Subsistence Resource Specialist

Overview

• Accepting applications

• Open & closing dates
  Opening and closing dates07/08/2021 to 07/30/2021
  
• Service
  Competitive
  
• Pay scale & grade
  GS 9 - 11
  
• Salary
  $59,756 to $93,994 per year
  
  You will also receive a 4.40% cost of living allowance for this location. This allowance is subject to annual review.
  
• Appointment type
  Permanent
  
• Work schedule
  Full-time
  

Duties Summary
This position is a Subsistence Resource Specialist, GS- 0401-9/11 working in Bethel, Alaska for the IR11/R7-Yukon Delta National Wildlife Refuge.

Responsibilities
As a Subsistence Resource Specialist your duties will include but are not limited to the following:

• Develop and maintain communications with local rural residents, regulatory councils/committees, and the general public about refuge programs and subsistence issues. Also speaks in person before civic, State and Federal government, industrial, Native, and commercial groups.
• Frequent contact with Native residents of villages on or near a refuge or other public lands. Helps provide information on Service programs and research being conducted and state and federal laws and regulations associated with subsistence taking and use of resources.
• Develop and implement a subsistence monitoring program in cooperation with 48 local communities, 56 tribal entities and state/federal organizations that considers both traditional and scientific knowledge.
• Manage the federal permit hunts on the refuge. Provides consultation and expertise to refuge managers and biologists in identifying resource information needed to assess, inventory, and manage subsistence resources including fish, wildlife, and vegetation.
• Responsible for providing subsistence use information and trends for an area that comprises over one-third of the national wildlife refuge system. This information is used by decision-makers, and for mapping projects that depict subsistence use areas.
• Prepare reports, budget submittals and annual work plan documents that reflect subsistence management funding requirements for refuge managers, procures station and field supplies necessary to carry out subsistence management programs, and reports results of numerous subsistence and management related meetings at which incumbent represents the refuge.
• Review and prepare written comments on special use permit applications and compatibility determinations (as requested by the refuge manager) to evaluate the effects of the proposed activities on subsistence uses and needs.
• Use biological skills and knowledge of natural resource management to make recommendations to the refuge managers concerning subsistence management regulations. These recommendations must: 1) be consistent with recognized principles of sound fish and wildlife conservation, 2) Help ensure the viability of species impacted by the regulations, and 3) Help conserve "healthy populations of fish and wildlife" as required by Title VIII of the Alaska National Interest Lands Conservation Act.
• Develop and provide public use/information programs including environmental education, preparation of news releases, refuge information bulletins, and information leaflets relating to subsistence or sport hunting and fishing, and develops radio and press releases as appropriate.

Travel Required
25% or less - You may be expected to travel for this position.
Supervisory status
No
Promotion Potential
11
Requirements Conditions of Employment

• Must 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).
• Merit promotion applicants must meet time-in-grade requirement as defined in 5 CFR 300, Subpart F.
• Suitability for employment, as determined by background investigation.
• Driver's License: Selectees must possess and maintain a valid State driver's license at all times during their tenure.
• Uniform: Official U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service uniform is required.
• Probationary Period: Selectees may be required to successfully complete a probationary period.
• Government Housing is Required.
• Travel in Small Aircraft for up to 3 Hours at a time is Required.

Qualifications Only experience and education obtained by 07/30/2021 will be considered.
In order to qualify for this position you must possess both the Basic Requirement and Minimum Qualification.
Basic Requirement:

Have completed a 4 year degree in biological sciences, agriculture, natural resource management, chemistry, or related disciplines appropriate to this position. OR

Have a combination of education and experience: courses equivalent to a major in biological sciences, agriculture, natural resource management, chemistry, or related discipline -- plus -- appropriate experience or additional education that is comparable to that normally acquired through the successful completion of a full 4-year course of study in the biological sciences; agriculture, or natural resources. The quality of the combination must demonstrate that you possess the knowledge, skills, and abilities required to perform the work of the position and is comparable to that normally acquired through the completion of a full four-year course of study with a major as described above.

Minimum Qualification GS-09

One year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the GS-07 grade level. This experience has equipped me with the knowledge, skills and abilities to perform successfully the duties of the position and is in or related to the work of the position to be filled. Specialized Experience for this position includes: Experience working with Indigenous peoples in the biology of subsistence resources; Ability to communicate with indigenous peoples. OR

Have at least 2 years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to a master's degree or master's or equivalent graduate degree in biological sciences, agriculture, natural resource management, chemistry, or related disciplines 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.

