Fish and Wildlife Biologist

Summary

You will serve as a Fish and Wildlife Biologist, GS-0401-11/12 working for New York Ecological Service Field Office located in Cortland, New York. Pay will vary based on grade level for which you're selected. 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: Preparing biological evaluations, biological assessments, biological opinions, and related technical documents supporting implementation of the Endangered Species Act and other environmental statutes. Evaluating the impacts of proposed actions on fish and wildlife resources, wetlands, and listed species and their habitats, and recommending appropriate conservation measures. Planning, conducting, and reviewing ecological investigations and environmental analyses to support conservation planning, regulatory review, and resource management decisions. Applying GIS and other geospatial tools to conduct spatial analyses, support field operations, and develop products for partners and public audiences. Coordinating with Federal, Tribal, State, local, and private partners to communicate project impacts, ensure compliance with environmental requirements, and advance conservation, restoration, and habitat-management objectives. Duties will be developmental in nature when filled below the full performance level.

Qualifications

All qualifications must be met by the closing date of this announcement-11/24/2026-unless otherwise stated in this vacancy announcement. To receive credit for experience, 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. Failure to adequately provide information needed to determine number of hours worked in each position may result in that time not being credited when evaluating qualifying experience. For periods of time that reflect military service, the DD-214 or Statement of Service is sufficient to meet the full and/or part-time hours requirement as the service dates will be reflected. Minimum Qualification Requirements: To qualify for this position, you must meet the following minimum qualifications: Basic Educational Requirement AND/OR Specialized Experience for the series to which you are applying. Basic Educational Requirements: In addition to the specialized experience requirements for this position, you must meet at least one of the following: A. Degree: Possess a degree in biological sciences, agriculture, natural resource management, chemistry, or related disciplines appropriate to the position.. You must submit transcripts. -OR- B. Combination of education and experience: course work as shown in A above, plus appropriate experience or additional education. -AND- Minimum Qualifications (GS-11) To qualify for this position at the GS-11 grade level: A. Experience: To qualify, you must possess at least one full year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-09 level in the Federal service (obtained in either the public or private sectors). Specialized experience is defined as demonstrated experience: 1) Assisting with biological investigations and Endangered Species Act (ESA) Section 7 consultations; 2) Assisting in the preparation of biological evaluations, biological assessments, biological opinions, or other environmental compliance documents; 3) Collecting and evaluating biological, ecological, habitat, or species data to support environmental reviews and conservation planning; 4) Using Geographic Information Systems (GIS) or other geospatial tools to support biological analyses and resource management activities.; 5) Coordinating with Federal, state, Tribal, local, or other partners to support conservation and regulatory activities; and 6) Preparing technical reports, correspondence, or recommendations related to fish and wildlife conservation or environmental compliance.. You must include hours per week worked. -OR- B. Education: Successful completion of at least 3 years of progressively higher-level graduate education leading to a Ph.D. or equivalent degree -OR- have earned a Ph.D. or equivalent degree in the biological sciences, agriculture, natural resource management, chemistry, or closely related field which provided me with the knowledge skills, and abilities to perform the duties of this position. You must include transcripts. -OR- C. Combination of education and experience as listed above. Minimum Qualifications (GS-12) To qualify for this position at the GS-12 grade level: Experience: To qualify, you must possess at least one full year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-11 level in the Federal service (obtained in either the public or private sectors). Specialized experience is defined as demonstrated experience: 1) Conducting biological investigations and Endangered Species Act (ESA) Section 7 consultations; 2) Preparing biological evaluations, biological assessments, biological opinions, or other environmental compliance documents; 3) Evaluating the effects of proposed actions on fish, wildlife, wetlands, or federally listed species and their habitats; 4) Applying Geographic Information Systems (GIS) and other geospatial technologies to conduct biological analyses and habitat assessments; 5) Coordinating with Federal, state, Tribal, local, or other partners to interpret biological and geospatial information; and 6) Developing technical recommendations to support environmental compliance, conservation planning, habitat management, or species conservation. You must include hours per week worked. 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.

Education

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. Recognition of Foreign Qualifications | U.S. Department of Education. How do I receive credit for a college degree obtained in a foreign university in another country? - OPM.gov Applicants must submit all necessary documents to a private U.S. organization that specializes in interpretation of foreign educational credentials, commonly called a credential evaluation service. To be acceptable, the foreign credential evaluation must include/describe: The type of education received by the applicant; The level of education in relation to the U.S. education system, and state that its comparability recommendations follow the general guidelines of the International Education Standard