Wildlife Refuge Specialist

U.S. Department of the Interior; Utah; On-site; USD 65,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

U.S. Department of the Interior, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Region 6, Lower Green River Complex in Randlett, UT, seeks a Wildlife Refuge Specialist at GS-0485-9/11.

The role emphasizes planning and executing biological and habitat projects, data management, and interagency collaboration. The position requires knowledge of environmental regulations and the ability to coordinate with federal, state, and tribal partners, while supporting public outreach and education activities as part of

Qualifications

• Must be a U.S. Citizen or National.
• Background investigation and favorable clearance required.
• Males born after 12-31-59 must be registered for Selective Service.
• Direct Deposit participation required.
• Must possess and maintain a valid driver's license.
• Ability to obtain certification for four-wheel ATVs and/or other equipment.
• Ability to obtain pesticide applicator license through the Utah Department of Agriculture and Food.

Responsibilities

• Plans, coordinates, and carries out technical biological, habitat restoration and habitat development projects for Refuge/WMD.
• Collects, enters, validates, and analyzes project data; supports invasive species planning and control efforts.
• Reviews projects proposed by other bureaus and partners to identify conflicts and develops comments for senior management.
• Coordinates with Federal, state, Tribal, and local agencies and partners to strengthen protection of Refuge/WMD lands.
• Prepares reports on progress and completion of studies and projects for management.
• Participates in NEPA, ESA, and related environmental/regulatory documentation.

Job description

Summary

This Wildlife Refuge Specialist, GS-0485-9/11 position is located within the Department of the Interior, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Region 6, Lower Green River Complex, Randlett, UT.

Major Duties

At the full performance level (GS-11) the major duties of this position include, but are not limited to the following: 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.

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. 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.

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): Partnerships Planning and Evaluating (GS-11 Only) Wildlife and Fisheries Biology Management Techniques Technical Competence To be considered for this position, you must complete all required steps in the process. In addition to the application and application questionnaire, this position requires successful completion of additional assessment(s), including a structured resume review. These assessments measure the critical competencies listed above that are required to successfully perform the job. 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.

Required Documents

The following documents are required and must be submitted by 11:59 PM (ET) -11/02/2026-unless otherwise stated in this vacancy announcement: Resume which includes a list of all significant jobs held and duties performed, with dates in month-year format (include month/day/year format if needed for 52 weeks of experience), and indicate hours worked per week (or full-time). Your resume must clearly show how long you have held each grade/rank. Resumes must not exceed 2 single-sided pages and resumes longer than 2 pages will not be accepted. The minimum font size is 10-point for all body text. All resumes must maintain a minimum 0.5-inch margins on all sides to ensure readability and prevent excessive content compression. Including supplemental pages or attachments disguised as resume extensions are prohibited and will not be reviewed. Your 2-page resume must contain information sufficient to make a valid determination that you fully meet the specialized experience requirements. Resume Builder: https://help.usajobs.gov/faq/application/documents/resume/what-to-include Complete All Required Assessment(s). Performance Appraisals and Awards: You must submit your most recent performance appraisal showing the official rating of record and signed by a supervisor dated within the past 18 months. If unavailable, a written explanation is required (including if any prior performance appraisals/evaluations were at an acceptable level). Performance awards dated within the past 5 years may also be submitted for due weight consideration. All College Transcript(s), if qualifying based on education. Eligibility Documentation: Current and former Federal employees must submit latest SF-50 (i.e. Promotion, Separation, Within Grade Increase (WGI)) showing tenure 1 or 2 in block 24, grade, and if applicable, an additional SF-50 showing the highest grade or promotion potential held. Time in grade will be determined by reviewing your resume and required SF-50s. If your SF-50 showing highest permanent grade held has an effective date within the past year, your resume must clearly show that you held that grade for one year. Do not submit award SF-50s. Veterans Preference Documentation: Veterans eligible under VRA (GS-11 & below only), VEOA, 30% or more Disabled, or Disabled Veterans Enrolled in a VA Training Program must submit the most recent Documentation of Service and Separation under Honorable Conditions (e.g. DD-214) as listed on the SF15. If you are a Parent or Spouse of a Disabled or Deceased Veteran, you must submit all documentation as listed on the SF15. You may request a copy of the VA letter from https://www.va.gov/records. If you are a veteran within 120 days of discharge, you must submit signed documentation from the Armed Forces certifying: 1) your expected release/retirement from active duty, 2) under honorable conditions, 3) your pay grade/rank/rate at time of discharge, 4) dates of active-duty service, 5) any campaign or expeditionary medals received, & 6) dated within 120 days of your separation. Land Management Workforce Flexibility Act (LMWFA): you must submit ALL Appointment AND Termination SF-50s for EACH Competitive time-limited appointment (block 34, code 1); AND Documentation of satisfactory performance for each period of employment claimed, such as, performance evaluations, memorandum of record, whereas the supervisor(s) documented an acceptable performance level for a specified rating/employment period. If not currently employed by agency, you must have been most recently separated by the hiring Bureau. Interagency Career Transition (ICTAP) and Career Transition Assistance Plan (CTAP): You MUST submit proof of eligibility including 1) copy of the agency notice, e.g., RIF Separation Notice, Notice of Proposed Removal, etc.; 2) SF-50s (Notifications of Personnel Action) showing career/conditional tenure competitive status, promotion potential and duty location; and 3) your most recent performance appraisal. To exercise selection priority, displaced or surplus Federal employees must be well qualified. For more information visit: USAJOBS Help Center - Career Transition Programs (CTAP, ICTAP, RPL). Failure to submit any of the above-mentioned required documents will result in loss of consideration due to an incomplete application package. It is your responsibility to ensure all required documents have been submitted. Do not submit photographs with your application package. Do not upload Adobe portfolio documents.

Other 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: Recruitment Incentive or Relocation Incent