Wildlife Biologist, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service

Fort Collins, CO

Position Title: Wildlife Biologist

Organization: Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service

Location: Fort Collins, CO

Organization Overview: The incumbent is employed by the Wildlife Services- National Wildlife Research Center (NWRC) IN Fort Collins, CO. NWRC functions as the research arm of the United States Department of Agriculture, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, Wildlife Services program (USDA/APHIS/WS). NWRC focuses its research to mitigate human-wildlife conflicts on a national and international basis.

Duties: 

  • Conduct integrated wildlife disease management and research activities to prevent or reduce losses to property, agriculture, and natural resources, or to protect human health and safety.
  • May perform a variety of technical procedures including capture, restraint, chemical immobilization, marking, transport, euthanasia, and/or necropsy of wildlife.
  • May be required to take extensive training and recurrent training on wildlife disease recognition, control methods, and techniques.
  • Modify or adapt established wildlife disease control techniques.
  • Monitor and ensure compliance with program directives, and local, State, and Federal laws and regulations in wildlife disease management activities.
  • Develop and maintain categorical exclusions, environmental assessments, monitoring reports, and other documents required by National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA).
  • Gather, compile, evaluate, and present data on wildlife disease to cooperators, stakeholders, and colleagues.
  • Establish and maintain cooperative relationships with other Federal, State, county and city government agencies, Tribes, corporations, educational or research institutions, and individuals.
  • Communicate safe and effective disease research techniques through outreach and other channels to the general public.

Qualifications:

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; and
  • 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.); and
  • 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 above, plus appropriate experience or additional education.

In addition to the basic requirement applicants must also possess:

FOR THE GS-09 LEVEL: Applicants must have one year of specialized experience (equivalent to the GS-07 level) that may have been obtained in the private or public (local, county, state, Federal) sectors which demonstrates:

  • Experience conducting comprehensive wildlife research projects, analyzing data, and writing comprehensive reports and scientific publications.
  • Ability to coordinate multiple wildlife field research projects, and to prioritize work for themselves and co-workers.
  • Experience capturing, immobilizing, handling, collaring, and collecting biological specimens from wildlife.
  • Experience safely and competently preparing, maintaining, and using a wide array of field equipment to include 4-wheel drive trucks, UTVs, ATVs, trailers, traps, power tools, and hand tools.
  • Experience participating in, planning, or implementing surveillance to detect and/or monitor wildlife disease.

OR

2 years of progressively higher-level graduate education leading to a master’s degree or master’s or equivalent graduate degree in one of the following degree fields: Wildlife Biology, Wildlife Ecology, or Wildlife Management.

Equivalent combinations of education and experience are qualifying for this grade level.

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.
COMBINATION OF EDUCATION & EXPERIENCE AT THE GS-09 GRADE LEVEL: Applicants may have combinations of successfully completed education and specialized experience to meet total qualification requirements. The total percentages must equal at least 100 percent to qualify for that grade level.

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.

Salary/Pay: $63,271 – $82,249 per year

Application Deadline: November 17

How to Apply: Please use the online application to view the full job description as well as how to apply.