Wildlife Inspector

U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service • Burlingame, CA

5d • Onsite

About The Position

The Wildlife Inspector, GS-1801-7/9/11/12, serves under Region 9, Office of Law Enforcement, conducting complex inspections and enforcing federal laws governing the import, export, and interstate transport of wildlife and wildlife products. The position ensures regulatory compliance, identifies violations, and supports efforts to prevent unlawful wildlife trade.

As a frontline enforcement officer for the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service's Office of Law Enforcement, the Field Senior Wildlife Inspector protects wildlife resources by detecting and deterring illegal wildlife trade. At assigned ports of entry, the inspector conducts complex inspections, leads interdiction activities, and ensures compliance with federal, state, and international wildlife protection laws. Work takes place in cargo facilities, passenger terminals, warehouses, and other port environments and applies biological and analytical expertise to regulate legal trade and counter trafficking. Duties are developmental below the full-performance level of GS-12.

The position may involve inspections in varied and hazardous environments, travel for special staffing assignments, work at non-designated ports of entry, and assisting Special Agents with search warrants. Administrative work is performed in an office, while inspections take place at locations throughout ports of entry, sometimes many miles apart. Schedules may be established, rotating, or otherwise varied and may include evenings, weekends, holidays, overtime, and shift work. Some duty stations may find foreign-language proficiency beneficial, though language skills are optional and are not assessed.

The position requires participation in the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Medical Surveillance Program, including periodic examinations because of potential exposure to hazardous chemicals and communicable diseases. Physical inspections may require pushing, pulling, lifting, and moving items weighing up to 50 pounds. Work with live animals and animal products may involve bites, scratches, envenomation, communicable diseases, and hazardous chemicals. Employees must follow safety procedures, use and maintain protective equipment, and complete required safety training. Employees must wear the official U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service uniform; a uniform allowance is provided.

The position is a bargaining-unit position represented by AFGE and may require a one-year probationary period. Promotion to the full-performance level is not guaranteed. Eligible and qualified applicants may be offered a recruitment or relocation incentive on a case-by-case basis; a continued service agreement may be required in connection with certain incentives or a permanent change in duty station. The position is suitable for telework only during an emergency or natural disaster.

Requirements

• U.S. citizenship is required.
• Must successfully pass E-Verify employment verification.
• Individuals assigned male at birth after December 31, 1959, must be registered for Selective Service.
• Direct Deposit participation is required.
• Must be suitable for employment as determined by a background investigation.
• Merit promotion applicants must meet applicable time-in-grade requirements.
• Pre-employment and random drug testing are required; a verified positive drug test result disqualifies an applicant from appointment.
• Must possess and maintain a valid State driver's license throughout employment.
• Must complete periodic medical surveillance examinations and participate in the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Medical Surveillance Program.
• Must be able to perform physical inspections that may involve pushing, pulling, lifting, and moving items weighing up to 50 pounds, and work safely around live animals, animal products, hazardous chemicals, and potential communicable diseases.
• Must wear the official U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service uniform and comply with uniform standards.
• A financial disclosure is required within 30 days of appointment.
• May be required to serve a one-year probationary period.
• For GS-07: One year of specialized experience equivalent to GS-05, one full year of qualifying graduate-level education, an applicable combination of graduate education and experience, or a qualifying bachelor's degree with Superior Academic Achievement. Specialized experience includes assisting with basic inspections and preliminary fact-finding; reviewing documentation for compliance and discrepancies; using information systems and standard inspection equipment; gathering and reviewing data for basic analysis; and communicating routine information and guidance to relevant parties.
• For GS-09: One year of specialized experience equivalent to GS-07, a master's or equivalent graduate degree, two full years of progressively higher-level graduate education leading to such a degree, an LL.B. or J.D. in a directly related field, or a qualifying combination of graduate education and experience. Specialized experience includes assisting with inspections and investigations of suspected wildlife-law violations; following search, seizure, and evidence-handling procedures; examining shipments and documents; using inspection systems and equipment; analyzing trade data; and communicating about compliance and wildlife import/export requirements.
• For GS-11: One year of specialized experience equivalent to GS-09, a Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree, three years of progressively higher-level graduate education leading to such a degree, an LL.M. in a directly related field, or a qualifying combination of graduate education and experience. Specialized experience includes conducting targeted inspections and interdictions; identifying wildlife specimens or referring them for advanced identification; conducting risk assessments and analyzing trade data; communicating objectives through analytical reports; and supporting partner-agency investigations of illegal wildlife trade and other violations.
• For GS-12: One year of specialized experience equivalent to GS-11 is required; education cannot substitute for specialized experience. Experience includes conducting port-of-entry wildlife inspections and interdictions; identifying specimens using taxonomic or forensic methods and documenting findings; conducting port-specific risk assessments using analytical tools, intelligence, and trade data; supporting investigations and evidence handling under federal standards; serving as a technical expert and liaison with domestic and international partners; preparing reports and presentations; and developing and delivering training, guidance, and outreach.
• All qualifications must be met by October 20, 2026, unless otherwise stated in the announcement.
• Applicants must include hours worked per week in their resume or provide the specified documentation where applicable to establish work schedule and qualifying experience.
• If education is used to qualify, transcripts must be submitted. Foreign education must be evaluated as equivalent to U.S. education by a qualified credential-evaluation organization.

Nice To Haves

• Foreign-language proficiency may be beneficial at certain duty stations: Spanish in El Paso, Houston, or Miami; Chamorro or Tagalog in Agana, Guam; and Hawaiian or Tagalog/Ilocano in Honolulu. Language skills are optional and do not affect qualification or rating.

Responsibilities

• Lead interdiction and inspection activities at ports of entry to detect and counter wildlife trafficking, using species-identification expertise, risk assessment, and data analysis.
• Inspect and investigate wildlife shipments and travelers, identify high-risk activity, collaborate with partner agencies, and support lawful wildlife trade through informed compliance efforts.
• Serve as a technical expert and liaison; support civil and criminal cases; share information with domestic and international partners; complete special projects; and prepare reports and presentations.
• Deliver training and outreach to inspectors, partners, and the public, and provide leadership and mentorship to strengthen Wildlife Inspection Program capabilities.
• Conduct inspections in varied and potentially hazardous environments; prepare investigative findings and recommendations; and coordinate with experts and regional counterparts to improve inspection operations.
• Meet applicable medical surveillance requirements and follow safety procedures, including using and maintaining protective equipment and completing required safety training.
• Wear the official U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service uniform and comply with uniform standards.

Benefits

• A uniform allowance will be provided.
• Eligible and qualified applicants may be offered a recruitment or relocation incentive on a case-by-case basis; these incentives are not guaranteed.
• Federal employees receive a comprehensive benefits package, with eligibility dependent on the position type.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level
• Education Level: No Education Listed