- Position Title
- Fish and Wildlife Biologist (Private Lands)
- Agency
- U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
- Announcement Number
- MR-22-11440958-SG (MP) Opens in new window
- Open Period
- Thursday, March 31, 2022 to Thursday, April 14, 2022
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.
Please select YES to this eligibility if you are ANY of the options below:
- A 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. OR
- Veterans Employment Opportunity Act (VEOA) Eligible OR
- Land Management Workforce Flexibility Act (LMWFA) Eligible
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.
Please select YES to this eligibility if you meet ANY of the eligibilities listed below:
- A 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
- A Veteran who has 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 Eligible
- A Foreign Service Employee
- 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 (e.g. Directorate Fellowship Program)
- An Individual with a Disability: Schedule A Disability appointments (Severe Physical, Psychiatric, Mental Disability)
- Interchange agreement with other merit systems Eligible
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.
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.
8.
Please select YES to this eligibility if you are a former Public Land Corps (PLC) Member who meets all the requirements below for non-competitive eligibility:
- Served as a qualified youth, ages 16 to 30 years inclusive, or a veteran age 35 or younger, on an appropriate conservation project completing a minimum of 640 hours of satisfactory service that included at least 120 hours on a PLC project as defined in 16 USC 1723(d); and
- Completed the PLC service within the last two (2) years, and
- Possess a copy of the "Certificate of Eligibility for Non-Competitive Hiring Status (PLC)" signed by a bureau PLC Coordinator.
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.
• 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 location(s) you want to be considered for. You must choose at least one location.
2.
Select the lowest grade you are willing to accept for this position.
Assessment 1
Basic Education Requirement
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.
1.
Basic Education Requirement
Minimum Qualification GS-9
2.
Minimum Qualification GS-9
Minimum Qualification GS-11
3.
Minimum Qualification GS-11
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.
Select the one statement that most accurately describes your training and experience carrying out each task using the scale provided.
4.
Determine whether the biological goals described in habitat restoration proposals have been achieved.
5.
Provide biological and technical assistance to multiple partners with respect to private lands conservation, minimization of threats, and evaluation of projects and activities.
6.
Provide technical advice to other staff, grantees, and partners regarding biological elements of conservation proposals.
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 assigned area of responsibility.
Select the one statement that most accurately describes your training and experience carrying out each task using the scale provided.
7.
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.
8.
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.
9.
Assist in the preparation of planning documents, such as Comprehensive Conservation Plans, Step-down Management Plans, Section 7 consultations, and National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) documents.
Knowledge of, and skill in applying, the processes and procedures used to initiate, plan, develop, and implement habitat restoration projects on private land.
Select the one statement that most accurately describes your training and experience carrying out each task using the scale provided.
10.
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.
11.
Use fish and wildlife biology, aquatic and plant ecology, and geomorphic concepts to interpret habitat restoration and protection needs in a geographic area.
12.
Conduct biological investigations to predict and identify the effects of land use and land management activities on the environment.
Skill in building partnerships and negotiating with other organizations and private landowners.
Select the one statement that most accurately describes your training and experience carrying out each task using the scale provided.
13.
Exercise tact and diplomacy when working with others, who often have conflicting interests or demands for protecting public interest in fish, wildlife, and plant resources.
14.
Serve as an organization's representative at meetings with Federal, state, and local agencies and private entities concerning habitat restoration and protection projects.
15.
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.
Skill in strategic communication including best practices for communicating with different value-orientations, including the ability to meet, converse, and work with supervisors, private landowners, coworkers, other agency employees, representatives of nongovernment organizations, and the public.
Select the one statement that most accurately describes your training and experience carrying out each task using the scale provided.
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.
17.
Prepare various types of communication ranging from correspondence and memoranda to technical reports for a natural resource program.
18.
Showcase completed projects and encourage landowner communication to promote participation in habitat restoration and protection programs.