OPEN DATE: 8/24/2026
CLOSING DATE: 9/04/2026
POSITION TITLE: Wildlife Biologist
TYPE OF POSITION: 13 Month Term Appointment with possibility for Benefits, Excepted Service, (may be extended up to 4 years)
WORK SCHEDULE: Full-time ANNOUNCEMENT #: WSER-FL-FY26-SE04
SERIES/GRADE: GS-0486-7/9
FULL PERFORMANCE
LEVEL: GS-486-9
LOCATION: Cape Canaveral SFS (Cape Canaveral, FL)
(Relocation expenses will not be paid)
SALARY: $50,835 - $80,840 per year
WHO MAY APPLY:
• Must be a U.S. Citizen
• Must be 18 years old
• If you are a male born after December 31, 1959 and are at least 18 years of age, civil service employment law (5 U.S.C. 3328) requires that you must be registered with the Selective Service System, unless you meet certain exemptions (proof of registration and/or exemption required). Website: http://www.sss.gov.
REQUIRED DOCUMENTS:
Resume that includes:
1) Personal information such as name, address, contact information
2) Education
3) Detailed work experience related to this position as described in the announcement including
• Work schedule including hours per week
• Dates of employment;
• Title, series, grade (if applicable)
4) All supervisors' phone numbers and if they may be contacted
5) Other qualifications
Transcripts (if qualifying on education, must have been obtained from an accredited institution. Education completed in a foreign institution must include an evaluation by an organization that specializes in interpretation of foreign education programs that it was deemed equivalent to an accredited U.S. education program, see: Foreign Education Evaluation. All transcripts must be in English or include an English translation.)
DD-214 (Member 4 copy)
VA letter required for applicable Veteran preference, if applies.
Current active duty members must submit a certification that they are expected to be discharged or released from active duty under honorable conditions not later than 120 days after the date the certification is submitted.
HOW TO APPLY: Additional materials not listed above (i.e. position descriptions, training certificates, etc.) may not be considered. Applicants who do not submit the required items listed above may not be considered. Applications with all supporting documents must be submitted to the contact office and must be RECEIVED by the CLOSING DATE of this announcement.
Interested individuals should send a resume (resume cannot exceed 2 pages), transcripts, veteran documentation (if applicable) to the address listed here:
CONTACT OFFICE:
Alex Nicely, District Supervisor
USDA APHIS Wildlife Services
Southeast District
Titusville, FL 32780
Phone: (386) 274-8745
alex.w.nicely@usda.gov
DUTIES:
The incumbent conducts integrated wildlife damage management activities where there is a demonstrated need, consistent with the planned use of any given area to prevent or reduce losses to property, agriculture, and natural resources, or to protect human health and safety.
Management techniques and/or methods include the recommendation or use of controlled substances, pyrotechnics, firearms, binary explosives, aversive agents, auditory devices, exclusion, habitat modification, trapping, and other mechanical or environmental controls.
May perform a variety of technical procedures including capture, restraint, chemical immobilization, marking, transport, euthanasia, and/or necropsy of wildlife; collection, storage, and safe transport of biological data and samples; telemetry; GIS; GPS; population census and survey; and surveillance and monitoring; gathering, compiling, and analyzing data to facilitate statistical analyses.
May be required to take extensive training and recurrent training on wildlife damage or disease recognition, control methods, and techniques; monitoring and surveillance procedures; emergency response; coalition building; risk communications; and other training related to technical or administrative aspects of the job.
Modifies or adapts established damage or disease control techniques as necessary to meet local conditions and address specific environmental, economic, or political considerations.
Monitors and ensures compliance with program directives, and local, State, and Federal laws and regulations in wildlife damage management activities. Assists cooperators in understanding of and compliance with the Migratory Bird Treaty Act (MBTA), Endangered Species Act, Bald and Golden Eagle Protection Act, and other wildlife-related laws.
The incumbent may be required to conduct other duties as assigned
MINIMUM ELIGIBLITY REQUIREMENTS:
To qualify, applicants MUST meet all minimum qualification requirements, except Medical Requirements, by the closing date of the announcement.
