Assistant Director National Wildlife Refuge System

U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service • Washington, DC

35d • Onsite

About The Position

The Department of the Interior is seeking highly qualified candidates for the Senior Executive Service (SES) position of Assistant Director, National Wildlife Refuge System (NWRS), U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, located in Washington, D.C. The Department classifies SES positions by category to establish minimum pay levels. This position is designated as Category 4, with a minimum annual salary of $186,207. Veterans' preference does not apply to positions in the Senior Executive Service (SES). The Assistant Director, National Wildlife Refuge System (NWRS), performs the following key responsibilities: Provides executive leadership and strategic direction for the stewardship, management, and operation of the National Wildlife Refuge System. Directs national policy, priorities, strategic planning, budgeting, and performance for programs supporting the conservation and management of fish, wildlife, plants, habitats, and natural and cultural resources across the Refuge System. Evaluates program performance, emerging conservation challenges, and operational needs and directs adjustments to policies, priorities, strategies, and resources to achieve national objectives. Provides executive oversight of land acquisition, realty, land protection, and land disposition activities supporting the Refuge System and other U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service programs. Directs national policies and priorities for visitor services, wildlife-dependent recreation, public access and use, and cultural resource stewardship. Provides executive oversight of infrastructure planning, investment, maintenance, and asset management across the Refuge System. Builds and sustains strategic partnerships with States, Tribes, Federal agencies, conservation organizations, communities, and other partners to advance national conservation and Refuge System priorities. Represents the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service on significant national policy, conservation, management, and operational matters involving the National Wildlife Refuge System.

Requirements

• U.S. Citizenship
• Subject to a background/suitability investigation/determination.
• You must be able to obtain/maintain a Tier 4 background investigation.
• This a Public Trust, Non-Sensitive, High-Risk, position.
• Public Financial Disclosure (OGE-278 filing within 30 days is required)
• Males must meet Selective Service Registration Act requirements. To verify registration visit SSS.gov.
• Selections are subject to Department approval.
• Initial appointments to the SES must have to undergo an ECQ based structured interview with Office of Personnel Management (OPM).
• Initial appointments into the Senior Executive Service require a one-year probationary period.
• Individuals selected for an SES position are subject to reassignment
• Agencies must request OPM approval to appoint current or former (within 5 years) Executive Branch political appointees to permanent competitive service, excepted service, or career SES position.
• Basic requirement: Applicants must meet one of the following basic requirements: A. Degree: Biological sciences, agriculture, natural resource management, or related disciplines appropriate to the position; OR B. Combination of education and experience: Courses equivalent to a major, or at least 30 semester hours in courses, as shown in A above, plus appropriate experience or additional education; OR C. Experience: Four years of experience that demonstrated that the applicant acquired knowledge and understanding of one or more of the biological sciences, agriculture, natural resource management, or related disciplines equivalent to that which would have been acquired through completion of a 4-year course of study as described in A above.
• Minimum Qualifications: To meet the minimum qualifications, you must submit a two-page resume (max) that shows you possess the Executive Core Qualifications (ECQs) and two Technical Qualifications (TQs). To be considered, only the first 2 pages of your resume will be reviewed to determine your eligibility/qualifications.
• Technical Qualifications (TQs) are designed to assess an applicant's experience relevant to the specific position requirements. Your resume should clearly demonstrate your experience and accomplishments related to the two TQs below: TQ 1- National Wildlife and Natural Resource Program Leadership Demonstrated experience providing executive or senior-level leadership for complex fish and wildlife conservation, natural resource management, or public lands programs of national or multi-regional scope. TQ 2- Strategic Resource, Organizational, and Program Management Demonstrated experience directing complex, geographically dispersed programs involving significant financial, workforce, infrastructure, and organizational resources.
• Executive Core Qualifications (ECQs). Your two-page resume should also show that you possess the Executive Core Quali fi cations listed below. Your resume should clearly demonstrate your experience and accomplishments related to the ECQs. By statute, the Office of Personnel Management prescribes Executive Core Qualifications (ECQs) for the appointment of career SES members. The ECQs were designed to assess executive experience and not technical expertise. ECQ 1: Commitment to the Rule of Law and the Principles of the American Founding: This core qualification requires a demonstrated knowledge of the American system of government, commitment to uphold the Constitution and the rule of law, and commitment to serve the American people. Sub-Competencies: Knowledge of the American System of Government, Commitment to the Rule of Law, Civic-Mindedness ECQ 2: Driving Efficiency : This core qualification involves the demonstrated ability to strategically and efficiently manage resources, budget effectively, cut wasteful spending, and pursue efficiency through process and technological upgrades. Sub-Competencies: Fiscal Responsibility, Managing Resources, Leveraging Technology ECQ 3: Merit and Competence: This core qualification involves the demonstrated knowledge, ability, and technical competence to effectively and reliably produce work that is of exceptional quality. Sub-Competencies : Technical Skill, Problem Solving, Agility, and Resilience. ECQ 4: Leading People: This core qualification involves the demonstrated ability to lead and inspire a group toward meeting the organization's vision, mission, and goals, and to drive a high-performance, high-accountability culture. This includes, when necessary, the ability to lead people through change and to hold individuals accountable. Sub-Competencies: Accountability, Developing Others, Executive Judgement ECQ 5: Achieving Results: This core qualification involves the demonstrated ability to achieve both individual and organizational results, and to align results to stated goals from superiors. Sub-Competencies : Operational Mindset, Innovation, Strategic Thinking
• In addition to meeting the basic requirement and demonstrating the required ECQs and TQs, candidates should be committed to improving the efficiency and effectiveness of the Federal Government, supporting the principles of the American republic, and upholding the rule of law and the United States Constitution.
• Candidates will not be hired based on race, sex, color, religion, or national origin.

Nice To Haves

• Already SES Certified? If you currently hold a career Senior Executive Service appointment, are eligible for reinstatement to the SES, or have completed an OPM-approved Senior Executive Service Candidate Development Program (SES CDP), you need only submit a two-page resume and documentation demonstrating your SES status. Current or former career SES members must provide the applicable personnel action documenting career SES service. SES CDP graduates must submit a two-page resume and a copy of their SES CDP certification.

Responsibilities

• Provides executive leadership and strategic direction for the stewardship, management, and operation of the National Wildlife Refuge System.
• Directs national policy, priorities, strategic planning, budgeting, and performance for programs supporting the conservation and management of fish, wildlife, plants, habitats, and natural and cultural resources across the Refuge System.
• Evaluates program performance, emerging conservation challenges, and operational needs and directs adjustments to policies, priorities, strategies, and resources to achieve national objectives.
• Provides executive oversight of land acquisition, realty, land protection, and land disposition activities supporting the Refuge System and other U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service programs.
• Directs national policies and priorities for visitor services, wildlife-dependent recreation, public access and use, and cultural resource stewardship.
• Provides executive oversight of infrastructure planning, investment, maintenance, and asset management across the Refuge System.
• Builds and sustains strategic partnerships with States, Tribes, Federal agencies, conservation organizations, communities, and other partners to advance national conservation and Refuge System priorities.
• Represents the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service on significant national policy, conservation, management, and operational matters involving the National Wildlife Refuge System.

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.
• Opens in a new window Learn more about federal benefits .
• Review our 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.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Executive