Assistant Director National Wildlife Refuge System.

U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS); Washington (District of Columbia); On-site; USD 160,000 - 230,000; Full time

Job summary

U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) in Washington, DC seeks an Assistant Director for the National Wildlife Refuge System to provide executive leadership for stewardship, management, and operation. The role guides national policy, priorities, budgeting, and performance for wildlife conservation programs.

Applicants must meet SES ECQs and two Technical Qualifications; U.S. citizenship and Tier 4 background clearance are required.

Qualifications

• U.S. Citizenship required.
• Background investigation (Tier 4) – Public Trust, High Risk.
• Males must meet Selective Service requirements.
• Resume must demonstrate ECQs and two Technical Qualifications.
• Experience leading national-level wildlife/resource programs is expected.

Responsibilities

• Provide executive leadership for NWRS stewardship and operation.
• Direct national policy, priorities, budgeting, and performance for conservation programs.
• Evaluate program performance and adjust policies to meet national objectives.
• Oversee land acquisition, realty, and land disposition activities.
• Direct visitor services, recreation, and cultural resource stewardship.
• Oversee infrastructure planning and asset management across the Refuge System.
• Build strategic partnerships with States, Tribes, agencies and partners.
• Represent USFWS on national policy and management matters.

Skills

Executive leadership

Strategic planning

Policy development

Budget management

Stakeholder engagement

Public service ethics

Education

Degree: biological sciences or related

Job description

Duties

The Assistant Director, National Wildlife Refuge System (NWRS), performs the following key responsibilities:

• Provides executive leadership and strategic direction for the stewardship, management, and operation of the National Wildlife Refuge System.
• Directs national policy, priorities, strategic planning, budgeting, and performance for programs supporting the conservation and management of fish, wildlife, plants, habitats, and natural and cultural resources across the Refuge System.
• Evaluates program performance, emerging conservation challenges, and operational needs and directs adjustments to policies, priorities, strategies, and resources to achieve national objectives.
• Provides executive oversight of land acquisition, realty, land protection, and land disposition activities supporting the Refuge System and other U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service programs.
• Directs national policies and priorities for visitor services, wildlife‑dependent recreation, public access and use, and cultural resource stewardship.
• Provides executive oversight of infrastructure planning, investment, maintenance, and asset management across the Refuge System.
• Builds and sustains strategic partnerships with States, Tribes, Federal agencies, conservation organizations, communities, and other partners to advance national conservation and Refuge System priorities.
• Represents the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service on significant national policy, conservation, management, and operational matters involving the National Wildlife Refuge System.

Requirements

Conditions of employment

• U.S. Citizenship
• Subject to a background/suitability investigation/determination. You must be able to obtain/maintain a Tier 4 background investigation. This a Public Trust, Non‑Sensitive, High‑Risk, position.
• Public Financial Disclosure (OGE-278 filing within 30 days is required)
• Males must meet Selective Service Registration Act requirements. To verify registration visit SSS.gov.
• Selections are subject to Department approval. Initial appointments to the SES must have to undergo an ECQ based structured interview with Office of Personnel Management (OPM).
• Initial appointments into the Senior Executive Service require a one‑year probationary period.
• Individuals selected for an SES position are subject to reassignment
• Agencies must request OPM approval to appoint current or former (within 5 years) Executive Branch political appointees to permanent competitive service, non‑political excepted service, or career SES position.

Qualifications

Basic requirement

Applicants must Meet One Of The Following Basic Requirements:

• Degree: Biological sciences, agriculture, natural resource management, or related disciplines appropriate to the position; OR
• Combination of education and experience: Courses equivalent to a major, or at least 30 semester hours in courses, as shown in A above, plus appropriate experience or additional education; OR
• Experience: Four years of experience that demonstrated that the applicant acquired knowledge and understanding of one or more of the biological sciences, agriculture, natural resource management, or related disciplines equivalent to that which would have been acquired through completion of a 4‑year course of study as described in A above.