Minimum Qualification GS-11

One year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the GS-09 grade level. This experience has equipped me with the knowledge, skills and abilities to perform successfully the duties of the position and is in or related to the work of the position to be filled. Specialized Experience for this position includes: Experience working with Indigenous peoples in the biology of subsistence resources; Ability to communicate with indigenous peoples. OR

Have 3 years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to a Ph.D. degree or Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree in biological sciences, agriculture, natural resource management, chemistry, or related disciplines 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.

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:
Additional information
PCS INFORMATION:
No PCS entitlements authorized
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/ICTAP provides placement assistance to permanent Federal employees who are surplus, displaced, or involuntarily separated. 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. To be considered under CTAP/ICTAP, 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 and ICTAP click here

The Land Management Workforce Flexibility Act (LMWFA),P.L. 114-47, allows certain individuals who currently or formerly were under time-limited competitive appointments at certain land management agencies to compete under merit promotion procedures.

For Eligibility Information click here: USAJOBS Help Center | Land Management

Public Land Corps (PLC) Hiring Authority: Served as a qualified youth on an appropriate conservation project completing a minimum of 640 hours of satisfactory service that included at least 120 hours through the PLC and received a certificate of non-competitive eligibility. Completed most recent Corps service, for which a certificate of non-competitive eligibility was issued, within the last 2 years. Appointment must be effected within the 2 year period.
Alaska Positions: The salary range given above includes base pay and locality pay, you will receive a 4.40% cost of living allowance for this location. This allowance is subject to annual review, adjustment and grade decrease.
Alaska Return Rights: If you are a current U. S. Fish and Wildlife Service employee and you are transferring from a Region outside of Alaska, you will be eligible to return to a position in your home Region upon completion of a minimum 3-year tour of duty in Alaska. If you exercise this option, your home Region will place you in a position of equivalent grade in the same general occupational classification series that you occupied in Alaska.For Scientific/Professional Series GS-05 and above only.
How You Will Be Evaluated
You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.

You will be evaluated based on how well you meet the qualifications listed in this vacancy announcement. 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 online assessments required for this position. You will be assessed on the following competencies (knowledge, skills, abilities, and other characteristics):

• Skill to work and communicate with Alaska Native groups and individuals. Skill in negotiating and diplomacy when working with State and Federal agencies, Tribes, private individuals and organizations, and the news media to address subsistence fish and wildlife resource issues.
• Skill in communicating verbally to varied audiences to present biological information and the position of the Service, and demonstrated competency in written communications.
• Knowledge of weather, river channels and conditions, snowmobile trail conditions, and travel routes to safely travel on or near a refuge or other public lands in a variety of conditions.
• Special knowledge or expertise concerning the natural or cultural resources of public lands and the management thereof.
• Ability to analyze complex and voluminous information sources in evaluating the effects of development and use proposals on subsistence resources and customs and in developing reasonable and prudent alternatives and/or conservation recommendations or measures.
• Ability to evaluate and explain biological information and recommendations in terms that are understandable by Alaska Native groups, fish and wildlife resource professionals, professionals in other disciplines, and non-scientists.
• Knowledge of and sensitivity to the many special conditions of the Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act and the Alaska National Interest Lands Conservation Act (particularly Title VIII).
• Ability to work with a diverse group of individuals or entities to resolve wildlife management issues.
• Attention to Detail, Decision Making, Flexibility, Integrity/Honesty, Interpersonal Skills, Learning, Reading, Reasoning, Self-Management, Stress Tolerance, Teamwork.

In order 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 an online assessment. The online assessment measures critical general competencies required to perform the job.
Overstating your qualifications and/or experience in your application materials or application questionnaire may result in your removal from consideration. Cheating on the online assessment may also result in your removal from consideration. Please follow all instructions carefully when applying, errors or omissions may affect your eligibility.
Background checks and security clearance Security clearance
Other
Drug test required
No
Position sensitivity and risk
Non-sensitive (NS)/Low Risk
Trust determination process
Suitability/Fitness
This job is open to

• Career transition (CTAP, ICTAP, RPL)
  Federal employees who meet the definition of a "surplus" or "displaced" employee.
  
• Federal employees - Competitive service
  Current or former competitive service federal employees.
  
• Land & base management
  Certain current or former term or temporary federal employees of a land or base management agency.
  
• Special authorities
  Individuals eligible under a special authority not listed above, but defined in the federal hiring regulations.
  
• Veterans

Clarification from the agency
FWS- or DOI-wide: Open to current Department of the Interior and its Bureaus, or U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Career or Career-Conditional Federal Employees, Land Management eligibles (current or former DOI), CTAP. Govt. Wide: Current Career or Career Conditional Federal Employees, Land Management eligibles, 30% disabled veterans, Military Spouse, Peace Corps, AmeriCorps, Vista, VRA, VEOA, ICTAP/CTAP, Schedule A, Reinstatement eligibles, PLC.