Biologist.

U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS); Honolulu (HI); On-site; USD 78,000 - 102,000; Full time

Job summary

U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) seeks a Refuge Manager for Palmyra Atoll NWR. The role leads logistics, biosecurity, biological monitoring, coordination, public involvement, and safety for operations on Palmyra Atoll National Wildlife Refuge.

The position will oversee on-site activities for up to six months annually, manage invasive species projects, wildlife inventories, and lead volunteers and partners while ensuring protocol compliance and meticulous report writing.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in biological sciences or related discipline required or equivalent combination of education/experience.
• Experience conducting field work, data collection and wildlife management activities preferred.
• Ability to coordinate logistics for remote field operations and oversee teams.

Responsibilities

• Act as Refuge Manager for Palmyra Atoll NWR, leading logistics, biosecurity, monitoring and safety for operations.
• Represent the refuge on-site and implement applied management actions, wildlife surveys and volunteer coordination.
• Oversee permit holders and review Special Use Permit applications and documents.
• Cultivate and maintain partnerships with agencies, military, indigenous groups and local communities to meet conservation goals.

Skills

Logistics coordination

Biological monitoring

Public involvement

Safety management

Education

Bachelor's degree in biological sciences or related

Job description

Duties

At the full performance level (GS-11) the major duties of this position include, but are not limited to the following:

• Performs the duties of the Refuge Manager of Palmyra Atoll NWR taking the lead in addressing logistical, biosecurity, biological monitoring, coordination, public involvement, safety and management issues associated with operations at Palmyra Atoll National Wildlife Refuge.
• Represents the Refuge as the sole on-site representative for up to 6-months a year where they will be directly implementing applied management actions (i.e. invasive species control projects) and wildlife inventory and monitoring surveys including leading teams of volunteers and partners to ensure all participants follow all protocols and schedules including record keeping and report writing.
• While on Palmyra, oversees permit holders primarily composed of scientists conducting research and private vessel owners and other visitors accessing open areas of the refuge for recreational wildlife viewing activities. Leads the review of Special Use Permit applications and developing final permit documents.
• Promotes, maintains and/or supports effective and collaborative partnerships to attain natural resource conservation goals. Supports, develops and/or improves long-term partnerships within the Service and with other federal agencies, and with military, states, Indigenous organizations, foreign countries, local and regional governments, universities, non-governmental organizations, and the public to reach common goals.

Duties will be developmental in nature when filled below the full performance level.

Physical Demands

The work may involve a varied amount of field work. When engaged in field activities, the work is at times strenuous, requiring exertion such as walking over wet, rough, uneven or rocky surfaces; bending, crouching, stooping, stretching, reaching, or similar activities. The work requires average agility and dexterity. Travel to remote study sites may be required via boats, small aircraft, snowmobiles, all‑terrain vehicles, and/or on foot. Extended periods of camping in tents or cabins in remote field camps may occur. Incumbent must be able to cope with the pressure of short time deadlines, responsibilities of logistics to remote areas, cultural conflicts, and adverse weather conditions. The incumbent may be required to lift objects weighing up to 50 pounds.

Work Environment

The work requires both office and outdoor work. The office is adequately lighted, heated and ventilated. Frequent travel by various means of surface and air transportation is required to attend meetings and to conduct field work. A variety of temperature and weather extremes may be encountered while in the field. The incumbent may be subject to large numbers of biting insects and may be required to work in close proximity to large animals. In addition, the incumbent may be exposed to work situations involving hazardous substances, and must comply with Service health and safety policies, including use of appropriate safety clothing and equipment. He/she may need to carry a firearm for personal protection from wildlife. The incumbent is expected to conduct duties in a safe and orderly manner so as not to endanger self, fellow workers, or property.

Requirements

Conditions of employment

• Must be a U.S. Citizen or National.
• Appointment subject to background investigation and favorable adjudication.
• Males born after 12-31-59 must be registered for Selective Service.
• Direct Deposit participation required.
• Successfully pass the E-Verify employment verification check. To learn more, visit
• Must have and maintain a valid driver's license throughout employment.
• You will be required to travel overnight away from home up to 6 months a year to Palmyra Atoll (see additional information section) with additional travel for training, personal career development and other missions supporting the FWS Monuments of the Pacific Office.
• Will need to pass snorkeling and swimming fitness tests/certifications.
• A physical examination will be required, or a statement regarding physical ability will need to be completed. You must maintain physical fitness standards throughout employment.
• You are required to wear a uniform and comply with the uniform standards. A uniform allowance will be provided.
• You are required to obtain and maintain a Department of the Interior Motorboat Operator Certification Course (MOCC) credential.
• You are required to complete training, obtain and maintain a government credit card with travel and purchase authority.
• You must be at least 18 years of age or older to operate government vehicles.

As a condition of employment for accepting this position, you will be required to serve a 1-year probationary period during which your fitness and whether your continued employment advances the public interest will be evaluated.

This Probationary Period Is An Extension Of The Appointment Process And Therefore Requires The Agency To Determine If Continued Employment Would Advance The Public Interest, Meet The Organization Goals And Mission Of The Agency, And/or Otherwise Promote The Efficiency Of The Service. In Determining If Your Employment Advances The Public Interest, The Agency Will Consider:

• your performance and conduct;
• the needs and interests of the agency;
• whether your continued employment would advance organizational goals of the agency or the Government;
• whether your continued employment would advance the efficiency of the Federal service.

