USA Staffing

Position Title: Research Ecologist/Wildlife Biologist (Assistant Unit Leader)
Agency: Geological Survey
Announcement Number: USGS-DEN-23-11873761-DE-BWB Opens in new window
Open Period: Monday, March 13, 2023 to Wednesday, April 12, 2023

For preview purposes only. To apply, please return to the USAJOBS announcement and click the Apply button.

1. Do you claim Veterans’ Preference?

A. No, I do not claim Veterans' Preference

B. 0-point Sole Survivorship Preference (SSP)

C. 5-point preference based on active duty in the U.S. Armed Forces (TP)

D. 10-point preference for non-compensable disability or Purple Heart (XP)

E. 10-point preference based on a compensable service connected disability of at least 10% but less than 30% (CP)

F. 10 point preference based on widow/widower or parent of a deceased veteran, or spouse or parent of a disabled veteran (XP)

G. 10-point preference based on a compensable service connected disability of 30% or more (CPS)

Please mark "YES" to all eligibility options below for which you wish to be considered. We can only verify eligibility options for which you claim and provide proper documentation. Please see the "Required Documents" section of the announcement for specific requirements.

2. Are you a current Department of the Interior employee who meets the definition of surplus or displaced from a position in the competitive service that makes you eligible under the Career Transition Assistance Plan (CTAP)? If yes, please confirm that you meet all the following eligibility requirements:

This position is in the same local commuting area as the position of record from which you will be separated; and
This position is at a grade level no higher than the grade of the position of record from which you will be separated; and
This position has no greater promotion potential than the position of record from which you will be separated; and
You have a current performance rating of record of at least fully successful or the equivalent; and
You have not yet been separated.

A. Yes

B. No

3. Are you a current or former employee of a Federal agency (other than the Department of the Interior) who meets the definition of displaced from a position in the competitive service that makes you eligible under the Interagency Career Transition Assistance Plan (ICTAP)? If yes, please confirm that you meet all the following eligibility requirements:

This position is in the same local commuting area as the position of record from which you were separated; and
This position is at a grade level no higher than the grade of the position of record from which you were separated; and
This position has no greater promotion potential than the position of record from which you were separated; and
Your last performance rating of record was at least fully successful or the equivalent; and
You were separated from your position of record less than one year ago.

A. Yes

B. No

1. Select the lowest grade you are willing to accept for this position.

2. Select the series you want to be considered for. You must choose at least one series.

A. 0408 - Ecology

B. 0486 - Wildlife Biology

Please select the responses to the questions below that best describes your experience as it relates to this position.

1. Basic Requirements for GS-0408: Choose the one answer that best describes your education and experience as it pertains to the mandatory basic requirements for Ecologists.

A. I have successfully completed a bachelor`s or higher degree from an accredited college or university in biology or a related field of science underlying ecological research that includes at least 30 semester hours in basic and applied biological sciences. These hours must have included at least 9 semester hours in ecology, and 12 semester hours in physical and mathematical sciences.

B. I do not meet any of the requirements as described above.

2. Basic Requirements for GS-0486 (Research): Choose the one answer that best describes your education and experience as it pertains to the mandatory basic requirements for Research Wildlife Biologists.

A. I have 4 years of college leading to a bachelor’s or higher degree with a major in wildlife biology, zoology, or botany that included at least 30 semester hours (SH) of course work in biological science and 15 semester hours in the physical, mathematical, and earth sciences. This course work must have included: at least 9 semester hours of training applicable to wildlife biology in such subjects as mammalogy, ornithology, animal ecology, wildlife management, principles of population dynamics, or related course work in the field of wildlife biology; and at least 12 SH in zoological subjects such as invertebrate zoology, vertebrate zoology, comparative anatomy of the vertebrates, embryology, animal physiology, entomology, herpetology, parasitology, and genetics; and at least 9 SH in the field of botany and related plant science; and at least 15 SH of training in any combination of two or more of the following: chemistry, physics, mathematics, statistics, soils, and/or geology.

B. I do not meet any of the requirements as described above.

3. GS-13: In addition to meeting the Basic Requirements, you must have professional experience. Select the response below that best describes your experience.

A. I possess 1 year of specialized experience equivalent in level of difficulty and responsibility to at least the GS-12 grade level in the Federal service as described in the qualifications section of the vacancy announcement that has equipped me with the knowledge, skills and abilities to perform successfully the duties of this position.

B. I do not meet the requirements as described.

4. In addition to the requirements above, you must possess a Ph.D in a related field of study. Do you meet this requirement?

A. Yes, I meet the requirement as described

B. No, I do not meet the requirement as described

5. I possess a Ph.D. degree or post-doctoral research experience using advanced quantitative procedures to estimate and model spatial and/or long-term temporal variation in wildlife populations to understand drivers of change and inform harvest management.

