U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Logo
Position Title
Wildlife Refuge Manager
Agency
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
Announcement Number
R4-12211599-SG-MP Opens in new window
Open Period
Friday, December 1, 2023 to Thursday, December 14, 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? (limit characters)
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.
(limit characters)
3. Please select YES to this eligibility if you meet the criteria below:

Are you a Department of Interior employee who 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.

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 with the Department of Interior. 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).
(limit characters)
4. 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.)
(limit characters)
5. Please select YES to this Eligibility if you meet the criteria below:

Are you a U.S. Department of the Interior employee who currently holds a career or career conditional appointment in the competitive service and has held a permanent (non-temporary) position at the same or higher full performance level as the position being announced?

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 with the U.S. Department of the Interior. 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)
(limit characters)
Preferences
1. Select the lowest grade you are willing to accept for this position. (limit characters)
Assessment 1
Basic Education Requirement GS-0485 (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. Please select the response below that indicates how you meet the basic education requirement for this position.
(limit characters)
Minimum Qualifications GS-0485-12 (limit characters)
2. In addition to meeting the basic education requirement above, in order to qualify for this position at the GS-12 grade level you must also meet the following minimum qualification requirement. Please select the response below that indicates how you meet the minimum qualifications for this position at the GS-12 grade level.
(limit characters)
Performance Appraisal (limit characters)
3. Do you have a current rating of record dated within the past 18 months, at the fully successfully level or higher? (limit characters)
4. If you answered no to question #3 please provide an explanation: (limit characters)
Select “Yes” or “No” to the following question(s). (limit characters)
5. If you do not have a current rating of record available, you must certify that your performance is acceptable, and you have not been advised that your performance is currently at an unacceptable level. "I certify that my performance is acceptable, and I have not been advised that my performance is currently unacceptable." (limit characters)
Knowledge of a wide range of theories, principles and concepts of population and wildlife and aquatic biology, wildlife management, species lifecycle requirements/management, and conservation biology. (limit characters)
Select the one statement that most accurately describes your training and experience carrying out each task using the scale provided. (limit characters)
6. Plan and implement habitat and wildlife management, wetland restoration, riparian restoration and invasive control projects for the benefit of fish and wildlife.
(limit characters)
7. Apply the principles and theories of wildlife management, botany, zoology and other biological sciences to address important natural resource issues.
(limit characters)
8. Plan, coordinate, and administer land conservation activities such as hunting, invasive weed management and control, desert or riparian restoration and revegetation.
(limit characters)
9. Improve management efforts for waterfowl, migratory birds, and wetland habitats in accordance with research principles, techniques, and biology.
(limit characters)
10. Direct or supervise planning and management of wildlife programs and operations (e.g., prescribed burning, water control activities, biological research, wildlife management and census, habitat monitoring, and public recreational use).
(limit characters)
Knowledge of natural resource laws, regulations, and polices such as the National Wildlife Refuge Improvement Act (NWRIA), the Endangered Species Act (ESA) and the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) and their requirements. (limit characters)
Select the one statement that most accurately describes your training and experience carrying out each task using the scale provided. (limit characters)
11. Draft and prepare natural resource management plan(s), endangered species recovery plan(s), environmental impact statement(s), environmental assessment(s), grant proposal(s), management plan(s), research proposal(s), or public use plan(s).
(limit characters)
12. Ensure land conservation actions comply with the Endangered Species Act, NEPA, and other natural resource policies and guidelines for management of threatened or endangered species and natural resources.
(limit characters)
13. Prepare administrative reports and review and edit technical reports and/or other documents associated with wildlife management and administrative programs.
(limit characters)
14. Provide complete compatibility determinations for permitted activities on public lands, as well as categorical exclusions, environmental assessments, and environmental impact statements.