In addition to the basic requirement, applicants must meet the following:

Minimum Qualifications

To meet the minimum qualifications, you must submit a two‑page resume (max) that shows you possess the Executive Core Qualifications (ECQs) and two Technical Qualifications (TQs). To be considered, only the first 2 pages of your resume will be reviewed to determine your eligibility/qualifications.

Technical Qualifications

Are Designed To Assess An Applicant's Experience Relevant To The Specific Position Requirements. Your Resume Should Clearly Demonstrate Your Experience And Accomplishments Related To The Two TQs Below:

TQ 1- National Wildlife and Natural Resource Program Leadership

Demonstrated experience providing executive or senior‑level leadership for complex fish and wildlife conservation, natural resource management, or public lands programs of national or multi‑regional scope.

TQ 2- Strategic Resource, Organizational, and Program Management

Demonstrated experience directing complex, geographically dispersed programs involving significant financial, workforce, infrastructure, and organizational resources.

Executive Core Qualifications (ECQs)

Your two‑page resume should also show that you possess the Executive Core Qualifications (ECQs) listed below. Your resume should clearly demonstrate your experience and accomplishments related to the ECQs. By statute, the Office of Personnel Management prescribes Executive Core Qualifications (ECQs) for the appointment of career SES members. The ECQs were designed to assess executive experience and not technical expertise.

ECQ 1: Commitment to the Rule of Law and the Principles of the American Founding

Sub‑Competencies: Knowledge of the American System of Government, Commitment to the Rule of Law, Civic‑Mindedness

ECQ 2: Driving Efficiency

Sub‑Competencies: Fiscal Responsibility, Managing Resources, Leveraging Technology

ECQ 3: Merit and Competence

Sub‑Competencies: Technical Skill, Problem Solving, Agility, and Resilience.

ECQ 4: Leading People

Sub‑Competencies: Accountability, Developing Others, Executive Judgement

ECQ 5: Achieving Results

Sub‑Competencies: Operational Mindset, Innovation, Strategic Thinking

In addition to meeting the basic requirement and demonstrating the required ECQs and TQs, candidates should be committed to improving the efficiency and effectiveness of the Federal Government, supporting the principles of the American republic, and upholding the rule of law and the United States Constitution.

Candidates will not be hired based on race, sex, color, religion, or national origin.

Already SES Certified?

If you currently hold a career Senior Executive Service appointment, are eligible for reinstatement to the SES, or have completed an OPM‑approved Senior Executive Service Candidate Development Program (SES CDP), you need only submit a two‑page resume and documentation demonstrating your SES status.

Current or former career SES members must provide the applicable personnel action documenting career SES service. SES CDP graduates must submit a two‑page resume and a copy of their SES CDP certification.

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.

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 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:

Additional information

Individuals selected for Senior Executive Service positions may be subject to reassignment across geographical, organizational, and functional lines. The Department of the Interior structures its SES positions into categories to determine the minimum pay for each position. Pay is set based on consideration of the selectee's current salary and other factors. Effective January 1, 2010, OPM must authorize any employment offers we make to current or former (within the last 5 years) political Schedule A, Schedule C, or Non‑career SES employees in the executive branch.

lf you are currently or have been within the last 5 years, a political Schedule A, Schedule C, or Non‑career SES employee in the executive branch, you must disclose that to the Human Resources Office.

• Pay and Performance: Annual pay adjustments and performance recognition, as applicable, are based on performance in the Senior Executive Service (SES).
• Recruitment Incentive: A recruitment incentive may be authorized for a newly appointed employee in accordance with applicable regulations. Federal employees transferring to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) from another Federal agency who do not meet the eligibility requirements under 5 CFR
• 575.102 are not eligible for a recruitment incentive.
• Relocation Incentive: A relocation incentive may be authorized for an eligible Federal employee who, at the direction of FWS and based on agency need, must relocate to a different geographic area at least 50 miles from the location of the employee's current position of record.

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.

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.

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.