Wildlife Refuge Specialist

U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service•Rockland, ME

12h

About The Position

The Wildlife Refuge Specialist serves with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service in the Maine Coastal Islands National Wildlife Refuge Complex. The position manages and leads biological work across an extensive refuge encompassing coastal, estuarine, salt marsh, and upland habitats. The specialist develops wildlife habitat and species monitoring, protection, and management plans; prepares grant proposals and secures funding; and coordinates program activities in the field and administratively. The role works with partners to coordinate and leverage support and funding for complex wildlife and habitat projects, manages and monitors work on and off the refuge, and participates in local, regional, and national teams. It also plans, manages, evaluates, and carries out the maintenance and biological program at an assigned refuge, and coordinates with Federal and state agencies and interest groups on long-range refuge management plans. Duties are developmental when the position is filled below the full performance level. The position requires a valid driver's license and wearing a uniform; a uniform allowance is provided. Telework may be allowed with supervisor approval. The position may be filled at GS-11 or GS-12. The GS-11 qualification pathway allows specified graduate education or an education-and-experience combination in lieu of specialized experience; the GS-12 level requires specialized experience in addition to the mandatory education requirement.

Requirements

Must be a U.S. Citizen or National.
Must possess and maintain a valid driver's license throughout employment.
Must wear a uniform and comply with uniform standards.
Must meet the mandatory education requirement: an accredited bachelor's or higher degree in zoology, wildlife management, or an appropriate biology field with specified coursework, or the qualifying coursework combined with appropriate experience or additional education.
For GS-11, must have one year of specialized experience equivalent to GS-09, qualifying graduate education, or a combination of education and experience. Specialized experience includes managing a biological program in a refuge or protected area; analyzing and selecting biological data collection techniques; addressing wildlife management problems; providing technical advice on habitat management, conservation plans, or wildlife species; and preparing reports and presentations.
For GS-12, must have one year of specialized experience equivalent to GS-11. This includes leading and managing a refuge or protected-area biological program; using quantitative methods to assess research, habitat management, wildlife population management, and monitoring; working with refuge, regional biology, and partner teams; and writing natural resource management plans and presenting findings.
Must submit transcripts when required to substantiate education, and include hours worked per week in experience documentation as specified in the announcement.
Current Federal employees must meet applicable time-in-grade requirements.
Appointment is subject to background investigation and favorable adjudication; must pass E-Verify; Direct Deposit participation is required.
Males born after December 31, 1959, must be registered for Selective Service.
May be required to serve a one-year probationary period; continued employment must be affirmatively certified in writing at the end of the probationary or trial period.

Nice To Haves

If otherwise eligible and qualified, may be considered for a recruitment or relocation incentive; neither incentive is guaranteed.
Telework may be allowed with supervisor approval.

Responsibilities

Manage and lead biological work across refuge coastal, estuarine, salt marsh, and upland habitats.
Develop wildlife habitat and species monitoring, protection, and management plans.
Prepare grant proposals and secure funding for biological and habitat programs.
Coordinate biological programs in the field and administratively.
Work with partners to coordinate and leverage support and funding for complex wildlife and habitat projects.
Manage and monitor projects and work on and off the refuge.
Participate as a member of local, regional, or national teams.
Plan, manage, evaluate, and carry out the maintenance and biological program at an assigned refuge.
Coordinate with Federal and state agencies and interest groups in developing long-range refuge management plans.