Biologist

This announcement is for six (6) Information for Planning and Consultation (IPaC) Biologist GS-0401-11/12 positions located in Region 1, 3, 5, 6, 8, and 9 Assistant Regional Director-Ecological Services (ARD-ES) offices (one per Region), with multiple available duty locations:

• Regions 1, 3, 5, 6, 8 - See "additional information" section

• Region 9 - Falls Church, Virginia

These positions are part of the Ecological Services program in various Regions and Headquarters. They will provide expertise and support to field and regional operations on IPaC and EPM, in order to improve utilization of IPaC, EPM, ECOSphere, and further section 7 streamlining efforts under the Endangered Species Act of 1973. Duties will include, but not be limited to, drafting determination keys, developing effects pathways, analyzing data, briefings, delivering training for IPaC and ECOSphere users, conducting programmatic consultations, and participating in end of year performance reporting under the Government Reporting and Results Act of 1993. Additionally, the positions will provide support and guidance to the Region's Ecological Services Program regarding compliance with the Service's data management standards. These positions will work closely with the Headquarters IPaC Business Team and help to provide feedback to the IPaC Technical team from a field and regional perspective that can be used to continually help improve the IPaC and EPM applications.

Only experience and education obtained by 03/19/2024 will be considered.

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

Basic Requirement:

• Successfully completed a full 4-year course of study in an accredited college or university leading to a bachelor's or higher degree that included a major field of study in biological sciences, agriculture, natural resource management, chemistry, or related disciplines appropriate to the position. OR
• Possess a combination of education and experience--courses equivalent to a major, as shown in "A" above, plus appropriate experience or additional education. To combine education and experience, first take the number of semester hours (or equivalent) earned towards your degree and divide by 120 semester hours (or equivalent). To determine the percentage of qualifying experience, divide the total number of months of acceptable specialized experience by 12 months. Add your percentages of education and experience together. The two percentages must total at least 100%.

Minimum Qualification [GS-11]

• One year of specialized experience comparable in scope and responsibility equivalent to grade GS-09 in the Federal service. Experience may include: (1) assisting with or providing scientific, planning, or technical expertise on federally listed threatened or endangered species, migratory birds, wetlands, habitats, or other important fish and wildlife resources; (2) working with a variety of natural resource professionals engaged in a range of projects and studies related to the conservation of ecosystems and species to ensure the achievement of project objectives; (3) assisting with the planning and coordination of project management and review activities among groups of diverse stakeholders (e.g., state agencies, commissions, tribal, other Federal agencies, development districts, NGOs, etc.) to maximize benefits for fish and wildlife resources; (4) assisting with the development of briefing materials, position papers, technical analyses, or biological assessments on natural resource conservation and management programs, policies, or activities; and (5) assisting with the Endangered Species Act project reviews under section 7, as well as other laws such as the National Environmental Policy Act, the Fish and Wildlife Coordination Act, and the Migratory Bird Treaty Act for the protection and conservation of endangered, threatened, or sensitive species and their habitats. OR
• Possess 3 years of progressively higher-level graduate education leading to a Ph.D. degree or Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree in the biological sciences, natural resource management, or a closely related field which provided the knowledge, skills, and abilities to perform the duties of this position. OR
• A combination of education and experience as described in 1 and 2 above which together equals 100% of the requirement

Minimum Qualification [GS-12]: Possess at least one year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-11 level or higher in the Federal service (obtained in either the public or private sectors). Experience must include: (1) applying the Endangered Species Act, specifically conducting section 7 consultation, as well as implementing other laws such as the National Environmental Policy Act, the Fish and Wildlife Coordination Act, and the Migratory Bird Treaty Act for the protection and conservation of endangered, threatened, or sensitive species and their habitats; (2) providing scientific, planning, or technical expertise on federally listed threatened or endangered species, migratory birds, wetlands, habitats, or other important fish and wildlife resources; and (3) planning and coordinating project management and review activities among groups of diverse stakeholders (e.g., state agencies, commissions, tribal, other Federal agencies, development districts, NGOs, etc.) to maximize benefits for fish and wildlife resources. Experience may also include: 4) leading or supervising the work of natural resource professionals engaged in a range of projects and studies related to the conservation of ecosystems and species to ensure the achievement of project objectives; and 5) leading the preparation of briefing materials, position papers, technical analyses, or biological assessments on natural resource conservation and management programs, policies, or activities.

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.