Supervisory Wildlife Biologist (State Director)

Summary

This position is that of State Director for the USDA-APHIS-Wildlife Services (WS) program. The applicant will be responsible for all aspects, scientific and administrative, of cooperative wildlife damage management programs with other federal, State and local governments, tribes, private organizations and individuals. This includes operational and technical assistance activities associated with a wide range of bird and mammal specie

Duties

• The duties described are for the full-performance level. At developmental grade levels, assignments will be of more limited scope, performed with less independence and limited complexity.
• The duties may include, but are not limited to:
• Plans, organizes, and executes difficult and complex scientific programs and administrative activities designed to efficiently and effectively reduce wildlife damage
• Prepares long-range work plans, budget estimates, and work schedules
• Develops and maintains cooperative relationships with federal, State, county, and private industry officials concerned with the administration of WS programs
• Negotiates with federal, State, county, municipal, and private organizations regarding wildlife damage management needs, feasibility, and cost effectiveness
• Formulates budget estimates and administers fund expenditures for a complex program from multiple funding sources (federal appropriations; State, county, municipal organizations
• Directs a workforce of federal and cooperative State employees through subordinate supervisors
• Develops and initiates new, revised, and experimental techniques for wildlife damage management operations in the areas of responsibility
• Within the areas of responsibility, is fully responsible for conducting a continuing review and evaluation of programs and activities to determine overall program effectiveness and compliance
• Must have a valid drivers license.

Qualifications

Applicants must meet all qualifications and eligibility requirements by the closing date of the announcement including time-in-grade restrictions, specialized experience and/or education, as defined below. TIME-IN-GRADE: Current federal employees applying for a promotion opportunity must meet time-in-grade (TIG) requirement of 52 weeks of service at the next lower grade level in the normal line of progression for the position being filled. BASIC REQUIREMENT: Degree: Biological Science that included: At least 9 semester hours in such wildlife subjects as mammalogy, ornithology, animal ecology, wildlife management, or research courses in the field of wildlife biology At least 12 semester hours in zoology in such subjects as general zoology, invertebrate zoology, vertebrate zoology, comparative anatomy, physiology, genetics, ecology, cellular biology, parasitology, entomology, or research courses in such subjects (Excess courses in wildlife biology may be used to meet the zoology requirements where appropriate.) At least 9 semester hours in botany or the related plant sciences. or Combination of education and experience: equivalent to a major in biological science (i.e., at least 30 semester hours), with at least 9 semester hours in wildlife subjects, 12 semester hours in zoology, and 9 semester hours in botany or related plant science, as shown in A above, plus appropriate experience or additional education. FOR THE GS-13 LEVEL: Applicants must have one year of specialized experience (equivalent to the GS-12 level) that may have been obtained in the private or public (local, county, state, Federal) sectors which demonstrates: Dealing with controversial human/wildlife conflicts and how the conflicts may be resolved for a wide range of environmental, cultural and political influences. Assisting with the development of wildlife damage management objectives that are in compliance with federal and state laws and regulations, and sound conservation principles. Human resources management and supervisory techniques, effectively training and supervising employees. Assisting in the formulation of budget estimates and administering expenditures for a large, multi-faceted program consisting of federal, state, and/or other cooperative funded budgets TRANSCRIPTS are required: This position requires specific coursework or a degree in a specific field to be basically qualified. You are qualifying for the position based on education. You are qualifying for this position based on a combination of experience and education. This education must have been successfully completed and obtained from an accredited school, college, or university. 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 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

Please see above for education qualification requirement information. How You Will Be Evaluated

You will be evaluated based on your qualifications for this position as evidenced by the experience, education, and training you described in your application package, as well as the responses to the Assessment Questionnaire to determine the degree to which you possess the knowledge, skills, abilities and competencies listed below: Conflict Management Financial Management Human Resources Management Partnering Your application, including the online Assessment Questionnaire, will be reviewed to determine if you meet (a) minimum qualification requirements and (b) the resume supports the answers provided to the job-specific questions. Your resume must clearly support your responses to all the questions addressing experience and education relevant to this position. Structured Interview - Competency Responses: A panel of subject matter experts will review your responses during a Structured Interview. These responses to questions/scenarios will be evaluated to provide your rating in the application process. You will be assessed on the following competencies. Note: If after reviewing your resume and/or supporting documentation, a determination is made that you have inflated your qualifications and or experience, your score may be adjusted to more accurately reflect your abilities, or you may be found ineligible. Please follow all instructions carefully. Errors or omissions may affect your rating. Providing inaccurate information on Federal documents could be grounds for non-selection or disciplinary action up to including removal from the Federal service. To preview the application questionnaire, please visit: https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/13050899 Other Information

Career Transition Assistance Plan (CTAP), Reemployment Priority List (RPL): Visit the OPM website for information on how to apply as a CTAP, RPL eligible. To exercise selection priority for this vacancy, CTAP/RPL candidates must meet the basic eligibility requirements and all selective factors. CTAP candidates must be rated and determined to be well qualified (or above) based on an evaluation of the competencies listed in the How You Will Be Evaluated section. When assessed through a score-based category rating method, CTAP applicants must receive a rating of at least 85 out of a possible 100. Travel, transportation, and relocation expenses may be paid. Any travel, transportation, and relocation expense associated with reporting for duty will be the responsibility of the selected employee. Promotion Potential: If you are selected for a position with further promotion potential, you will be placed under a career development plan, and may be non-competitively promoted if you successfully complete the requirements and if recommended by management. However, promotion is neither implied nor guaranteed. Must have the legal and physical ability to possess and discharge firearms The utilization of safety equipment and protective clothing will be required as needed.