Wildlife Refuge Specialist

U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service • Boynton Beach, FL

13h

About The Position

The Wildlife Refuge Specialist serves with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service at Arthur R. Marshall Loxahatchee National Wildlife Refuge. The role supports day-to-day refuge operations, habitat and natural resource management, environmental compliance, permits, partnerships, and public-use programs. Work is performed indoors and outdoors; the position is suitable for telework, which may be allowed with supervisor approval.

The position is at the GS-11 grade level. Applicants must meet the applicable basic education requirement and qualify through specialized experience, graduate education, or a combination of education and experience. The role requires a valid driver's license maintained throughout employment. A one-year probationary period may be required. First-time federal hires normally start at step 1.

Requirements

• 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 possess and maintain a valid driver's license throughout employment.
• May be required to serve a one-year probationary period.
• Meet the basic education requirement: a qualifying bachelor's or higher degree in zoology, wildlife management, or an appropriate field of biology with specified coursework; an equivalent combination of education and experience; or qualifying prior GS-0485 service before December 3, 2010, with supporting SF-50.
• For GS-11, have at least one year of specialized experience equivalent to GS-09, including coordinating day-to-day refuge operations; planning, conducting, or overseeing habitat and natural resource management; preparing or contributing to environmental compliance and planning documents; preparing and administering special use permits; and developing, administering, or overseeing cooperative agreements, MOUs, contracts, or project scopes.
• Alternatively, qualify with at least three years of progressively higher-level graduate education leading to a Ph.D., or a Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree in a relevant field, or a combination of qualifying education and experience.
• Applicants must document hours worked per week for experience; education used to qualify must be supported with transcripts.
• Competitive candidates must meet federal time-in-grade requirements where applicable.
• Work involves walking over varied terrain and lifting items up to 50 pounds.

Responsibilities

• Oversee day-to-day refuge operations, coordinating maintenance activities, fleet and supply requests, equipment and facility support, and safe and efficient service delivery.
• Prepare, issue, and monitor special use permits; ensure compliance and track renewals.
• Lead or support NEPA environmental assessments, ESA Section 7 consultations, and clearances.
• Ensure refuge activities comply with national, regional, and National Wildlife Refuge System standards.
• Represent the refuge in regional coordination with Federal, state, Tribal, and NGO partners.
• Support wildlife-dependent recreation, education, and interpretive public-use programs.
• Develop, negotiate, and manage MOUs, interagency agreements, and contracts related to habitat work, facility repair, and biological studies.
• May serve as a Contracting Officer's Representative (COR).
• Plan and implement habitat management, including invasive species control and water management.
• Conduct wildlife surveys and biological monitoring, including monitoring impounded wetland water levels.
• Collect data, prepare refuge reports, and support communications and publications.

Benefits

• Federal employee benefits package for employees and their families.
• A 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