- Position Title
- Social Scientist
- Agency
- U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
- Announcement Number
- R8-23-11822837-JL-MP Opens in new window
- Open Period
- Thursday, February 2, 2023 to Wednesday, March 1, 2023
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.
You are eligible for this hiring category if you:
(1) The spouse of a member of the Armed Forces serving on active duty for more than 180 days other than for training
-OR-
(2) The spouse of a 100 percent disabled service member injured while on active duty
-OR-
(3) The un-remarried widow or widower of a service member who was killed while performing active duty
Supporting documentation: You are required to submit acceptable documentation of your eligibility for E.O. 13473 which includes:
All military spouses must submit documentation verifying marriage to the service member (i.e., a marriage license or other legal documentation verifying marriage)
AND
If you are married to an active-duty service member, documentation verifying active-duty status
OR
If you are a spouse of a 100% disabled service member, documentation showing the member of the armed forces retired, or was released or discharged from active duty, with a disability rating of 100 percent.
OR
If you are an un-remarried widow or widower of a service member killed while on active duty, documentation showing the member was released or discharged from active duty due to his or her death while on active duty; documentation verifying the member of the armed forces was killed while serving on active duty; documentation verifying the widow or widower's marriage to the member of the armed forces (i.e., a marriage license or other legal documentation verifying marriage); and a statement certifying that the individual seeking to use the authority is the un-remarried widow or widower of the service member.
For more information please see OPM's Questions and Answers for Noncompetitive Appointment of Certain Military Spouses.
(1) The spouse of a member of the Armed Forces serving on active duty for more than 180 days other than for training
-OR-
(2) The spouse of a 100 percent disabled service member injured while on active duty
-OR-
(3) The un-remarried widow or widower of a service member who was killed while performing active duty
Supporting documentation: You are required to submit acceptable documentation of your eligibility for E.O. 13473 which includes:
All military spouses must submit documentation verifying marriage to the service member (i.e., a marriage license or other legal documentation verifying marriage)
AND
If you are married to an active-duty service member, documentation verifying active-duty status
OR
If you are a spouse of a 100% disabled service member, documentation showing the member of the armed forces retired, or was released or discharged from active duty, with a disability rating of 100 percent.
OR
If you are an un-remarried widow or widower of a service member killed while on active duty, documentation showing the member was released or discharged from active duty due to his or her death while on active duty; documentation verifying the member of the armed forces was killed while serving on active duty; documentation verifying the widow or widower's marriage to the member of the armed forces (i.e., a marriage license or other legal documentation verifying marriage); and a statement certifying that the individual seeking to use the authority is the un-remarried widow or widower of the service member.
For more information please see OPM's Questions and Answers for Noncompetitive Appointment of Certain Military Spouses.
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.
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.
4.
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
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.
• 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.
6.
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 (All SF-50s) and acceptable performance (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 (All SF-50s) and acceptable performance (performance appraisal ratings or references from supervisors if employed for periods of time too short to require an appraisal.)
7.
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 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)
- Interchange agreement with other merit systems Eligible
8.
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.
9.
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.
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.
1.
Education
2.
Specialized Experience GS-13
3.
Specialized Experience GS-12
Skill in the application of qualitative and quantitative social science principles, practices, and techniques to better understand how human factors may impact wildlife or other natural resource management.
Select the one statement that most accurately describes your training and experience carrying out each task using the scale provided.
4.
Apply statistical analysis methods and procedures used in a conservation social science field to analyze and interpret data.
5.
Apply social science theory and methods to address wildlife or other natural resource issues, using both qualitative and quantitative approaches.
6.
Use conceptual maps, logic models or other systematic processes to plan, design or evaluate program goals and objectives.
7.
Use professional knowledge of principles, theories and techniques of the conservation social sciences to address complex interdisciplinary natural resource problems.
8.
Evaluate conservation interventions or work unit strategic communications.
9.
Use data to inform campaigns or strategies aimed at influencing human conservation behavior.
10.
Develop reports that identify short-coming (realized and projected) and recommend solutions of alternative courses to take.
Skill in integrating social science and natural science concepts and principles to independently develop communication materials and products that address complex relationships between people and the wildlife and their habitats.
Select the one statement that most accurately describes your training and experience carrying out each task using the scale provided.
11.
Apply strategic communication techniques such as framing, persuasion, storytelling, or awareness building to communicate technical social science to natural resource practitioners.
