Biologist

Summary This position is part of the WAPA-UGP-Upper Great Plains, Department of Energy. As a Biologist, you will be supporting Regional environmental planning and compliance activities. Preparing, evaluating and conducting biological analyses of WAPA projects to ensure compliance. Identify impacts and take appropriate action to ensure adverse impacts on plant and wildlife resources are either, avoided, minimized or mitigated. Duties As a Biologist, you will: Conducts formal and informal Endangered Species Act Section 7 consultations with the Fish and Wildlife Service on plant and wildlife, preparing environmental documents like biological assessments, and developing and implementing mitigation measures for regional construction and maintenance activities, all while ensuring compliance with NEPA and other environmental protection legislation. Develops and negotiates mitigation requirements and memoranda of understanding, and monitoring activities to ensure that these environmental protections are upheld. Prepares or reviews Environmental Impact Statements (EIS), Environmental Assessments (EA), and Categorical Exclusions (CX), biological and threatened and endangered species sections of NEPA documents, and biological assessments (BA). Provides technical expertise/review in the areas of biological resources, threatened and endangered species, migratory bird issues, wildlife and avian interactions with transmission facilities and general environmental planning to other offices within the region. Serve as a project manager for biological assessments and environmental planning activities and as a Contracting Officer's Representative for environmental planning and compliance contracts. Requirements Conditions of employment Must be a U.S. Citizen or National. This employer participates in the e-Verify program. Males born after 12/31/1959 must be registered for Selective Service. Suitable for Federal employment, as determined by a background investigation. May be required to successfully complete a probationary period. This position requires the ability to operate a government vehicle. The incumbent must be at least 18 years of age, able to obtain and maintain Defensive Drivers certification and have a valid state driver's license. Defensive Driver's training will be completed upon employment. Qualifications BASIC REQUIREMENTS: Applicants must meet A or B below to satisfy the basic requirement for the General Natural Resources Management and Biological Sciences Series 0401: A. Degree in biological sciences, agriculture, natural resource management, chemistry, or related disciplines appropriate to the position. *OR* B. Combination of education and experience--courses equivalent to a major, as shown in A above (24 semester hours or the equivalent in biological sciences, agriculture, natural resource management, chemistry, or related disciplines appropriate to the position), plus appropriate experience and/or additional education for a total of 4 years. The education or combined education and experience must be comparable in type, scope and thoroughness to that acquired through successful completion of a 4-year course of study as described in "A" above. SPECIALIZED EXPERIENCE REQUIREMENTS: A qualified candidates application and 2-pg resume must demonstrate at least one year of specialized experience equivalent to the next lower grade. Specialized experience for this position is defined as: For the GS-11: Specialized experience is defined as demonstrated experience equivalent to the GS-9 level in 2 of the 4 items listed below. This experience must be clearly documented in your resume: Evaluating biological resources impacts and taking appropriate action for compliance with Section 7 of the Endangered Species Act, the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), the Migratory Bird Treaty Act, Clean Water Act and other environmental laws, regulations, policies, or procedures. Conducting formal and informal consultations for protected species and developing mitigation requirements to resolve agency and public concern. Communicating and coordinating effectively with internal and external customers, other agencies, and the public. Conducting biological resources surveys/monitoring and preparing reports and mitigation plans. For the GS-12: Specialized experience is defined as demonstrated experience equivalent to the GS-11 level in 3 of the 5 items listed below. This experience must be clearly documented in your resume: Evaluating biological resources impacts and taking appropriate action for compliance with Section 7 of the Endangered Species Act, the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), the Migratory Bird Treaty Act, Clean Water Act and other environmental laws, regulations, policies, or procedures. Conducting formal and informal consultations for protected species and negotiating mitigation requirements to resolve agency and public concern. Communicating and coordinating effectively with internal and external customers, other agencies, and the public. Conducting biological resources surveys/monitoring and preparing reports and mitigation plans. Proposing studies to determine populations status, trends, and adaptive management strategies for plants and wildlife. "Experience" refers to paid and unpaid experience. Examples of qualifying unpaid experience may include: volunteer work done through National Service programs (such as Peace Corps and AmeriCorps); as well as work for other community-based philanthropic and social organizations. 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. Time-in-Grade: Current career or career-conditional GS employees of the Federal government, or former career or career-conditional GS employees, who have a break in service of less than one year, are required to meet the time-in-grade restriction of one year of Federal experience at the next lower grade, with few exceptions outlined in 5 CFR 300.603(b). Note: Time-In-Grade requirements also apply to current career or career-conditional federal employees applying for a Veterans Employment Opportunities Act of 1998 (VEOA) appointment. Education This vacancy specifically states that certain educational requirements must be met (also known as a "positive educational requirement"). In order to be rated as qualified, you must provide documentation supporting any education claims in your application, including copies of your college transcripts. Education must be obtained from an accredited institution recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. See Department of Education Accreditation Search to verify school accreditation. Foreign education must be reviewed by an organization recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. For special instructions pertaining to foreign education and a list of organizations that can evaluate foreign education, see the Department of Education website. DO NOT email or mail in any of your application documents. Documents will not be accepted outside of the online application system. Failure to provide copies of your college transcripts may result in a rating of "Ineligible". Additional information This job opportunity announcement may be used to fill additional similar vacancies across DOE. For general information on government-wide Telework polices visit: www.telework.gov The selectee for this position may be eligible to receive a recruitment or relocation incentive. You will need to sign an employment agreement to be eligible for this incentive. Permanent Change of Station (PCS) costs are not authorized. This position may be eligible for creditable service towards annual leave. Federal Employees earn annual leave at a rate (4, 6 or 8 hours per pay period) which is based on the number of years they have served as a Federal employee. DOE may offer newly-appointed Federal employee's credit for their job-related non-federal experience or active duty uniformed military service. This credited service can be used in determining the rate at which they earn annual leave. Such credit must be requested and approved prior to the appointment date and is not guaranteed. Candidates should be committed to improving the efficiency of the Federal government, passionate about the ideals of our American republic, and committed to upholding the rule of law and the United States Constitution. Benefits A career with the U.S. government provides employees with a comprehensive benefits package. As a federal employee, you and your family will have access to a range of benefits that are designed to make your federal career very rewarding. Opens in a new windowLearn more about federal benefits. A career with the U.S. government provides employees with a comprehensive benefits package. As a federal employee, you and your family will have access to a range of benefits that are designed to make your federal career very rewarding. Learn more about federal benefits. Eligibility for benefits depends on the type of position you hold and whether your position is full-time, part-time or intermittent. Contact the hiring agency for more information on the specific benefits offered.