Open & closing dates
06/13/2018 to 06/26/2018
Salary
$50,598 to $65,778 per year
Pay scale & grade
GS 9
Work schedule
Full-Time
Appointment type
Term - NTE 13 months
Locations
1 vacancy in the following location:
Hurlburt Field, FL
Relocation expenses reimbursed
No
This job is open to
Career transition (CTAP, ICTAP, RPL)
Federal employees who meet the definition of a "surplus" or "displaced" employee.
U.S. citizens, nationals or those who owe allegiance to the U.S.
Clarification from the agency
U.S. Citizens, CTAP/ICTAP
Announcement number
R2-18-10236225-LLP-DE
Control number
502247200
Duties
Summary
This position is part of the Panama City Ecological Services Field Office located in Hurlburt, FL. As a Fish and Wildlife Biologist, you will work independently, on teams, and on programs which require balancing Service priorities with Air Force Base natural resource mission requirements.
This is a Term appointment, not-to-exceed 13 months, which can be extended for a total appointment of 4 years. Term appointments do not confer competitive status and do not lead to permanent appointments.Responsibilities
The duties of the position include but are not limited to:
- Planning and conducting investigations to identify habitat characteristics and determine the impact of various land and water development projects upon the fish and/or wildlife resources of an area.
- Reviewing and commenting on reports or environmental documents to ensure that impacts to fish and wildlife resources are identified.
- Conducting routine consultations pursuant to Section 7 of the Endangered Species Act of 1973.
- Assisting in preparation and reviews biological implications of environmental assessments/impact statements.
- Assisting in developing comprehensive fish and/or wildlife management plans to ensure conservation, protection, and enhancement of fish and/or wildlife and their habitat for a geographic area having a variety of habitat conditions.
- Providing input on aquatic and terrestrial habitat restorations.
- Assisting in gathering, organizing, and interpreting biological, ecological, and environmental contaminants.
- Attending public meetings and hearings.
- Conducting surveys and mapping of habitat quality and quantity and identify species present.
Travel Required
Occasional travel - Occasional travel needed for meetings and work (but not often).
Supervisory status
No
Promotion Potential
9
Job family (Series)
0401 General Natural Resources Management And Biological Sciences
Requirements
Conditions Of Employment
- Must be a U.S. Citizen or National
- Males born after 12-31-59 must be registered for Selective Service
- Resume and supporting documents (See How To Apply)
- Suitability for employment, as determined by background investigation
- Official U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service uniform required
- May be required to successfully complete a trial period
- Must be able to operate a government-owned or leased motor vehicle and be at least 18 years of age. A valid state driver's license is required prior to appointment.
Qualifications
Only experience and education obtained by 06/26/2018.
BASIC EDUCATION REQUIREMENT:
A. Must have 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 or specific course requirements in biological sciences, agriculture, natural resource management, chemistry, or related disciplines appropriate to the position. Note: You must provide a copy of your transcript(s) to support your education.
OR
B. Must have a combination of education and experience which includes courses equivalent to a major, as described above, plus appropriate experience or additional education. The quality of the combination of education and experience must have been sufficient to demonstrate that the applicant possesses the knowledge, skill, and abilities required to perform Fish and Wildlife Biologist work, and is comparable to that normally acquired through the successful completion of a full 4 year course of study with a major study in one of the appropriate fields. Note: You must provide a copy of your transcript(s) to support your education.
ADDITIONAL QUALIFICATION:
A. Must have at least one year of full-time specialized experience comparable in difficulty and responsibility to the next lower grade level (comparable to GS-07) in the Federal service; however, it may have been obtained in either the private or public sectors. Specialized experience includes: assisting with investigations to determine the impact of development projects upon the fish and/or wildlife resources of an area; reviewing permit applications for completeness; assisting others in conducting fish and wildlife habitat restoration; and the ability to communicate effective both orally and in writing.
OR
B. Must possess at least two full years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to a master's degree in biological sciences, agriculture, natural resource management, chemistry, or a discipline related to this position. Note: You must provide a copy of your transcript(s) to support your education.
OR
C. Must have a combination of graduate education and specialized experience that together meet the qualification requirements for this position. (When combining education with experience, first determine the total qualifying education as a percentage of the education required for the grade level; then determine the experience as a percentage of the experience required for the grade level; finally, add the two percentages. The total percentage must equal at least 100 percent to qualify an applicant for that grade level). Note: You must provide a copy of your transcript(s) to support your education.