(limit characters)
Knowledge of public lands planning and budgeting processes to participate in the development of long-range plans, annual work plans, and associated budgeting. (limit characters)
Select the one statement that most accurately describes your training and experience carrying out each task using the scale provided. (limit characters)
15. Administer an annual budget to accomplish work goals consistent with established policies and guidelines associated with public lands or land conservation.
(limit characters)
16. Develop long-range plans and strategies for the management of natural resources activities on public lands.
(limit characters)
17. Determine budget needs and prepare budget requests, estimates, and justifications for funding.
(limit characters)
18. Assist in managing a budget with multiple funding accounts, including budget development, tracking, and reporting.
(limit characters)
19. Complete data calls and administrative reports for documenting yearly accomplishments or budget justifications.
(limit characters)
Ability to communicate and work closely with other federal, state, tribal, and local government officials as well as interest groups in areas of resource use conflict and allocation, and where cross-cultural understanding and appreciation is crucial. (limit characters)
Select the one statement that most accurately describes your training and experience carrying out each task using the scale provided. (limit characters)
20. Coordinate management programs with federal, state, tribal, local governments and NGOs.
(limit characters)
21. Develop necessary cooperative relationships, memoranda of understanding (MOUs) or cooperative agreements with other land conservation agencies which assist in accomplishing program goals.
(limit characters)
22. Organize and lead meetings where important and controversial natural resource issues are discussed among diverse interested parties.
(limit characters)
23. Prepare a variety of written documents including official correspondence, briefing statements for supervisors, project reports and articles for use in public outreach.
(limit characters)
Ability to supervise a multidisciplinary staff and achieve management objectives by working with others. (limit characters)
Select the one statement that most accurately describes your training and experience carrying out each task using the scale provided. (limit characters)
24. Evaluate subordinate staff on their work performance and professional growth.
(limit characters)
25. Supervise permanent and temporary staff members in a natural resource setting.
(limit characters)
26. Coach staff with career development (positions, training, and temporary assignments)
(limit characters)
Certification Statement (limit characters)
27. I certify that, to the best of my knowledge and belief, all of the information included in this questionnaire is true, correct, and provided in good faith. I understand that if I make an intentional false statement or commit deception or fraud in this application and its supporting materials, or in any document or interview associated with the examination process, I may be fined or imprisoned (18 U.S.C. 1001); my eligibilities may be cancelled, I may be denied appointment, or I may be removed and debarred from Federal service (5 C.F.R. part 731). I understand that any information I give may be investigated. I understand that responding "No" to this item will result in me not being considered for this position.
(limit characters)
Minimum Qualifications GS-0485-11 (limit characters)
28. In addition to meeting the basic education requirement above, to qualify for this position at the GS-11 grade level you must also meet the following minimum qualification requirement. Please select the response below that indicates how you meet the minimum qualifications for this position at the GS-11 grade level.
(limit characters)
Knowledge in applying a wide range of theories, principles and concepts of population and wildlife and aquatic biology, wildlife management, species lifecycle requirements/management, and conservation biology. (limit characters)
Select the one statement that most accurately describes your training and experience carrying out each task using the scale provided. (limit characters)
29. Plan and implement habitat and wildlife management, wetland restoration, riparian restoration and invasive control projects for the benefit of fish and wildlife.
(limit characters)
30. Apply the principles and theories of wildlife management, botany, zoology and other biological sciences to address important natural resource issues.
(limit characters)
31. Administer wildlife refuge activities such as hunting, invasive weed management and control, wetland and riparian restoration and revegetation.
(limit characters)
32. Continue management efforts for waterfowl, migratory birds, and wetland habitats in accordance with research principles, techniques, and biology.
(limit characters)
33. Oversee planning and management of wildlife programs and operations (e.g., prescribed burning, water control activities, biological research, wildlife management and census, habitat monitoring, and public recreational use).
