Wildlife Biologist.

U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS); Hadley (MA); On-site; USD 60,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service in Hadley, MA seeks a Wildlife Biologist to lead habitat management and wildlife research across the refuge.

You will design and implement programs, conduct field studies, and produce reports and management plans to support conservation decisions. The ideal candidate will analyze ecological data, assess resource conditions, coordinate with partners, and clearly communicate findings to management and the public.

Qualifications

• Bachelor-level education in biological science with wildlife focus.
• Experience designing wildlife habitat projects and reviews of management plans.
• Ability to collect and analyze ecological data and prepare technical reports.

Responsibilities

• Develop and implement wildlife and habitat management programs and restoration activities.
• Design and conduct complex biological studies, surveys, and field investigations.
• Collect and analyze biological data to identify trends and inform decisions.
• Evaluate project effects on wildlife and recommend conservation measures.
• Prepare scientific reports, management plans, and environmental documents.
• Coordinate programs with internal and external partners and stakeholders.
• Provide technical guidance and present findings to management and the public.

Skills

Wildlife management

Habitat restoration

Data analysis

Scientific reporting

Public briefing

Project coordination

Communication with partners

Education

Bachelor's degree in biological science

Job description

Duties

As a Wildlife Biologist, duties will include but are not limited to the following:

• Develop and implement wildlife and habitat management programs, including habitat manipulation and restoration activities, and develop or review comprehensive wildlife management plans to conserve and manage Refuge biological resources.


• Design and conduct complex biological studies, surveys, and field investigations involving wildlife populations and habitats.


• Collect and analyze biological and ecological data to identify trends, assess resource conditions and develop scientifically defensible conclusions and management recommendations.


• Evaluate the effects of proposed projects, land and water management activities and other actions on wildlife and habitat resources and recommend appropriate conservation measures.


• Prepare scientific reports, management plans, environmental documents, briefings, and other technical materials for management decision-making.


• Coordinate biological programs and resource management activities with internal and external partners and stakeholders to address biological and natural resource management issues.


• Provide technical and scientific guidance and communicate biological information to management, partners, and the public, including presenting briefings, participating in public meetings and hearings, responding to inquiries, and providing recommendations on complex wildlife and habitat management issues.

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 possess and maintain a valid driver's license throughout employment.


• You are required to wear a uniform and comply with uniform standards. A uniform allowance will be provided.

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 - 09/29/2026-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 award SF-50 will not be acceptable documentation for which to consider your amount of qualifying experience. For periods of time that reflect military service, the DD-214 or Statement of Service is sufficient to meet the work schedule requirement as the service dates will be reflected. For all other applicants who are not current federal employees, 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.

To qualify for this position, you must meet the following Basic Education Requirements AND Minimum Qualifications.

Basic Educational Requirements: In addition to the Minimum Qualification requirements for this position, you must meet at least one of the following: B. A 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. You must submit transcripts.

• Degree: A bachelor's or higher degree from an accredited college or university in biological science that includes (you must submit transcripts):


• 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; -AND-


• 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.); -AND-


• At least 9 semester hours in botany or the related plant sciences. -OR-


• AND-

Minimum Qualifications: In addition to the Basic Education requirements for this position, you must meet at least one of the following to qualify for this position at the GS-11 grade level:

• Experience: At least one full year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-09 level in the Federal service (obtained in either the public or private sectors). Specialized experience is defined as demonstrated experience: (1) Planning or implementing wildlife biology, habitat management, or natural resource conservation and restoration activities, including contributing to the development or implementation of management plans; (2) designing or conducting biological studies, surveys, inventories, or monitoring activities involving wildlife species, populations, or habitats; (3) analyzing and interpreting biological or ecological data to evaluate resource conditions, identify trends, or develop recommendations for wildlife or habitat management; and (4) preparing technical reports, management recommendations, or environmental review documents that evaluate biological impacts and support natural resource management decisions.. You must include hours per week worked. -OR-


• Education: Successful completion of at least three years of progressively higher-level graduate education leading to a Ph.D. degree, or Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree in a discipline directly related to the position. One year of graduate education is considered to be the number of credit hours that your graduate school has determined to represent one academic year of full-time study. Such study may have been performed on a full-time or part-time basis. If you cannot obtain your graduate school's definition of one year of graduate study, 18 semester hours (or 27 quarter hours) is considered as satisfying the requirement for one year of full-time graduate study.. You must include transcripts. -OR-


• Combination of graduate education and specialized experience as described above that, when combined, equals 100% of the total requirement. Only graduate education beyond the second graduate year (36 semesters/54 quarters) is creditable using this method. 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. For more information on how foreign education is evaluated, visit:

Additional Information

Additional vacancies may be filled using this job announcement.

PCS Information

Relocation expenses will not be paid. Any travel, transportation, and relocation expenses associated with reporting for this duty in this position will be the responsibility of the selected employee.

If otherwise eligible and qualified, you may be offered a recruitment or relocation incentive. The decision to offer an incentive will be made on a case-case basis and is neither promised nor guaranteed. For information visit:

All 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,

Physical Demands/Work Environment

The job involves a substantial 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 will 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.

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.

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.