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.
Your qualifications will be evaluated on the following competencies (knowledge, skills, abilities and other characteristics):
1. Knowledge of environmental laws, executive orders, regulations, and policies so as to ensure that legal standards are met in the review of projects.
2. Ability to conduct field surveys that involve mapping habitat extent and quality and identifying species present.
3. Knowledge and experience in fish and/or wildlife biology and a working familiarity with related disciplines in order to determine the effects of land and water development projects on the fish and/or wildlife resources of an area.
4. Knowledge of engineering terms, data, structures, facilities and procedures to work with professionals and technicians in those fields.
5. Skill in making close observations to study effects on fish and/or wildlife habitat and to recognize problems, draw sound conclusions on basis of observations, and prepare reports for technical and administrative use.
6. Skill in applying and adapting established biological, agricultural or ecological procedures and techniques, and in exercising independent judgment in order to make day-to-day decisions.
7. Skill in verbal communication including skill in presenting data and its analysis.
8. Skill in written communication including skill in writing objective reports requiring a minimum of review and editing.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: http://www.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ous/international/usnei/us/edlite-visitus-forrecog.htmlAdditional information
Career Transition Assistance Plan (CTAP) or Interagency Career Transition Assistance Plan (ICTAP): These programs apply to employees who have been or may be involuntarily separated (e.g. reduction in force, declining to relocate/transfer outside their local commuting area)from a Federal service position within the competitive service or Federal service employees whose positions have been deemed surplus or no longer needed. To receive selection priority for this position, you must: (1) meet CTAP or ICTAP eligibility criteria; (2) be rated well-qualified for the position; and, (3) submit the appropriate documentation to support your CTAP or ICTAP eligibility (e.g., Certification of Expected Separation, Reduction-In-Force Separation Notice, or Notice of Proposed Removal or Removal Notice; SF-50 that documents the RIF separation action; or Removal and most recent performance appraisal.). For more information visit: https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/workforce-restructuring/employee-guide-to-career-transition/
To register or verify your registration go to the Selective Service System at https://www.sss.gov/RegVer/wfRegistration.aspx
Telework: FWS has determined that the duties of this position are not suitable for telework.
Relocation Expenses: Relocation expenses will not be paid. Any travel, transportation, and relocation expenses associated with reporting for duty in this position will be the responsibility of the selected employee.
Physical Demands: The work requires some physical exertion such as walking over wet, rough, uneven, or rocky surfaces, bending, crouching, stooping, stretching, reaching, or similar activities. The work requires average agility and dexterity.
Work Environment: The work requires both office and outdoor work. The office is adequately lighted, heated, and ventilated. Temperature and weather extremes may be encountered in the performance of the outdoor work. The employee is expected to conduct duties in a safe and orderly manner so as not eo endanger self, fellow workers, or property with which entrusted.
We may use this announcement to fill additional vacancies within 90 days of 06/26/2018.
If you are unable to apply online or need to fax a document you do not have in electronic form, view the following link for information regarding an Alternate Application: https://help.usastaffing.gov/Apply/index.php?title=Alternate_Application_Information.How You Will Be Evaluated
Once the announcement has closed, a review of your resume and supporting documentation will be used to determine whether you meet the basic qualification requirements listed on this announcement. If you meet the basic qualifications your resume and supporting documentation will be compared against your responses to the assessment questionnaire to determine your level of experience. If, after reviewing your resume and/or supporting documentation, a determination is made that you have inflated your qualifications and/or experience which resulted in you being listed in the highest quality category, you may lose consideration, or be assigned to a lower quality category for this position. Please follow all instructions carefully when applying, errors or omissions may affect your eligibility.
All qualified candidates will be assigned to a quality category. The category assignment is a measure of the degree in which your background matches the competencies required for this position. The category ratings for this position are:
Best-Qualified
Well-Qualifed
Qualified
The Category Rating Process does not add veterans' preference points or apply the "rule of three" but protects the rights of Veterans by placing them ahead of non-preference eligibles within each quality category. Veterans' preference eligibles who meet the basic qualification requirements and who have a compensable service-connected disability of at least 10 percent will be listed in the highest quality category (except in the case of scientific or professional positions at the GS-09 level or higher).
