Wildlife Refuge Manager

U.S.-Fish-; Waubay Township (SD); On-site; USD 70,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

U.S.-Fish- Wildlife Service in Waubay Township, SD is seeking a Wildlife Refuge Manager to oversee habitat protection, resource conservation, and public safety on an assigned refuge. You will plan, direct, and evaluate wildlife management programs in coordination with partners and stakeholders.

Basic education or combination of education and experience is required; for GS-12 level you must have at least one year of specialized experience at GS-11 level.

Qualifications

• Basic Educational Requirements: zoology, wildlife management, or biology with specified zoology and wildlife coursework.
• Combination of education and experience: equivalent courses plus required hours in zoology and botany.
• For GS-12: one year of specialized experience at GS-11 level in managing wildlife programs.

Skills

Wildlife management

Planning

Program coordination

Education

Bachelor-level in zoology/wildlife management/biology

Combination of education + experience

Job description

You will serve as a Wildlife Refuge Manager

First time hires to the Federal government normally start at the step 1 rate.

Qualifications:

All qualifications must be met by the closing date of this announcement-09/22/2026-unless otherwise stated in this vacancy announcement.

To receive credit for experience, 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. Failure to adequately provide information needed to determine number of hours worked in each position may result in that time not being credited when evaluating qualifying experience. For periods of time that reflect military service, the DD-214 or Statement of Service is sufficient to meet the full and/or part-time hours requirement as the service dates will be reflected.

Minimum Qualification Requirements: To qualify for this position, you must meet the following minimum qualifications:

Basic Educational Requirement AND/OR Specialized Experience for the series to which you are applying.

Basic Educational Requirements: In addition to the specialized experience requirements for this position, you must meet at least one of the following:

• A. Degree: zoology, wildlife management, or an appropriate field of biology that included at least 9 semester hours in zoology; 6 semester hours in such wildlife courses as mammalogy, ornithology, animal ecology, or wildlife management; and 3 semester hours in botany, and 3 semester hours in conservation biology. You must submit transcripts. -OR-
• B. Combination of education and experience: courses equivalent to a major in one of the fields described in A above that included at least 9 semester hours in zoology; 6 semester hours in such wildlife courses as mammalogy, ornithology, animal ecology, or wildlife management; and 3 semester hours in botany, and 3 semester hours in conservation biology, plus appropriate experience or additional education.

-AND-

To qualify for this position at the GS-12 grade level:

• Specialized Experience Requirement: you must possess at least one full year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-11 level in the Federal service (obtained in either the public or private sectors). Specialized experience is defined as demonstrated experience: Plan and direct management operations in a natural resource setting; Plan, direct and evaluate all aspects of a wildlife management program; Develop long and short term management plans; . You must include hours per week worked.

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.