Fish and Wildlife Biologist

U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service • Manhattan, KS

4d

About The Position

The Fish and Wildlife Biologist serves with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service at the Kansas Ecological Services Field Office in Manhattan, Kansas, or the Missouri River Recovery Office in Helena, Montana; Bismarck, North Dakota; Pierre, South Dakota; or Yankton, South Dakota. One vacancy will be filled in Manhattan and one at a Missouri River Recovery Office location. Pay varies by duty location, and first-time federal hires normally start at step 1.

The position coordinates Endangered Species Act activities, advises Field Office staff on habitat needs of rare and listed species, and conducts consultations with federal agencies and designated non-federal representatives. The biologist plans and conducts species status assessments with agency staff, organizations, contractors, and other partners; develops and manages propagation and genetic-diversity strategies; manages budgets, evaluates proposals, and directs funding; and recommends recovery actions suited to the ecology and geomorphology of the Missouri and Mississippi River basins.

The work includes substantial field activity as well as office work. Travel to remote sites and frequent travel for meetings and field work are required. The position may be eligible for telework with supervisor approval.

Requirements

• Must be a U.S. Citizen or National.
• Must possess and maintain a valid driver's license throughout employment.
• Must meet the basic education requirement: a degree in biological sciences, agriculture, natural resource management, chemistry, or a related discipline appropriate to the position, or a qualifying combination of coursework and experience or additional education.
• Must have at least one year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-11 level in the Federal service. Qualifying experience includes planning, conducting, or coordinating biological or natural-resource studies, assessments, or conservation activities; analyzing biological, ecological, or habitat information; applying biological principles and environmental laws, regulations, policies, or procedures; developing, evaluating, or implementing conservation, recovery, monitoring, or habitat-management actions; preparing technical or scientific documents; and coordinating with relevant partners or stakeholders.
• Current federal employees must meet applicable time-in-grade requirements.
• Applicants must document hours worked per week as specified in the announcement; current federal employees may need to submit a non-award SF-50 if their resume does not state hours per week.
• Must successfully pass an employment background investigation and E-Verify check, and participate in Direct Deposit.
• May be required to serve a one-year probationary period; continued employment beyond the probationary period requires written agency certification.
• Qualifications must be met by the announcement closing date of 11/09/2026.

Responsibilities

• Coordinate and facilitate activities under Sections 4, 6, 7, and 10 of the Endangered Species Act.
• Serve as a technical advisor to Field Office staff regarding habitat needs of rare, candidate, proposed, and federally listed species.
• Conduct Section 7 consultations with federal agencies and designated non-federal representatives for development, transportation, infrastructure, water conveyance, recreation, restoration, and flood-control projects.
• Plan and conduct status assessments for listed, proposed, and candidate species in cooperation with government personnel, private organizations, contractors, and other partners.
• Develop and manage propagation and genetic-diversity strategies.
• Manage budgets, evaluate proposals, and direct funding.
• Recommend recovery actions tailored to the ecology and geomorphology of the Missouri and Mississippi River basins.

Benefits

• Federal employee benefits package for employees and their families.
• A recruitment or relocation incentive may be offered to eligible, qualified candidates on a case-by-case basis; it is not guaranteed.

What This Job Offers

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