QUALIFICATIONS REQUIRED: BASIC REQUIREMENT:
A. Degree: biological science that included:
• At least 9 semester hours in such wildlife subjects as mammalogy, ornithology, animal ecology, wildlife management, or research courses in the field of wildlife biology; and
• At least 12 semester hours in zoology in such subjects as general zoology, invertebrate zoology, vertebrate zoology, comparative anatomy, physiology, genetics, ecology, cellular biology, parasitology, entomology, or research courses in such subjects (Excess courses in wildlife biology may be used to meet the zoology requirements where appropriate.); and
• At least 9 semester hours in botany or the related plant sciences.
OR:
B. Combination of education and experience: equivalent to a major in biological science (i.e., at least 30 semester hours), with at least 9 semester hours in wildlife subjects, 12 semester hours in zoology, and 9 semester hours in botany or related plant science, as shown in A above, plus appropriate experience or additional education.
In addition to the above, applicants must have:
FOR THE GS-07 LEVEL: Applicants must have one year of specialized experience (equivalent to the GS-05 level) that demonstrates:
• Dealing with the principles of wildlife ecology and management.
• Identifying North American wildlife species and assess their abundance, behavior, and habitats.
• Dealing with human-wildlife conflicts, principles of wildlife damage management.
• Selecting appropriate wildlife damage management strategies, techniques, and tools and apply them to specific situations.
• The Migratory Bird Treaty Act (MBTA), Endangered Species Act, National Environmental Policy Act.
• The Skilled use of firearms, traps, snares, pesticides, immobilizing drugs, pyrotechnics, electronic harassment devices, and other non-lethal control tools.
• Using computers for word processing, spreadsheets, and database applications.
OR
1 year of graduate-level education (18 semester hours) in Wildlife Biology, Wildlife Ecology, Wildlife Management.
OR
Superior Academic Achievement: To qualify based on superior academic achievement, you must have completed the requirements for a bachelor's degree from an accredited institution AND must meet certain GPA requirements. For more details click: Superior Academic
Achievement
Equivalent combinations of education and experience are qualifying for this grade level.
FOR THE GS-09 LEVEL: Applicants must have one year of specialized experience (equivalent to the GS-07 level) that demonstrates:
• Designing a wildlife survey program that detects spatial and temporal differences in wildlife abundance and provides a suitable index of wildlife hazards at airports.
• Interpreting and applying policies, regulations, laws, and ordinances that affect wildlife damage management operations and working within those guidelines.
• Using GPS, GIS technologies, and web-based systems for data entry and administrative processes.
OR
2 years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to a master’s degree in wildlife biology, wildlife management, wildlife ecology or masters or equivalent graduate degree in one of the above mentioned fields.
Equivalent combinations of education and experience are qualifying for this grade level.
TRANSCRIPTS are required if:
• This position requires specific coursework or a degree in a specific field to be basically qualified.
• You are qualifying for the position based on education.
• You are qualifying for this position based on a combination of experience and education.
• You are qualifying for this position based on Superior Academic Achievement.
• This education must have been successfully completed and obtained from an accredited school, college, or university.
COMBINATION OF EDUCATION & EXPERIENCE AT THE GS-07/09 GRADE LEVEL:
Applicants may have combinations of successfully completed education and specialized experience to meet total qualification requirements. The total percentages must equal at least 100 percent to qualify for that grade level. To learn more about combining education and experience for this series, click the following: Combining Education and Experience for Professional and Scientific Positions
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.
HOW YOU WILL BE EVALUATED
Applicants who meet basic minimum qualifications may be referred to the hiring manager for selection. Qualified candidates eligible for veterans’ preference will receive referral and selection priority over non-veterans.
If, after reviewing your resume and/or supporting documentation, a determination is made that you have inflated your qualifications and or experience, you may be found ineligible. Providing inaccurate information on Federal documents could be grounds for non-selection or disciplinary action up to including removal from the Federal service.
OTHER REQUIREMENTS: (if applicable to your position)
• Must obtain or have a valid state driver’s license. Operation of Government-owned or leased vehicles is required.
• As a condition of employment, appropriate security clearance is required for this position.
• Position is subject to random and applicant drug testing.
• Initial trial period may be required.
