Supervisory Wildlife Refuge Specialist

Overview

  • Open & closing dates

     07/31/2018 to 08/13/2018

  • Service

    Competitive

  • Pay scale & grade

    GS 12

  • Salary

    $73,375 to $95,388 per year

  • Appointment type

    Permanent

  • Work schedule

    Full-Time

Locations

1 vacancy in the following location:

  • Crystal River, FL

Relocation expenses reimbursed

Yes You may qualify for reimbursement of relocation expenses in accordance with agency policy.

Telework eligible

No

This job is open to

Clarification from the agency

Internal Employee, Agency Employee, Land Management, ICTAP

Announcement number

R4-18-10272881-NM-MP

Control number

506539500

  • Duties

    Summary

    This position is part of the Chassahowitzka National Wildlife Refuge. As a Supervisory Wildlife Refuge Specialist you will be responsible for assisting the Refuge Manager in the day-to-day operational aspects of the Refuge.

     

    Responsibilities

    Assist with the planning and directing of the Refuge(s) comprehensive public relations/public use program - including off-refuge programs, interpretive and educational programs, wildlife dependent recreation (hunting, fishing, wildlife observation), and other recreational management activities - to maximize use of the Refuge(s).

    Participate with the Wildlife Refuge Manager and other senior management or agency specialists in the development and review of site plans and designs. 

    Manage Refuge volunteer programs and supervise volunteer work. Ensures volunteers, Youth Conservation Corps (YCC) crew members or other workers are fully trained.

    Provide the Wildlife Refuge Manager and other senior management input for, and assists in, the preparation of interagency cooperative agreements and memoranda of understanding (MOUs) and subsequent modifications, and assists in the administration of these agreements.

    Administer the facilities and equipment management program.

    Participate in the development of required National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) documentation (or portions thereof) including Environmental Assessments (Eas), Endangered Species Act (ESA) Section 7 consultations, archeological clearances, etc. Coordinates with the Wildlife Refuge Manager and other senior management in the gathering and consolidating of data.

    Assist the Wildlife Refuge Manager and other senior management in the development of long-range plans, annual work plans, budgets and work schedules.

    Travel Required

    Occasional travel - You may be expected to travel for this position.

    Supervisory status

    Yes

    Promotion Potential

    12

  • Job family (Series)

    0485 Wildlife Refuge Management

  • 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
    • May be required to successfully complete a probationary period
    • Time-in-Grade requirements apply to status candidates
    • Required to obtain and wear an official U.S. Fish Wildlife Service uniform.
    • Required to frequently travel from assigned duty station to various areas inside and outside jurisdictional boundaries of the Region.

    Qualifications

    Only experience and education obtained by 08/13/2018 will be considered.

    Basic Education Requirement for the 0485 Occupational Series:

    Completion of a 4-year course of study in an accredited college or university leading to a bachelor's degree with major in zoology, wildlife management, or an appropriate field of biology that included at least 9 semester hours in zoology; 6 semester hours in such wildlife courses as mammalogy, ornithology, animal ecology, or wildlife management; and 3 semester hours in botany; and 3 semester hours in conservation biology. OR

    Completion of courses equivalent to a major in zoology, wildlife management, or appropriate field of biology that included at least 9 semester hours in zoology; 6 semester hours in such wildlife courses as mammalogy, ornithology, animal ecology, or wildlife management; and 3 semester hours in botany; and 3 semester hours in conservation biology, PLUS appropriate experience or additional education.

    Additional Qualification for the GS-12 grade level:

    1 year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the GS-11 grade level in the Federal service that equipped me with the particular knowledge, skills and abilities to perform successfully the duties of the position and that is typically in or related to the work of the position to be filled. Specialized experience may include: assisting with the planning and directing of a comprehensive Refuge public relations/public use program; supervising a staff of Refuge personnel; ability to coordinate, plan and carry-out the day-to-day operational aspects involved with Refuge biological programs and services; planning and directing a broad variety of management operations in a natural resources setting; planning, directing, and evaluating all aspects of a wildlife management program; administering facilities and equipment management program.

    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.

    The Land Management Workforce Flexibility Act (LMWFA),P.L. 114-47, allows certain individuals who currently or formerly were under time-limited competitive appointments at certain land management agencies to compete under merit promotion procedures:
    Current appointees:
    Note: You must submit ALL SF-50s and performance information for each period of temporary/term employment that qualifies for LMWFA.
    ·Must have been hired under competitive examining procedures to a time limited appointment with a land management agency.
    ·Must have served under 1 or more time limited appointments by a land management agency for a period totaling more than 24 months without a break in service of 2 or more years; AND
    ·Must have performed at an acceptable level.
    Former appointees:
    ·Must have been hired under competitive examining procedures to a time limited appointment with a land management agency,
    ·Must have served under 1 or more time limited appointments by a land management agency for a period totaling more than 24 months without a break in service of 2 or more years;
    ·Must apply for position within 2 years after separation,
    ·Must have been separated for reasons other than misconduct or performance; AND
    ·Must have performed at an acceptable level

    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.html

    Additional information

    To register or verify your registration go to the Selective Service System at https://www.sss.gov/RegVer/wfRegistration.aspx

    NOTE: If you are a current or former federal employee who occupied a position classified to the 0485 series prior to December 3, 2010, you do not have to meet the new education requirements described above. However, you must meet the specialized experience requirements for the position. You must submit a copy of your transcript(s), and the Notification of Personnel Action Form(s) to document that you are currently serving in or have previously occupied a position classified to the 0485 series. The appropriate SF-50 for qualifications determination will show series "0485" in block 17.

