferences
1. Select the locations you want to be considered for. You must choose at least one location. (limit characters)
2. Select the lowest grade you are willing to accept for this position. (limit characters)
Assessment 1
Basic Education Requirement (limit characters)
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. (limit characters)
1. Basic Education Requirement (limit characters)
Minimum Qualification GS-11 (limit characters)
2. Minimum Qualification GS-11 (limit characters)
Minimum Qualification GS-9 (limit characters)
3. Minimum Qualification GS-9 (limit characters)
Knowledge of the biological characteristics, conditions, and interrelationships of aquatic and terrestrial biota, or of fish and wildlife resources and ecological systems to evaluate resource or water development, restoration, and/or management projects. This should include knowledge of wetland, grassland, and riparian restoration techniques, procedures, and applications, and their effective promotion. (limit characters)
Select the one statement that most accurately describes your training and experience carrying out each task using the scale provided. (limit characters)
4. Determine whether or not the biological goals described in habitat restoration proposals have been achieved.
(limit characters)
5. Provide biological and technical assistance to multiple partners with respect to private lands conservation, minimization of threats, and evaluation of projects and activities.
(limit characters)
6. Provide technical advice to other staff, grantees, and partners regarding biological elements of conservation proposals.
(limit characters)
Skill and ability in developing and implementing annual and long-range goals, objectives, plans, and budgets for watersheds, focus areas, and ecosystem priorities within the incumbent's area of responsibility, in accordance with Service program guidance. (limit characters)
Select the one statement that most accurately describes your training and experience carrying out each task using the scale provided. (limit characters)
7. Participate in multi-disciplinary planning efforts with state, local, Federal or private organizations to achieve goals related to land use, wetlands, and other natural resources.
(limit characters)
8. Prepare or review written restoration project plans, program reviews, strategy papers, budget initiatives, and/or other management actions related to environmental resource programs and activities.
(limit characters)
9. Assist in the preparation of planning documents, such as comprehensive conservation plans, step-down management plans, section 7 consultations, and NEPA documents
(limit characters)
Knowledge of, and skill in applying, the processes and procedures used to initiate, plan, develop, and implement habitat restoration projects on private land. (limit characters)
Select the one statement that most accurately describes your training and experience carrying out each task using the scale provided. (limit characters)
10. Use fish and wildlife biology, aquatic and plant ecology, and geomorphic concepts to interpret habitat restoration and protection needs in a given area.
(limit characters)
11. Apply knowledge in ecology and fish and wildlife biology to conduct biological investigations to predict and identify the effects of land use and land management activities on the environment.
(limit characters)
12. Participate in conservation, restoration and enhancement efforts for federal trust species including fish, migratory birds and other sensitive species with short and long-term objectives
(limit characters)
Skill in building partnerships and negotiating with other organizations and private landowners. (limit characters)
Select the one statement that most accurately describes your training and experience carrying out each task using the scale provided. (limit characters)
13. Maintain beneficial relationships with partners and others within the conservation community.
(limit characters)
14. Negotiate with others, either independently or with a multi-agency team, to develop habitat prescriptions and conservation measures for listed species and other fish and wildlife species.
(limit characters)
15. Serve as an organization representative at meetings with Federal, state, and local agencies and private entities concerning habitat restoration and protection projects.
(limit characters)
Skill in strategic communication including best practices for communicating with different value-orientations, using effective conservation messaging and  communication, including the ability to meet, converse, and work effectively with supervisors, private landowners, coworkers, other agency  employees, representatives of nongovernment organizations, and the public. (limit characters)
Select the one statement that most accurately describes your training and experience carrying out each task using the scale provided. (limit characters)
16. Conduct regular communication with a diverse array of partners to develop voluntary and mutually agreeable plans to restore habitat for fish and wildlife in a particular area.
(limit characters)
17. Prepare various types of communication ranging from correspondence and memoranda to technical reports for a natural resource program.
(limit characters)
18. Showcase completed projects and encourage landowner communication to promote participation in habitat restoration and protection programs.
(limit characters)