Wildlife Refuge Manager

U.S. Department of the Interior; Suffolk (VA); On-site; USD 75,000 - 105,000; Full time

Job summary

U.S. Department of the Interior's Great Dismal Swamp and Nansemond National Wildlife Refuges seek a Wildlife Refuge Manager to supervise all operations and staff, oversee habitat management, conservation programs, public use, and administrative functions.

You will apply expert resource-management knowledge and collaborate with diverse partners to advance agency goals. You will lead a multifaceted team, develop short- and long-range plans, and represent the refuges at public and partner events,

Qualifications

• Supervisory experience in operations and staff management.
• Strong knowledge of habitat and wildlife conservation.
• Ability to communicate with diverse audiences.
• Experience coordinating with partners and stakeholders.
• Familiarity with refuge planning and compliance practices.

Responsibilities

• Oversee and administer refuge land, wildlife, and wetland conservation activities.
• Supervise a multifaceted team of professionals and staff, setting a high standard of work.
• Develop short- and long-range plans and refuge policy for operations and projects.
• Represent the refuges at public and partner events, explaining objectives and Service policies.

Skills

Supervisory experience

Habitat management

Public outreach

Partnership development

Administrative leadership

Job description

Summary

You will serve as a Wildlife Refuge Manager with Great Dismal Swamp and Nansemond National Wildlife Refuges. This position supervises all operations and staff, overseeing habitat management, conservation programs, public use, and administrative functions. Applies expert resource-management knowledge and works with diverse partners to address complex environmental issues and advance agency goals.

Major Duties

Some of the major duties you will perform include but are not limited to the following: Oversee and administer refuge land, wildlife, and wetland conservation activities. Utilize principles and methods of refuge use and planning policy, such as community and outdoor recreation, environmental, and land use planning. Supervise a multifaceted team of professional, technical, analytical and administrative support staff, setting a team attitude of adhering to high professional standards and completion of accurate, high-quality work related to compliance. Formulate, develop, communicate and implement short- and long-range plans, strategies, and refuge policy associated with all operations, projects, fiscal requirements, personnel and property management, etc. Communicate with internal and external audiences by conducting formal and informal presentations, leading meetings, providing training, facilitating refuge tours, and representing the refuge at public and partner events to explain refuge management objectives, conservation initiatives, and Service policies.

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: https://www.ed.gov/about/initiatives/international-affairs/recognition-of-foreign-qualifications

Requirements

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 https://www.e-verify.gov/. Must possess and maintain a valid driver's license throughout employment. A financial disclosure report will be required within 30 days of appointment. Probationary Period: 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 1-year probationary 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. This is a supervisory position that may require completion of a supervisory probationary period.

Evaluations

Your qualifications will be evaluated based on your application materials (e.g. resume, supporting documents), the responses you provide on the application questionnaire, and the result of the additional assessment(s) required for this position. To be considered for this position, you must complete all required steps in the process. Your resume must not exceed 2 pages. Only the document submitted as the "Resume" under the Documents section will be used to determine your qualifications/eligibility and for rating purposes. In the event you submit more than one resume, only the latest submission will be reviewed. You will be assessed in the following competencies (knowledge, skills, abilities, and other characteristics): Accountability Oral Communication Project Management Public Planning Wildlife Biology All qualified non-competitive applicants and the best-qualified Merit Promotion applicants will be referred to the hiring manager for consideration. Overstating your qualifications and/or experience in your application materials or application questionnaire may result in your removal from consideration or your score may be lowered. Cheating on an assessment may also result in your removal from consideration. Applicants who include vulgar, offensive, or inappropriate language or information in your application package will be ineligible for further consideration for this position. Current or former displaced Federal employees who are surplus, displaced, or involuntarily separated have special priority selection rights under the Agency Career Transition Assistance Program (CTAP) or the Interagency Career Transition Assistance Program (ICTAP). To be considered under CTAP/ICTAP, you must be well-qualified, score at least 85 (i.e., meet the minimum qualification requirements, including any selective placement factors; education, and experience requirements), and be able to perform the duties of the position upon entry.

Other Information

Additional vacancies may be filled using this job announcement. 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, DOI Ethics Prohibitions | U.S. Department of the Interior. Physical Demands: The work requires some physical exertion such as walking over wet, rough, uneven, or marshy surfaces; bending, crouching, stooping, stretching, reaching, or similar activities; and recurring lifting of moderately heavy items weighing up to 50 pounds. Work requires average agility and dexterity. Work Environment: The work is performed both in an office and outdoors. The office is adequately lighted, heated and ventilated. The incumbent may be subject to large numbers of biting insects and may be required to work in close proximity to large animals. He/she may need to carry a firearm for personal protection from wildlife. The incumbent is expected to conduct duties in a safe and orderly manner so as not to endanger self, fellow workers, or property.