Fish and Wildlife Biologist

U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service • Orland, ME

1d • Hybrid

About The Position

This position will serve as a Fish and Wildlife Biologist GS-0401-11/12 and technical advisor in at least one of the following specialty areas: Endangered Species; Federal Activities; Environmental Contaminants; and/or Partners for Fish and Wildlife. Pay will vary based on grade level and/or duty location for which you're selected. First time hires to the Federal government normally start at the step 1 rate.

Requirements

• Must be a U.S. Citizen or National.
• Appointment subject to background investigation and favorable adjudication.
• Males born after 12-31-59 must be registered for Selective Service.
• Direct Deposit participation required.
• Successfully pass the E-Verify employment verification check.
• Must possess and maintain a valid driver's license throughout employment.
• As a condition of employment for accepting this position, you may be required to serve a 1- year probationary period to evaluate your fitness and whether your continuation of employment advances the public interest.
• All qualifications must be met by the closing date of this announcement - 10/22/2026-unless otherwise stated in this vacancy announcement.
• Competitive candidates must also meet Time-in-Grade requirements as defined in 5 CFR 300, Subpart F.
• For current Federal employees, if hours worked per week are not included on your resume, you must submit a non-award SF-50 as part of your application to be used to validate your work schedule and determine the amount of specialized experience that you will be granted.
• For periods of time that reflect military service, the DD-214 or Statement of Service is sufficient to meet the work schedule requirement as the service dates will be reflected.
• For all other applicants who are not current federal employees, your resume must state either "full-time" (or "40 hours a week") or "part-time" with the number of hours worked per week to ensure proper crediting of specialized experience.
• Degree: Possess a degree in biological sciences, agriculture, natural resource management, chemistry, or related disciplines appropriate to the position. You must submit transcripts.
• Combination of education and experience: course work as shown in A above, plus appropriate experience or additional education.
• Experience: To qualify for GS-11, you must possess at least one full year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-09 level in the Federal service (obtained in either the public or private sectors). Specialized experience is defined as demonstrated experience: (1) facilitating activities pursuant to sections of the Endangered Species Act; (2) conducting status surveys for listed candidate species; (3) preparing written correspondence to partners internally or externally, communicating and facilitating activities pursuant to the ESA or conservation projects in general. You must include hours per week worked.
• Education: For GS-11, successful completion of at least 3 years of progressively higher-level graduate education leading to a Ph.D. or equivalent degree or have earned a Ph.D. or equivalent degree in the biological sciences, agriculture, natural resource management, chemistry, or closely related field which provided me with the knowledge skills, and abilities to perform the duties of this position. You must include transcripts.
• Combination of education and experience as listed above.
• Experience: To qualify for GS-12, you must possess at least one full year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-11 level in the Federal service (obtained in either the public or private sectors). Specialized experience is defined as demonstrated experience: (1) coordinating and facilitating activities pursuant to sections of the Endangered Species Act, particularly with transportation projects; (2) planning and conducting status surveys for listed and candidate species; (3) coordinating wide ranging initiatives to fully implement ESA programs; (4) reviewing rules, regulations and legislation pursuant to ESA; (5) preparing written correspondence to partners internally or externally, communicating and facilitating activities pursuant to the ESA or conservation projects, particularly as they relate to transportation projects. You must include hours per week worked.
• This position has a mandatory education requirement. You must submit a copy of your transcript(s) to support claimed education if substituting education for experience.
• Foreign Education: To receive credit for education completed outside the United States, you must show proof that the education has been submitted to a private organization that specializes in interpretation of foreign educational credentials and such education has been deemed at least equivalent to that gained in conventional U.S. education programs.

Nice To Haves

• Candidates should be committed to improving the efficiency of the Federal government, passionate about the ideals of our American republic, and committed to upholding the rule of law and the United States Constitution.

Responsibilities

• Collaborates and builds productive internal and external relationships on matters of complex nature to promote conservation; especially with regards to transportation related projects and infrastructure.
• Communicates clearly and effectively, both internally and externally, such that technical or complicated subjects are presented or explained effectively to a variety of diverse audiences, both internal and external.
• Negotiates with project proponents and Federal/state agencies concerning measures, standards, and procedures to protect, restore, enhance, and conserve fish and wildlife resources.
• Proactively seeks out creative, conservation solutions.
• Develops, establishes and maintains timelines, manages, coordinates, collaborates, evaluates, negotiates, documents, and monitors complex projects from cradle to grave using established processes that provide the full record of a project.
• Coordinates, facilitates, and leads activities on transportation related projects and infrastructure pursuant to the Endangered Species Act.
• Evaluates biological data and proposed project information to determine effects on threatened or endangered species through consultation procedures.
• Recommends ways to eliminate, minimize, or off-set impacts to listed species, as well as alternatives that will avoid jeopardizing the continued existence of a species or avoid destroying or adversely modifying critical habitat.
• Prepares written correspondence and reports based on the literature, observations, and investigations conducted. Reports and papers are used to analyze current conditions and assess implications of future actions on trust, rare, candidate, proposed, threatened and endangered species and their habitats.
• Duties will be developmental in nature when filled below the full performance level.

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.
• 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: Mid Level