Supervisory Biologist

Overview
Accepting applications

Open & closing dates
Opening and closing dates09/08/2021 to 09/21/2021
Service

Competitive

Pay scale & grade

GS 13

Salary
$99,065 to $128,785 per year
Appointment type

Permanent

Work schedule

Full-time
Duties SummaryThis position serves as Inventory and Monitoring (I&M) Coordinator for the National Wildlife Refuge System in Region 3 of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. Selectee will refine and advance a national inventory and monitoring program, specializing in promotion, development, and implementation. Selectee will direct a multidisciplinary staff of professional and technical natural resource specialists; and coordinate regional I&M activities to support the national effortResponsibilitiesAs a Supervisory Biologist your duties will include, but are not limited to, the following:Design and implement scientifically defensible inventory and monitoring activities to evaluate wildlife and habitat management actions to determine if refuge wildlife and habitat management goals and objectives are metProvide professional guidance and expertise to field biologists in the design, implementation, analysis, and reporting of field investigations and monitoring activities.Review scientific proposals and reports to evaluate hypotheses, research design, appropriateness of methods, probability of success, and overall importance to wildlife management or sciencePrepare annual program accomplishment reports and participate in long-range, strategic planning with Division staff.Prepare reports, briefings or other communication products conveying complex scientific information to leadership, executives and program managers at various levels of the organization and across programsTravel Required25% or less - You may be expected to travel for this position.
Supervisory status

