Biologist

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Duties

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

• Performing, and providing oversight and guidance in regards to, risk assessments especially as related to pesticides, toxicology, and water quality. This entails experience with complex and controversial actions and negotiations, working effectively and collaboratively in a dynamic and energetic team environment, and proactively coordinating with internal and external partners. The position also includes application of critical thinking skills, completing assigned analyses and writing tasks, and managing a diverse and challenging workload.
• Implementing Section 7 of the Endangered Species Act (ESA). This includes developing guidance, policies, and regulations; conducting analyses of complex federal agency actions; interacting with senior Service and Department of Interior officials at briefings and meetings, etc. BNC biologists work on a diverse array of species and projects and actively coordinate with staff throughout the Service.
• Working collaboratively with the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), other Federal agency partners, and stakeholders on ESA section 7 consultations, including EPA's national pesticide registrations. These complex and challenging consultations include consideration of various effects of those actions to many of the 1,600+ domestically listed, proposed, and candidate species and their critical habitats and ways to avoid, reduce, or otherwise minimize such effects.
• Working with other Federal agencies (e.g., BLM, DOD, FS, OSMRE, etc.), providing technical assistance and conducting consultations on their actions at a national scale.
  
  

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Requirements

Conditions of Employment

• Must be a U.S. Citizen or National.
• Resume (See "Required Documents"). Failure to provide ALL required information on your resume will result in loss of consideration due to an incomplete application package. It is your responsibility to ensure all information is provided on resume.
• Eligibility and Supporting documents - You will ONLY be considered for the eligibilities that you select "yes" to AND submit the required supporting documentation, as listed in the Required Documents section.
• Suitability for employment, as determined by background investigation.
• Probationary Period: Selectees may be required to successfully complete a probationary period.
• Individuals assigned male at birth after 12-31-59 must be registered for the Selective Service. To verify registration visit SSS.gov.
  
  

Qualifications

Only experience and education obtained by 07/15/2024 will be considered.

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

Basic Requirement

• A bachelor's or higher degree in biological sciences, agriculture, natural resource management, chemistry, or related disciplines appropriate to the position. OR
• A combination of education and experience that includes courses equivalent to a major in the biological sciences, agriculture, natural resource management, chemistry, or related disciplines appropriate to the position, PLUS appropriate experience or additional education. The quality of the combination of education and experience must be sufficient to demonstrate possession of the knowledge, skills, and abilities required to perform work in the occupation, and is comparable to that normally acquired through the successful completion of a full 4-year course of study with a major in the appropriate field.
  
  

Minimum Qualification [GS-12]

• One year of specialized experience comparable in scope and responsibility to the GS-11 grade level in the Federal service. Experience MUST include (a) providing technical, biological guidance on ecotoxicological assessment, ecological risk assessment, biomarker and biochemical techniques including development and needs assessments, management of natural resources using aquatic and/or wildlife toxicology assessment approaches, determining when and which field and laboratory techniques are applicable and/or using appropriate statistical evaluation of data for complete interpretation; AND (b) utilizing the principles and regulations governing environmental conservation statutes and regulations (e.g., Endangered Species Act; National Environmental Policy Act; Clean Water Act; Fish and Wildlife Coordination Act; Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act; Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act) to evaluate the effects of actions of fish and wildlife species and habitats.
  
  

Minimum Qualification [GS-13]

• One year of specialized experience comparable in scope and responsibility to the GS-12 grade level in the Federal service. Experience MUST include (a) leading, coordinating and providing technical, biological guidance on ecotoxicological assessment, ecological risk assessment, biomarker and biochemical techniques including development and needs assessments, management of natural resources using aquatic and/or wildlife toxicology assessment approaches, determining when and which field and laboratory techniques are applicable and/or using appropriate statistical evaluation of data for complete interpretation; (b) serving as a technical and policy expert on environmental conservation statutes and regulations (e.g., Endangered Species Act; National Environmental Policy Act; Clean Water Act; Fish and Wildlife Coordination Act; Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act; Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act) and their application to fish and wildlife conservation; AND (c) providing consultation, national oversight and guidance to programs and regional and field staff on resource and/or environmental contamination, responsibilities under the Clean Water Act, monitoring surveys, and/or chemical analysis of pesticides and hazardous substances.
  
  

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.

