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Biologist

Employer
USAJobs
Location
Baileys Crossroads, Virginia
Closing date
Oct 20, 2021
Duties

Summary

This position is based in the Western Hemisphere Branch. The incumbent serves as staff specialist, liaison officer, and consultant on many complex ecological, economic, and political problems involved in formulating and guiding conservation projects with foreign governments, other U.S. agencies, national and international organizations, and individuals.

Learn more about this agency

Responsibilities

The incumbent will support the Western Hemisphere Branch in the Division of International Conservation and manage a portfolio of financial and technical assistance projects focused on the protection and conservation of endangered species in Latin America and the Caribbean. The incumbent serves as staff specialist, liaison officer, and consultant on many complex ecological, economic, and political problems involved in formulating and guiding conservation projects with foreign governments, other U.S. agencies, national and international organizations, and individuals.

Please Note: Applicant may be selected at a duty station other than Baileys Crossroads, VA. Additional questions regarding placement should be reserved for the interview process.

As a Biologist your duties will include but are not limited to the following:
  • The incumbent manages the implementation of one or more grant-making programs (such as the Great Ape Conservation Fund, the African Elephant Conservation Fund, the Rhinoceros and Tiger Conservation Fund, the Marine Turtle Conservation Fund, or Regional Programs).
  • Provides direct support and technical guidance to foreign institutions, multilateral organizations, and local partners to develop their capacity for wildlife conservation.
  • Provides coordination and technical input across Divisions within International Affairs on issues related to conservation of relevant species, which may include elephants, great apes, tigers, rhinoceros, global marine and fresh water turtles, as well as additional species across Africa, Eurasia, and the Western Hemisphere.
  • Provides technical direction and input into the development of strategic conservation priorities for the financial assistance programs.
  • Delivers oral presentations at national and international meetings or before other governmental and/or professional organizations related to conservation and management of wild fauna and flora.
  • Engages with Congressional staff, representatives of international conservation organizations, or high-level official/staff in other agencies.


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.
  • 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).
  • Suitability for employment, as determined by background investigation.
  • Probationary Period: Selectees may be required to successfully complete a probationary period.
  • Required to be fluent in speaking and writing in Spanish


Qualifications

Only experience and education obtained by 10/25/2021 will be considered.
GS-401 Educational Requirement:
  • Four year course of study in an accredited college or university leading to a bachelor's degree in biological sciences, agriculture, natural resource management, chemistry, or a discipline related to this position. A photo copy of official or unofficial transcripts MUST be submitted to document educational accomplishments to receive consideration for this position; OR
  • I 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 submitted to document educational accomplishments to receive consideration for this position.
  • Minimum Qualification GS-13

    One year of full-time specialized experience comparable in difficulty and responsibility to the next lower grade level (comparable to GS-12) in the Federal service. Examples of such experience are: communicating with government and other in-country partners in Latin American and the Caribbean; develop and evaluate conservation and wildlife management programs and identify priority actions in Latin America and the Caribbean; and develop and maintain a network of experts in Latin America and the Caribbean who can be relied upon when specific knowledge and expertise is needed.

    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

    CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT:

    LANGUAGE REQUIREMENT: Required to be fluent in speaking and writing in Spanish.
    Telework: This position is suitable for telework and may be allowed to telework with supervisory approval.

    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.

    Career 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 or ICTAP applicants must be determined to be well-qualified for this position in order to receive special selection priority. To be well-qualified, a CTAP or ICTAP applicant must meet the following: OPM qualification requirements for the position, all selective factors, where applicable; special OPM approved qualifying conditions for the position; is physically qualified with reasonable accommodation, where appropriate, to satisfactorily perform the duties of the position upon entry; and receives a rating of at least 85 on the questionnaire. For more information visit: OPM's Employee Guide to Career Transition

    How You Will Be Evaluated

    You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.

    All applicants who submit a complete and legible application by the closing date of this vacancy announcement will have their qualifications reviewed to determine if they possess the following knowledge, skills and abilities required to successfully perform the work of this position.
    • Mastery knowledge of international conservation programs and the organizations and governments that implement them.
    • Knowledge of Fish and Wildlife Service, U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), and other government agency grant, contracting and procurement procedures.
    • Expert knowledge of the underlying drivers of threats impacting biodiversity conservation, including wildlife trafficking, habitat degradation and loss, wildlife disease etc.
    • Knowledge and understanding of the biological, socioeconomic, and political dimensions affecting the implementation of conservation programs in foreign countries.
    • Ability to communicate and work effectively with individuals and groups at all levels within and outside the Fish and Wildlife Service.


    Applicants eligible for priority consideration under DOI's Career Transition Assistance Program/Plan, employees eligible under the Interagency Career Transition Plan (ICTAP). Eligible candidates on the Reemployment Placement List (RPL). A qualified and eligible permanent DOI employee may be selected before an ICTAP eligible.

    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
    Not Required

    Drug test required
    No

    Position sensitivity and risk
    Moderate Risk (MR)

    Trust determination process
    Credentialing

    Required Documents

    You must submit a complete application package. We will not make assumptions about your experience and/or education.

    Required Documents:

    1. Resume: You are highly encouraged to use USAJOBS Resume Builder to ensure all required information is included in your Resume. If you use your own resume, curriculum vitae, or any other written form you choose then you must describe your job-related qualifications that includes beginning and ending dates for paid and non-paid work experience, hours worked per week, month and year of employment for each job title listed, annual salary, and description of job duties. Include name and address of employer; supervisor name and telephone number. Additional information on what to include can be found here . Your experience needs to address every required qualification.

    2. College Transcripts: Unofficial transcripts are acceptable. A copy of your official transcripts may be required if you are selected.

    Additional Documentation if applicable:

    1. Cover Letter

    2. CTAP/ICTAP Documentation: If you are applying under CTAP or ICTAP, you MUST submit proof of eligibility under 5 CFR 330.602(a) for CTAP and 5 CFR 330.704 for ICTAP. This includes a copy of the agency notice, a copy of your most recent performance rating, and a copy of your most recent SF-50 (Notification of Personnel Action) showing your position, grade level, and duty location. Please annotate your application to reflect that you are applying as a CTAP or ICTAP eligible .

    Failure to submit any of the above-mentioned required documents may result in loss of consideration due to an incomplete application package. It is your responsibility to ensure all required documents have been submitted.

    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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