This job has expired on Indeed
Reasons could include: the employer is not accepting applications, is not actively hiring, or is reviewing applicationsFish and Wildlife Biologist
Interior, US Fish and Wildlife Service
Moline, IL
Location
Moline, IL
Full job description
You too can make a difference in our world. The work of the US Fish and Wildlife Service is meaningful and varied. Want to know more about what it is like to work for us? Click here to watch short podcasts called Meet Your New Boss! and Diversity is our Strength .
In this position you would serve as a Fish and Wildlife Biologist at the Ecological Services Rock Island, IL. field office. You would be involved with all aspects of resource protection and migratory bird conservation through Illinois and Iowa. You will plan and conduct a wide variety of complex investigations to determine the impact of land and water development projects upon wildlife and migratory bird resources within the local area of responsibility and provide technical guidance to protect proponents and other partner agencies. TRAVEL REQUIRED
Occasional Travel
Occasional travel is required to fully evaluate projects throughput the geographic area of Illinois and Iowa. RELOCATION AUTHORIZED
No KEY REQUIREMENTS
You must be a U.S. citizen to apply to this position.
A background investigation is required.
A valid drivers license will be required. DUTIES: Back to top
Prepares and reviews biological implications of environmental assessment/impact statements or comprehensive resource planning reports to evaluate environmental consequences of proposed actions on Federal projects.
Plans and conducts a wide variety of complex investigations to determine the impact of land and water development projects upon the wildlife resources of an area.
Plans and conducts complex inspections of existing projects to insure that legal standards and other requirements are met and implemented in a manner most beneficial to wildlife resources.
Develops comprehensive wildlife management plans to insure preservation, protection, and enhancement of wildlife and wildlife habitat conditions.
Plans, organizes, and implements biological work and/or habitat preservation and development work.
Responds to written, telephone, and in-person inquiries from the public and the new media, obtaining and providing requested information. QUALIFICATIONS REQUIRED: Back to top
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.
BASIC QUALIFICATION REQUIREMENT: As a basic requirement for the 0401 job series applicants must successfully complete 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.
Alternatively, applicants can meet these basic qualifications by combining education as described above plus appropriate experience or additional education. Examples of qualifying experience include: experience in the biological sciences that required knowledge of fish and wildlife biology and an understanding of the terminology, concepts and principles of biology. Assignments would have included delegated tasks and responsibilities which required independence and self-discipline to carry out and the ability to provide innovative solutions to problems inherent in the fish and wildlife field; and/or work assignments involved in the application of scientific, biological, natural resource standards.
In addition to meeting the above basic entry qualification requirements above, applicants must have specialized experience and/or directly related education in the amounts indicated below:
To qualify at the GS-11 level, you must also meet one of the following:
Specialized Experience: 52 weeks of specialized experience equivalent to the next lower grade level (GS-9) in the Federal service is required. Examples of this type of experience include: work in the biological sciences that provided you with the knowledge, skills and abilities needed to perform the duties of this position at the GS-11 level, such as participating in the development of habitat restoration projects; conducting fish and/or wildlife surveys; assessing bird populations and movements; compiling/reviewing reports of findings; and providing recommendations on habitat restoration techniques on habitat restoration, protection and evaluation techniques.
OR
Education: Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree or 3 years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to a Ph.D. with major study related to the position being filled. You must submit your college transcript(s)(unofficial copies acceptable), failure to do so may result in an ineligible rating.
OR
Combination of Education and Experience: Equivalent combinations of successfully completed graduate education and specialized experience are qualifying for this position. Only graduate education in excess of the first 2 years may be combined with experience. Education must include courses directly related to the work of the position. You must submit your college transcript(copies acceptable), failure to do so may result in an ineligible rating.
You must submit a copy of all your college transcripts for this professional position. Unless otherwise stated, unofficial transcripts are acceptable. If selected, you will be required to produce official transcripts.
Education completed in foreign colleges or universities may be used to meet the above requirements if you can show that the foreign education is comparable to that received in an accredited educational institution in the United States. It is your responsibility to provide such evidence when applying.
HOW YOU WILL BE EVALUATED:
Once the application process is complete, a review of your 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. Do not overstate or understate your level of experience and capability. You should be aware that your ratings are subject to evaluation and verification.
Applicants are expected to possess the Knowledge, Skills and Abilities (KSAs) listed below to qualify for this position. These KSAs are addressed in the self-assessment questionnaire that you will complete for this announcement. You do not need to respond separately to the KSAs listed below. Your answers to the on-line experience questions will serve as responses to the KSAs. Your application will be evaluated based on your ability to demonstrate the following knowledge, skills, and abilities/competencies (KSAs):
Knowledge of the theories, principles, and methodologies of fish and wildlife biology and conservation biology.
Ability to assess the effects of land and water development on the fish and wildlife resources of an area.
