Duties

Summary

The incumbent serves as a Social Scientist in the Combating Wildlife Trafficking Branch, providing technical assistance for branch programming, further developing the branch's strategic priority of understanding human dimensions of wildlife conservation, and supporting planning for expanding social science capacity of International Affairs. The incumbent is a recognized expert on conservation social science research and application at the international level.
Learn more about this agency

Responsibilities

• Provides leadership and expert advice on conservation social science in addressing human dimensions of wildlife conservation.
• Applies social science expertise to program staff and senior leadership on the human dimensions of international conservation issues that may impact policy and management decisions.
• Assists in the development of funding opportunities (grants, cooperative agreements, contracts) and review proposals that include social science and community-based conservation.
• Facilitate communications on project needs and status to Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) leadership and managers, and represents FWS at planning and policy meetings as needed.
• Works with the Branch Chief and other Branch members to develop a scope of work and implementation plan for a Social Science Team, including staffing and funding needs.

Travel Required

25% or less - You may be expected to travel for this position.

Supervisory status
No

Promotion Potential
13

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

Qualifications

Only experience and education obtained by 09/25/2020 will be considered.

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

GS-0101 Education Requirement:

A. I have a bachelor's degree (or higher degree) in behavioral or social science, or related disciplines appropriate to the position.
B. I have a combination of Education and Experience: A combination of education and experience that provided the applicant with knowledge of one or more of the behavioral or social sciences equivalent to a major in the field.
C. I have four years of appropriate experience that demonstrated that the applicant has acquired knowledge of one or more of the behavioral or social sciences equivalent to a major in the field.

You may qualify at the GS-13 level, if you fulfill the following qualification requirement:

One (1) year of specialized experience comparable in scope and responsibility to the next lower grade level (equivalent to at least the grade GS-12) in the Federal service. Examples of experience must include: experience working with natural resource practitioners to apply these concepts to complex conservation; understanding of and experience applying qualitative and quantitative social science methods; experience in communicating social science to diverse audiences including presentations and briefings to practitioners and decision-makers; and works collaboratively with co-workers inside and outside the organization to address human dimensions issues.

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.

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), 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: http://www.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ous/international/usnei/us/edlite-visitus-forrecog.html

Additional information

Career Transition Assistance Plan (CTAP) or 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 CTAP or ICTAP eligibility criteria; (2) be rated well-qualified; and, (3) submit the appropriate documentation to support your CTAP or ICTAP 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/

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 telework and the selectee may be allowed to telework with supervisor approval.

More than one position may be filled from this announcement.

A PCS move is not authorized.

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 vacancy has closed, a review of your resume will be used to determine whether you meet the qualifications. The resume will be compared against your responses to the assessment to determine your experience. After reviewing your resume, a determination is made that you have inflated your qualifications, you may lose consideration.

Your qualifications will be evaluated on the competencies (knowledge, skills, abilities):

• Ability to coordinate Combating Wildlife Trafficking Branch efforts with other internal and external offices, represent these efforts to key individuals and groups outside the immediate work unit, as well as serve as spokesperson and social science subject matter expert.
• Analytical skill and ability to efficiently and effectively problem solve through recognition and definition, diagnosis, analysis, and in finding alternative solutions to a challenging social science study issues in a team setting.
• Skill in integrating social science and conservation/biology concepts and principles to independently develop communication materials and products that address complex relationships between people and the wildlife and habitats.
• Skill in applying evaluation metrics to assess efficacy of Branch activities and programming.
• Skill in establishing and maintaining effective relationships with a wide range of conservation and natural resource practitioners, program managers, and decision-making officials sufficient to ensure that social science principles are incorporated into conservation planning, program development, and policy to address stakeholder and public involvement, socioeconomic consideration of the surrounding communities; and to develop collaborative conservation partnerships and strong strategic communication.
• Mastery knowledge of and skill in applying qualitative and quantitative analysis principles, practices, and techniques related to social science research to evaluate the target program's effectiveness in conveying key messages and information to a variety of audiences; to develop, plan, implement, and analyze results of surveys/studies addressing human dimension factors that may be impacting natural resource management issues, challenges, or concerns; to develop reports that identify short-coming (realized and projected) and recommend solutions of alternative courses to take; and to discuss statistical analyses with technical and non-technical individual(s).
• Mastery knowledge of and skill in applying conservation social science concepts, principles, and practices sufficient to lead a team of social scientists; to identify research needs and provide technical support for priority bureau issues; to identify data-gaps, develop data analysis processes, analyze data, write reports, present technically accurate products/presentations in various media; and to influence the direction of the Combating Wildlife Trafficking Branch efforts.

All qualified candidates will be assigned to a quality category. The category ratings for this position are:

Best Qualified
Well Qualified
Qualified

The Category Rating Process does not add veterans' preference points or apply the "rule of three" but protects the rights of Veterans. Veterans preference eligibles who meet the basic qualification requirements and a compensable service-connected disability of at least 10 percent will be listed in the highest quality category (except in the case of scientific or professional positions at the GS-09 level or higher).

Background checks and security clearance

Security clearance
Other

Drug test required
No

Position sensitivity and risk
Non-sensitive (NS)/Low Risk

Trust determination process

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). 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:// http://www.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ous/international/usnei/us/edlite-visitus-forrecog.html
• 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.)

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.