Yes

Promotion Potential

None
Requirements Conditions of EmploymentMust be a U.S. Citizen or National.Individuals assigned male at birth after 12-31-59 must be registered for the Selective Service. To verify registration visit SSS.gov.Resume and supporting documents (See How To Apply).Merit promotion applicants must meet time-in-grade requirement as defined in 5 CFR 300, Subpart F.Suitability for employment, as determined by background investigation.Driver?s License: Selectees must possess and maintain a valid State driver's license at all times during their tenure.Probationary Period: Selectees may be required to successfully complete a probationary period.Supervisory Probationary Period: Selectees who have not previously completed a supervisory probationary period, will be required to serve a one-year supervisory/managerial probationary period for this position. Qualifications
Only experience and education obtained by 09/21/2021 will be considered.Basic Education Requirement:
Possess a degree in biological sciences, agriculture, natural resource management, chemistry, or related disciplines appropriate to the position, OR
Possess a combination of education and experience that is equivalent to a major in a biological science. The quality of the combination of education and experience must be sufficient to demonstrate that the applicant possesses the knowledge, skills, and abilities required to perform work in the occupation, and is comparable to that normally acquired through the successful completion of a full 4-year course of study with a major in the appropriate field. In addition to courses in the major and related fields, a typical college degree would have included courses that involved analysis, writing, critical thinking, research, etc. These courses would have provided an applicant with skills and abilities sufficient to perform progressively more responsible work in the occupation. Therefore, creditable experience should have demonstrated similarly appropriate skills or abilities needed to perform the work of the occupationSpecialized Experience Requirement for the GS-13 Grade Level:
Possess one year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-12 level in the Federal service. Examples of specialized experience may include: provide administrative, scientific, and technical leadership for a scientific program/project; analyze complex biological data, reports or findings that have been submitted for review; direct and oversee program and field work/activities such as inventory, surveys, invasive species monitoring and control, research, impacts of pollution, restoration, project reviews, and other related field activities.
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, knowledge, and skills and can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience.Time In Grade Requirement: Applicants must meet both eligibility and qualification requirements for the position of interest by the closing date of the JOA. Specifically,
i. Area of Consideration.
ii. Time-in-grade (TIG) requirements as specified in 5 CFR 300, Subpart F.
iii. Time after competitive appointment as specified in 5 CFR 330.502.
iv. Qualification requirements outlined in OPM's Qualifications Standards for General Schedule Positions or for Federal Wage System (FWS), wage grade positions, applicants are evaluated using the OPM Job Qualification System for Trades and Labor Occupations and the job element examining methodYour SF-50 will be used to confirm you meet all requirementsCareer Transition Assistance Plan (CTAP) or Interagency Career Transition Assistance Plan (ICTAP):Department of Interior (DOI) Career Transition Assistance Plan (CTAP) procedures apply in filling this vacancy. CTAP/ICTAP provides placement assistance to permanent Federal employees who are surplus, displaced, or involuntarily separated. Applicants claiming CTAP/ICTAP eligibility must submit a copy of their most recent performance appraisal, proof of eligibility, and most current SF-50 noting position, grade level, and duty location with their application. To be considered under CTAP/ICTAP, applicants must be well-qualified (i.e., meet the minimum qualification requirements, including any selective placement factors; education, and experience requirements), score at least 85 on the assessment questionnaire, and be able to perform the duties of the position upon entry.
For information on CTAP and ICTAP visit: https://www.usajobs.gov/Help/working-in-government/unique-hiring-paths/federal-employees/career-transition/"EducationPROOF OF EDUCATION: All applicants who are using education or a combination of education and experience to qualify must submit copies of official or unofficial transcripts which include grades, credit hours earned, major(s), grade point average or class ranking, institution name, and student name. If any required coursework is not easily recognizable on transcripts, or if you believe a portion of a particular course can be credited toward meeting an educational requirement, you must also provide a memorandum on letterhead from the institution's registrar, dean, or other appropriate official stating the percentage of the course that should be considered to meet the requirement and the equivalent number of units. Unofficial transcripts are acceptable; however, if you are selected for the position, you will be required to produce the original official transcripts.PASS/FAIL COURSES: If more than 10 percent of your undergraduate course work (credit hours) were taken on a pass/fail basis, your claim of superior academic achievement must be based upon class standing or membership in an honor society.GRADUATE EDUCATION: One academic year of graduate education is considered to be the number of credits hours your graduate school has determined to represent one academic year of full-time study. Such study may have been performed on a full-time or part-time basis. If you cannot obtain your graduate school's definition of one year of graduate study, 18 semester hours (or 27 quarter hours) should be considered as satisfying the requirement for one year of full-time graduate study.FOREIGN EDUCATION: If you are using education completed in foreign colleges or universities to meet the qualification requirements, you must show the education credentials have been evaluated by a private organization that specializes in interpretation of foreign education. For further information, visit: Additional informationThis position is also open to the public under announcement R3-21-11218074-CL-DE. You must apply to each announcement separately if you wish to be considered under both recruitment methods.PCS INFORMATION: Entitlements for payment of basic moving expenses, as required and to the extent allowed by the Federal Travel Regulation (FTR) 302-3.101, are authorized for eligible applicants changing duty station when the change meets the distance tests as provided in FTR 302-1.1 and 302-2.6. All moving expenses are taxable.
In addition, relocation discretionary entitlements May be authorized for this position excluding contractor-provided home sale.Telework: This position is suitable for telework and may be allowed to telework with supervisory approval.
This position is suitable for telework on in an emergency or natural disaster.Additional Vacancies: One or more positions may be filled from applications received under this announcement in the advertised office or other U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service offices in the local commuting area.

