Supervisory Fish and Wildlife Biologist

U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service•Lafayette, LA

About The Position

The Supervisory Fish and Wildlife Biologist serves in the Department of the Interior, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Region 4, Louisiana Ecological Services Office, in Lafayette, Louisiana. At the GS-13 full-performance level, the position leads multidisciplinary teams responsible for planning, implementing, and evaluating federal conservation and restoration projects under the Coastal Wetlands Planning, Protection and Restoration Act (CWPPRA). The position develops and manages strategies and procedures across program areas, including habitat conservation, federal activities, and partner programs, and coordinates with supervisors, federal agencies, state governments, and other stakeholders. The incumbent provides administrative and technical guidance on federal statutes and related policy, plans, and budgets; represents the Service in interagency and public forums; and prepares and presents technical and non-technical reports. The role emphasizes collaboration on water development and restoration projects, particularly in wetlands and riverine habitats, and ensures that Service positions are scientifically grounded and consistent with federal responsibilities and authorities. The position monitors project progress, effectiveness, and compliance with statutes, regulations, and Service policies, recommending improvements or corrective actions as appropriate. It establishes staff and project performance standards, assigns work and priorities, supports staff development, identifies training needs, and promotes continuous improvement. The position requires at least one year of qualifying specialized experience at a level comparable to GS-12, along with the required biological-sciences-related education. Education cannot substitute for the specialized experience requirement.

Requirements

Must be a U.S. Citizen or National.
Must pass a background investigation and receive favorable adjudication.
Males born after December 31, 1959, must be registered for Selective Service.
Must participate in Direct Deposit and successfully pass E-Verify employment verification.
Must have and maintain a valid driver's license throughout employment.
Must serve a one-year probationary period; the position may also require completion of a supervisory probationary period.
Must meet the basic education requirement through a degree in biological sciences, agriculture, natural resource management, chemistry, or a related appropriate discipline, or an eligible combination of equivalent coursework and education or experience.
Must have at least one year of full-time specialized experience comparable in difficulty and responsibility to GS-12 in the Federal service.
Specialized experience must demonstrate work conserving, protecting, and enhancing fish, wildlife, plants, and their habitats; administering relevant environmental statutes or similar laws; developing and implementing short- and long-range conservation plans; formulating and implementing program policies, standards, and procedures; leading teams or supervising staff on programmatic issues; and advising management on controversial and complex issues.
Applicants must state full-time or part-time status and hours worked per week for experience to be credited.
Must submit transcripts supporting the claimed education; foreign education must be evaluated as equivalent to U.S. education by a qualified credential-evaluation organization.
Education cannot substitute for the specialized experience requirement.

Responsibilities

Supervise and lead biologists and technical staff working on CWPPRA conservation and restoration projects; assign work, set priorities, provide guidance, and support staff development and performance.
Develop strategies and procedures for managing program areas, including habitat conservation, federal activities, and partner programs.
Coordinate federal project planning and implementation with supervisors, agencies, and stakeholders to advance CWPPRA goals.
Provide administrative and technical guidance on responsibilities under federal statutes, including the Fish and Wildlife Coordination Act, Clean Water Act, and National Environmental Policy Act.
Advise on policy issues, program plans, and budgets related to federal project administration.
Represent the Service on committees and at professional meetings, hearings, and conferences concerning CWPPRA and other federal conservation initiatives.
Prepare and present technical and non-technical reports to federal, state, and local agencies, professional organizations, and the public.
Collaborate with federal agencies on the planning and execution of water development and restoration projects to protect and enhance fish, wildlife, and habitat, particularly wetlands and riverine habitats.
Facilitate cooperation and communication among Service programs, federal agencies, state governments, and other partners throughout project development, implementation, and evaluation.
Ensure Service positions are grounded in scientific fact and consistent with federal responsibilities and authorities.
Evaluate federal restoration activities, monitor progress against objectives, and ensure compliance with statutes, regulations, and Service policies; recommend improvements or corrective actions.
Establish staff and project performance standards, identify training needs, provide professional development opportunities, and promote continuous improvement in project quality and production.