Job Information
Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service Supervisory Wildlife Biologist (District Supervisor) in United States
Summary You will serve as a District Supervisor within the USDA, APHIS, WS. Primary duties involve assisting in the planning, developing, organizing, and administering of complex operational and technical assistance programs designed to efficiently, effectively, and safely reduce wildlife damage that adversely impacts agricultural interests, human health and safety, property, and natural resources. Responsibilities 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 continuing reviews and evaluations of projects and activities within the work unit to determine effectiveness and compliance with required operating procedures. Directs and oversees the work unit’s Federal and, where applicable, cooperative employees (collaborators). In consultation with the supervisor, determines required staffing levels and organizational structure in relation to budgets and project needs. Interviews, selects, and hires candidates for positions in coordination with the supervisor. May be designated as Acting for higher level supervisor/manager (i.e., Assistant State Director, State Director), and temporarily assume administrative and supervisory responsibility for the work unit. Assists with the development and implementation of long-term strategic plans based on Wildlife Services (WS) Directives and program needs. As directed, implements new or revised WS policies and protocols in response to annual levels of appropriations or changes in national policy or legislation. Within the work unit, ensures compliance with the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), parallel State environmental laws, and other applicable Federal and State laws and regulations. Develops and maintains cooperative relationships with Federal, State/Territorial, county, and municipal agency personnel, organizations, institutions, associations, and private industry groups. Requirements Conditions of Employment Qualifications Applicants must meet all qualifications and eligibility requirements by the closing date of the announcement including time-in-grade restrictions, specialized experience and/or education, as defined below. TIME-IN-GRADE: Current federal employees applying for a promotion opportunity must meet time-in-grade (TIG) requirement of 52 weeks of service at the next lower grade level in the normal line of progression for the position being filled. 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 applicants must also possess: FOR THE GS-11 LEVEL: Applicants must have one year of specialized experience (equivalent to the GS-09 level) that may have been obtained in the private or public (local, county, state, Federal) sectors which demonstrates: Experience working with property management policies and procedures, including property acquisition, inventory, disposition of excess or unserviceable property, use and management of Federal purchase cards, and the use of purchase orders. Experience with budgeting procedures necessary to develop and manage a variety of cooperatively funded District budgets, and to coordinate District budgets with a statewide cooperative budget. Planning, coordinating, and implementing activities related to resolving wildlife damage conflicts to protect various resources including human safety, aviation safety, property including industrial resources, and natural resources. OR 3 years of progressively higher-level graduate education leading to a Ph.D. degree or Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree in one of the following degree fields: Wildlife Biology, Wildlife Ecology, or Wildlife Management. Equivalent combinations of education and experience are qualifying for this grade level. 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: Experience with supervisory techniques to effectively oversee a workforce of federal and cooperatively funded employees to plan, develop, and administer a wildlife management program. Planning and implementing wildlife damage management programs, including formulating budget estimates and administrative expenditures for a complex, multi-faceted program consisting of federal, state, and cooperatively funded budgets. Experience in accomplishing wildlife damage management objectives in compliance with federal and state laws and regulations, and sound conservation principles. Note: There is no education substitution 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-11 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. Education Please see above for education qualification requirement information. Additional Information Career Transition Assistance Plan (CTAP), Reemployment Priority List (RPL), or Interagency Career Transition Assistance Plan (ICTAP): Visit the OPM website for information on how to apply as a CTAP, RPL, or ICTAP eligible. To exercise selection priority for this vacancy, CTAP/RPL/ICTAP candidates must meet the basic eligibility requirements and all selective factors. CTAP/ICTAP candidates must be rated and determined to be well qualified (or above) based on an evaluation of the competencies listed in the How You Will Be Evaluated section. When assessed through a score-based category rating method, CTAP/ICTAP applicants must receive a rating of at least 85 out of a possible 100. Veterans who are preference eligible or who have been separated from the armed forces under honorable conditions after three years or more of continuous active service are eligible for consideration under the Veteran's Employment Opportunity Act (VEOA). Farm Service Agency (FSA) County Employees: Permanent County employees without prior Federal tenure who are selected for a Civil Service position under Public Law 105-277 will be given a career-conditional appointment and must serve a 1-year probationary period. For more information on applying under special hiring authorities such as the Veteran's Recruitment Act (VRA), 30 percent disabled veterans, certain military spouses, Schedule A Disabled, etc., explore the different Hiring Paths on the USAJOBS website. Land Management Workforce Flexibility Act (LMWFA) provides current or former temporary or term employees of federal land management agencies opportunity to compete for permanent competitive service positions. Individuals must have more than 24 months of service without a break between appointments of two or more years. Service must be in the competitive service and have been at a successful level of performance or better. Refer to PUBLIC LAW 114-47-AUG. 7, 2015 for more information. This position is being concurrently announced under Delegated Examining Announcement Number DE-12621526-25-WS. This announcement is open to all qualified candidates. Applying to both announcements may expand the possibilities of consideration since different referral criteria apply to each type of announcement. See the above announcement for more information. First time hires to the federal government normally start at the lowest rate of the salary range for the grade selected. Promotion Potential: If you are selected for a position with further promotion potential, you will be placed under a career development plan, and may be non-competitively promoted if you successfully complete the requirements and if recommended by management. However, promotion is neither implied nor guaranteed. Relocation Incentive: A relocation incentive may be offered for this position. Incentives are subject to agency policy, the specifics of individual job offers, and will be considered at time of selection. An incentive is not guaranteed. A service agreement will be required. Worksite Information: This position may be eligible to telework up to four days per week, based upon the duties of the position. This position may also be eligible for flexible work arrangements as determined by agency policy and any applicable collective bargaining agreements. Additional information regarding ad hoc, occasional, or reoccurring telework may be obtained at a later time from the hiring manager or program during the hiring process.