Wildlife Refuge Manager

Summary This position is a Wildlife Refuge Manager, GS-0485-13 working in Vero Beach, Florida for the R4-Everglades Headwaters NWR and Conservation Area. This is a not-to-exceed one (1) year temporary promotion assignment. This temporary promotion may be extended without further competition; however, it may not exceed a total of five (5) years. This temporary promotion may be made permanent without further competition. Responsibilities As a Wildlife Refuge Manager your duties will include but are not limited to the following: Formulates, develops and implements the Refuge policies and programs. Provides land, wetland, and/or water management technical advice and expertise to regional, state, national and international officials. Oversees and administers Refuge interest in land acquisition (including fee title, conservation easements, leases, cooperative agreements, etc.). Oversees, administers, and ensures the development of required National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) documentation including Environmental Assessments (Eas), Environmental Impact Statements (EISs), Findings of No Significant Impact (FONSIs), Categorical Exclusions (Ces), Endangered Species Act (ESA) Section 7 consultations, archeological resource clearances, wilderness minimum requirement decisions, subsistence evaluations, etc. Oversees, administers and ensures the development and coordination of Comprehensive Conservation Plans, Habitat Management Plans, Land Acquisition and Protection Plans, Refuge Operational Needs plans, etc. Supervises 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. Requirements Conditions of Employment Qualifications Only experience and education obtained by 10/21/2024 will be considered. In order to qualify for this position you must possess both the Basic Requirement and Minimum Qualification. Basic Requirement: Posses a degree in 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; 3 semester hours in botany, and 3 semester hours in conservation biology. OR Have a 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; 3 semester hours in botany, and 3 semester hours in conservation biology, PLUS I have appropriate experience and/or additional education comparable to the completion of a 4-year course of study. OR Previously occupied a position in the GS-0485 series prior to December 3, 2013; therefore I meet the previous qualification standards (9 semester hours in zoology; 6 semester hours in wildlife; and 9 semester hours in botany). I have submitted a copy of my SF-50, Notification of Personnel Action, which verifies this claim. - AND - Minimum Qualification [GS-13] One year of specialized experience comparable in scope and responsibility equivalent to grade GS-12 in the Federal service. Experience may include:1) developing wildlife biology, ecology, and/or habitat management procedures and policies to be implemented and conducted in field station operations; 2) reviewing and ensuring effectiveness of natural resource agency/organization management programs, i.e., public use, law enforcement, facilities and administration; 3) reviewing wildlife management and conservation plans to ensure management and biological soundness; 4) Supervision of staff conducting habitat conservation, maintenance, law enforcement or public use programs. 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. Time In Grade Requirement: Applicants must meet both eligibility and qualification requirements for the position of interest by the closing date of the JOA. Specifically, i. Area of Consideration. ii. Time-in-grade (TIG) requirements as specified in 5 CFR 300, Subpart F. iii. Time after competitive appointment as specified in 5 CFR 330.502. iv. Qualification requirements outlined in OPM's Qualifications Standards for General Schedule Positions or for Federal Wage System (FWS), wage grade positions, applicants are evaluated using the OPM Job Qualification System for Trades and Labor Occupations and the job element examining method Your SF-50 will be used to confirm you meet all requirements Education PROOF OF EDUCATION: All applicants who are using education or a combination of education and experience to qualify must submit copies of official or unofficial transcripts which include grades, credit hours earned, major(s), grade point average or class ranking, institution name, and student name. If any required coursework is not easily recognizable on transcripts, or if you believe a portion of a particular course can be credited toward meeting an educational requirement, you must also provide a memorandum on letterhead from the institution's registrar, dean, or other appropriate official stating the percentage of the course that should be considered to meet the requirement and the equivalent number of units. Unofficial transcripts are acceptable; however, if you are selected for the position, you will be required to produce the original official transcripts. PASS/FAIL COURSES: If more than 10 percent of your undergraduate course work (credit hours) were taken on a pass/fail basis, your claim of superior academic achievement must be based upon class standing or membership in an honor society. GRADUATE EDUCATION: One academic year of graduate education is considered to be the number of credits hours your graduate school has determined to represent one academic year of full-time study. Such study may have been performed on a full-time or part-time basis. If you cannot obtain your graduate school's definition of one year of graduate study, 18 semester hours (or 27 quarter hours) should be considered as satisfying the requirement for one year of full-time graduate study. FOREIGN EDUCATION: If you are using education completed in foreign colleges or universities to meet the qualification requirements, you must show the education credentials have been evaluated by a private organization that specializes in interpretation of foreign education. For further information, visit: Recognition of Foreign Qualifications | International Affairs Office (ed.gov) Additional Information PCS INFORMATION: -No PCS entitlements authorized Telework: This position is suitable for telework and may be allowed to telework with supervisory approval. Temporary Promotion: This is a not-to-exceed one (1) year temporary promotion assignment. This temporary promotion may be extended without further competition; however, it may not exceed a total of five (5) years. At the expiration of this assignment, at management's discretion, or whenever your services are no longer needed, you will be returned to your position or to a position of equivalent pay and grade within your agency of record. This temporary promotion may be made permanent without further competition. Additional Vacancies: One or more positions may be filled from applications received under this announcement in the advertised office or other U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service offices in the local commuting area. Career Transition Assistance Plan (CTAP): Department of Interior (DOI) Career Transition Assistance Plan (CTAP) procedures apply in filling this vacancy. CTAP provides placement assistance to permanent Federal employees who are surplus, displaced, or involuntarily separated. Applicants claiming CTAP eligibility must submit a copy of their most recent performance appraisal, proof of eligibility, and most current SF-50 noting position, grade level, and duty location with their application. To be considered under CTAP, applicants must be well-qualified (i.e., meet the minimum qualification requirements, including any selective placement factors; education, and experience requirements), score at least 85 on the assessment questionnaire, and be able to perform the duties of the position upon entry. For information on CTAP visit: https://www.usajobs.gov/Help/working-in-government/unique-hiring-paths/federal-employees/career-transition/" Reasonable Accommodation: The USFWS provides reasonable accommodations to applicants with disabilities. Please visit USAJOBS Help Center | Reasonable accommodation policy if you need a reasonable accommodation for any part of the application and hiring process.