Biologist, U.S Fish and Wildlife Service

Austin, TX

Position Title: Biologist

Organization: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service

Location: Austin, TX

Duties:

  • Conduct formal and information consultations pursuant to Section 7 of the Endangered Species Act; draft Biological Opinions, concurrence letters, and technical assistance correspondence; and prepare responses to Regional, Headquarters, and Congressional inquiries.
  • Coordinate development and presentation of educational, information, and guidance materials for agency staff, such as the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) staff, and other interested agencies, groups, and individuals. Prepare and review drafts and summaries of all documents submitted in support of transportation projects for final approval.
  • Assists in the preparation and review of complex biological implications of low effect, categorical exclusions, environmental assessments, impact statements and/or comprehensive resource planning efforts to evaluate environmental consequences of proposed transportation projects, wildland fire, or other agency actions.
  • Review new or proposed legislation or regulations, and provide comments on the impact to natural resources and the public as related to transportation projects or other agency actions.
  • Facilitate implementation of conservation actions authorized through Biological Opinions and other regulatory documents; Coordinate budgets, contracts, grants, and agreements for conservation actions.

Qualifications:

Only experience and education obtained by 06/24/2024 will be considered.

In order to qualify for this position you must possess both the Basic Requirement and Minimum Qualification.

Basic Requirement:

  1. Degree in biological sciences, agriculture, natural resource management, chemistry, or related disciplines appropriate to the position. OR
  2. Combination of education and experience comprised of courses equivalent to a major in biological sciences, agriculture, natural resource management, chemistry, or related disciplines appropriate to the position PLUS appropriate experience or additional education. This combination of education and experience is comparable to a full 4-year course of study with a major in biological sciences, agriculture, natural resource management, chemistry, or related disciplines appropriate to the position.

Minimum Qualification [GS-11]

  1. One year of specialized experience comparable in scope and responsibility to at least the GS-9 grade level in the Federal service. Qualifying experience includes: (1) conducting investigations to determine the impacts of land and/or water development projects upon fish and/or wildlife resources; (2) assisting in the development of fish and/or wildlife management plans; (3) assisting in the preparation and review of biological assessments or evaluations, biological opinions, or related documentation pursuant to Section 7 of the Endangered Species Act; (4) implementing federal environmental regulations (e.g., Endangered Species Act, specifically Sections 7 and 10; Clean Water Act; Fish and Wildlife Coordination Act, National Environmental Policy Act, etc.) involving natural resource issues. OR
  2. Three years of progressively higher-level graduate education leading to a Ph.D. degree -OR- possess a Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree with a major study in or directly related to this position (e.g., biology, fish and/or wildlife biology, ecology, conservation science, etc.). OR
  3. A combination of education and experience as described in 1 and 2 above which together equals 100% of the requirement.

Minimum Qualification [GS-12]

  1. One year of specialized experience comparable in scope and responsibility to at least the GS-11 grade level in the Federal service. Qualifying experience includes: (1) conducting investigations to determine the impacts of land and/or water development projects upon endangered species and their habitats; (2) negotiating alternative actions or mitigation measures; (3) developing habitat conservation or restoration projects; (4) providing technical guidance on the Endangered Species Act to other staff, government agencies, landowners, private and interest groups; (5) preparing biological assessments or evaluations, biological opinions, or other related documentation pursuant to Section 7 of the Endangered Species 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.

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: Recognition of Foreign Qualifications | International Affairs Office (ed.gov)

Salary/Pay: $74,522 – $116,114 per year

Application Deadline: 06/24/2024

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