12.
Coordinate with natural resource practitioners to identify evaluation needs and approaches.
13.
Develop tools or resources to communicate the conservation social sciences and their application to a variety of stakeholders, such as natural resource practitioners, managers and supervisors, senior management, and external partners.
Ability to coordinate work unit efforts with other internal and external offices.
Select the one statement that most accurately describes your training and experience carrying out each task using the scale provided.
14.
Serve as a key member of a growing conservation social science community of practice across federal, state and nongovernmental organizations, representing the organization and providing social science expertise.
15.
Work with leadership and others to develop and implement a plan to integrate social science into strategic planning efforts, policy recommendations, and programmatic priorities.
16.
Coordinate the work of a team in planning and carrying out program or project objectives.
17.
Convene small groups of conservation social science experts in an organization or across organizations to identify social science needs and capacity.
18.
Improve stakeholder engagement processes or partnership building efforts to discuss study results with technical and non-technical individual(s).
19.
Represent conservation social science efforts to key individuals and groups outside an immediate work unit.
20.
Serve as spokesperson and social science subject matter expert for an organization.
Skill in establishing and maintaining effective relationships with a wide range of conservation and natural resource practitioners, program managers, and/or decision-making officials to ensure that social science principles are incorporated into program goals.
Select the one statement that most accurately describes your training and experience carrying out each task using the scale provided.
21.
Collaborate with relevant conservation organizations (e.g., federal, state, academic, nongovernmental) to integrate social science into wildlife and other natural resource management and to coordinate on approaches, best practices or practitioner tools.
22.
Consult with natural resource practitioners to apply conservation social science to complex issues in areas such as landscape-level planning, stakeholder engagement, partnership building and strategic communication.
23.
Give briefings to practitioners and leadership that highlight the utility of social science to address complex natural resource issues, including impact on the project outcome or decision.
24.
Application of social science principles to the development of conservation planning, program development, and policy while addressing stakeholder and public input.
25.
Consider socioeconomic aspects for surrounding communities in the development of collaborative conservation partnerships for conservation planning.
Knowledge of conservation social science concepts, principles, and practices sufficient to address complex natural resources management issues at both site-specific and regional scales to inform management decisions.
Select the one statement that most accurately describes your training and experience carrying out each task using the scale provided.
26.
Address complex interdisciplinary natural resource problems based on appropriate principles, theories and techniques of the conservation social sciences.
27.
Apply statistical analysis methods and procedures used in conservation social science field to analyze and interpret data.
28.
Apply social science theory and methods to address wildlife or other natural resource management issues, using qualitative and quantitative approaches.
29.
Use conceptual maps, logic models or other systematic processes to plan, design, or evaluate program goals and objectives.
30.
Identify research needs, provide technical support, or identify data-gaps for complex natural resource issues.
Skill in integrating social science and natural science concepts and principles to independently develop communication materials and products that address complex relationships between people and the wildlife and their habitats.
Select the one statement that most accurately describes your training and experience carrying out each task using the scale provided.
31.
Apply strategic communication techniques such as framing, persuasion, storytelling, and awareness building to communicate technical social science to natural resources practitioners.
32.
Coordinate with natural resource practitioners to identify evaluation needs and approaches.
33.
Synthesize a variety of conservation social science documents, data, information, and plans into relevant resources that can be interpreted and used by field or regional level employees not trained in the social sciences.
Skill in establishing and maintaining effective relationships with a wide range of conservation and natural resource practitioners, program managers, and/or decision-making officials to ensure that social science principles are incorporated into program goals.
Select the one statement that most accurately describes your training and experience carrying out each task using the scale provided.
34.
Consult with natural resource practitioners to understand and help them frame their conservation challenges and recommend social science tools and resources to address them.
35.
Give briefings to practitioners and leadership that highlight the utility of social science to address complex natural resource issues, including impact on the project outcome or decision.
36.
Participate on a team for the planning and carrying out program or project objectives.
Ability to collaborate with others on teams to accomplish shared objectives.
Select the one statement that most accurately describes your training and experience carrying out each task using the scale provided.
37.
Serve as a contributing member of a growing conservation social science community of practice across the federal, state and nongovernmental organizations, representing the organization and providing social science expertise.
38.
Work with small groups of social science experts in an organization or across organizations to identify social science needs and capacity.
39.
Participate on interdisciplinary teams for the development and implementation of solutions to complex conservation issues.