• Occasional travel may be required.
• Must demonstrate a respect for safety in all operations, including the operation of motor vehicles, firearms, control devices, and equipment.
• Direct Deposit: Per Public law 104-134 all Federal employees are required to have federal payments made by direct deposit to their financial institution.
• Successfully pass the E-Verify employment verification check. To learn more about E-Verify, including your rights and responsibilities, visit https: //www.e-verify.gov/
• In order to perform the essential duties of this position, you must have the legal and physical ability to possess and discharge firearms. You must be able to pass a government background check and meet any additional requirements to carry and use firearms. A background check will include answering questions about where you’ve lived, worked, went to school, and any military history or police records. Selection and retention in this position is contingent on a successfully adjudicated FBI National Criminal History Check (fingerprint check).
Emergency Response – APHIS is an emergency response agency. This means that all Agency employees may be asked or assigned to participate in rotating temporary duty assignments to support emergency programs at some time during their careers with APHIS. It is difficult to predict the frequency with which such emergency situations may occur – and could range from several emergencies in a year to none over the course of many years. In the event that you are called upon to support an emergency program, this may require irregular working hours, including overtime, and may include duties other than those specified in your official position description. While some emergency program support assignments may be able to be performed at the employee’s current duty station, in other cases employees may be asked to go on-site to a temporary duty state location. In addition, it may be necessary for employees to participate in multiple rotations to an emergency program assignment. Attempts will be made to keep disruption to the employee to a minimum.
See this link: https://www.usajobs.gov//Help/working-in-government/fair-and-
transparent/signature-false-statements/
NOTE: APPLICANTS FOR THIS POSITION WILL BE REQUIRED TO SUBMIT TO URINALYSIS TO SCREEN FOR ILLEGAL DRUG USE PRIOR TO APPOINTMENT. APPOINTMENT TO THE POSITION WILL BE CONTINGENT UPON A NEGATIVE DRUG TEST RESULT. INCUMBENTS OF THIS POSITION WILL BE REQUIRED TO SUBMIT TO URINALYSIS TO SCREEN FOR ILLEGAL DRUG USE ON AN ONGOING BASIS AFTER APPOINTMENT, AS DIRECTED.
Carrying a firearm is a condition of employment – In the passing of the Lautenberg Amendment, Congress passed legislation which prohibits anyone who has been convicted of a misdemeanor crime of domestic violence from possessing a firearm or ammunition. If selected you will be required to sign the form, “Inquiry for Positions Requiring Possession of Firearms,” certifying that you meet this criteria.
The United States government does not discriminate in employment on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, pregnancy, national origin, political affiliation, sexual orientation, marital status, disability, genetic information, age, membership in an employee organization, retaliation, parental status, military service or other non-merit factor.
Reasonable Accommodation Policy-
Federal agencies must provide reasonable accommodation to applicants with disabilities where appropriate. Applicants requiring reasonable accommodation for any part of the application and hiring process should contact the hiring agency directly. Determinations on requests for reasonable accommodation will be made on a Case-by-Case basis.
A reasonable accommodation is any change in the workplace or the way things are customarily done that provides an equal employment opportunity to an individual with a disability. Under the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) must provide reasonable accommodations:
• An applicant with a disability needs an accommodation to have an equal opportunity to apply for a job.
• An employee with a disability needs an accommodation to perform the essential job duties or to gain access to the workplace.
• An employee with a disability needs an accommodation to receive equal access to benefits, such as details, training, and office-sponsored events.
Under the Fair Chance Act, agencies are not allowed to request information about an applicant’s criminal history until a conditional offer of employment has been made, except as allowed for access to classified information; assignment to national security duties or positions; acceptance or retention in the armed forces; or recruitment of a Federal law enforcement officer. An applicant may submit a complaint or any other information related to an organization’s alleged noncompliance with the Fair Chance Act. The complaint must be submitted within 30 calendar days of the date of the alleged noncompliance. To make a Fair Chance Act inquiry or complaint, send an email with the appropriate information to MRP.Fairchance@usda.gov subject line: Fair Chance Act.
Relocation costs will not be paid for this position.
More than one position may be filled from this announcement.