TEMPORARY VACANCY: Most Federal employees earn both annual and sick leave. For additional information, visit Leave Administration.
Effective January 2015, employees on temporary appointments may be eligible for health benefits through the Federal Employees Health Benefits program and, if eligible, will receive the same government contribution as full-time permanent employees. To be eligible for consideration, temporary employees working full-time or part-time must be on appointments expected to last at least 90 days, or be on an intermittent work schedule and expected to work 130 hours per month for at least 90 days. Employees electing to participate in the FEHB will be responsible for the employee share of the premium while on the official agency roles, which is deducted from bi-weekly earnings. After separating from federal employment, employees will be offered to continue participation in FEHB under the Temporary Continuation of Coverage (TCC) option. Employees electing to continue coverage under the TCC provision will be responsible for the full premium amount plus a 2% administration fee.
If you are a veteran with preference eligibility and you are claiming 5-point veterans' preference, you must attach a copy of your DD-214 showing you were honorably discharged. If you are claiming 10-point veterans' preference, you must attach an SF-15," Application for 10-Point Veterans' Preference" in addition to the proof required by that form.Background checks and security clearance
Security clearance
Required Documents
To apply for this position, you must submit a complete Application Package which includes:
- Resume or Application. At a minimum, your resume MUST contain job title (include job series and grade, if federal), duties, starting and ending dates (month and year), hours worked per week, and salary. USAJOBS has a template to ensure a complete resume. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8YX7o1PBoFk
- Other supporting documents:
- Cover Letter, optional
- Official or unofficial College Transcript(s), if the position has education requirements, or if you are using your education to qualify. A copy of your official transcripts will be required if you are selected.
- Veterans' Preference documentation, if applicable (e.g., DD-214 Member Copy 4 showing type of discharge/character of service, SF-15 Form and related documentation, VA letter, etc.)
- If applicable, documentation/proof that you are eligible Career Transition Assistance Program/Interagency Career Transition Assistance Program documentation, if applicable (e.g., Certification of Expected Separation, Reduction-In-Force Separation Notice, or Notice of Proposed Removal; SF-50 that documents the RIF separation action; and most recent performance appraisal.)
If you are relying on your education to meet qualification requirements:
Education must be accredited by an accrediting institution recognized by the U.S. Department of Education in order for it to be credited towards qualifications. Therefore, provide only the attendance and/or degrees from schools accredited by accrediting institutions recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.
Failure to provide all of the required information as stated in this vacancy announcement may result in an ineligible rating or may affect the overall rating.
Benefits
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.
https://www.usajobs.gov/Help/working-in-government/benefits/
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 to Apply
- Review the Appointment Eligibility Criteria: The eligibility section of the application process is designed to allow you to choose how you wish to be considered for this vacancy announcement. You will ONLY be considered for the appointment eligibilities that you selected. You must provide proof of your eligibility as required by appointment eligibility to be considered.
- Resume or Application. At a minimum, your resume MUST contain job title (include job series and grade, if federal), duties, starting and ending dates (month/day/year), hours worked per week, and salary. USAJOBS has a template to ensure a complete resume.
- You must also complete the online application and assessment questionnaire and submit the documentation specified in the Required Documents section below.
- To begin, click Apply to access the online application. You will need to be logged into your USAJOBS account to apply. If you do not have a USAJOBS account, you will need to create one before beginning the application.
- Follow the prompts to select your resume and/or other supporting documents to be included with your application package. You will have the opportunity to upload additional documents to include in your application before it is received. Your uploaded documents may take several hours to clear the virus scan process.
- After acknowledging you have reviewed your application package, complete the Include Personal Information section as you deem appropriate and click to continue with the application process.
- You will be taken to the online application which you must complete in order to apply for the position. Complete the online application, verify the required documentation is included with your application package, and submit the application.
- You will be considered for all eligibilities for which you select "yes" and submit the required documents and supporting documentation (e.g. DD 214, Schedule A letter, etc.). The supporting documentation you submit will be used to determine your eligibility. Please review the list of documentation provided in the eligibilities language to ensure you provide the appropriate information.
- Please note, your eligibility will be based solely on the selections you have indicated "yes" in this section. You must provide the supporting documentation to support your claim to be considered. You may choose more than one eligibilities in this section.
- To view the assessment questionnaire, click here: https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/10236225