Additional Requirements located under qualifications

Qualifications

Requirements Continued

Under applicable law, the employment of an individual serving a probationary or trial period automatically terminates when that period ends unless the agency affirmatively certifies, in writing, that the individual's employment should continue and that their appointment should be finalized. In the absence of agency action to affirmatively certify continued employment beyond the probationary or trial period, such appointments are terminated.

Upon completion of your probationary period, your employment will be terminated unless you receive certification, in writing, that your continued employment advances the public interest.

Qualifications

All qualifications must be met by the closing date of this announcement-09/22/2026-unless otherwise stated in this vacancy announcement.

To receive credit for experience, your resume MUST state either "full-time" (or "40 hours a week") or "part-time" with the number of hours worked per week to ensure proper crediting of specialized experience. Failure to adequately provide information needed to determine number of hours worked in each position may result in that time not being credited when evaluating qualifying experience. For periods of time that reflect military service, the DD-214 or Statement of Service is sufficient to meet the full and/or part‑time hours requirement as the service dates will be reflected.

To qualify for this position, you must meet the following basic educational requirements and minimum qualifications:

Basic Educational Requirements

• A.) Possess a bachelor's or higher degree from an accredited college or university in biological sciences, agriculture, natural resource management, chemistry, or related disciplines appropriate to the position. OR
• B.) Possess a combination of education and experience which includes courses equivalent to a major in the biological sciences (i.e. at least 24 semester hours) as shown above, plus appropriate experience or additional education that is comparable to that normally acquired through the successful completion of a full 4‑year course of study in the biological sciences, agriculture, or natural resources management or related disciplines appropriate to the position.

-AND-

Minimum Qualifications

• Specialized Experience Requirement: you must possess at least one full year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-07 level in the Federal service (obtained in either the public or private sectors). Specialized experience is experience that equipped the applicant with the particular knowledge, skills, and abilities needed to successfully perform the duties of this position. Examples of qualifying specialized experience include but are not limited to: train others in biological field work in outdoor settings including surveying and data collection; conduct applied conservation management or biological research activities; directly oversee individuals conducting biological work; and support senior biologists in complex operational biological logistics. You must include hours per week worked in your resume to receive credit for experience. You must include hours per week worked. -OR-
• Education: Successful completion of at least two years of progressively higher-level graduate education leading to a master's degree or equivalent graduate degree in an accredited educational institution concentrated in a field that is directly related to the work of this position, such as in biological sciences, agriculture, botany, natural resource management, chemistry, or related disciplines appropriate to this position. You must include transcripts. -OR-
• Combination of education and experience. Note: only education in excess of the first year of graduate-level education (the amount required for the next lower grade level) may be combined with experience to meet the total requirement. For example, applicants with 6 months of appropriate experience equivalent to the GS-7 (50% of the experience requirement), and 27 semester hours (50 percent of the education requirement to qualify for GS-9 grade level (assuming one year of graduate education is defined by the college or university as 18 semester hours). You must include hours per week and transcripts.

Volunteer Experience

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

This position has a mandatory education requirement. You must submit a copy of your transcript(s) to support claimed education if substituting education for experience. Transcripts must include your name, school name, grades, credit hours earned, major(s), grade point average or class ranking, and date the degree was conferred, if applicable. A typed list of courses, grades, semester/quarter hours, GPA, etc. will not be accepted. Non-submission may result in being rated not qualified for the position. Unofficial transcripts are acceptable, but if you are selected for this position and you used your education to qualify, you must provide official transcripts before you begin work.

Foreign Education

To receive credit for education completed outside the United States, you must show proof that the education has been submitted to a private organization that specializes in interpretation of foreign educational credentials and such education has been deemed at least equivalent to that gained in conventional U.S. education programs. Recognition of Foreign Qualifications | U.S. Department of Education.

Additional information

Please note: This position will be deployed to an undeveloped, remote island in the Pacific Ocean for up to 6-months a year (up to 4 months at a time without a break) and will be on travel status while stationed there. This position becomes the de facto refuge manager on the island when no higher graded staff are present. This position requires extensive field time, and you will be expected to wear many hats (boat operator, maintenance, IT, visitor experience) during your time on the island.

Additional vacancies may be filled using this job announcement.

You may be required to work on-call, evenings, holidays, and shift work.

First time hires to the Federal government normally start at the step 1 rate.

Cost of Living Allowance

In addition to the yearly salary, this position is entitled to a 8.64% cost-of-living allowance (COLA). This allowance is subject to annual review, adjustment, and rate decrease.

Promotion to the full performance level is neither guaranteed nor implied and will be based solely on your ability to satisfactorily perform the work of the position, existing work at the higher grade level, and recommendation by the position’s supervisor.

All Department of Interior (DOI) employees, their spouses, and minor children may not acquire or retain any claim, permit, lease, small tract entry, or other rights granted by the Department in Federal lands, with limited exceptions. Additional ethics prohibitions can be found here,

The