    FWS has determined that the duties of this position are suitable for telework only during an emergency or natural disaster.

    We may use this announcement to fill additional vacancies within 90 days of 08/13/2018; OR More than one position may be filled from applications received under this announcement in the advertised office or other U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service offices in the local commuting area.

    PCS/Moving benefits are authorized.

    Supervisory Probationary Period: If you have not previously completed a supervisory probationary period, you will be required to serve a one-year supervisory/managerial probationary period for this position.

    CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT:

    Driver's License: You must possess and maintain a valid State driver's license at all times during your tenure.

    Certifications: Employees assigned to operate watercraft are required to possess knowledge and skills as certified by the completion of the Department's Motorboat Operator Certification Course (MOCC) or other approved watercraft training program (such as USCG Operator of Uninspected Passenger Vessel (OUPV, commonly known as "six pack").

    This position includes duties covered under the Procurement Integrity Act.

    Direct Deposit: If you are new employee of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, you must identify a financial institution for direct deposit of your pay prior to appointment.

    Government Charge Card: If you are expected to travel on official business, you will be required to apply for a Government travel charge card within 30 days of entrance on duty into this position.

    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.

    Your qualifications will be evaluated on the following competencies (knowledge, skills, abilities and other characteristics):

    Assist with in the planning and directing of the Refuge(s) comprehensive public relations/public use programs.

    Knowledge in applying a wide range of theories, principles and concepts of population and wildlife and aquatic biology, wildlife management, species lifecycle requirements/ management, and conservation biology.

    Knowledge of applicable laws and agency policies, objectives, planning, and management activities related to the National Wildlife Refuge System and knowledge of State, local, and Tribal laws, customs, and economic interests including the National Wildlife Refuge Improvement Act (NWRIA), the Endangered Species Act (ESA) and the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) and their requirements.

    Knowledge of planning and budgeting processes.

    Familiarity with realty concepts and procedures sufficient to develop preliminary plans for maintenance, repairs, or remodeling of Refuge facilities and infrastructure.

    Ability to supervise a group of employees, including but not limited to professional, technical and administrative disciplines.

    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.

    Career Transition Assistance Program 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 ICTAP or CTAP eligibility criteria; (2) be rated well-qualified for the position with a score of 90 or above; and, (3) submit the appropriate documentation to support your ICTAP or CTAP 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/

     

    Background checks and security clearance

    Security clearance

    Not Applicable

    Drug test required

    No

  • Required Documents

    To apply for this position, you must submit a complete Application Package which includes:

    1. 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
    2. 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. Education must be accredited by an accrediting institution recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. A copy of your official transcripts will be required if you are selected. 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 programs and such education has been deemed equivalent to that gained in an accredited U.S. education program; or full credit has been given for the courses at a U.S. accredited college or university. For further information, visit: http://www.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ous/international/usnei/us/edlite-visitus-forrecog.html
    • SF-50 (non-award), or equivalent Notification of Personnel Action if you are a current or former Federal employee. Your SF-50 (non-award) must show tenure code 1 or 2 in block 24, and position occupied code 1 (competitive service) in block 34. Note: Federal employee who has reinstatement eligibility, you MUST submit a copy of your latest non-award SF-50 "Notification of Personnel Action," that shows you are serving under a permanent career or career-conditional appointment (code 1 or 2 in block 24) in the Competitive Service (code 1 in block 34). The SF-50 must show the position title, series, grade, and step of your position. If you are claiming reinstatement eligibility, you must submit an SF-50 showing your separation (resignation, termination, etc.). If you have previously held a higher grade than the grade/position you currently occupy, you must submit a copy of the last non-award SF-50 you received for that position. If you have any questions regarding which SF-50's to submit, it is highly recommended that you contact the person listed on this vacancy announcement before the closing date.
    • Note: You must submit ALL SF-50s and performance information for each period of temporary/term employment if you are requesting to be considered Land Management Workforce Flexibility Act eligibility. For Public Land Corp eligibility, a copy of the Certificate of Eligibility for Non-Compliance Hiring Based for Public Land Corps Service is required for verification of eligibility.
    • 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

     

    1. 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.
    2. 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.
    3. You must also complete the online application and assessment questionnaire and submit the documentation specified in the Required Documents section below.
    DEADLINE DATE: A complete application package must be received by 11:59 PM (EST) on 08/13/2018 to receive consideration.
    • 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/10272881
    To verify the status of your application, log into your USAJOBS account (https://my.usajobs.gov/Account/Login), all of your applications will appear on the Welcome screen. The Application Status will appear along with the date your application was last updated. For information on what each Application Status means, visit: https://www.usajobs.gov/Help/how-to/application/status/.

     

    Agency contact information

     Nicole Martinez

    Phone

    505-248-6861

    Email

    christina_nicole_martinez@fws.gov

    Address

     

    Division of Human Resources
    Division of Human Capital Management
    1875 Century Blvd Suite 370
    Atlanta, GA
    US

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    Next steps

     

    Once you submit all the required documents and the online application in USAJOBS, you will receive an acknowledgement email that your submission was successful. After the evaluation process is complete, you will be notified of your status and/or referral to the hiring official. If further evaluation or interviews are required, you will be contacted by the customer office.

    You will be notified if this job is filled or canceled. Timelines for this process vary widely.

    You may check the status of your application at any time by logging in to your USAJobs Account as we will not be responding to inquiries about the status of applications as long as the system has been updated.