Wildlife Refuge Specialist.

U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS); Utah; Remote; USD 70,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service in Utah seeks a wildlife biologist to independently plan, coordinate, and carry out technical biological, habitat restoration, and habitat development projects for Refuge/WMD.

You will collect and analyze data, review projects from agencies and partners, coordinate with federal, state, and tribal entities, and prepare reports to guide senior management decisions. You will also assist in developing planning documents, participate in public use and outreach

Qualifications

• Degree in zoology / wildlife management / biology with required zoology and wildlife coursework.
• Experience applying wildlife biology and habitat management principles.
• Experience reviewing natural resource activities for compliance with ESA/NEPA.
• Strong ability to communicate biological information to supervisors and partners.

Responsibilities

• Plan, coordinate, and carry out technical biological and habitat projects for Refuge/WMD.
• Review projects proposed by other agencies and partners to identify conflicts and provide comments.
• Coordinate with Federal, state, and local agencies and Tribal representatives to strengthen partnerships.
• Prepare reports on progress of studies and management projects; research laws and policies (NEPA, ESA, etc.).
• Assist in developing comprehensive planning documents and long-range plans with management.
• Participate in planning public use, outreach, and educational programs; support informational materials.
• Assist with administration of facilities and equipment management to support refuge objectives.

Skills

Project planning

Data analysis

Coordination

Stakeholder liaison

Education

Bachelors in zoology / wildlife management / biology

Job description

Duties

• Independently plans, coordinates, and carries out technical biological, habitat restoration, and habitat development projects for the Refuge/WMD. Collects, enters, validates, and analyzes project data; supports invasive species planning and control efforts; and applies refuge compatibility criteria and established policies to develop recommendations for senior management decisions.
• Reviews projects proposed by other bureaus, agencies, stakeholders, and partners-including the U.S. Forest Service, state fish and wildlife agencies, and Tribal representatives-to identify potential conflicts with Refuge/WMD management objectives and develop comments and recommendations for consideration by the Wildlife Refuge Manager and senior management.
• Coordinates and interacts with Federal, state, and local agencies, Tribal representatives, private organizations, and other partners to develop and strengthen partnerships that support the protection and management of Refuge/WMD lands and surrounding resources.
• Prepares reports on the progress and completion of studies and management projects for the Wildlife Refuge Manager and senior management. Researches and maintains familiarity with natural resource laws, regulations, and policies affecting the National Wildlife Refuge System, including NEPA, NWRIA, ESA, water rights, rights-of-way, oil and gas, easements, and fee-title lands.
• Participates in the preparation of required environmental and regulatory documentation, including NEPA Environmental Assessments, ESA Section 7 consultations, archeological clearances, and related actions. Coordinates with the Wildlife Refuge Manager and senior management to gather, consolidate, and evaluate supporting information and data.
• Assists in developing and preparing Comprehensive Conservation Plans, Habitat Management Plans, Land Acquisition and Protection Plans, and similar planning documents. Participates in developing short- and long-range plans, annual work plans, budgets, project schedules, and timetables in coordination with the Wildlife Refuge Manager and senior management.
• Participates in planning and implementing comprehensive public use, outreach, and educational programs, including off-refuge programs, interpretive and educational activities, hunting, fishing, wildlife observation, and other wildlife-dependent recreation. Responds to routine public information requests and contributes to brochures, interpretive panels and exhibits, websites, and other informational materials.
• Assists with administration of the Refuge/WMD facilities and equipment management program, including planning and scheduling operations and maintenance projects to support biological, habitat, public use, and overall refuge management objectives.

Duties will be developmental in nature when filled below the full performance level.

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
• Must possess and maintain a valid driver's license throughout employment.
• Requires ability to obtain and maintain certification in the use four-wheel all-terrain vehicles and/or other light and heavy equipment for official purposes.
• Ability to obtain and maintain a pesticide applicators license through the Utah Department of Agriculture and Food.
• Work Schedule: Work may require working evenings, weekends and holidays.
• Travel: Extensive travel may be required.

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 - 11/02/2026-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.

Minimum Qualification Requirements

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

In order to qualify for this position you must possess both the Basic Requirement and Minimum Qualification.

Basic Requirement

• 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. OR
• 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.

Minimum Qualification [GS-09]

• I possess at least one year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the GS-07 grade level in the Federal service (obtained in either the public or private sectors). Specialized experience includes: (1) applying principles and practices of wildlife biology, ecology, or natural resource management to carry out habitat conservation, restoration, or wildlife management activities; (2) reviewing natural resource activities for compliance with applicable laws, regulations, or policies, such as the Endangered Species Act (ESA) or National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), and identifying potential conflicts or concerns; and (3) communicating biological or natural resource information, findings, or recommendations to supervisors, staff, partners, or the public. OR
• Successfully completed two academic years of progressively higher-level graduate education leading to a Master's degree in zoology, wildlife management, or other appropriate field of biology directly related to this position. NOTE: Transcripts required. OR
• I possess a combination of progressively higher-level graduate education and experience as listed above. To combine education and experience, first convert quarter hours to semester hours by multiplying by the fraction 2/3. Then, divide your number of graduate semester hours in excess of the first 18 hours by the number 18 (or the number your school uses to represent one year of graduate education). Then take the number of months of full-time experience and divide by 12 months. Add the percentages together. The total must equal at least 100 percent to qualify. You must include hours per week and transcripts. NOTE: Transcripts required, and your resume must contain sufficient information, e.g., complete begin/end dates, hours worked per week, duties performed, etc., for each period of work for consideration to meet this standard.

Minimum Qualification [GS-11]

• I possess at least one year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the GS-09 grade level in the Federal service (obtained in either the public or private sectors). Specialized experience includes: (1) independently planning, coordinating, or implementing wildlife and habitat management, conservation, or restoration activities; (2) applying natural resource laws, regulations, and policies, such as the Endangered Species Act (ESA) or National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), to evaluate management activities, identify compliance concerns, or develop recommendations; and (3) coordinating with internal staff, government agencies, partners, or the public on natural resource management activities and participating in the development of management plans, annual work plans, or associated budgets. NOTE: Your resume must contain sufficient information, e.g., complete begin/end dates, work schedule, duties performed, etc., for each time frame to be considered. OR
• Possess three (3) years of progressively higher-level graduate education leading to a Ph.D. degree or Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree in in zoology, wildlife management, or other appropriate field of biology directly related to this position. NOTE: Transcripts required. OR
• I possess a combination of progressively higher level graduate education and experience as listed above. To combine education and experience, first convert quarter hours to semester hours by multiplying by the fraction 2/3. Then, divide your number of graduate semester hours in excess of the first 36 hours by the number 18 (or the number your school uses to represent one year of graduate education). Then take the number of months of full-time experience and divide by 12 months. Add the percentages together. The total must equal at least 100 percent to qualify. 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.

Promotion to the full performance level is neither guaranteed nor implied and will be based solely on your ability to satisfactorily perform the work of the position, existing work at the higher grade level, and recommendation by the position's supervisor.

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-by-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 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. 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. Frequent travel by various means of surface and air transportation is required to attend meetings and to conduct field work. The incumbent is expected to conduct duties in a safe and orderly manner so as not to endanger self, fellow workers, or property. The incumbent is expected to conduct duties in a safe and orderly manner so as not to endanger oneself, fellow workers, or property.

The duties of this position are suitable for telework and the selectee may be allowed to telework with supervisor approval.

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.

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.