Wildlife Biologist

US Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service; California (MO); On-site; USD 52,000 - 74,000; Full time

Job summary

US Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, Wildlife Services, seeks a Wildlife Biologist GS-07 to assist in delivering wildlife damage management programs across urban, suburban, and rural settings. The role emphasizes project implementation, data management, and collaboration with supervisors to reduce conflicts with wildlife species.

Applicants must demonstrate knowledge of MBTA, ESA, and NEPA, and be proficient with non-lethal control tools, firearms, traps, or related devices as needed.

Qualifications

• Biological science with ≥9 wildlife hours, ≥12 zoology hours, and ≥9 botany hours.
• One year of specialized experience at GS-05 level or graduate-level education in Wildlife Biology, Wildlife Ecology, or Wildlife Management.
• MBTA/ESA/NEPA knowledge and basic use of law in wildlife programs.

Responsibilities

• Perform assignments involving project and program delivery, management, and administration with minimal supervision.
• Contribute to wildlife damage management operations focused on reducing wildlife-related problems.

Skills

Wildlife identification

Wildlife damage management

MBTA/ESA/NEPA knowledge

Non-lethal control tools

Computers & data tools

Education

Biological science coursework

Zoology coursework

Botany coursework

Graduate studies in wildlife biology

Superior Academic Achievement considerations

Tools

None

Job description

If selected, you will serve as a Wildlife Biologist within Wildlife Services and perform assignments involving project and program delivery, management, and administration with minimal supervision. The work is primarily concerned with wildlife damage management operations relating to the assessment, reduction, and/or elimination of problems associated with wild and/or feral animal species in urban, suburban, and rural environments. 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 REQUIREMENT:

A. 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;

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

B. 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.

FOR THE GS-07 LEVEL:

Applicants must have one year of specialized experience (equivalent to the GS-05 grade level) that demonstrates:

• Identifying North American wildlife species and assess their abundance, behavior, and habitats.
• Dealing with human-wildlife conflicts, principles of wildlife damage management.
• Knowledge of The Migratory Bird Treaty Act (MBTA), Endangered Species Act, National Environmental Policy Act.
• The skilled use of firearms, traps, snares, pesticides, immobilizing drugs, pyrotechnics, electronic harassment devices, and other non-lethal control tools.
• Using computers for word processing, spreadsheets, and database applications

OR 1 year of graduate-level education in Wildlife Biology, Wildlife Ecology, Wildlife Management.

OR Superior Academic Achievement: To qualify based on superior academic achievement, you must have completed the requirements for a bachelor's degree from an accredited institution AND 1) have a class standing in the upper third of the graduating class, 2) membership in a national scholastic honor society (excluding Freshman honor societies), or 3) must meet certain GPA requirements. GPA requirements: 3.0 or higher out of a possible 4.0 as recorded on official transcripts or as computed based on 4 years of education, or courses completed during the final 2 year of the curriculum; OR 3.5 or higher out of a possible 4.0 based on the average of the required course completed in the major field or courses completed during the final 2 years of the curriculum (GPA will be rounded to one decimal place, e.g., 2.95 rounds to 3.0 and 2.94 rounds to 2.9).

Equivalent combinations of education and experience are qualifying for this grade level.

TRANSCRIPTS:

• This position requires specific coursework or a degree in a specific field to be basically qualified.
• You are qualifying for the position based on education.
• You are qualifying for this position based on a combination of experience and education.
• You are qualifying for this position based on Superior Academic Achievement.
• This education must have been successfully completed and obtained from an accredited school, college, or university.

COMBINATION OF EDUCATION & EXPERIENCE AT THE GS-07 GRADE LEVEL:

Applicants may have combinations of successfully completed education and specialized experience to meet total qualification requirements. The total percentages must equal at least 100 percent to qualify for that grade level.

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.