Wildlife Refuge Specialist @ U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service

Job Summary

This Wildlife Refuge Specialist, GS-0485-9/11 position is located within the Department of the Interior, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Region 6, Lower Green River Complex, Randlett, UT.

Qualifications

• All qualifications must be met by the closing date of this announcement - 11/02/2026-unless otherwise stated in this vacancy announcement.
• Competitive candidates must also meet Time-in-Grade requirements as defined in 5 CFR 300, Subpart F. For current Federal employees, if hours worked per week are not included on your resume, you must submit a non-award SF-50 as part of your application to be used to validate your work schedule and determine the amount of specialized experience that you will be granted.
• An award SF-50 will not be acceptable documentation for which to consider your amount of qualifying experience.
• For periods of time that reflect military service, the DD-214 or Statement of Service is sufficient to meet the work schedule requirement as the service dates will be reflected.
• For all other applicants who are not current federal employees, your resume must state either "full-time" (or "40 hours a week") or "part-time" with the number of hours worked per week to ensure proper crediting of specialized experience.
• Minimum Qualification

Requirements

• To qualify for this position, you must meet the following minimum qualifications: In order to qualify for this position you must possess both the Basic Requirement and Minimum Qualification.
• Basic Requirement: A. Degree: zoology, wildlife management, or an appropriate field of biology that included at least 9 semester hours in zoology; 6 semester hours in such wildlife courses as mammalogy, ornithology, animal ecology, or wildlife management; and 3 semester hours in botany, and 3 semester hours in conservation biology.
• OR B. Combination of education and experience: courses equivalent to a major in one of the fields described in A above that included at least 9 semester hours in zoology; 6 semester hours in such wildlife courses as mammalogy, ornithology, animal ecology, or wildlife management; and 3 semester hours in botany, and 3 semester hours in conservation biology, plus appropriate experience or additional education.
• Minimum Qualification [GS-09] A. I possess at least one year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the GS-07 grade level in the Federal service (obtained in either the public or private sectors).

Specialized experience includes

• (1) applying principles and practices of wildlife biology, ecology, or natural resource management to carry out habitat conservation, restoration, or wildlife management activities;
• (2) reviewing natural resource activities for compliance with applicable laws, regulations, or policies, such as the Endangered Species Act (ESA) or National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), and identifying potential conflicts or concerns; and
• (3) communicating biological or natural resource information, findings, or recommendations to supervisors, staff, partners, or the public.

OR B. Successfully completed two academic years of progressively higher-level graduate education leading to a Master's degree in zoology, wildlife management, or other appropriate field of biology directly related to this position.

• NOTE: Transcripts required.
• OR C. I possess a combination of progressively higher-level graduate education and experience as listed above.
• To combine education and experience, first convert quarter hours to semester hours by multiplying by the fraction 2/3.
• Then, divide your number of graduate semester hours in excess of the first 18 hours by the number 18 (or the number your school uses to represent one year of graduate education).
• Then take the number of months of full-time experience and divide by 12 months.
• Add the percentages together.
• The total must equal at least 100 percent to qualify.
• You must include hours per week and transcripts.
• NOTE: Transcripts required, and your resume must contain sufficient information, e.g., complete begin/end dates, hours worked per week, duties performed, etc., for each period of work for consideration to meet this standard. -OR- Minimum Qualification [GS-11] A. I possess at least one year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the GS-09 grade level in the Federal service (obtained in either the public or private sectors).

Specialized experience includes

• (1) independently planning, coordinating, or implementing wildlife and habitat management, conservation, or restoration activities;
• (2) applying natural resource laws, regulations, and policies, such as the Endangered Species Act (ESA) or National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), to evaluate management activities, identify compliance concerns, or develop recommendations; and
• (3) coordinating with internal staff, government agencies, partners, or the public on natural resource management activities and participating in the development of management plans, annual work plans, or associated budgets.

NOTE: Your resume must contain sufficient information, e.g., complete begin/end dates, work schedule, duties performed, etc., for each time frame to be considered.

• OR B. Possess three (3) years of progressively higher-level graduate education leading to a Ph.D. degree or Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree in in zoology, wildlife management, or other appropriate field of biology directly related to this position.
• NOTE: Transcripts required.
• OR C. I possess a combination of progressively higher level graduate education and experience as listed above.
• Then, divide your number of graduate semester hours in excess of the first 36 hours by the number 18 (or the number your school uses to represent one year of graduate education).
• Add the percentages together.

Volunteer Experience: 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.

Major Duties

• At the full performance level (GS-11) the major duties of this position include, but are not limited to the following: Independently plans, coordinates, and carries out technical biological, habitat restoration, and habitat development projects for the Refuge/WMD.
• Collects, enters, validates, and analyzes project data; supports invasive species planning and control efforts; and applies refuge compatibility criteria and established policies to develop recommendations for senior management decisions.
• Reviews projects proposed by other bureaus, agencies, stakeholders, and partners-including the U.S. Forest Service, state fish and wildlife agencies, and Tribal representatives-to identify potential conflicts with Refuge/WMD management objectives and develop comments and recommendations for consideration by the Wildlife Refuge Manager and senior management.
• Coordinates and interacts with Federal, state, and local agencies, Tribal representatives, private organizations, and other partners to develop and strengthen partnerships that support the protection and management of Refuge/WMD lands and surrounding resources.
• Prepares reports on the progress and completion of studies and management projects for the Wildlife Refuge Manager and senior management.
• Researches and maintains familiarity with natural resource laws, regulations, and policies affecting the National Wildlife Refuge System, including NEPA, NWRIA, ESA, water rights, rights-of-way, oil and gas, easements, and fee-title lands.
• Participates in the preparation of required environmental and regulatory documentation, including NEPA Environmental Assessments, ESA Section 7 consultations, archeological clearances, and related actions.
• Coordinates with the Wildlife Refuge Manager and senior management to gather, consolidate, and evaluate supporting information and data.
• Assists in developing and preparing Comprehensive Conservation Plans, Habitat Management Plans, Land Acquisition and Protection Plans, and similar planning documents.
• Participates in developing short- and long-range plans, annual work plans, budgets, project schedules, and timetables in coordination with the Wildlife Refuge Manager and senior management.
• Participates in planning and implementing comprehensive public use, outreach, and educational programs, including off-refuge programs, interpretive and educational activities, hunting, fishing, wildlife observation, and other wildlife-dependent recreation.
• Responds to routine public information requests and contributes to brochures, interpretive panels and exhibits, websites, and other informational materials.
• Assists with administration of the Refuge/WMD facilities and equipment management program, including planning and scheduling operations and maintenance projects to support biological, habitat, public use, and overall refuge management objectives.

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/.
• Must possess and maintain a valid driver's license throughout employment.
• Requires ability to obtain and maintain certification in the use four-wheel all-terrain vehicles and/or other light and heavy equipment for official purposes.
• Ability to obtain and maintain a pesticide applicators license through the Utah Department of Agriculture and Food.
• Work Schedule: Work may require working evenings, weekends and holidays.
• Travel: Extensive travel may be required.
• 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 period your employment will be terminated unless you receive certification, in writing, that your continued employment advances the public interest.