Ability to recognize critical trends in natural resources to assess, select, and recommend the most appropriate action.
Ability to manage large complex resource issues, make decisions, and resolve conflicts.
Ability to convey complex technical information in a concise, understandable form in both written and oral communication.
Qualified candidates will then be placed in one of three categories:
BEST QUALIFIED
WELL QUALIFIED
QUALIFIED
Please make sure that your responses to the assessment questionnaire are supported in your resume. Follow all instructions carefully as errors or omissions may affect your score. Please note that if a determination is made that you have rated yourself higher in the self assessment than is apparent in your description of experience and/or education OR your application is incomplete, you may be rated ineligible, not qualified, or your score may be lowered.
APPLICATION OF VETERAN'S PREFERENCE: The Category Rating method does not add veteran's 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. Preference eligibles who meet minimum qualification requirements and have a compensable service-connected disability of at least 10 percent must be listed in the highest quality category, except when the position being filled is scientific or professional at the GS-09 grade lever or higher. An agency may not select a non-preference eligible over a preference eligible in the same category unless the agency receives approval to pass over the preference eligible in accordance with 5 U.S.C. 3318.
To preview the Occupational Assessment Questionnaire, click here View Assessment Questions
BENEFITS: Back to top
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.
The following link provides an overview of the benefits currently offered to most Federal employees: https://help.usajobs.gov/index.php/Pay_and_Benefits
OTHER INFORMATION:
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.
1. 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. For information on how to apply as an ICTAP eligible see http://www.opm.gov/rif/employee_guides/career_transition.asp#ictap. To be well-qualified and exercise selection priority for this vacancy, displaced Federal employees must be rated at 85 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.
2. Category rating procedures will be used to rate and rank candidates. Under category rating, applicants who meet basic minimum qualification requirements established for the position and whose job-related competencies or knowledge, skills and abilities (KSAs) have been assessed are ranked by being placed in one of three predefined quality categories instead of being ranked in numeric score order. The Category Rating method does not add veteran's 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. Preference eligibles that meet minimum qualification requirements and have a compensable service-connected disability of at least 10 percent must be listed in the highest quality category, except when the position being filled is scientific or professional at the GS-09 grade lever or higher.
3. If you are a male applicant who was born after 12/31/59 and are required to register under the Military Selective Service Act, the Defense Authorization Act of 1986 requires that you be registered or you are not eligible for appointment in this agency.
All qualification requirements must be met by the closing date of this announcement. Additional information on the qualification requirements is outlined in the OPM Qualifications Standards Handbook of General Schedule Positions. It is available for your review in our office, in other Federal agency personnel offices, and on OPM's web site at http://www.opm.gov/qualifications .
In this position you would serve as a Fish and Wildlife Biologist at the Ecological Services Rock Island, IL. field office. You would be involved with all aspects of resource protection and migratory bird conservation through Illinois and Iowa. You will plan and conduct a wide variety of complex investigations to determine the impact of land and water development projects upon wildlife and migratory bird resources within the local area of responsibility and provide technical guidance to protect proponents and other partner agencies. TRAVEL REQUIRED
Occasional Travel
Occasional travel is required to fully evaluate projects throughput the geographic area of Illinois and Iowa. RELOCATION AUTHORIZED
No KEY REQUIREMENTS
You must be a U.S. citizen to apply to this position.
A background investigation is required.
A valid drivers license will be required. DUTIES: Back to top
Prepares and reviews biological implications of environmental assessment/impact statements or comprehensive resource planning reports to evaluate environmental consequences of proposed actions on Federal projects.
Plans and conducts a wide variety of complex investigations to determine the impact of land and water development projects upon the wildlife resources of an area.
Plans and conducts complex inspections of existing projects to insure that legal standards and other requirements are met and implemented in a manner most beneficial to wildlife resources.
Develops comprehensive wildlife management plans to insure preservation, protection, and enhancement of wildlife and wildlife habitat conditions.
Plans, organizes, and implements biological work and/or habitat preservation and development work.
Responds to written, telephone, and in-person inquiries from the public and the new media, obtaining and providing requested information. QUALIFICATIONS REQUIRED: Back to top
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.
BASIC QUALIFICATION REQUIREMENT: As a basic requirement for the 0401 job series applicants must successfully complete 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.
Alternatively, applicants can meet these basic qualifications by combining education as described above plus appropriate experience or additional education. Examples of qualifying experience include: experience in the biological sciences that required knowledge of fish and wildlife biology and an understanding of the terminology, concepts and principles of biology. Assignments would have included delegated tasks and responsibilities which required independence and self-discipline to carry out and the ability to provide innovative solutions to problems inherent in the fish and wildlife field; and/or work assignments involved in the application of scientific, biological, natural resource standards.
