This position is with the National Wildlife Research Center (NWRC) of the U.S. Department of Agriculture, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (USDA-APHIS) Wildlife Services Program (WS). Biologists at the NWRC Mississippi field station conduct studies with both captive and free-ranging birds to determine the extent of fish-eating bird damage; the local and regional population status of fish-eating birds; and effective control methods.
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 sciences, agriculture, natural resource management, chemistry, or related disciplines appropriate to the position. OR; Combination of education and experience: Courses equivalent to a major, 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-12 LEVEL: Applicants must have one year of specialized experience (equivalent to the GS-11 level) that may have been obtained in the private or public (local, county, state, Federal) sectors which demonstrates: Built an applied research program focused on resolving human-wildlife conflict with avian predators (waterbirds) which may include: population ecology, animal behavior, and/or quantitative ecology. Developed innovative approaches to address human-wildlife conflict with avian predators (waterbirds), including the development of both lethal and non-lethal tools and techniques for reducing conflict. Designed and conducted research projects in both field and captive settings to address human-wildlife conflict with avian predators, including trapping, handling, marking, etc. (waterbirds). Worked collaboratively across disciplines at local, regional, national, and international scales with state, federal, and university research scientists to address human-wildlife conflict with avian predators (eagles, ravens, caracaras). Brought in external resources/funding (either via grants or via leveraging partnerships) to support research. OR Qualification on the basis of education--Applicants for such research positions can be considered qualified for GS-12 if they possess a Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree directly related to the position. 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. This education must have been successfully completed and obtained from an accredited school, college, or university COMBINATION OF EDUCATION & EXPERIENCE AT THE GS-12 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 may include, but are not limited to:
Determines the character, distribution, and economics of wildlife damage problems in agricultural, forest, insular, and other settings.
Develops methods of detecting and estimating or indexing wildlife populations and the magnitude of resource damage and economic loss.
Develops integrated management techniques and strategies for reducing wildlife damage problems and/or eradicating invasive animal populations.
Develops control technologies, such as toxicants, repellents, attractants, capture devices, mechanical control devices, habitat manipulation strategies, and/or reproductive inhibition technologies.
Provides a general knowledge of wildlife ecology, behavior, physiology, and types of damage and control options to individuals responsible for management decisions.
Performs non-research duties as assigned, such as serving on various WS or NWRC committees or representing the Agency or Program with other government entities or outside interests.