A. Yes

B. No

6. Choose the one answer which best describes your academic teaching experience in wildlife ecology or closely related topics.

A. I have no university teaching experience.

B. As a graduate teaching assistant, I helped set up labs, grade papers, and otherwise assist faculty members in the delivery of courses on wildlife ecology or closely related topics.

C. I taught one or more courses on wildlife ecology or closely related topics at the university level.

7. Which level below best describes your ability to communicate scientific results as demonstrated by publications record (including co-authorship) in peer-reviewed journals dealing directly with the ecology and management of wildlife populations and their habitats?

A. I have authored or co-authored more than 4 peer-reviewed publications on this topic in the last 7 years, including papers in press.

B. I have authored or co-authored 3-4 peer-reviewed publications on this topic in the last 7 years, including papers in press.

C. I have authored or co-authored fewer than 3 peer-reviewed publications on this topic in the last 7 years, including papers in press.

D. I have no peer-reviewed publications on the stated topics in the last 7 years.

8. Choose the answer below that describes your experience making oral and poster presentations at regional, national, or international meetings and conferences related to wildlife, or ecological issues.

A. I have not presented oral or poster presentations at regional, national, or international meetings and conferences related to wildlife ecology or related meetings/conferences.

B. I have presented 1 or more oral or poster presentations at regional, national, or international wildlife ecology or related meetings/conferences.

C. I have presented 2-4 or more oral or poster presentations as lead or co-author at regional, national, or international wildlife ecology or related meetings/conferences.

D. I have presented 5 or more oral or poster presentations as lead or co-author at regional, national, or international wildlife ecology or related meetings/conferences.

9. Which best describes your level of knowledge and experience communicating scientific results to agency managers and biologists to inform important management concerns?

A. I have no experience providing biologists with science-based evidence to inform management concerns.

B. I occasionally (1-3 times) provided biologists with science-based evidence to inform management concerns.

C. I frequently (>3 times) provided biologists with science-based evidence to inform management concerns.

10. Which best describes your experience working with federal and state agencies and conservation organizations to develop applied research that addresses important conservation issues?

A. I developed multiple research projects in cooperation with conservation agencies and organizations to address issues related to wildlife management.

B. I developed a single research project in cooperation with conservation agencies and organizations to address issues related to wildlife management.

C. I have no experience cooperating with conservation agencies and organizations to develop research that addresses issues related to wildlife management.

11. Which best describes your experience in obtaining grants and contracts to support research activities related to wildlife management?

A. As PI or Co-PI, I have obtained multiple research grants to support field research activities in the field.

B. As PI or Co-PI, I have obtained a grant to support field research activities related to wildlife ecology and management.

C. As collaborator or graduate student, I have participated on research grants to support field research activities related to wildlife ecology and management.

D. I have never authored or participated on a research grant to support field research activities related to wildlife ecology and management.

12. Choose the one answer which best describes your familiarity and experience with designing, planning, and conducting field research programs, and analyzing/synthesizing results from field research.

A. I have academic instruction in various field techniques and analytical methods but have little or no practical field experience in their use.

B. I have training and practical field experience in various field techniques and analysis while working under the direction of a senior investigator.

C. I am proficient in field techniques and analysis, having provided instruction to and lead research teams conducting field research and synthesis of results.

D. I am an expert having designed, planned, conducted, and synthesized results of multiple field studies involving teams.

13. Choose the answer below that best describes your experience using modern analytical methods such as maximum likelihood and Bayesian estimation and multi-model inference to synthesize research results.

A. I have received instruction in modern analytical methods but have little or no experience in their use.

B. I have training and experience using modern analytical methods and interpreting results while working under the direction of a senior investigator.

C. I am proficient in modern analytical methods and the interpretation of results and employed them in reports and peer-reviewed publications.

D. I am an expert in the use of model analytical method having published the results of using them and provided instruction in their use to students and professionals.

Select “Yes” or “No” to the following question(s).

14. I certify, to the best of my knowledge that all the information in my application is true, and that I have truthfully and accurately represented my work experience, knowledge, skills, abilities and education. I understand that providing false or fraudulent information may be grounds for not hiring me or for firing me after I begin work. I also certify that I have read the entire vacancy announcement; that I have reviewed my answers to the eligibility questions for accuracy; and that I understand what supporting documentation, if any, is required for submission and when it's due.

A. Yes

B. No

Your session will expire due to inactivity in 60 seconds.

Unsaved data may be lost if you allow this session to expire.

Warning! The announcement has now closed.

Failure to continue will prevent you from completing and submitting the application.

Click the Stay Connected button below to continue your session.

Terms & Conditions

Your Session is About to Expire!