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Fish and Wildlife Administrator

Employer
USAJobs
Location
Baileys Crossroads, Virginia
Closing date
Aug 22, 2019
Duties

Summary

The incumbent serves as the Deputy Assistant Director for Science Applications and as the alter ego of the Assistant Director for Science Applications (ADSA) and shares primary responsibility for scientific leadership and direction in the Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS). The incumbent assists the ADSA in maintaining effective communication and collaboration with Directorate members and deputies, states and other partners, and the Department of the Interior and science leaders in its bureaus.

Learn more about this agency

Responsibilities

  • Ensures the ADSA is fully aware of the FWS's highest priority needs in regard to national network of scientific and landscape conservation activities, particularly as regards science policy, staffing, budget, direction, authority and partnerships.
  • Provides expert counsel to the Assistant Director and Director with regard to policies, budgets and executive decisions involving FWS science program standards, priorities, and funding.
  • Establishes national policies, procedures and budgets within FWS necessary to build and maintain sufficient capacity in conservation planning and science to ensure the Service's effectiveness in conserving priority species at landscape scales.
  • Serves as a leader within FWS, on behalf of the ADSA and Director, to ensure that Service research programs are complimentary, performed with cooperative funding, and not overlapping or contradictory.
  • Ensures the national network of scientific and landscape conservation activities, FWS's Strategic Habitat Conservation business model are considered fully in national and international science policies, plans, programs.
  • Represents FWS, with regard to policies and programs that pertain to science at national and international meetings, interdepartmental and intergovernmental meetings, legislative conferences, State officials and private research foundations.
  • Develops partnerships, particularly with states and nongovernmental organizations to address science training and the role of science in natural resource management for science issues, projects and opportunities.
  • Evaluates national science operations, policies and activities broadly across the Service and advises the Science Advisor and Director concerning their effectiveness.
  • Supervises the staff and activities of the Office of Science Applications (OSA) and ensures efficient operation of OSA's science programs.
  • Manages and ensures effectiveness of OSA's activities pertaining to internal budgeting, finance, procurement, personnel, knowledge management, space and equipment, communication and partnership, and other elements of office operation.


Travel Required

Not required

Supervisory status
Yes

Promotion Potential
15

Requirements

Conditions of Employment

  • Must be a U.S. Citizen or National
  • Males born after 12-31-59 must be registered for Selective Service
  • Resume and supporting documents (See How To Apply)
  • Suitability for employment, as determined by background investigation
  • May be required to successfully complete a probationary period
  • Time-in-Grade requirements apply to status candidates
  • LMWFA or Public Land Corps eligibles may apply


Qualifications

Only experience and education obtained by 08/28/2019 will be considered.

You must meet both the Basic Education Requirements AND Minimum Qualifications Requirements to qualify.

GS-480 Education 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, or at least 30 semester hours in courses, as shown in A above, plus appropriate experience or additional education; OR
  • Experience: Four years of experience that demonstrated that the applicant acquired knowledge and understanding of one or more of the biological sciences, agriculture, natural resource management, or related disciplines equivalent to that which would have been acquired through completion of a 4-year course of study as described in A above.
  • Minimum Qualifications:

    You may qualify at the GS-15 level, if you fulfill the following qualification requirement:
    One year of full-time specialized experience comparable in difficulty and responsibility to the next lower grade level (comparable to GS-14) in the Federal service. Examples include: providing expert recommendations and language to senior-level managers to develop effective natural resource policies; identifying and justifying science priorities to senior-level mangers to support regional and/or national budget requests; and communicate effectively with senior-level managers and external partners on a national and/or regional level to influence policy and program direction of a major conservation program.

    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.

