Biologist

at Interior, US Fish and Wildlife Service in Moline, Illinois, United States

Job Description

Summary These are Biologist positions, GS- 0401-12 working in Moline, Illinois for the R3-Illinois-Iowa Ecological Services Field Office. Responsibilities As a Biologist your duties will include but are not limited to the following: Biologist – Upper Mississippi River System Serves as the USFWS representative for planning, design, and implementation of large river restoration projects throughout the Upper Mississippi River system, including providing technical support for aquatic and terrestrial Federal trust resources; participates and serves in a leadership capacity on technical teams to inform navigation operations and maintenance activities, facilitate fish and wildlife studies, and develop local and systemic restoration plans. Coordinates and collaborates with diverse teams of river stakeholders, across USFWS programs, and the public; provides technical expertise for floodplain resources, including interpreting and conducting freshwater mussel and pollinator surveys. Prepares Fish and Wildlife Coordination Act (FWCA) reports and reviews and provides comment on National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) documentation. Evaluates environmental consequences of proposed actions on Federal projects and conducts interagency consultations pursuant to Section 7 of the Endangered Species Act (ESA) of 1973 for USACE and other federal agencies. Biologist – NRCS Farm Bill Delivers restoration and conservation actions on private lands, including landowner contacts, conducting private land wetland restorations, mapping, surveying staking, construction monitoring, seeding, etc. and prepares management plans for restored areas. Meets and communicates with private landowners regarding conservation benefits, practices, and implementation of Farm Bill projects; evaluates delivery return of actions conducted under Farm Bill programs and identifies opportunities to leverage resources made available through the Farm Bill programs to expand the footprint of conservation, restoration, and recovery activities. Reviews and comments on NRCS conservation delivery documentation under the Farm Bill; and conducts and writes species status assessments. Evaluates environmental consequences of proposed actions on Federal projects and conducts interagency consultations pursuant to Section 7 of the Endangered Species Act (ESA) of 1973 for NRCS and other federal agencies. Requirements Conditions of Employment Qualifications Only experience and education obtained by 08/12/2024 will be considered. In order to qualify for this position you must possess both the Basic Requirement and Minimum Qualification. Basic Requirement: Possess a bachelors degree or higher in biological sciences, agriculture, natural resource management, chemistry, or related disciplines appropriate to the position. I will submit my transcripts with my application that verifies this. OR Possess a combination of education and experience that included coursework equivalent to a major (i.e. 24 semester/36 quarter hours or school equivalent) in biological sciences, agriculture, natural resource management, chemistry, or related disciplines as shown in A above, PLUS appropriate experience or additional education, and in combination equals 100% of the basic requirements. Minimum Qualification [GS-12] Possess one year of specialized experience at or equivalent to the GS-11 grade level in the Federal service (obtained in either the public or private sectors). Specialized experience includes: 1) Delivery of restoration and conservation actions on private lands and/or large river floodplains and aquatic habitats; 2) Working with and leading diverse teams of stakeholders (e.g., Mississippi River stakeholders and/or landowners) and coordinating across USFWS programs; 3) Applying the Endangered Species Act and associated regulations and policy, particularly related to consultations under section 7; 4) Identifying opportunities to leverage resources to expand the footprint of conservation, restoration, and recovery activities; 5) Working on species status assessments; 6) Identifying ecosystem impacts and planning/implementation of ecological restoration on private lands and/or large river systems; and 7) Conducting and interpreting bat, mussel, and/or pollinator surveys. NOTE: Your resume must contain sufficient information in these areas to be found qualified. 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) 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 or ICTAP applicants must be determined to be well-qualified for this position in order to receive special selection priority. To be well-qualified, a CTAP or ICTAP applicant must meet the following: OPM qualification requirements for the position, all selective factors, where applicable; special OPM approved qualifying conditions for the position; is physically qualified with reasonable accommodation, where appropriate, to satisfactorily perform the duties of the position upon entry; and receives a rating of at least 85 on the que