Duties

Summary

This position provides scientific and management guidance in the conservation of species, populations, and habitats affected by international trade under the jurisdiction of Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS); provide technical advice, dissemination of information, and identification and resolution of problems associated with the management of wildlife and plant resources; and processing of permit requests for import-export and trade of wildlife and plants in accordance of FWS laws and regulations.
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Responsibilities

• Keeps the Branch Chief informed of potentially controversial issues and advises him/her on the biological and regulatory merit of application requests in relation to the requirements of regulations laws, and treaties implemented by the Division.
• Evaluates a variety of application requests to carry out otherwise prohibited activities under one of the laws (Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES), the Wild Bird Conservation Act (WBCA), parts of the Endangered Species Act (ESA), the Lacey Act, the Marine Mammal Protection Act (MMPA), the African Elephant Conservation Act and various other domestic laws enacted by Congress) implemented by the Division. Such application requests are of relatively low to medium complexity and are generally not politically controversial. The goal of these evaluations is to ensure that all legal, administrative, and biological requirements are met, and that all decisions are supported by readily available documentation sufficient to withstand legal and/or biological challenge.
• Processes routine permit requests typically handled by Legal Instrument Examiners and reassigned by the Supervisor, when they require further scientific research or policy analysis.
• Provides input in developing and updating policy and procedures. Drafts recommendations necessary to implement instructions to ensure compliance.
• Prepares replies to written or oral inquires from a variety of Federal and State agencies and the general public on matters relating to the prohibitions and exceptions (e.g., permits) under the various laws and regulations that govern the work of the Division.

Travel Required

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

Supervisory status
No

Promotion Potential
9

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 12/03/2020 will be considered.

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

GS-401 Educational Requirements:

Degree: major in biological sciences, agriculture, natural resource management, chemistry, or related disciplines appropriate to the position. A photo copy of official or unofficial transcripts MUST be (uploaded) submitted, by the closing date, to document educational accomplishments to receive consideration for this position; OR
You must have an appropriate combination of education and experience that included course work equivalent to a major (i.e. 24 semester hours) in biological sciences, agriculture, natural resource management, chemistry, or a discipline related to this position; PLUS appropriate experience or additional course work. The quality of the combination must demonstrate that you possess the knowledge, skills, and abilities required to perform the work of the position and is comparable to that normally acquired through the completion of a full four year course of study with a major as described above. A photo copy of your official or unofficial transcripts MUST be (uploaded) submitted, by the closing date, to document educational accomplishments to receive consideration for this position.

Minimum Qualifications:

You may qualify at the GS -07 level, if you fulfill one of the following qualification requirements:

A. Completion of a 4-year course of study leading to a bachelor's degree in a field of study that demonstrates the competencies required by this position with either (1) a grade point average (GPA) of 3.0 based on a 4.0 scale; (2) a 3.5 GPA based on a 4.0 scale for all required courses completed in a qualifying major field of study at either the time of application or during the last two years of your undergraduate curriculum; (3) class standing of upper third of the graduating class in the college, university, or a major subdivision of the college; or, (4) membership in a National Scholastic Honor Society certified by the Association of College Honor Societies, excluding freshman honor societies; OR
B. One full year of graduate level education in an accredited or pre-accredited college or university in one of the following related fields: biological studies, agriculture, natural resource management, chemistry, or related disciplines appropriate to the position. The education must demonstrate the competencies necessary to do the work of the position; OR
C. one year of full-time specialized experience comparable in difficulty and responsibility to the next lower grade level (comparable to GS-05) in the Federal service. Examples of experience may include: A demonstrated understanding of landscape level conservation biology as it relates to fish, wildlife, and plants; writing of routine reports on conservation issues to compare biological findings; reviewing Federal, State, and/or County laws, regulations, and policies in the area of fish and wildlife resources; and providing information for reports and correspondence on biological findings; OR
D. A combination of education and experience as listed above.

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 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 resume and supporting documentation will be used to determine whether you meet the basic qualification requirements listed on this announcement. If you meet the basic qualifications your resume and supporting documentation will be compared against your responses to the assessment questionnaire to determine your level of experience. If, after reviewing your resume and/or supporting documentation, a determination is made that you have inflated your qualifications and/or experience 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):

• Professional knowledge of the theories, principles and methods of plant and/or animal ecology and biological conservation in order to evaluate, analyze and make decisions on permit requests.
• Knowledge of the functions of Federal agencies, State agencies, and National and International non governmental organizations involved with plant and wildlife conservation and sensitivity to the positions and concerns of those agencies and organizations.
• Knowledge of wildlife trade and/or habitat loss on species worldwide and the effect on conservation efforts sufficient to interpret and implement policy.
• Ability to communicate orally scientific and technical information to a diverse audience of Management officials, Management and Division staff within the Service and representatives from other agencies.

All qualified candidates will be assigned to a quality category. The category assignment is a measure of the degree to which your background matches the competencies required for this position. 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 by placing them ahead of non-preference eligibles within each quality category. Veterans' preference eligibles who meet the basic qualification requirements and who have 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).

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.

Notification to Applicants : Applicants who apply under this job opportunity announcement agree to have their application, associated documents and applicable personal information shared with other Bureaus/Offices within the Department of the Interior (DOI) who have vacancies within the same occupational series, grade, full performance level and in the same geographic location(s), including within the same metro/commuting area. Applying to this announcement does not replace the need to apply to other job opportunity announcements for which you wish to receive consideration.

Background checks and security clearance

Security clearance
Other

Drug test required
No

Position sensitivity and risk
Moderate Risk (MR)

Trust determination process
Credentialing

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:// 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.