    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:
    Current appointees:
    Note: You must submit ALL SF-50s and performance information for each period of temporary/term employment that qualifies for LMWFA.
    ·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; AND
    ·Must 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; AND
    ·Must have performed at an acceptable level

    Public Land Corps (PLC) Hiring Authority:
    Note: You must provide a copy of the Certificate of Eligibility for Non-Compliance Hiring Based for Public Land Corps Service.
    (1) In order to be eligible for PLC non-competitive status, a former member of the PLC must provide documentation, as part of their application, verifying their eligibility and meet the following criteria:
    (a) 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;
    (b) Applied to a vacancy announcement for which applications are being accepted from individuals with non-competitive status;
    (c) Meet the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) minimum qualification standards stated in the vacancy announcement for the position which you are applying; and
    (d) Completed his/her most recent Corps service, which provided him/her with a total of 640 hours, inclusive of 120 hours on a PLC project as defined in 16 USC 1723(d), within the last two (2) years.
    (2) Appointments must be effected within the two years requirement.
    (3) The two year time-frame cannot be extended.
    (4) Selectees will be subject to a probationary period.
    (5) This authority may be used for General Schedule and Federal Wage System positions.

    Education

    PROOF 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) and grade point average or class ranking. 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: http://www.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ous/international/usnei/us/edlite-visitus-forrecog.html

    Additional information

    To register or verify your registration go to the Selective Service System at https://www.sss.gov/RegVer/wfRegistration.aspx

    FWS has determined that the duties of this position are suitable for situational only telework and the selectee may be allowed to telework with supervisor approval.

    A PCS Move is authorized as follows: travel and relocation expenses including reimbursable real estate expenses will be authorized in accordance with the Federal travel regulations excluding contractor-provided home sale. All moving expenses are taxable.

    Supervisory Probationary Period: If you have not previously completed a supervisory probationary period, you will be required to serve a one-year supervisory/managerial probationary period for this position.

    If you are a veteran with preference eligibility and you are claiming 5-point veterans' preference, you must attach a copy of your DD-214 showing you were honorably discharged. If you are claiming 10-point veterans' preference, you must attach an SF-15," Application for 10-Point Veterans' Preference" in addition to the proof required by that form.???????

    If you are unable to apply online or need to fax a document you do not have in electronic form, view the following link for information regarding an Alternate Application: https://help.usastaffing.gov/Apply/index.php?title=Alternate_Application_Information .

    How You Will Be Evaluated

    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 documentation will be used to determine if you meet the qualification requirements. Your documentation will be compared against responses to the assessment questionnaire. After reviewing your documentation, a determination is made that you have inflated your qualifications and/or experience, you may lose consideration.

    Your qualifications will be evaluated on the following competencies (knowledge, skills, abilities and other characteristics):
    • Senior leadership skills to build consensus and coalitions among senior managers and scientists to focus resources of an organization, its partners, and other organizations, agencies and individuals on priority issues and needs involving conservation science.
    • Executive communication skills to conduct briefings with emphasis on the ability to translate complex scientific findings to persuade, educate and/or explain research results, negotiate controversial issues and be persuasive in presenting an agency or organization's position on conservation related issues, to exchange technical information with other professionals, to educate the public and to influence decision-making.
    • Business acumen to effectively identify, communicate and manage competing priorities for budget development, policy development and accomplishment monitoring, as well as for scientific research, scientific information, technology development and information dissemination.
    • Organizational skills to prioritize among competing needs based on strategic objectives, scientific principles, and operational needs, communicate, and defend the basis of those priorities.
    • Communication skills sufficient to exchange information with varying audiences using a high degree of creativity, clear and concise language, and with compelling, motivating style.
    • Senior leadership skills, executive direction, and diplomacy in order to provide scientific and research direction for the bureau/agency and to foster good working relationships with a variety of state and Federal agencies, research institutions, industry, private landowners, and non-governmental organizations.
    • Executive and scientific writing skills to prepare reports on various issues and on the impacts of various management or public practices on natural resources and to make recommendations on such activities; and to translate study findings into natural resources management actions necessary to conserve fish and wildlife resources.

