- Position Title
- Wildlife Biologist
- Agency
- Natural Resources Conservation Service
- Announcement Number
- NRCS-25-12652879-ST-MN-LK Opens in new window
- Open Period
- Friday, December 27, 2024 to Friday, January 10, 2025
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 USDA employee who meets the definition of a "surplus" or "displaced" employee, in which received official notice that your job is no longer needed or that you will lose your job by Reduction-in-Force (RIF)? If yes, confirm:
• you are located in the same local commuting area as the vacancy; AND,
• you are applying to a position that is at or below the grade level of the position from which you will be separated; AND,
• you are applying to a position that does not have greater promotion potential than the position from which you 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.
• you are located in the same local commuting area as the vacancy; AND,
• you are applying to a position that is at or below the grade level of the position from which you will be separated; AND,
• you are applying to a position that does not have greater promotion potential than the position from which you 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.
3.
Are you a current or former permanent Farm Service Agency County employee?
4.
Are you a current Federal employee who currently holds a career or career conditional appointment?
5.
Are you a Federal employee who currently holds a career or career conditional appointment AND you have held or currently hold a position on a permanent basis in the competitive service with the same or higher promotion potential of the position being advertised?
6.
Are you a current or former federal employee displaced from a position in a Federal agency other than USDA? If yes, confirm:
• you are located in the same local commuting area as 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.
• you are located in the same local commuting area as 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.
7.
Are you a current or former employee of a land management agency (Forest Service; Bureau of Land Management; National Park Service; Fish and Wildlife Service; Bureau of Indian Affairs; or Bureau of Reclamation) who is claiming eligibility under the Land Management Workforce Flexibility Act and:
• was originally hired to a time-limited position under a competitive appointment; and,
• served one or more time-limited appointments at a land management agency for a period totaling more than 24 months without a single break in service of two or more years; and,
• performed at an acceptable level during each period of service; and,
• if no longer employed by the land management agency, have been separated for no more than two years, and whose most recent separation was for reasons other than misconduct or performance.
Note: Service must be in the competitive service and have been at a successful level of performance or better. Part-time and intermittent service will be credited only for time actually worked. Non-pay status (such as LWOP) is credited for up to six months in a calendar year; anything beyond six months is not credited. Applicants are responsible for providing sufficient information/documentation to determine if the 24 month criteria is met.
• was originally hired to a time-limited position under a competitive appointment; and,
• served one or more time-limited appointments at a land management agency for a period totaling more than 24 months without a single break in service of two or more years; and,
• performed at an acceptable level during each period of service; and,
• if no longer employed by the land management agency, have been separated for no more than two years, and whose most recent separation was for reasons other than misconduct or performance.
Note: Service must be in the competitive service and have been at a successful level of performance or better. Part-time and intermittent service will be credited only for time actually worked. Non-pay status (such as LWOP) is credited for up to six months in a calendar year; anything beyond six months is not credited. Applicants are responsible for providing sufficient information/documentation to determine if the 24 month criteria is met.
8.
Have you registered for reemployment consideration AND meet one of the below:
• Are you a current or former competitive service USDA employee who will be or was separated by Reduction-In-Force (RIF) and received a rating of satisfactory or above as your last annual performance rating?
OR
• Are you a former USDA competitive service employee who separated due to a compensable injury or disability?
• Are you a current or former competitive service USDA employee who will be or was separated by Reduction-In-Force (RIF) and received a rating of satisfactory or above as your last annual performance rating?
OR
• Are you a former USDA competitive service employee who separated due to a compensable injury or disability?
9.
Are you:
• a veteran whose latest discharge was under honorable conditions AND you served three or more years of continuous active duty service in the military (Note: if released shortly before completing a 3-year tour, you are considered to meet the eligibility); OR,
• eligible for veterans' preference?
Note: If you are currently on active duty you may be considered under the two provisions above provided you submit a certification of expected discharge or release from active duty service under honorable conditions not later than 120 days after the date the certification is submitted.
For more information, review USAJOBS Veterans resources.
• a veteran whose latest discharge was under honorable conditions AND you served three or more years of continuous active duty service in the military (Note: if released shortly before completing a 3-year tour, you are considered to meet the eligibility); OR,
• eligible for veterans' preference?
