Wildlife Biologist

USDA Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS); Kekaha (HI); On-site; USD 50,000 - 66,000; Full time

Job summary

USDA APHIS Wildlife Services seeks a Wildlife Biologist to perform project and program delivery, management, and administrative duties with minimal supervision. The role focuses on wildlife damage management in urban, suburban, and rural environments.

Qualifications include a biology degree with wildlife, zoology, and botany coursework, plus experience or education at the GS-07 level expectations. Position start date 09/17/2026 and close date 09/23/2026.

Qualifications

• Degree: biological science with required wildlife coursework (mammalogy, ornithology, wildlife management) and zoology credits; botany or related plant science.
• Alternative: combination of education and experience meeting the wildlife biology requirements.

Responsibilities

• Assists cooperators in understanding and complying with wildlife-related laws (MBTA, Endangered Species Act, Bald and Golden Eagle Protection Act).
• Communicates safe and effective damage management techniques to the public.
• Maintains cooperative relationships with Federal, state, tribal, and local partners and presents data in reports.

Education

Biological science with wildlife coursework (includes zoology & botany)

Job description

Find Your Future With Us at USDA – Animal Plant Health Inspection Service

Job Summary

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.

Qualifications

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: 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; 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 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. In addition to meeting the basic requirements, applicants must demonstrate they meet the following requirement(s): FOR THE GS-07 LEVEL: Applicants must have one year of specialized experience (equivalent to the GS-05 grade level) that demonstrates: Dealing with human-wildlife conflicts and principles of wildlife damage management. Selecting appropriate wildlife damage management strategies, techniques, and tools and apply them to specific situations. Using biological sampling equipment, firearms, traps, snares, pesticides, immobilizing drugs, pyrotechnics, electronic harassment devices, and other non-lethal animal or wildlife control tools. Preparing presentations and reports to cooperators and stakeholders to ensure program success OR one 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 are required if: 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.

Major Duties

The duties described are for the full-performance level. At developmental grade levels, assignments will be of more limited scope, performed with less independence and limited complexity. The duties may include, but are not limited to: Assists cooperators in understanding of and compliance with the Migratory Bird Treaty Act (MBTA), Endangered Species Act, Bald and Golden Eagle Protection Act, and other wildlife-related laws. May be required to take extensive training and recurrent training on wildlife damage or disease recognition, control methods, and techniques Communicates safe and effective damage management techniques through outreach and other channels to the general public. Assists other WS employees as requested and may assist in training new WS personnel. Modifies or adapts established damage or disease control techniques as necessary to meet local conditions and address specific environmental, economic, or political considerations. Recommends, to supervisor, areas for potential research or developmental study, to reduce the risks of damage to resources or disease transmission to domestic animals and humans. May develop and deliver training for cooperators, stakeholders, partner agencies and organizations, or other entities. Establishes and maintains cooperative relationships with other Federal, State, county and city government agencies, Tribes, corporations, educational or research institutions. Gathers, compiles, evaluates, and presents data on damage or hazards caused by various wildlife species to cooperators, stakeholders, and colleagues through project or program reports.

Position Start Date

09/17/2026

Position Close Date

09/23/2026

Salary Offered

50460 - 65599 USD Per Year

You can make a difference! The U.S. Department of Agriculture's (USDA) Marketing and Regulatory Programs (MRP) needs bright, energetic and committed professionals to facilitate the domestic and international marketing of U.S. agricultural products and to protect the health and care of animals and plants in the United States. We operate in domestic and global markets. Be part of an organization that protects the health and agriculture of the American people. Join our team! To learn more about what it's like to work at the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, what the agency does, and the types of careers, please visit the APHIS careers site. APHIS is an emergency response agency. This means that all Agency employees may be asked or assigned to participate in rotating temporary duty assignments to support emergency programs at some time during their careers with APHIS. For details click: APHIS Emergency Response

Please see the full announcement on USAJobs by clicking on the APPLY button!