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Limited PCS/moving benefits are authorized (no temporary quarters, no house-hunting trip, no contract for home sale).
This is a permanent, full-time position with the Lower Mississippi Valley Joint Ventures Migratory Bird Program. This position will be located in Ridgeland OR Vicksburg, MS.
NOTE: This position is also being advertised under Merit Promotion Procedures and is open to status candidates. To be considered under merit promotion procedures, you must submit a separate application and supplemental documentation to vacancy announcement number R4-13-801794-CI-MP.
All application materials and supporting documentation must be received by the closing date of this announcement (including Veterans Preference documentation).
KEY REQUIREMENTS
U.S. Citizenship Required
Background Investigation Required
DUTIES:
partnership development and support
biological planning and conservation design
national and international coordination (develop briefing papers on policy, etc.)
conservation delivery (lead in development of approaches for applying and interpreting decision support tools)
QUALIFICATIONS REQUIRED:
By the closing date of this announcement, you must meet the minimum qualification requirements as outlined in the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) Qualification Standards Handbook and as identified in this announcement below. This handbook can be viewed at http://www.opm.gov/qualifications/index.asp .
Basic Requirements for this position:
Basic Entry Requirements for the GS-0401 series. You must meet A or B below to qualify for the position.
A. Completion of 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.
OR
B. 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.
Specialized Experience Requirements: In addition to meeting one of the basic entry requirements listed above, you must have the appropriate specialized experience as described below.
GS-12 level: at least one year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-11 grade level in the Federal service. Examples of specialized experience include: assists with coordinating and facilitating the science-based planning necessary to link the on-the-ground habitat objectives of Joint Venture partners to the population goals and objectives of regional, national, and international bird conservation plans; assists with coordinating the activities of multiple partners in integrating biological goals and objectives for multiple bird species groups (e.g. waterfowl, land birds, shorebirds) in a spatially explicit manner; assisting with coordinating the activities of multiple partners in developing decision support tools allowing on-the-ground conservation actions; working with and through scientists in other agencies and organizations, assists with identifying research needs and facilitating projects that address the assumptions and uncertainties associated with the Joint Venture's biological planning; representing the Joint Venture Office and Joint Venture partnership in broader science arenas associated with national/international bird conservation initiatives, e.g. the National Science Support Team of the North American Waterfowl Management Plan and the Partners in Flight National Science Committee; applying skill in developing and executing experimental designs to test and assess hypotheses regarding population/habitat relationships and applying skill in developing population/habitat relationship models and the application of model-based approaches to assessing, predicting, or monitoring the ability of landscapes to support/sustain wildlife populations.
GS-13 level: at least one year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-12 grade level in the Federal service. Examples of specialized experience include: coordinating and facilitating the science-based planning necessary to link the on-the-ground habitat objectives of Joint Venture partners to the population goals and objectives of regional, national, and international bird conservation plans; responsibility for coordinating the activities of multiple partners in integrating biological goals and objectives for multiple bird species groups (e.g. waterfowl, land birds, shorebirds) in a spatially explicit manner; coordinating the activities of multiple partners in developing decision support tools allowing on-the-ground conservation actions; working with and through scientists in other agencies and organizations, responsible for identifying research needs and facilitating projects that address the assumptions and uncertainties associated with the Joint Venture's biological planning; representing the Joint Venture Office and Joint Venture partnership in broader science arenas associated with national/international bird conservation initiatives, e.g. the National Science Support Team of the North American Waterfowl Management Plan and the Partners in Flight National Science Committee; applying skill in developing and executing experimental designs to test and assess hypotheses regarding population/habitat relationships and applying skill in developing population/habitat relationship models and the application of model-based approaches to assessing, predicting, or monitoring the ability of landscapes to support/sustain wildlife populations.
Transcripts : You must submit a copy of your transcripts (official or unofficial photocopy) to document your educational accomplishments. Failure to submit this documentation by the closing date will result in disqualification from further consideration. Official transcripts will be required if you are selected to fill the position. College transcripts are still required if you currently occupy or previously occupied the series for which you are applying.
Foreign Education: Education completed outside the United States must have been evaluated by a private U.S. organization that specializes in interpretation of foreign educational credentials, commonly called a credential evaluation service or education that is recognized by the Secretary of Education from an accredited body.
http://www.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ous/international/usnei/us/edlite-visitus-forrecog.html To preview the Assessment Questionnaire, click the following link: View Occupational Questionnaire
The employee will be frequently required to travel from assigned duty station to various areas inside and outside jurisdictional boundaries of the Region.
Incumbent must be able to operate a government-owned or leased motor vehicle. A valid state driver's license is required.
Limited PCS/moving benefits are authorized (no temporary quarters, no house-hunting trip, no contract for home sale).
Completion of a 1-year probationary period is required (if one has not yet been completed).
HOW YOU WILL BE EVALUATED:
Once the application process is complete, a review of resume and supporting documentation will be made and compared against your responses to the assessment questionnaire to determine if you are qualified for this job. If, after reviewing your resume and or supporting documentation, a determination is made that you have inflated your qualifications and or experience, you may lose consideration for this position. Please follow all instructions carefully. Errors or omissions may affect your eligibility. Qualified candidates will be assigned to a quality category. Best Qualified, Well Qualified or Qualified. The category assignment is a measure of the degree in which your background matches the competencies required for this position. Your qualifications will be evaluated on the following competencies (knowledge, skills, abilities and other characteristics):
1. Knowledge of the theories and principles of wildlife population ecology, adaptive resource management.
2. Ability to communicate in writing.
3. Ability to communicate orally.
4. Skill in computer data management, computerized mapping systems (e.g., ArcInfo, ArcView) and computer hardware and software in order to implement a Geographic Information System (GIS) program of mapping and data analysis for a wide range of terrestrial and aquatic species.
NOTE: You should be aware that your ratings are subject to evaluation and verifications. The numeric rating you receive is based on your responses to the questionnaire. Do not overstate or understate your level of experience and capability. If a determination is made that you rated yourself higher than is supported by your application, or your application is incomplete, you will be assigned a rating commensurate to your described experience or you may be considered ineligible.
BENEFITS:
The Federal Government offers a comprehensive benefits package that includes, in part, paid vacation, sick leave, holidays, life insurance, health benefits, and participation in the Federal Employees Retirement System. http://www.usajobs.gov/EI/benefits.asp
OTHER INFORMATION:
1. If you are a veteran with preference eligibility and you are claiming 5-points veterans' preference, you must submit a copy of your DD-214 or other proof of eligibility. If you are claiming 10-point veterans' preference, you must also submit an SF-15, "Application for 10-Point Veterans' Preference" plus the proof required by that form. For more information on veteransÂ’ preference see
2. If you have special priority selection rights under the Agency Career Transition Assistance Plan (CTAP) or Interagency Career Transition Assistance Plan (ICTAP) you may apply for special selection over other candidates for this position . To be well-qualified for the position and exercise selection priority for this vacancy, displaced Federal employees must be rated at 90 or above on the rating criteria for this position.
Federal employees seeking CTAP/ICTAP eligibility must submit proof that they meet the requirements of 5 CFR 330.605(a) for CTAP and 5 CFR 330.704 for ICTAP. This includes a copy of the agency notice, a copy of their most recent Performance Rating and a copy of their most recent SF-50 noting current position, grade level, and duty location. Please annotate your application to reflect that you are applying as a CTAP or ICTAP eligible. For more information on CTAP/ICTAP see
