Biologist

This position is a Biologist, GS- 0401-5/7 FPL 9, working on a National Wildlife Refuge in one of the various locations listed above. Refuge employees manage fish, wildlife, and plant populations and their habitats on national wildlife refuges, wildlife management areas, and easements. They manage a variety of habitats, including wetlands, grasslands, and riparian areas using tools such as water level manipulation, farming, grazing, haying and prescribed burning.

The Pathways Recent Graduate Program is for recently graduated or graduating individuals who are looking for developmental experiences in the Federal Government intended to promote possible careers in the civil service. Recent Graduates will serve on this appointment for one year.

During the first year the selectee will perform developmental activities designed to help them acquire the competencies of the target position in which they may be placed upon completion of the program. Participants who successfully complete the Recent College Graduates Program may be eligible for conversion to the target position on a permanent or term (more than one to four years in duration) basis without further competition. For more information on the Pathways Recent Graduate Program, please visit https://www.usajobs.gov/StudentsAndGrads.

As a Biologist your duties may include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Project Design and Management. Assists with the development and implementation of biological, wildlife and habitat projects on public and privately-owned lands with an emphasis on restoration, enhancement and management of native and threatened and endangered species.
  
  Assists refuge staff with coordinating approval documentation with land managers and land owners. Uses standard techniques to collect biological data concerning fish and wildlife and habitats. Uses databases for data compilation and analysis.

• Coordination and Outreach. Delivers technical presentations to other agencies, organizations, conservation districts, wildlife clubs, and community groups; works with print, radio, and television media to promote local Service initiatives.
  
  Coordinates and integrates with other Service programs and offices within the local area of responsibility. Coordinates volunteer support and communicates with the public through various outreach methods.

Only experience and education obtained by 05/08/2024 will be considered.

OPM's Qualification standard: http://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/classification-qualifications/general-schedule-qualification-standards/final-groupcoveragequalificationstandardforpathwaysprogramschedule-20d.pdf. Applicants meet the following eligibility requirement, and provide documentation such as a copy of your official transcript and/or veteran's documentation by the closing date of the announcement to be considered:

In order to qualify for this position you must possess both the Basic Requirement and Minimum Qualification.

Basic Requirement:

• Bachelor's or higher degree from an accredited college or university in biological sciences, agriculture, natural resource management, chemistry, or related disciplines appropriate to the position. OR
• A combination of education and experience. You should have completed at least 24 semester hours of course work in areas like biological sciences, agriculture, natural resource management, or chemistry.
  
  Alternatively, you could have completed course work in a related discipline. The quality of your education and experience should demonstrate that you have the knowledge, skills, and abilities needed to perform the work required. It should be similar to what you would have gained from completing a four-year course of study with a major in one of the areas mentioned above.

Minimum Qualification [GS-05]:Applicants who meet the basic requirement above are qualified for the GS-05 grade level.

Minimum Qualification [GS-07]1. One year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the GS-05 grade level in Federal service that includes: assisting in collecting and reviewing biological data for conservation related projects; maintaining and updating reports and files; -AND- gathering, organizing, and interpreting biological, ecological, public use, or other pertinent information for scientific studies involving natural resource issues.

NOTE: Your resume must contain sufficient information in these areas to be found qualified. OR

2.Successfully completed at least 1 full year of graduate education from an accredited college or university in wildlife biology, ecology, or a directly related field appropriate to this position. OR

3.Superior Academic Achievement (S.A.A.) S.A.A. is based on (1) Class Standing, (2) Grade-Point Average, or (3) Honor Society Membership. (1) Class Standing: Upper one-third of the graduating class in the college, university, or major subdivision based on completed courses. (2) Grade-Point Average:

A grade point average of (a) 3.0 or higher out of a possible 4.0 (B or better) as recorded on the official transcript or as computed based on four years of education, or computed based on courses completed during the final two years of the curriculum; -or- (b) 3.5 or higher out of a possible 4.0 0 (B+ or better) based on the average of the required courses completed in the major field or the required courses in the major field completed during the final two years of the curriculum. (3) Election to Membership in a National Scholastic Honor Society: Applicants may be considered eligible based on membership in one of the national scholastic honor societies. Freshman scholastic honor societies cannot be used to meet the requirements of this position. OR

4.A combination of specialized experience (at least 6-months) and graduate education (9 semester-hours), as described above that, when combined, equals 100% of the total requirement.

Experience refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service programs (e.g., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizations (e.g., professional; philanthropic; religious; spiritual; community, student, social). Volunteer work helps build critical competencies, knowledge, and skills and can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience.

Experience refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service programs (e.g., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizations (e.g., professional; philanthropic; religious; spiritual; community, student, social). Volunteer work helps build critical competencies, knowledge, and skills and can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience.

Promotion Potential: This position involves a multi-grade career ladder.

The major duties listed represent the full performance level of GS-5/7. At lower grade levels, you will perform assignments of a more limited scope and with less independence. You will progressively acquire the background necessary to perform at the full performance level of GS-5/7.

Promotion is at the discretion of the supervisor and is contingent upon satisfactory performance, availability of higher level work, and availability of funds. The selectee may be promoted without further competition when all regulatory, qualification, and performance requirements are met. Selection at a lower grade level does not guarantee promotion to the full performance level.

(NOTE: You must attach a copy of your transcripts. Failure to submit transcripts will result in an ineligible rating.)