The Land Management Workforce Flexibility Act (LMWFA),P.L. 114-47, allows certain individuals who currently or formerly were under time-limited competitive appointments at certain land management agencies to compete under merit promotion procedures.Note: You must submit ALL SF-50s and performance information for each period of temporary/term employment that qualifies for LMWFA. Performance documentation can be obtained by contacting the supervisors for the positions you served in during your 24 months. If they did not complete performance appraisals ask them to provide a statement of performance for each period of service. The statement must specify the dates for each employment period and your level of performance (dates should match the dates on the SF-50s).Current appointees: Must have been hired under competitive examining procedures to a time limited appointment with a land management agency;Must have served under 1 or more time limited appointments by a land management agency for a period totaling more than 24 months without a break in service of 2 or more years; ANDMust have performed at an acceptable level.Former appointees: Must have been hired under competitive examining procedures to a time limited appointment with a land management agency;Must have served under 1 or more time limited appointments by a land management agency for a period totaling more than 24 months without a break in service of 2 or more years;Must apply for position within 2 years after separation;Must have been separated for reasons other than misconduct or performance; ANDMust have performed at an acceptable level.Public Land Corps (PLC) Hiring Authority: Served as a qualified youth on an appropriate conservation project completing a minimum of 640 hours of satisfactory service that included at least 120 hours through the PLC and received a certificate of non-competitive eligibility. Completed most recent Corps service, for which a certificate of non-competitive eligibility was issued, within the last 2 years. Appointment must be effected within the 2 year period. How You Will Be EvaluatedYou will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.
Once the announcement has closed, a review of your resume and supporting documentation will be used to determine whether you meet the qualification requirements listed on this announcement. If you meet the qualifications your resume and supporting documentation will be compared against your responses to the assessment questionnaire to determine your level of experience. Note: If, after reviewing your resume and supporting documentation, a determination is made that you have inflated your qualifications which resulted in you being listed in the highest quality category, you may lose consideration, or be assigned to a lower quality category for this position. Please follow all instructions carefully when applying, errors or omissions may affect your eligibility.Your qualifications will be evaluated on the following competencies (knowledge, skills, abilities and other characteristics):
1. Advanced communication skills in order to effectively manage staff and coordinate program activities with leadership, policy experts, etc.
2. Mastery of project management including the ability to develop timelines and implement projects according to schedules (e.g. significant coordination and working with others to develop timelines and accomplish program objectives).
3. Expert technical skills in developing, implementing, refining, and evaluating techniques and approaches for addressing complex resource management issues.
4. Ability to integrate knowledge of biological, ecological, and physical systems in order to strategically plan, develop, prioritize, implement and monitor biological projects.
5. Expert knowledge of the theory and methods of fish and wildlife research and management and their applicability to the testing of biological assumptions and hypotheses sufficient to organize and facilitate multi-agency research and/or operational projects, to review and assess proposed projects/programs, and to evaluate scientific findings.
6. Ability to communicate in writing in order to prepare correspondence, scientific and administrative reports, management plans, and similar documents.
7. Knowledge in the development and execution of contracts, grants, and cooperative agreements to achieve program objectives.
8. Knowledge of, and skill in applying, supervisory/managerial principles and methods in order to supervise the work of others, including assigning work; managing workloads; providing guidance and mentoring; identifying opportunities for employee development; motivating staff and teams ; and, evaluating work products.
Candidates who apply under Competitive Merit Promotion procedures will undergo a quality review to determine if they are highly qualified based on the content of their resume and their responses to the questionnaire. Best qualified candidates will be referred if all required supporting documentation has been provided.
Candidates who apply under Noncompetitive Merit Promotion procedures will undergo a quality review to determine if they are minimally qualified based on the content of their resume and their responses to the questionnaire. Qualified candidates will be referred if all required supporting documentation has been provided.Background checks and security clearanceSecurity clearance
Not Required
Drug test required
No
Position sensitivity and riskModerate Risk (MR)Trust determination processSuitability/FitnessThis job is open to
Career transition (CTAP, ICTAP, RPL)

Federal employees who meet the definition of a "surplus" or "displaced" employee.

Federal employees - Competitive service

Current or former competitive service federal employees.

Individuals with disabilities

Land & base management

Certain current or former term or temporary federal employees of a land or base management agency.

Peace Corps & AmeriCorps Vista

Special authorities

Individuals eligible under a special authority not listed above, but defined in the federal hiring regulations.

Veterans
Clarification from the agency
Government Wide: Current Career or Career Conditional Federal Employees, Land Management eligibles, 30% disabled veterans, Military Spouse, Peace Corps, AmeriCorps, Vista, VRA, VEOA, ICTAP/CTAP, Schedule A, Reinstatement eligibles, Public Land Corps (PLC)