    Interagency Career Transition Assistance Plan (ICTAP) : These programs apply to employees who have been or may be involuntarily separated (e.g. reduction in force, declining to relocate/transfer outside their local commuting area) from a Federal service position within the competitive service or Federal service employees whose positions have been deemed surplus or no longer needed. To receive selection priority for this position, you must: (1) meet ICTAP or CTAP eligibility criteria; (2) be rated well-qualified for the position with a score of 85 or above; and, (3) submit the appropriate documentation to support your ICTAP or CTAP eligibility (e.g., Certification of Expected Separation, Reduction-In-Force Separation Notice, or Notice of Proposed Removal or Removal Notice; SF-50 that documents the RIF separation action; or Removal and most recent performance appraisal.). For more information visit: https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/workforce-restructuring/employee-guide-to-career-transition/

    Background checks and security clearance

    Security clearance
    Other

    Drug test required
    No

    Position sensitivity and risk
    High Risk (HR)

    Trust determination process
    Suitability/Fitness

    Required Documents

    To apply for this position, you must submit a complete Application Package which includes:
  • Resume or Application. At a minimum, your resume MUST contain job title (include job series and grade, if federal), duties, starting and ending dates (month and year), hours worked per week, and salary. USAJOBS has a template to ensure a complete resume. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8YX7o1PBoFk
  • Other supporting documents:
    • Cover Letter, optional
    • Official or unofficial College Transcript(s), if the position has education requirements, or if you are using your education to qualify. Education must be accredited by an accrediting institution recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. A copy of your official transcripts will be required if you are selected. 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 programs and such education has been deemed equivalent to that gained in an accredited U.S. education program; or full credit has been given for the courses at a U.S. accredited college or university. For further information, visit: http://www.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ous/international/usnei/us/edlite-visitus-forrecog.html
    • SF-50 (non-award), or equivalent Notification of Personnel Action if you are a current or former Federal employee. Your SF-50 (non-award) must show tenure code 1 or 2 in block 24, and position occupied code 1 (competitive service) in block 34. Note: Federal employee who has reinstatement eligibility, you MUST submit a copy of your latest non-award SF-50 "Notification of Personnel Action," that shows you are serving under a permanent career or career-conditional appointment (code 1 or 2 in block 24) in the Competitive Service (code 1 in block 34). The SF-50 must show the position title, series, grade, and step of your position. If you are claiming reinstatement eligibility, you must submit an SF-50 showing your separation (resignation, termination, etc.). If you have previously held a higher grade than the grade/position you currently occupy, you must submit a copy of the last non-award SF-50 you received for that position. If you have any questions regarding which SF-50's to submit, it is highly recommended that you contact the person listed on this vacancy announcement before the closing date.
    • Note: You must submit ALL SF-50s and performance information for each period of temporary/term employment if you are requesting to be considered Land Management Workforce Flexibility Act eligibility. For Public Land Corp eligibility, a copy of the Certificate of Eligibility for Non-Compliance Hiring Based for Public Land Corps Service is required for verification of eligibility.
    • Veterans' Preference documentation, if applicable (e.g., DD-214 Member Copy 4 showing type of discharge/character of service, SF-15 Form and related documentation, VA letter, etc.)
    • If applicable, documentation/proof that you are eligible Career Transition Assistance Program/Interagency Career Transition Assistance Program documentation, if applicable (e.g., Certification of Expected Separation, Reduction-In-Force Separation Notice, or Notice of Proposed Removal; SF-50 that documents the RIF separation action; and most recent performance appraisal.)
    • Please submit a copy of your most recent, signed and completed annual performance appraisal which includes the final rating. If it is not dated within the last 18 months or if you have not received a performance appraisal, please explain why in your application." Please include incentive awards with your application.


    If you are relying on your education to meet qualification requirements:

    Education must be accredited by an accrediting institution recognized by the U.S. Department of Education in order for it to be credited towards qualifications. Therefore, provide only the attendance and/or degrees from schools accredited by accrediting institutions recognized by the U.S. Department of Education .

    Failure to provide all of the required information as stated in this vacancy announcement may result in an ineligible rating or may affect the overall rating.

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