Wildlife Biologist - Bureau of Land Management

Summary Explore a new career with the BLM - where our people are our most precious resource. This position is located in Winnemucca, Nevada. Information about Winnemucca, NV and the surrounding area can be found at City of Winnemucca. We expect to fill one vacancy at this time; however, additional positions may be filled from this announcement if they become available. Responsibilities Review recommendations and data input from the Field/District offices on the wildlife issues. May also provide guidance and quality control to projects and products by other resource specialists at the District and the Field office levels. Responsible for identification of impacts to wildlife habitat and Threatened and Endangered species by other resource activities. Work with the State Lead Wildlife Biologist, local interest groups, Tribal Councils, and other federal agencies to coordinate issues pertaining to the impact of the application of biological decisions, habitat conservation, and laws/ regulations. Serves on district level/field level interdisciplinary teams responsible for writing and reviewing multi-field office required biological input to environmental, biological assessments, and resource management plan. Work closely with the Lead Wildlife Biologist in the State Office on coordination issues with local interest groups, Tribal Councils, and other federal agencies on biological decisions. Evaluate inventory and monitoring data to determine population trends and impacts, then formulates strategies designed to recover or mitigate impacts. Requirements Conditions of Employment Qualifications In order to be rated as qualified for this position, we must be able to determine that you meet the qualification requirements - please be sure to include this information in your resume. No assumptions will be made about your experience. This position has a Basic Education Requirement: 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 a 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. For the GS-07: Meet the Basic Education Requirement AND one (1) year of specialized experience equivalent to the next lower grade level (GS-05) in the Federal service. At this level, work is entry-level with close supervision. Examples of specialized experience include assisting higher level professionals with the collection of field data on wildlife habitats and vegetation including identifying vegetation types; vegetative management for riparian habitat maintenance and enhancement; determine habitat conditions and identify needed improvements; contribute to completing wildlife management planning documents; OR meet the Basic Education Requirement AND one (1) full year of graduate education in wildlife biology or a directly related field OR meet the Basic Education Requirement and meet the requirements for Superior Academic Achievement (S.A.A) OR meet the Basic Education Requirement AND an equivalent combination of the type and level of experience and education described above. Only directly related graduate level education in excess of the first six months may be combined with experience. For the GS-09: Meet the Basic Education Requirement AND one (1) year of specialized experience equivalent to the next lower grade level (GS-07) in the Federal service. At this level assignments require the application of expanded professional knowledge. Examples of specialized experience include: plan and conduct wildlife field inventories and monitoring studies; conduct surveys, interpret data, and draft professional opinions to assist in determining wildlife resource needs and remedies; assist in carrying out a range of analytical/scientific assignments in the wildlife biology profession that include researching and analyzing data, issues, and information that support wildlife project recommendations OR meet the Basic Education Requirement AND completed 2 full years of graduate education leading to a master's degree in wildlife biology or directly related field OR meet the Basic Education Requirement AND an equivalent combination of the type and level of experience and education described above. Only directly related graduate level education in excess of the first year may be combined with experience. For the GS-11: Meet the Basic Education Requirement AND one (1) year of professional wildlife biologist experience equivalent to the next lower grade level (GS-09) in the Federal service. Work is moderately difficult and requires considerable additional professional training. Examples of specialized experience include: plan and conduct wildlife field inventories and monitoring studies; provided input in the wildlife management program by gathering, compiling, and analyzing data to determine environmental conditions, characteristics, and values, and the interrelationship of wildlife resources with other resources; provide input in the preparation, maintenance, and revision of wildlife plans that involve interpretation of data obtained from studies and field surveys and recommend solutions to problems found OR meet Basic Education Requirement AND completed 3 full years of graduate education leading to a Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree in wildlife biology or a directly related field OR meet the Basic Education Requirement AND an equivalent combination of the type and level of experience and education described above. Only directly related graduate level education in excess of the first two years may be combined with experience. Combination of Education and Experience: You may meet qualifications requirement for this position with an equivalent combination of specialized experience and appropriate undergraduate/ graduate education. Graduate level education must demonstrate the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to do the work of this position. Superior Academic Achievement (See OPM's General Policies, Application of Qualification Standards Section 4.f.) S.A.A. must have been gained in a curriculum that is qualifying for the position to be filled. 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. You must meet all qualification requirements within 30 days of the closing date of the announcement. Federal employees in the competitive service are also subject to the Time-In-Grade requirement in accordance with 5 CFR 300.604. If you are a current Federal employee in the General Schedule (GS) pay plan and applying for a promotion opportunity, you must have completed a minimum of 52 weeks at the next lower grade level. Physical Demands: The individual works in an office setting at this level, however, in order to gather samples and complete monitoring activities, the individual frequently may be required to walk or ride vehicles over rough terrain, perform duties that require recurring bending, crouching, stooping, reaching or lifting. Work may also include lifting of moderately heavy items, such as equipment and samples. Work Environment: Much of the work is performed in an office setting. However, frequent field work is necessary to complete the work involving outdoor exposure. Outdoor exposure involves some discomfort in extremes of temperature or inclement weather. The incumbent may be subjected to hostile wildlife, chemical and physical hazards. Education This position falls under the Wildlife Biologist Series, 0401 and Individual Occupational Requirements (IOR). This position has a positive education requirement (see qualification section for education requirements). You MUST submit a copy of ALL your college transcripts or a list of ALL college courses that include hours and grades from an accredited U.S. college/university. Upon selection, official transcripts must be received prior to appointment. If you are using education completed in foreign colleges or universities to meet qualification requirements, you must show that your 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. All selections and tentative offers of selection are contingent upon submission and verification of 'official' transcripts. Additional Information DOI uses E-Verify to confirm employment eligibility of all newly hired employees. To learn more about E-Verify, including your rights and responsibilities, please visit E-Verify Career Transition Assistance Plan (CTAP)/lnteragency Career Transition Assistance Program (ICTAP): These programs apply to employees who have been involuntarily separated 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, you must: 1) meet CTAP or ICTAP 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 CTAP or ICTAP eligibility. For more information: CTAP or ICTAP Males born after 12/31/59 must be registered for Selective Service Travel and relocation expenses will not be paid by the Department of the Interior. Any travel, transportation and relocation expenses associated with reporting for duty in this position will be the responsibility of the selected employee. The official worksite for the selectee is the duty station identified in this vacancy announcement. The selectee will typically report to this duty location on a regular and recurring weekly basis. The selectee may be allowed to telework with supervisor approval. This announcement is being advertised concurrently under number NV-DEU-24-12542139, for status candidates and special hiring authority eligible. You must apply to each announcement separately if you wish to be considered under both recruitment methods. Certain incentives (such as Recruitment, Relocation or Student Loan Repayment) may be authorized to eligible selectees. If eligible and qualified, you may be offered a recruitment or relocation incentive. The decision to offer an incentive will be made on a case-by-case basis and is neither promised nor guaranteed. For information visit: Recruitment Incentive or Relocation Incentive or Student Loan Repayment. This position is considered a career ladder opportunity, with a full performance level of GS-11. If selected at a lower grade level, you may be non-competitively promoted to the next grade level at the discretion of your supervisor and is contingent upon meeting regulatory and legal requirements for promotion, satisfactory performance, and the availability of higher-level work. Promotion is not guaranteed, and no promise of promotion is implied.