U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Logo
Position Title
Wildlife Refuge Manager
Agency
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
Announcement Number
R8-24-12538105-SC-MP Opens in new window
Open Period
Monday, September 9, 2024 to Friday, September 20, 2024
For preview purposes only. To apply, please return to the USAJOBS announcement and click the Apply button.
Eligibilities
1. 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.
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2. Please select YES to this eligibility if you meet the criteria below: 

Are you a U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service 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 U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. 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).
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3. 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.)
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4. Please select YES to this Eligibility if you meet the criteria below:

Are you a U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service 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. Fish and Wildlife Service. 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)
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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 (limit characters)
2. Minimum Qualification (limit characters)
Condition of Employment: Drivers License required (limit characters)
Select “Yes” or “No” to the following question(s). (limit characters)
3. I understand that a valid State drivers license is required. (limit characters)
Condition of Employment: Required to wear a US FWS Uniform in accordance with the Service Manual. (limit characters)
Select “Yes” or “No” to the following question(s). (limit characters)
4. I understand that I must wear an official uniform according to USFWS policy. (limit characters)
Knowledge of natural resource laws, regulations, and polices pertaining to refuge / natural resource management, including the National Wildlife Refuge Improvement Act (NWRIA), the Endangered Species Act (ESA), the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), the Wilderness Act, Refuge Administration Act 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)
5. Oversee and administer Comprehensive Conservation Plans (CCP), habitat management plans, land acquisition and protection plans, or other long-range conservation plans for refuges or public lands
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6. Develop adaptive management strategies for implementing a comprehensive conservation plan or other land management plan
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7. Assist in applying current and changing natural resources laws, rules, and regulations that affect the national wildlife refuge system ensuring that all activities within the refuge/wetland management district program remain in compliance
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8. Administer and permit uses of federally or state owned lands or trust resources in accordance with requirements of natural resource laws
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9. Prepare and/or review National Environmental Protection Act (NEPA) documents and conduct required public involvement.
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10. Prepare, review and approve Compatibility Determinations involving controversial or conflicting uses that require significant modifications and/or stipulations necessary to ensure compatibility.
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11. Administer and ensure action/activities comply with the Wildlife Refuge Administration Act, Refuge Compatibility Policy and/or other policies, rules and regulations regarding wildlife refuge management or other public lands management.
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12. Prepare and/or review Special Use Permits, Cooperative Agreements, and/or Memoranda of Understanding to effectively manage wildlife and habitat.
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Knowledge of and skill in applying a wide range of theories, principles and concepts of population and wildlife and aquatic biology, wildlife management, species lifecycle requirements/management, conservation biology, and landscape ecology. (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. Develop plans and implement methods for control or removal of alien plant, mammal, or insect species to protect native habitat
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14. Develop and write portions of long-range comprehensive conservation plan (ccp) or habitat management plans for a refuge or public lands
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15. Deliver specific wildlife management actions and techniques to improve habitat for waterfowl and other migratory birds
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16. Oversee biological research projects by outside organizations, review study proposals, and issue special use permits.
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17. Assess impact of forms of recreation and industrial uses on resources and/or management programs.
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18. Identify and implement actions to ensure refuge compliance with environmental and cultural resources, and health and safety mandates.
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19. Develop and implement a management or restoration program for wildlife habitats.
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Ability to plan, develop, coordinate, and negotiate the resolution of complicated, unprecedented, and/or controversial resource use issues and problems related to a national wildlife Refuge (e.g. control waterfowl depredation problems associated with a Refuge located in an area of intensive agricultural development; control disease outbreaks occurring among large concentrations of waterfowl; manage a large, diverse, and complex cooperative farming program; and/or operate a large and diverse hunting program consistent with law, agency regulations, and local customs). (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. Apply adaptive management practices to all resource management strategies to improve conditions for migratory birds
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21. Administer and manage a variety of complex natural resource programs in a refuge management situation
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22. Administer an annual budget to accomplish work goals consistent with established policies and guidelines
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23. Address complex and controversial natural resource issues with federal, state, local, and international agencies and other interest groups
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24. Achieve management objectives by working with others and by supervising a multi-disciplinary staff
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Ability to represent the Service as refuge management expert with elected and appointed Federal, state and local government officials and employees, the media, local and national level environmental and conservation groups, members of academia, Tribal representatives, corporate partners, and the general public on issues affecting natural resource management in the geographic area. (limit characters)
Select the one statement that most accurately describes your training and experience carrying out each task using the scale provided. (limit characters)
25. Influence persons or groups orally or in writing to gain acceptance of agency positions, practices or policies
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26. Maintain communication and positive working relationships with tribal representatives by applying knowledge of government tribal trust responsibilities
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27. Maintain effective working relationships with other government officials, special interest, and community groups
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28. Maintain working relationships and participate in planning activities with other federal and state government officials, non-federal landowners, special interest, and community groups to maximize wildlife resource benefits
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29. Manage conflicts between public land uses (such as recreational uses) and conservation purposes for an area
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Ability to supervise a multifaceted team of professional, technical, analytical and administrative support staff, setting a team attitude of adhering to high professional standards and completion of accurate, high quality work. (limit characters)
Select the one statement that most accurately describes your training and experience carrying out each task using the scale provided. (limit characters)
30. Supervise a multidisciplinary staff of scientific, professional, technical, administrative, wage grade employees, and volunteers to achieve management objectives
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31. Plan and supervise the maintenance of a full component of physical facilities
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32. Manage or supervise the operations and maintenance of facilities in a natural resource agency/organization
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33. Review refuge staffing patterns and personnel management for operation efficiency and effectiveness.
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34. Establish performance plans and assess employee's performance.
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35. Assign work to subordinates based on priorities, difficulty of the assignment, and abilities of employees.
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36. Supervise or oversee volunteers and/or youth program participants to accomplish projects in a natural resource setting.
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Certification Statement (limit characters)
37. 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)