Biologist (Regulations)

Overview
Accepting applications

Open & closing dates
Opening and closing dates06/09/2021 to 06/15/2021
Service

Competitive

Pay scale & grade

GS 13

Salary
$92,143 to $119,787 per year
Appointment type

Permanent

Work schedule

Full-time
Duties SummaryThis position is a Biologist (Regulations), GS- 0401-11/12/13 working with Falls Church, Virginia for the R9-Division of Migratory Bird Management. Location is negotiable after selection. Salary is contingent on the location.
This announcement is being advertised concurrently under R9-21-11131528-MADS-SDHA for the developmental levels GS-11/12 grades. You must apply to each announcement separately. Two vacancies total will be filled from these two announcements.ResponsibilitiesDuties listed are for the full performance level GS-13.Has primary responsibility for the regulations development process, including the compilation of data, fulfillment of administrative requirements, and preparation of Federal Register documents.Serves as the primary liaison with Service, Department of Interior (DOI), Office of Management and Budget, and other entities as necessary to the rulemaking process.Coordinates and manages the development and promulgation of migratory bird policies and regulations.Serves as the primary coordinator for the receipt and review of written comments to proposed rulemaking
documents.Works with USFWS Flyway Coordinators to gather information and data to support migratory bird policies and regulations.Develop annual hunting regulations and develop environmental review documents (i.e., NEPA) to support regulation development.Provide technical assistance to Branch and Division on regulations and NEPA issues.Travel RequiredOccasional travel - You may be expected to travel for this position.
Supervisory status

No

Promotion Potential

None
Requirements Conditions of EmploymentMust be a U.S. Citizen or National.Individuals assigned male at birth after 12-31-59 must be registered for the Selective Service. To verify registration visit SSS.gov.Resume and supporting documents (See How To Apply).Suitability for employment, as determined by background investigation.Probationary Period: Selectees may be required to successfully complete a probationary period.Direct Hire Authority will be used to fill this position.You must meet specialized experience to qualify. Qualifications
Only experience and education obtained by 06/15/2021 will be considered.The 0401 job series has a basic requirement. You must possess one of the following:
A. Degree: biological sciences, agriculture, natural resource management, chemistry, or related disciplines appropriate to the position.
B. Combination of education and experience: Courses equivalent to a major, as shown in A above, plus appropriate experience or additional education.In addition to the basic requirement, to qualify at the GS-13 level you must possess at least one year of full-time specialized experience comparable in difficulty and responsibility to the next lower grade level (comparable to GS-12) in the Federal Service that includes all of the following duties: synthesizing information and data to form policy recommendations, writing regulations and working on environmental documents; and must be familiar with the Migratory Bird Treaty Act, the Bald and Golden Eagle Protection Act, and the National Environmental Policy Act.
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.
EducationPROOF 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: Additional informationSalary: The salary for each location may vary depending on locality. Locality tables may be found at: Telework: This position is suitable for telework and may be allowed to telework with supervisory approval.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. CTAP or ICTAP applicants must be determined to be well-qualified for this position in order to receive special selection priority. To be well-qualified, a CTAP or ICTAP applicant must meet the following: OPM qualification requirements for the position, all selective factors, where applicable; special OPM approved qualifying conditions for the position; is physically qualified with reasonable accommodation, where appropriate, to satisfactorily perform the duties of the position upon entry; and receives a rating of at least 85 on the questionnaire. For more information visit: OPM's Employee Guide to Career Transition
A PCS Move is authorized as follows: 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. Discretionary entitlements are not authorized for this position. All moving expenses are taxable.
To register or verify your registration go to the Selective Service System at If you are unable to apply online or need to fax a document you do not have in electronic form, view the following link for information regarding an Alternate Application: . How You Will Be EvaluatedYou will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.All applicants who submit a complete and legible application by the closing date of this vacancy announcement {or cut-off} will have their qualifications reviewed to determine if they possess the following knowledge, skills and abilities required to successfully perform the work of this position.Knowledge of and ability to interpret the laws, treaties (national and international), regulations, polices, procedures, guidelines, and practices and other federal programs/activities pertaining to and impacting the management of migratory birds to include the Migratory Bird Treaty Act of 1918, as amended and the Bald and Golden Eagle Protection Act in order to develop regulations and advise management regarding conflicting or incongruent regulations, policies or recommendations.Knowledge of the processes, procedures, and clearance requirements associated with the development, approval process and submission of proposed rules and regulations for public notice and comment in the Federal Register and promulgation of final rules and regulations.Ability to exercise tact and diplomacy; meet and work with people of diverse nationalities, backgrounds, and interests; and promote amicable working arrangements between and among diverse organizations and groups.Skill in written communication to prepare and/or review technical and non-technical reports, manuscripts, and proposals; and develop and/or review regulations and policies for diverse audiences.Skill in communicating orally to present complex technical information and interact and negotiate with diverse individuals and groups.Applicants eligible for priority consideration under DOI's Career Transition Assistance Program/Plan, employees eligible under the Interagency Career Transition Plan (ICTAP). Eligible candidates on the Reemployment Placement List (RPL). A qualified and eligible permanent DOI employee may be selected before an ICTAP eligible.Background checks and security clearanceSecurity clearance
Other
Drug test required
No
Position sensitivity and riskModerate Risk (MR)Trust determination processCredentialing, Suitability/FitnessThis job is open to
Career transition (CTAP, ICTAP, RPL)

Federal employees who meet the definition of a "surplus" or "displaced" employee.

The public

U.S. citizens, nationals or those who owe allegiance to the U.S.
Clarification from the agency
This position will be filled under the Office of Personnel Management's Direct Hire Authority and is open to all United States citizens and U.S. nationals. Veteran's preference and traditional rating and ranking of applications do not apply. All qualified applicants will be referred to the hiring manager for consideration for this position.