Wildlife Biologist

U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service • Smyrna, DE

2d

About The Position

The Wildlife Biologist serves with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service in the Coastal Delaware National Wildlife Refuge Complex. The role leads biological work across a complex of coastal, estuarine, salt marsh, and upland habitats. Duties may be developmental when the position is filled below the full performance level.

The biologist develops and coordinates wildlife habitat and species monitoring, protection, and management plans, prepares grant proposals, and secures funding. The position collaborates with partners and local, regional, and national teams on wildlife and habitat projects, and oversees work conducted on and off the refuge. The biologist also manages biological data, prepares statistically defensible reports and GIS maps, and provides technical guidance and quality assurance to junior biological team members and volunteers.

The position has a substantial field-work component and may include rough terrain, extreme weather, travel to remote sites, and overnight camping. Some duties may be suitable for telework with supervisor approval. The employee must maintain a valid driver's license and wear a uniform. The position may require a one-year probationary period.

Requirements

• Must be a U.S. Citizen or National.
• Must meet the position's mandatory biological science education requirement: qualifying biological science degree with specified coursework, or an eligible combination of coursework and experience/education.
• For GS-11 qualification through experience, at least one year of specialized experience equivalent to GS-09, including wildlife program management, biological data collection and evaluation, wildlife management problem-solving, technical advice, reporting or presentations, environmental evaluation, and wildlife inventories, monitoring, or research. Eligible graduate education or a combination may also qualify at GS-11.
• For GS-12 qualification through experience, at least one year of specialized experience equivalent to GS-11, including leading a biological program, quantitative assessment, collaboration with refuge and partner teams, GIS and statistical analyses, and writing management plans and Section 7 consultations. Education cannot substitute for experience at GS-12.
• Must meet applicable time-in-grade requirements if a current Federal employee.
• Must submit transcripts when required to document qualifying education; foreign education requires a credential evaluation for U.S. equivalency.
• Must possess and maintain a valid driver's license throughout employment.
• Must pass a background investigation and favorable adjudication, E-Verify employment verification, and any required probationary evaluation.
• Males born after December 31, 1959, must be registered for Selective Service.
• Must participate in Direct Deposit.
• Must wear a uniform and comply with uniform standards.
• Applicants must document work schedule/hours for experience credit as specified in the announcement.

Responsibilities

• Lead and manage biological work across the National Wildlife Refuge Complex and its coastal, estuarine, salt marsh, and upland habitats.
• Develop wildlife habitat and species monitoring, protection, and management plans; prepare grant proposals; and secure funding.
• Coordinate biological programs in the field and administratively.
• Work with partners to coordinate and leverage support and funding for wildlife and habitat projects.
• Manage and monitor project work on and off the refuge and participate in local, regional, or national teams.
• Use computer systems and GIS to manage biological data, prepare maps, and display data and results.
• Prepare statistically defensible reports.
• Lead and provide technical guidance and quality assurance for junior biological team members and volunteers.
• At the GS-12 level, plan, implement, and quantitatively assess research, habitat management, wildlife population management, and species and habitat monitoring; prepare natural resource management plans and Section 7 consultations; and present findings to diverse audiences.

Benefits

• Federal employee benefits package available to eligible employees and their families.
• Uniform allowance provided.
• Recruitment or relocation incentive may be offered to eligible candidates at the agency's discretion.

What This Job Offers

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