WILDLIFE BIOLOGIST

Applicants must meet all qualifications and eligibility requirements by the closing date of the announcement including specialized experience and/or education, as defined below.

Basic Education 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.)
• 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 in A above, plus appropriate experience or additional education.

In addition to meeting one of the Basic Requirements listed above, applicants must meet the following Minimum Qualifications Requirement in order to be considered:

GS-11 Specialized Experience: To qualify for the GS-11 level, you must possess at least one year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-09 level or higher in Federal service, or comparable experience not gained through Federal service. Examples of specialized experience include:

• providing input in the wildlife management program by gathering, compiling, and analyzing data to determine environmental conditions, characteristics, and values, and the interrelationship of wildlife resources with other resources;
• analyzing data and recommending solutions to problems involving a limited section of wildlife resources issues, e.g., interpreting the effect and impact of changes on wildlife habitat as a result of specific resource activities; or
• providing input in the preparation, maintenance, and revision of wildlife plans that involved interpretation of data obtained from studies and field surveys; OR

Substitution of education in lieu of specialized experience for the GS-11 level: 3 year(s) of progressively higher level graduate education leading to a Ph.D. or Ph.D. degree, or equivalent doctoral degree in a biological science; OR

Combination of Education and Experience: A combination of graduate-level education and experience, as described above, may be used to qualify for this position. This combination must have equipped you with the necessary knowledge and/or experience to successfully perform the duties of this position. Combinations of experience and education must total at least 100% as outlined in OPM Qualifications policy.

GS-12 Specialized Experience: To qualify for the GS-12 level, you must possess at least one year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-11 level or higher in Federal service, or comparable experience not gained through Federal service. Examples of specialized experience include:

• studying, planning, and proposing wildlife management activities and coordinated/implemented approved resource management plans such as habitat improvement projects;
• planning and conducting studies/projects, follow-up investigations, and evaluations, and recommended preventative or mitigative actions based on these studies; or
• preparing environmental assessments based on analysis of study findings on the effects of management activities on wildlife resources.

Some federal jobs allow you to substitute your education for the required experience in order to qualify. For this job, you must meet the qualification requirement using experience alone -no substitution of education for experience is permitted at the GS12 level.

For more information on the qualifications for this position, click here: Wildlife Biology Series 0486 (opm.gov)

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.