Summary
You will serve as a Biologist which requires an on-site presence. The selected applicant will be expected to report to a Department of the Interior (DOI) Office within the Southeast Region (Region 4). The agency will determine the specific duty station upon selection. Pay will be based on duty location. Fairhope, Alabama Atlanta, Georgia Lacombe, Louisiana Location Negotiable After Selection First time hires to the Federal government normally start at the step 1 rate.
Duties
Some of the major duties you will perform include but are not limited to the following: Applies advanced ecological and biological principles to serve as a technical advisor in developing and implementing natural resource damage assessment and restoration activities related to Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act (CERCLA) and Oil Pollution Act (of 1990) (OPA), for internal staff and external partners. Develops and provides information needed to guide and support customers towards mission-oriented, cost-effective, and high-quality assessment and restoration that is aligned with Department of the Interior (DOI) , Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) , Trustee Council, Southeast Region and Gulf Restoration Office (GRO) policy. Designs, conducts, reviews, and synthesizes evaluations of chemical exposures and their impacts on natural resources following oil and chemical releases. Develop and review technical documents, white papers, and literature reviews for Natural Resource Damage Assessment and Restoration (NRDAR) activities, providing data-driven recommendations to senior FWS leadership on appropriate agency actions. Coordinates effective multidisciplinary teams, including NRDAR biologists, solicitors, and natural resource economists within and outside the federal government. Demonstrates the ability to listen, write about, discuss, and explain information to a variety of audiences. Duties will be developmental in nature when filled below the full performance level.
Requirements
Must be a U.S. Citizen or National. Appointment subject to background investigation and favorable adjudication. Males born after 12-31-59 must be registered for Selective Service. Direct Deposit participation required. Successfully pass the E-Verify employment verification check. To learn more, visit https://www.e-verify.gov/. Depending on the location, may be required to possess a valid state driver's license. Depending on the location, may be required to wear a uniform in accordance with USFWS policy. Probationary Period: As a condition of employment for accepting this position, you may be required to serve a 1- year probationary period to evaluate your fitness and whether your continuation of employment advances the public interest. This probationary period is an extension of the appointment process and therefore requires the agency to determine if continued employment would advance the public interest, meet the organization goals and mission of the agency, and/or otherwise promote the efficiency of the service. In determining if your employment advances the public interest, the agency will consider: your performance and conduct; the needs and interests of the agency; whether your continued employment would advance organizational goals of the agency or the Government; and whether your continued employment would advance the efficiency of the Federal service. Under applicable law, the employment of an individual serving a probationary or trial period automatically terminates when that period ends unless the agency affirmatively certifies, in writing, that the individual's employment should continue and that their appointment should be finalized. In the absence of agency action to affirmatively certify continued employment beyond the probationary or trial period, such appointments are terminated. Upon completion of your probationary your employment will be terminated unless you receive certification, in writing, that your continued employment advances the public interest.
Education
GS-12: This position does not allow substituting education for experience. This position has a mandatory education requirement. You must submit a copy of your transcript(s) to support claimed education if substituting education for experience. Transcripts must include your name, school name, grades, credit hours earned, major(s), grade point average or class ranking, and date the degree was conferred, if applicable. A typed list of courses, grades, semester/quarter hours, GPA, etc. will not be accepted. Non-submission may result in being rated not qualified for the position. Unofficial transcripts are acceptable, but if you are selected for this position and you used your education to qualify, you must provide official transcripts before you begin work. Foreign Education: To receive credit for education completed outside the United States, you must show proof that the education has been submitted to a private organization that specializes in interpretation of foreign educational credentials and such education has been deemed at least equivalent to that gained in conventional U.S. education programs. For more information on how foreign education is evaluated, visit: https://www.ed.gov/about/initiatives/international-affairs/recognition-of-foreign-qualifications
How you will be evaluated
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 additional assessment(s) required for this position. To be considered for this position, you must complete all required steps in the process. Your resume must not exceed 2 pages. Only the document submitted as the "Resume" under the Documents section will be used to determine your qualifications/eligibility and for rating purposes. In the event you submit more than one resume, only the latest submission will be reviewed. You will be assessed in the following competencies (knowledge, skills, abilities, and other characteristics): Data Interpretation Organizational Awareness Partnering Restoration Ecology Wildlife Biology All qualified non-competitive applicants and the best-qualified Merit Promotion applicants will be referred to the hiring manager for consideration. Overstating your qualifications and/or experience in your application materials or application questionnaire may result in your removal from consideration or your score may be lowered. Cheating on an assessment may also result in your removal from consideration. Applicants who include vulgar, offensive, or inappropriate language or information in their application package will be ineligible for further consideration for this position. Current or former displaced Federal employees who are surplus, displaced, or involuntarily separated have special priority selection rights under the Agency Career Transition Assistance Program (CTAP) or the Interagency Career Transition Assistance Program (ICTAP). To be considered under CTAP/ICTAP, you must be well-qualified, score at least 85 (i.e., meet the minimum qualification requirements, including any selective placement factors; education, and experience requirements), and be able to perform the duties of the position upon entry.