Located in the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS), Wildlife Services (WS) program. This position serves as a Wildlife Biologist and performs assignments involving project and program delivery, management, and administration with minimal supervision. The work is primarily concerned with wildlife damage management operations relating to the problems associated with wild and/or feral animal species in urban, suburban, and rural environments.
Applicants must meet all qualifications and eligibility requirements by the closing date of the announcement, including specialized experience and/or education, as defined below. BASIC REQUIREMENT: Degree: biological science that included: At least 9 semester hours in such wildlife subjects as mammalogy, ornithology, animal ecology, wildlife management, or research courses in the field of wildlife biology; and At least 12 semester hours in zoology in such subjects as general zoology, invertebrate zoology, vertebrate zoology, comparative anatomy, physiology, genetics, ecology, cellular biology, parasitology, entomology, or research courses in such subjects (Excess courses in wildlife biology may be used to meet the zoology requirements where appropriate.); and At least 9 semester hours in botany or the related plant sciences. OR Combination of education and experience: equivalent to a major in biological science (i.e., at least 30 semester hours), with at least 9 semester hours in wildlife subjects, 12 semester hours in zoology, and 9 semester hours in botany or related plant science, as shown above, plus appropriate experience or additional education. In addition to the basic requirement above, applicants must also meet the following: FOR THE GS-07 LEVEL: Applicants must have one year of specialized experience (equivalent to the GS-05 level) that may have been obtained in the private or public (local, county, state, Federal) sectors which demonstrates: Identifying North American wildlife species and assess their abundance, behavior, and habitats. Dealing with human-wildlife conflicts and principles of wildlife damage management at airports. Selecting appropriate wildlife management strategies, techniques, and tools and apply them to specific situations. The Skilled use of biological sampling equipment, firearms, traps, snares, pesticides, immobilizing drugs, pyrotechnics, electronic harassment devices, and other non-lethal control tools. Using computers for word processing, spreadsheets, and database applications in support of wildlife program activities. OR 1 year of graduate-level education in Wildlife Biology, Wildlife Ecology, Wildlife Management. OR Superior Academic Achievement: To qualify based on superior academic achievement, you must have completed the requirements for a bachelor's degree from an accredited institution AND 1) have a class standing in the upper third of the graduating class, 2) membership in a national scholastic honor society (excluding Freshman honor societies), or 3) must meet certain GPA requirements. GPA requirements: 3.0 or higher out of a possible 4.0 as recorded on official transcripts or as computed based on 4 years of education, or courses completed during the final 2 year of the curriculum; OR 3.5 or higher out of a possible 4.0 based on the average of the required course completed in the major field or courses completed during the final 2 years of the curriculum (GPA will be rounded to one decimal place, e.g., 2.95 rounds to 3.0 and 2.94 rounds to 2.9). Note: Equivalent combinations of education and experience are qualifying for this grade level. FOR THE GS-09 LEVEL: Applicants must have one year of specialized experience (equivalent to the GS-07 level) that may have been obtained in the private or public (local, county, state, Federal) sectors which demonstrates: Field experience using wildlife damage management principles and technology such as safely using firearms, rocket nets, leg hold traps, and other capture and collection methods. Conducted resource management duties for wildlife research and management field projects. This would include performing duties such as requesting and allocating project materials, planning project logistics, and performing project management duties to meet field project goals. Collected and recorded wildlife data such as, developed data sheets, wrote reports, contributed to manuscripts, and conducted literature searches related to wildlife specific research projects. Performed necropsies, collected and safely handled of biological samples and specimens of targeted wildlife. Identified prey items in the diet of avian species, the use of taxonomic keys and microscopes is preferred. OR 2 Years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to a master's degree or master's or equivalent graduate degree in Wildlife Biology, Wildlife Ecology, Wildlife Management. Note: Equivalent combinations of education and experience are qualifying for this grade level. TRANSCRIPTS are required if: This position requires specific coursework or a degree in a specific field to be basically qualified. You are qualifying for the position based on education. You are qualifying for this position based on a combination of experience and education. You are qualifying for this position based on Superior Academic Achievement. This education must have been successfully completed and obtained from an accredited school, college, or university COMBINATION OF EDUCATION & EXPERIENCE AT THE GS-07/09 GRADE LEVEL: Applicants may have combinations of successfully completed education and specialized experience to meet total qualification requirements. The total percentages must equal at least 100 percent to qualify for that grade level. Experience refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service programs (e.g., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizations (e.g., professional, philanthropic, religious, spiritual, community, student, social). Volunteer work helps build critical competencies and can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience.
The duties described are for the full-performance level. At developmental grade levels, assignments will be of more limited scope, performed with less independence and limited complexity.
The duties may include, but are not limited to:
Conducts wildlife damage management activities where there is a demonstrated need, consistent with the planned use of any given area to prevent or reduce losses to property, or agriculture.
Uses pesticides, controlled substances, pyrotechnics, firearms, binary explosives, aversive agents, auditory devices, exclusion, habitat modification, trapping, and other controls.
Performs a variety of technical procedures including capture, restraint, chemical immobilization, marking, transport, euthanasia, and/or necropsy of wildlife.
Takes extensive training and recurrent training on wildlife damage or disease recognition, control methods, and techniques.
Modifies or adapts established damage or disease control techniques as necessary to meet local conditions and address specific environmental, economic, or political considerations.
Monitors and ensures compliance with program directives, and local, State, and Federal laws and regulations in wildlife damage management activities.
Assists cooperators in understanding of and compliance with the Migratory Bird Treaty Act (MBTA), Endangered Species Act, Bald and Golden Eagle Protection Act, and other wildlife-related laws.
Develops and maintains categorical exclusions, environmental assessments, monitoring reports, and other documents required by National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA).
Provides technical assistance to a variety of cooperators, along with conducting site visits or assessments to identify wildlife damage issues or threats.