Education

PROOF OF EDUCATION: All applicants who are using education or a combination of education and experience to qualify must submit copies of official or unofficial transcripts which include grades, credit hours earned, major(s), grade point average or class ranking, institution name, and student name. If any required coursework is not easily recognizable on transcripts, or if you believe a portion of a particular course can be credited toward meeting an educational requirement, you must also provide a memorandum on letterhead from the institution's registrar, dean, or other appropriate official stating the percentage of the course that should be considered to meet the requirement and the equivalent number of units. Unofficial transcripts are acceptable; however, if you are selected for the position, you will be required to produce the original official transcripts.

PASS/FAIL COURSES: If more than 10 percent of your undergraduate course work (credit hours) were taken on a pass/fail basis, your claim of superior academic achievement must be based upon class standing or membership in an honor society.

GRADUATE EDUCATION: One academic year of graduate education is considered to be the number of credits hours your graduate school has determined to represent one academic year of full-time study. Such study may have been performed on a full-time or part-time basis. If you cannot obtain your graduate school's definition of one year of graduate study, 18 semester hours (or 27 quarter hours) should be considered as satisfying the requirement for one year of full-time graduate study.

FOREIGN EDUCATION: If you are using education completed in foreign colleges or universities to meet the qualification requirements, you must show the education credentials have been evaluated by a private organization that specializes in interpretation of foreign education. For further information, visit: Recognition of Foreign Qualifications | International Affairs Office (ed.gov)

Additional information

PCS INFORMATION: Yes, entitlements for payment of basic moving expenses, as required and to the extent allowed by the Federal Travel Regulation (FTR) 302-3.101, are authorized for eligible applicants changing duty station when the change meets the distance tests as provided in FTR 302-1.1 and 302-2.6. All moving expenses are taxable. In addition, relocation discretionary entitlements May be authorized for this position including contractor-provided home sale.

Telework: This position is suitable for telework and may be allowed to telework with supervisory approval.

Additional Vacancies: One or more positions may be filled from applications received under this announcement in the advertised office or other U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service offices in the local commuting area.

Career Transition Assistance Plan (CTAP) or Interagency Career Transition Assistance Plan (ICTAP): Department of Interior (DOI) Career Transition Assistance Plan (CTAP) procedures apply in filling this vacancy. CTAP or ICTAP applicants must be determined to be well-qualified for this position in order to receive special selection priority. To be well-qualified, a CTAP or ICTAP applicant must meet the following: OPM qualification requirements for the position, all selective factors, where applicable; special OPM approved qualifying conditions for the position; is physically qualified with reasonable accommodation, where appropriate, to satisfactorily perform the duties of the position upon entry; and receives a rating of at least 85 on the questionnaire. For more information visit: OPM's Employee Guide to Career Transition

Reasonable Accommodation: The USFWS provides reasonable accommodations to applicants with disabilities. Please visit USAJOBS Help Center | Reasonable accommodation policy if you need a reasonable accommodation for any part of the application and hiring process.

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• Help Help A career with the U.S. government provides employees with a comprehensive benefits package. As a federal employee, you and your family will have access to a range of benefits that are designed to make your federal career very rewarding. Opens in a new windowLearn more about federal benefits.
  
  

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Eligibility for benefits depends on the type of position you hold and whether your position is full-time, part-time or intermittent. Contact the hiring agency for more information on the specific benefits offered.

How You Will Be Evaluated

You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.

All applicants who submit a complete and legible application by the closing date of this vacancy announcement will have their qualifications reviewed to determine if they possess the following knowledge, skills and abilities required to successfully perform the work of this position.

• Knowledge of biology, toxicology, and related fields (e.g., ecology, conservation science, environmental contaminants, water quality, etc.).
• Ability to manage a high-volume, time-sensitive workload involving short-term and long-term projects and assignments.
• Knowledge of environmental conservation laws and regulations, including the Endangered Species Act; National Environmental Policy Act; Fish and Wildlife Coordination Act; Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act; Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act; and Clean Water Act.
• Ability to establish working relationships/partnerships with co-workers, representatives of other federal agencies, state, Tribal and local organizations, conservation organizations, private entities, and the general public.
• Ability to evaluate actions affecting fish and wildlife species and habitats, and develop recommendations and solutions.
  
  

Applicants eligible for priority consideration under DOI's Career Transition Assistance Program/Plan, employees eligible under the Interagency Career Transition Plan (ICTAP). Eligible candidates on the Reemployment Placement List (RPL). A qualified and eligible permanent DOI employee may be selected before an ICTAP eligible.