(limit characters)
Knowledge of natural resource laws, regulations, and polices, such as the National Wildlife Refuge Improvement Act (NWRIA), the Endangered Species Act (ESA) and the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) and their requirements. (limit characters)
Select the one statement that most accurately describes your training and experience carrying out each task using the scale provided. (limit characters)
34. Draft and prepare natural resource management plan(s), endangered species recovery plan(s), environmental impact statement(s), environmental assessment(s), grant proposal(s), management plan(s), research proposal(s), or public use plan(s) for public lands.
(limit characters)
35. Ensure land conservation actions comply with the Endangered Species Act, NEPA, and other natural resource policies and guidelines for management of threatened or endangered species and natural resources.
(limit characters)
36. Prepare administrative reports and review and edit technical reports and/or other documents associated with wildlife management and administrative programs.
(limit characters)
37. Provide complete compatibility determinations for permitted activities on public lands, as well as categorical exclusions, environmental assessments, findings of appropriateness and environmental impact statements.
(limit characters)
38. Deliver presentations on controversial natural resource issues to individuals that have varying levels of knowledge about the subject area.
(limit characters)
Skill in using a variety of IT applications/databases (e.g., Microsoft Suite, Google, ArcGIS, and budget tracking and/or procurement systems). (limit characters)
Select the one statement that most accurately describes your training and experience carrying out each task using the scale provided. (limit characters)
39. Use a wide variety of statistical and Geographic Information Systems (GIS)/Global Position System (GPS) computer software (e.g., excel, access, arc info, ArcGIS) to develop and maintain biological databases and analyze biological data.
(limit characters)
40. Update and maintain reporting system databases relative to conservation land management, such as GIS data collection/management, Real Property Inventories, Personal Property Inventories, Service Asset Maintenance Management System, Refuge Annual Performance Planning, Environmental Conservation Online System, Pesticide Use Proposal System, and other reporting system databases.
(limit characters)
41. Collect, assemble and enter budget estimates, purchasing, services, personnel requirements, and equipment information into databases to meet station needs.
(limit characters)
Ability to communicate in writing sufficient to prepare correspondence, scientific and administrative reports, management plans, and a variety of information and educational materials, including brochures and displays. (limit characters)
Select the one statement that most accurately describes your training and experience carrying out each task using the scale provided. (limit characters)
42. Complete data calls and administrative reports for documenting yearly accomplishments or budget justifications.
(limit characters)
43. Develop necessary cooperative relationships, memoranda of understanding (MOUs) or cooperative agreements with other agencies which assist in accomplishing program goals.
(limit characters)
44. Prepare a variety of written documents including official correspondence, briefing statements for supervisors, project reports and articles for use in public outreach.
(limit characters)
45. Write correspondence, briefing documents, and narrative reports to higher management, elected officials, nongovernmental organizations, private landowners, and the public explaining, defending, or resolving controversial or sensitive issues.
(limit characters)
Ability to direct daily operations of staff, plan and prioritize projects and work assignments, coordinate with staff including biological and maintenance, train staff and volunteers and ensure operations are occurring in a safe manner. (limit characters)
Select the one statement that most accurately describes your training and experience carrying out each task using the scale provided. (limit characters)
46. Act as team lead in conducting day to day operations, such as supervising employees, interns, seasonals, or volunteers.
(limit characters)
47. Provide leadership in the management of units of a land conservation program including population and habitat management, planning, fire management, asset management and visitor services.
(limit characters)
48. Directly supervise wage grade staff, YCC, seasonals and volunteers responsible for the construction, maintenance and upkeep of buildings, grounds, fences, dikes, roads, signs, and equipment.
(limit characters)
49. Develop annual work plans through strategic planning to meet goals and objectives with effective management of available funds, ensuring completion of operations, construction, and maintenance projects.
(limit characters)
50. Plan and schedule operations and maintenance projects such as heavy equipment repairs, fencing, boundary marking, grading, mowing and disking, water conveyance infrastructure, and HVAC system maintenance.
(limit characters)
51. Ensure equipment, facilities, and operations comply with safety regulations, policies and requirements.
(limit characters)
Certification Statement (limit characters)