Fish and Wildlife Biologist.

U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS); Gloucester (VA); On-site; USD 60,000 - 85,000; Full time

Job summary

U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) in Virginia is seeking a human resources/ESA specialist at the GS-11 level.

The role focuses on coordinating and facilitating ESA activities, inspecting projects for compliance, drafting concurrence letters and Biological Opinions for supervisor signature, and coordinating initiatives with federal/state agencies and the public. Developmental duties apply when below full performance level.

Qualifications

• All qualifications must be met by the closing date of this vacancy announcement.
• Competitive candidates must also meet Time-in-Grade requirements as defined in 5 CFR 300, Subpart F.

Responsibilities

• Coordinates and facilitates activities pursuant to sections 4,6,7,8, and 10 of the Endangered Species Act.
• Inspects projects for compliance with policies, standards, guidelines, agreements, and plans; provides recommendations for action to ensure Endangered Species Act compliance.
• Drafts concurrence letters, technical assistance correspondence, and Biological Opinions for signature of the Field Office Supervisor.
• Coordinates wide ranging initiatives involving other Federal and state agencies, organizations, and the public in fully implementing Endangered Species Act programs.
• Plans and conducts status surveys for both listed and candidate species, in cooperation with other Federal and state agency personnel, private organization representatives, and contractors; negotiates agreements for status surveys with prospective contractors and personnel of cooperating agencies.

Job description

Duties

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

• Coordinates and facilitates activities pursuant to sections 4,6,7,8, and 10 of the Endangered Species Act.
• Inspects projects for compliance with policies, standards, guidelines, agreements, and plans; provides recommendations for action to ensure Endangered Species Act compliance.
• Drafts concurrence letters, technical assistance correspondence, and Biological Opinions for signature of the Field Office Supervisor.
• Coordinates wide ranging initiatives involving other Federal and state agencies, organizations, and the public in fully implementing Endangered Species Act programs.
• Plans and conducts status surveys for both listed and candidate species, in cooperation with other Federal and state agency personnel, private organization representatives, and contractors; negotiates agreements for status surveys with prospective contractors and personnel of cooperating agencies.

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

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

As a condition of employment for accepting this position, you may be required to serve a 1-year probationary period to evaluate your fitness and whether your continuation of employment advances the public interest.

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; and whether your continued employment would advance the efficiency of the Federal service.

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 - 09/28/2026-unless otherwise stated in this vacancy announcement.

Competitive candidates must also meet Time-in-Grade requirements as defined in 5 CFR 300, Subpart F.

For current Federal employees, if hours worked per week are not included on your resume, you must submit a non-award SF-50 as part of your application to be used to validate your work schedule and determine the amount of specialized experience that you will be granted. An