Note: If you are currently on active duty you may be considered under the two provisions above provided you submit a certification of expected discharge or release from active duty service under honorable conditions not later than 120 days after the date the certification is submitted.
For more information, review USAJOBS Veterans resources.
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.
3.
Are you a current or former Political appointee, Presidential appointee, and/or non-career Senior Executive Service (SES) appointee?
Assessment 1
Please respond to the following questions. Any experience claimed in response to the questions MUST be supported by information in your resume. This information must be SPECIFIC, (i.e., duties, responsibilities, and accomplishments). Failure to provide supporting documentation may result in an ineligible rating.
1.
In this part, you will be asked about your education or experience in meeting the basic qualifications for the GS-0486 series. Please read all responses prior to making your selection, then select the answer that accurately reflects your qualifications:
2.
In addition to meeting the basic educational requirement, you must also meet specialized experience requirements. Please select one response from the choices shown below that corresponds to the level of specialized experience you fully possess that qualifies you for the GS-11 level. Your resume must contain evidence to support your responses.
3.
In addition to meeting the basic educational requirement, you must also meet specialized experience requirement. Please select one response from the choices shown below that corresponds to the level of specialized experience you fully possess that qualifies you for the GS-12 level. Your resume must contain evidence to support your responses.
Select the one statement that most accurately describes your training and experience carrying out each task using the scale provided.
4.
Apply knowledge of plant and animal ecology, ichthyology, physiology, taxonomy, mammalogy, ornithology, herpetology, limnology, and water chemistry.
5.
From the descriptions below, choose the response that best describes your highest level of experience developing needs and plan for field trials on upland and wetland wildlife problems.
6.
From the descriptions below, choose the response that best describes your highest level of experience resolving complex natural resource concerns with land managers on specialized upland and wetland wildlife problems/concerns.
7.
Knowledge of related disciplines, such as forestry, hydrology, soil science, agronomy, geology, and engineering, to implement State guidance criteria, policies, standards, and procedures.
8.
Maintain contacts and foster cooperative working relationships with state conservationists, state program managers, Federal and state agencies, and the general public.
9.
Contacts specialists of universities and other Federal and state agencies to discuss and adopt new information pertaining to biology.
10.
Which of the following best describes your level of experience maintaining working relationship with technical staffs, other federal and state representatives, agencies and groups having interests related to wildlife, recreation, riparian and wetland conservation.
11.
Which of the following best describes your level of experience writing plans and prescriptions for restoration and management of habitat for fish, wildlife, or native plant communities.
Select the one statement that most accurately describes your training and experience carrying out each task using the scale provided.
12.
Which of the following best describes your level of experience developing wildlife habitat related policies, technical guidance, and programmatic directions.
13.
Experience preparing written reports and recommendations on the impact of proposed or applied management or structural practices and water resource projects on fish and wildlife resources.
14.
Develop presentations and briefings for use in delivering to all levels of the agency.
Select the one statement that most accurately describes your training and experience carrying out each task using the scale provided.
15.
From the descriptions below, choose the response that best describes your highest level of experience evaluating the results of land treatment and management, studying problems and field conditions, recommending practices needed and helping develop procedures, techniques, and realistic plans for getting them established and maintained to accomplish the objective.
16.
Knowledge of NRCS programs and the interrelationship with each other, and knowledge of conservation organizations on the federal, state and private level.
17.
Experience working with programs administered by the USDA, Natural Resources Conservation Service such as Emergency Watershed Program (EWP), Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP), Conservation Stewardship Program (CSP) and Agricultural Conservation Easement Program - Wetlands Reserve Easements (ACEP-WRE).
18.
Which of the following best describes your level of experience planning conservation systems for pasture, forest, and cropland in order to integrate wildlife conservation practices into various land uses through the NRCS 9-step planning process.
19.
Your responses to the Announcement and Assessment Questionnaires, along with your resume and all supporting documentation are subject to evaluation and verification to ensure accuracy. Submitting false information or attempts to falsify information may be grounds for disqualifying you or for terminating you after you have been hired. Please take this opportunity to review your responses to ensure their accuracy.