Wildlife Biologist

In order to qualify, you must meet the eligibility and qualifications requirements as defined below by the closing date of the announcement. For more information on the qualifications for this position, visit the Office of Personnel Management’s General Schedule Qualification Standards. Your application and resume must clearly show that you possess the experience requirements. Transcripts must be provided for qualifications based on education. Provide course descriptions as necessary. Basic Requirement: Wildlife Biologist, GS-0486 Series: Applicants must meet all qualifications and eligibility requirements by the closing date of the announcement defined below. For more information on the qualifications for this position, go to: Wildlife Biology Series 0486 (opm.gov) Degree: Successful completion a full 4-year course of study leading to a bachelor’s or higher degree in 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- 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 above, plus appropriate experience or additional education. In addition to meeting the basic requirement, you must also possess experience and/or directly related education in the amounts listed below. Specialized Experience Requirement: For the GS-7 level: Applicants must have one year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the GS-5 grade level in the Federal Service. Examples that demonstrate specialized experience is defined as meeting at least one or more of the following: Assisting with the collection of field data on wildlife habitats and vegetation; Interpreting aerial photos to determine vegetation types; Assembling biological and vegetation use data from records to determine past wildlife and livestock use; and/or Assisting with the classification and evaluation of vegetation and soil to determine suitable habitats and ranges for wildlife. -OR- One full year (18 semester/27 quarter hours) of successfully completed graduate level education leading toward a Master’s degree that is directly related to this position; -OR- An appropriate combination of graduate level education and specialized experience as described above that together meets the qualification requirements for this position; -OR- Superior Academic Achievement (go to this site determine if you are eligible: http://www.opm.gov/qualifications/policy/ApplicationOfStds-04.asp). The education must have been obtained in an accredited college or university and demonstrate the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to do the work. For the GS-9 level: Applicants must have one year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the GS-7 grade level in the Federal Service. Examples that demonstrate specialized experience include one or more of the following: Serving as an advanced trainee specializing in wildlife biology and performing common qualitative and quantitative analyses of wildlife resources; and/or Conducting surveys and drafting tentative professional opinions to assist in determining wildlife resource needs and remedies; and/or Assisting in carrying out a range of analytical/scientific assignments in the wildlife biology profession that included researching and analyzing data, issues, and information that support wildlife project recommendations. -OR- Master’s or equivalent graduate degree or 2 full years of progressively higher-level graduate education (36 semester/54 quarter hours) leading to such a degree or LL.B. or J.D., that is directly related to the duties of the position. -OR- An appropriate combination of specialized experience and education (only graduate education in excess of 18 semester hours may be used to qualify applicants for this grade level). The education must have been obtained in an accredited college or university and demonstrate the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to do the work. TIME IN GRADE REQUIREMENT: If you are a current federal employee in the General Schedule (GS) pay plan and applying for a promotion opportunity, you must meet time-in-grade (TIG) requirements of 52 weeks of service at the next lower grade level in the normal line of progression for the position being filled. This requirement must be met by the closing date of this announcement. Work Experience: Your resume must clearly document the following for each block of work experience; the beginning day, month and year the work assignment started and ended; the hours worked per week; position title, and series and grade if applicable; and description of duties performed. This information must be provided for each permanent, temporary, or seasonal appointment/work assignment or volunteer work and should be clearly documented as a separate block of time. Incomplete, inaccurate, or conflicting work history may not be credited for qualifications purposes. This can result in an applicant not being considered for the position. 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.
This position is located within Region 1 on the Flathead National Forest, Tally Lake Ranger District with a duty station of Kalispell, MT. The incumbent serves as a professional wildlife biologist in the administration of the wildlife habitat and related coordination with other resources. For additional information about the duties of this position, please contact Katie Mally at katie.mally@usda.gov.