"Alerted.org

Summary This position is a Biologist, GS- 0401-11/12 working in Alamo, TX for the R2-South Texas Refuges Complex. Responsibilities As a BIOLOGIST your duties will include but are not limited to the following: Coordinates Refuge and SpaceX Liaison work with other Refuge Programs, Ecological Services, Regional Office, and/or Headquarters. Conducts Refuge Use requirements such as Special Use Permits, Appropriate Use Evaluations, Compatibility Determinations, Refuge Management Plans, and Local Agreements. Coordinates with Refuge Management, Regional Leadership and Regional Programs in conducting all NEPA requirements for proposed actions. Represents the Service as the SpaceX Liaison for the South Texas Refuge Complex, working with SpaceX on research activity on Refuge lands, Environmental Interpretation, Public Use Areas, Programmatic Agreement obligations (kiosks, informational panes, overlooks) in the Boca Chica area of the Refuge. Provides efficiencies for Refuge and SpaceX coordination and processes by maintaining weekly communication and coordination with SpaceX. Requirements Conditions of Employment Qualifications Only experience and education obtained by 01/30/2026 will be considered. In order to qualify for this position you must possess both the Basic Requirement and Minimum Qualification. Basic Requirement: Possess a Bachelor's or higher degree from an accredited college or university in biological sciences, agriculture, natural resource management, chemistry, or related disciplines appropriate to the position; OR Possess a combination of education and experience which includes courses equivalent to a major, as shown in A above, plus appropriate experience or additional education. Minimum Qualification [GS-11] One year of specialized experience comparable in scope and responsibility equivalent to grade GS-09 in the Federal service. Experience includes (1) Assisting in the implementation of theories, principles, practices, and methodologies of biology and ecological field sciences to support Refuge management and conservation programs; (2) Supporting the application of environmental laws, regulations, and National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) requirements by contributing to biological assessments, Refuge use evaluations (e.g., Special Use Permits, Appropriate Use Evaluations, Compatibility Determinations), and compliance activities; (3) Participating in the development and maintenance of partnerships with Federal, State, and local agencies, private organizations, and other stakeholders to assist in advancing conservation objectives and program coordination; and (4) Assisting in the preparation, review, and editing of conservation management plans, issue papers, briefing statements, event memos, and Congressional inquiries/requests to ensure content accuracy, clarity, and consistency. NOTE: Your resume must contain sufficient information in these areas to be found qualified; OR Completed 3 years of graduate education leading to a Ph.D. degree or Ph.D or equivalent doctoral degree in wildlife biology, ecology, or a directly related field appropriate to this position; OR A combination of education and experience as described in 1 and 2 above which together equals 100% of the requirement. Please note that only graduate education in excess of the first two years may be used in this calculation Minimum Qualification [GS-12] One year of specialized experience comparable in scope and responsibility equivalent to grade GS-11 in the Federal service. Experience includes: (1) Independently implementing theories, principles, practices, concepts, methodologies, and techniques of biology and related ecological field sciences to plan and execute Refuge and land management conservation programs; (2) Independently implementing environmental laws, regulations, and National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) requirements to conduct biological assessments, manage Refuge use requirements, and oversee compliance for Refuge activities, including Special Use Permits, Appropriate Use Evaluations, Compatibility Determinations, and programmatic agreements; (3) Developing and fostering partnerships with Federal, State, and local agencies, and private organizations, including stakeholders with opposing views, to resolve conflicts and achieve conservation objectives; (4) Leading the development of conservation management plans, issue papers, briefing statements, event memos, and Congressional inquiries/requests for content and clarity; and (5) Maintaining effective coordination and communication with internal and external stakeholders to ensure efficient implementation of Refuge and partnership programs. NOTE: Your resume must contain sufficient information in these areas to be found qualified. 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 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 programs and such education has been deemed equivalent to that gained in an accredited U.S. education program; or full credit has been given for the courses at a U.S. accredited college or university. For further information, visit: Recognition of Foreign Qualifications | International Affairs Office (ed.gov). Additional Information PCS INFORMATION: -Yes, entitlements for payment of basic moving expenses, as required and to the extent allowed by the Federal Travel Regulation (FTR) 302-3.101, are authorized for eligible applicants changing duty station when the change meets the distance tests as provided in FTR 302-1.1 and 302-2.6. All moving expenses are taxable. Discretionary entitlements are not authorized for this position Telework: This position is suitable for telework only in an emergency or natural disaster. 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) or Interagency Career Transition Assistance Plan (ICTAP): Department of Interior (DOI) Career Transition Assistance Plan (CTAP) procedures apply in filling this vacancy. These programs apply to employees who have been involuntarily separated from a federal service position within the competitive service or Federal service employees whose positions have been deemed surplus or no longer needed. To receive selection priority for this position, you must: (1) meet CTAP or ICTAP eligibility criteria; (2) be rated well-qualified (i.e., meet the minimum qualification requirements, including any selective placement factors; education, and experience requirements) for the position with a score of 85 or above on the rating criteria for this position., and be able to perform the duties of the position upon entry. Applicants claiming CTAP/ICTAP 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. For more information visit: http://www.opm.gov/rif/employee\_guides/career\_transition.asp. 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. Probation/Trial Period Continued: The 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 -OR- trial period] your employment will be terminated unless you receive certification, in writing, that your continued employment advances the public interest.