Wildlife Biologist

U.S. Department of Agriculture; Madison (WI); On-site; USD 80,000 - 110,000; Full time

Job summary

The U.S. Department of Agriculture, APHIS, Wildlife Services in Madison invites applications for a Staff Wildlife Biologist. The role involves NEPA, ESA, MBTA compliance, and wildlife damage management across state, regional, and national scales.

You will develop, review, and maintain NEPA documents; monitor regulatory thresholds; analyze wildlife data for reports and permitting; coordinate with other agencies and contribute to national NEPA efforts.

Responsibilities

• Plans, develops, and manages multiple complex projects statewide, regionally, or nationally.
• Develops and maintains NEPA documents; edits and renewals.
• Monitors NEPA thresholds and compliance with federal, state, and local wildlife damage management rules.
• Compiles and evaluates wildlife damage data for NEPA, ESA, MBTA permitting, and reports.
• Supports national NEPA efforts through information provision and review on request.
• Coordinates with federal/state agencies on NEPA/ESA/MBTA consultations.
• Develops and maintains NEPA/ESA/MBTA records for ongoing projects.
• Collaborates with supervisor to provide guidance to reduce wildlife damage.

Job description

Summary

This position is located in the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS), Wildlife Services (WS) program. You will serve as a Staff Wildlife Biologist within the USDA, APHIS, WS and performs assignments involving National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), Endangered Species Act (ESA), and Migratory Bird Treaty Act (MBTA) compliance.

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:

• Independently plans, develops, and manages multiple complex administrative or mission-related projects statewide, regionally, or nationally.
• Primarily responsible for development, monitoring, editing, maintenance, and renewal of the work unit’s NEPA documents.
• Takes initiative to monitor and ensure compliance with annual NEPA take thresholds and Federal, State, and local regulations concerning WDM and program directives.
• Compiles and evaluates data on damage or hazards caused by various wildlife species for use in NEPA and ESA documents, MBTA permitting processes, and other documents and reports.
• Supports national NEPA efforts through provision of information and review, upon request.
• Coordinates with appropriate Federal and State agencies with respect to consultations relevant to the NEPA, ESA, and MBTA process.
• Develops and maintains required Administrative and Project Records for NEPA, ESA, and MBTA processes and ongoing projects.
• Works directly with the supervisor to develop, plan, and administratively provide biological guidance designed to efficiently and effectively reduce wildlife damage.

Education

Please see above for education qualification requirement information.

Evaluations

Applications will be evaluated in accordance with Office of Personnel Management's (OPM) Delegated Examining Procedures and USDA policy using category rating. This means you will be evaluated based on how well you meet the qualifications listed in this vacancy announcement. Your qualifications will be evaluated based on your application materials (e.g., resume, supporting documents), your responses to the application questionnaire, and your responses to all assessments required for this position. Applicants who meet basic minimum qualifications will be placed in one of three categories: Best Qualified, Well Qualified, or Qualified. Within these categories, applicants eligible for veteran's preference will receive selection priority over non-veterans. Category placement will be determined based on applicants' quality of experience and the extent they possess the following competencies (knowledge, skills, abilities (KSAs), and other characteristics): Attention to Detail Flexibility Integrity/Honesty Interpersonal Skills Reasoning Teamwork Overstating your qualifications and/or experience in your application materials or application questionnaire may result in your removal from consideration. Cheating on an assessment may also result in your removal from consideration. Your application, including the online Assessment Questionnaire, will be reviewed to determine if you meet (a) minimum qualification requirements and (b) the resume supports the answers provided to the job-specific questions. Your resume must clearly support your responses to all the questions addressing experience and education relevant to this position. Those determined to be in the best qualified category will be referred to the selecting official for consideration. Note: If, after reviewing your resume and/or supporting documentation, a determination is made that you have inflated your qualifications and or experience, your score may be adjusted to more accurately reflect your abilities, or you may be found ineligible. Please follow all instructions carefully. Errors or omissions may affect your rating. Providing inaccurate information on Federal documents could be grounds for non-selection or disciplinary action up to including removal from the Federal service. Cheating on the online assessment may also result in your removal from consideration.