Summary This position is a Fish and Wildlife Biologist, GS- 0401-11/12 working in Cortland, NY for the R5-New York Ecological Services Field Office. Responsibilities As a Fish and Wildlife Biologist your duties will include but are not limited to the following: Plans, manages, leads, and conducts a wide variety of investigations, assessments, or inspections involving complex biological, physical, and political processes to determine their impact on plant and wildlife resources and habitats or develop and implement strategies to conserve and protect habitats and populations. Serves as lead biologist on consultations under Sections 7 and 10 of the Endangered Species Act, coordinates with project proponents and action agency representatives, conducts geospatial analysis of projects in relation to distribution of endangered species occurrences, provides technical assistance regarding conservation measures and mitigation. Prepares written technical documents and other correspondence conveying results, guidance, and agency decisions. Uses data visualization methods and other techniques to accurately and effectively communicate conservation messaging, information, and data analysis findings to a wide variety of audiences including FWS management and staff, stakeholders, and partners. Represents the Service at professional meetings and other meetings pertaining to individual assignments and attends public meetings and hearings to discuss proposed or existing development projects. Independently develops and maintains relationships and partnerships with federal, state, and local agencies; congressional office holders; Tribal Nations; NGOs; and other stakeholders to achieve common goals and further the Service's mission. Promotion Potential: This position involves a multi-grade career ladder. The major duties listed represent the full performance level of GS-12. At lower grade levels, you will perform assignments of a more limited scope and with less independence. You will progressively acquire the background necessary to perform at the full performance level of GS-12. Promotion is at the discretion of the supervisor and is contingent upon satisfactory performance, availability of higher level work, and availability of funds. The selectee may be promoted without further competition when all regulatory, qualification, and performance requirements are met. Selection at a lower grade level does not guarantee promotion to the full performance level. Requirements Conditions of Employment Qualifications Only experience and education obtained by 06/28/2024 will be considered. In order to qualify for this position you must possess both the Basic Requirement and Minimum Qualification. Basic Requirement: Degree in biological sciences, agriculture, natural resource management, chemistry, or related disciplines appropriate to the position. OR Combination of education and experience that includes 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 demonstrates the knowledge, skills, and abilities required to perform work in the occupation, and is comparable to the knowledge, skills, and abilities normally acquired through the successful completion of a full 4-year course of study with a major in the appropriate field (as described previously). Minimum Qualification [GS-11] One year of specialized experience comparable in scope and responsibility to the GS-9 grade level in the Federal service. Qualifying experience includes: (1) conducting investigations to determine impacts of land and water development projects on fish and/or wildlife resources; (2) assisting in the preparation of resource planning reports to evaluate the environmental consequences of proposed actions; (3) implementing the Endangered Species Act (specifically Section 7) as well as other relevant regulations (e.g., National Environmental Policy Act, Fish and Wildlife Coordination Act, Migratory Bird Treaty Act, etc.) for the protection and conservation of endangered, threatened, or sensitive species and their habitats; (4) coordinating with internal and external partners in the protection, restoration, and management of fish/aquatic species and habitat conservation. OR 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 that is directly related to the position to be filled and that provided the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to perform the work of the position. OR A combination of education and experience as described in 1 and 2 above which together equals 100% of the requirement. Minimum Qualification [GS-12]: One year of specialized experience comparable in scope and responsibility to the GS-11 grade level in the Federal service. Qualifying experience includes: (1) preparing written documents and/or delivering oral presentations regarding the status of animal or plant species and the impacts of development projects or environmental contaminants on fish, wildlife, and plant resources; (2) providing scientific, planning, or technical expertise on federally-listed threatened or endangered species, migratory birds, wetland habitats, or other important fish and wildlife resources; (3) developing guidance on the proper implementation of statutes, policies, and procedures; (4) planning and coordinating ecological service activities between diverse stakeholders to maximize benefits for fish and wildlife resources; (5) implementing the Endangered Species Act (specifically Section 7) and other regulations (e.g., National Environmental Policy Act, Fish and Wildlife Coordination Act, Migratory Bird Treaty Act, etc.) for the protection and conservation of endangered, threatened, or sensitive species and their habitats. 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. For teleworkers, their official duty station is the agency worksite (e.g., Main Interior Building), as they are expected to report to the agency worksite?at the minimum, two full workdays?per biweekly?pay period. 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 questionnaire. For more information visit: OPM's Employee Guide to Career Transition Reasonable Accommodation: The USFWS provides reasonable accommodations to applicants with disabilities. Please visit USAJOBS Help Center | Reasonable accommodation policy if you need a reasonable accommodation for any part of the application and hiring process.