In addition to meeting the above basic entry qualification requirements above, applicants must have specialized experience and/or directly related education in the amounts indicated below:
To qualify at the GS-11 level, you must also meet one of the following:
Specialized Experience: 52 weeks of specialized experience equivalent to the next lower grade level (GS-9) in the Federal service is required. Examples of this type of experience include: work in the biological sciences that provided you with the knowledge, skills and abilities needed to perform the duties of this position at the GS-11 level, such as participating in the development of habitat restoration projects; conducting fish and/or wildlife surveys; assessing bird populations and movements; compiling/reviewing reports of findings; and providing recommendations on habitat restoration techniques on habitat restoration, protection and evaluation techniques.
OR
Education: Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree or 3 years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to a Ph.D. with major study related to the position being filled. You must submit your college transcript(s)(unofficial copies acceptable), failure to do so may result in an ineligible rating.
OR
Combination of Education and Experience: Equivalent combinations of successfully completed graduate education and specialized experience are qualifying for this position. Only graduate education in excess of the first 2 years may be combined with experience. Education must include courses directly related to the work of the position. You must submit your college transcript(copies acceptable), failure to do so may result in an ineligible rating.
You must submit a copy of all your college transcripts for this professional position. Unless otherwise stated, unofficial transcripts are acceptable. If selected, you will be required to produce official transcripts.
Education completed in foreign colleges or universities may be used to meet the above requirements if you can show that the foreign education is comparable to that received in an accredited educational institution in the United States. It is your responsibility to provide such evidence when applying.
HOW YOU WILL BE EVALUATED:
Once the application process is complete, a review of your 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. Do not overstate or understate your level of experience and capability. You should be aware that your ratings are subject to evaluation and verification.
Applicants are expected to possess the Knowledge, Skills and Abilities (KSAs) listed below to qualify for this position. These KSAs are addressed in the self-assessment questionnaire that you will complete for this announcement. You do not need to respond separately to the KSAs listed below. Your answers to the on-line experience questions will serve as responses to the KSAs. Your application will be evaluated based on your ability to demonstrate the following knowledge, skills, and abilities/competencies (KSAs):
Knowledge of the theories, principles, and methodologies of fish and wildlife biology and conservation biology.
Ability to assess the effects of land and water development on the fish and wildlife resources of an area.
Ability to recognize critical trends in natural resources to assess, select, and recommend the most appropriate action.
Ability to manage large complex resource issues, make decisions, and resolve conflicts.
Ability to convey complex technical information in a concise, understandable form in both written and oral communication.
Qualified candidates will then be placed in one of three categories:
BEST QUALIFIED
WELL QUALIFIED
QUALIFIED
Please make sure that your responses to the assessment questionnaire are supported in your resume. Follow all instructions carefully as errors or omissions may affect your score. Please note that if a determination is made that you have rated yourself higher in the self assessment than is apparent in your description of experience and/or education OR your application is incomplete, you may be rated ineligible, not qualified, or your score may be lowered.
APPLICATION OF VETERAN'S PREFERENCE: The Category Rating method does not add veteran's 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. Preference eligibles who meet minimum qualification requirements and have a compensable service-connected disability of at least 10 percent must be listed in the highest quality category, except when the position being filled is scientific or professional at the GS-09 grade lever or higher. An agency may not select a non-preference eligible over a preference eligible in the same category unless the agency receives approval to pass over the preference eligible in accordance with 5 U.S.C. 3318.
To preview the Occupational Assessment Questionnaire, click here View Assessment Questions
BENEFITS: Back to top
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.
The following link provides an overview of the benefits currently offered to most Federal employees: https://help.usajobs.gov/index.php/Pay_and_Benefits
OTHER INFORMATION:
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.
1. 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. For information on how to apply as an ICTAP eligible see http://www.opm.gov/rif/employee_guides/career_transition.asp#ictap. To be well-qualified and exercise selection priority for this vacancy, displaced Federal employees must be rated at 85 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.
2. Category rating procedures will be used to rate and rank candidates. Under category rating, applicants who meet basic minimum qualification requirements established for the position and whose job-related competencies or knowledge, skills and abilities (KSAs) have been assessed are ranked by being placed in one of three predefined quality categories instead of being ranked in numeric score order. The Category Rating method does not add veteran's 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. Preference eligibles that meet minimum qualification requirements and have a compensable service-connected disability of at least 10 percent must be listed in the highest quality category, except when the position being filled is scientific or professional at the GS-09 grade lever or higher.
3. If you are a male applicant who was born after 12/31/59 and are required to register under the Military Selective Service Act, the Defense Authorization Act of 1986 requires that you be registered or you are not eligible for appointment in this agency.
All qualification requirements must be met by the closing date of this announcement. Additional information on the qualification requirements is outlined in the OPM Qualifications Standards Handbook of General Schedule Positions. It is available for your review in our office, in other Federal agency personnel offices, and on OPM's web site at http://www.opm.gov/qualifications .