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Wildlife Inspector

Department of the Interior
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
This job announcement has closed

Summary

This position is part of the Chief-Office of Law Enforcement. As a Wildlife Inspector you will be responsible for the nations front-line defense against illegal wildlife trade. Provide day-to-day monitoring of wildlife imports and exports facilitate legal trade and helps detect and deter illegal wildlife trafficking.

This position is being filled under the Pathways Recent Graduates Program that affords developmental experiences in the Federal Government intended to promote possible careers in the civil service to individuals who have recently graduated from qualifying educational institutions or programs. Recent graduates who have completed, within the previous two years, a qualifying associates, bachelors, masters, professional, doctorate, vocational or technical degree or certificate from a qualifying educational institution. Students may apply within one (1) month of meeting their education requirements.
This position is being filled at the GS-5/7 with a full performance level ____. The Recent Graduates Program lasts for one year. During the first year the selectee will perform developmental activities designed to help him/her acquire the competencies of the target position in which the he/she may be placed upon completion of the program. Participants who successfully complete the Recent Graduates Program may be eligible for conversion to the target position on a permanent or term (more than one to four years in duration) basis without further competition.

Preference eligible veterans who were precluded from applying due to their military service obligation begin their two-year eligibility period upon release or discharge from active duty. Eligibility for these veterans cannot exceed six years after degree or certificate completion.

Salary Range for Duty Stations:
Chicago, IL: 36,896 - 59,412
Memphis, TN: 33,394 - 53,773
Champlain, NY: 33,394 - 53,773
Valley Stream, NY: 38,245 - 61,584
Elizabeth, NJ: 38,245 - 61,584
Pembina, ND: 33,294 - 53,773

Overview

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Hiring complete
Open & closing dates
03/09/2018 to 03/19/2018
Salary
$28,945 to - $46,609 per year
Pay scale & grade
GS 5 - 7
Locations
Chicago, IL
1 vacancy
Pembina, ND
1 vacancy
Elizabeth, NJ
2 vacancies
Champlain, NY
1 vacancy
Travel Required
25% or less - You may be expected to travel for this position.
Relocation expenses reimbursed
No
Appointment type
Permanent
Work schedule
Full-Time
Service
Promotion potential
11
Supervisory status
No
Announcement number
R9-18-10152813-JH
Control number
493363600

Duties

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  • This position is assigned routine aspects of investigation/compliance cases, primarily for developmental purposes. During the incumbent?s initial training, receives detailed instructions with assignments at the beginning of the training period.
  • Receives in-depth training in the application of risk targeting profiles and integrating a variety of data and human intelligence in order to determine the level of scrutiny required in a particular situation.
  • Under close guidance, performs inspection and compliance activities particularly for a wide range of transactions, special and unique conditions, and where there is a high risk of smuggling, fraud, and hostile incidents.
  • Under close guidance, the incumbent examines shipping containers and other transport mechanisms and related documents to ensure compliance with all pertinent laws and regulations.
  • Prepares correspondence, documents, and reports related to inspection duties.
  • Consults with other inspectors, other Federal agencies, travelers, and business representatives on procedures and requirements and resolves problems

Requirements

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Conditions of employment

  • Must be a U.S. Citizen or National
  • Males born after 12-31-59 must be registered for Selective Service
  • Resume and supporting documents (See How To Apply)
  • Suitability for employment, as determined by background investigation
  • Complete the initial online assessment and USAHire Assessment, if required
  • Must meet Pathways eligibility requirements
  • Selectee will be required to sign a Pathways Agreement form
  • Valid State Driver's license is required.
  • Required to wear U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service uniform.
  • Drug testing is required
  • May be required to work shift work and/or perform 24-hour on-call duty.
  • Must meet the eligibility requirements for the Recent Graduate Program. Recent Graduates will enter a formal training program with a mentor and execute an Individual Development Plan outlining training requirements and program expectations.
  • Recent Graduates must receive at least 40 hours of formal training directly linked to their employment field.
  • Recent Graduates serve a trial period for the duration of their excepted service appointment.
  • Recent Graduates will be required to sign a Pathways Recent Graduate Participant Agreement.
  • Applicants must provide documentation of completion within the previous 2 years of a qualifying associates, bachelors, masters, professional, doctorate, degree or certificate from a qualifying educational institution.

Qualifications

You may qualify at the GS-05 level, if you fulfill one of the following qualification requirements:

  1. 4 academic years above high school leading to a bachelor's degree or bachelor's degree; OR
  2. At least 3 years of progressively responsible general experience, 1 year of which was equivalent to at least the GS-04 level in Federal service, that demonstrates the ability to ability to perform investigative work, analyze problems and identify significant factors, gather pertinent data and recognize solutions, plan and organize work and communicate effectively orally and in writing. ; OR
  3. A combination of education and experience as listed above.
Only experience and education obtained by 03/19/2018 will be considered.

You may qualify at the GS-07 level, if you fulfill one of the following qualification requirements:

A. Completion of a 4-year course of study leading to a bachelor's degree in a field of study that demonstrates the competencies required by this position with either (1) a grade point average (GPA) of
3.0 based on a 4.0 scale; (2) a 3.5 GPA based on a 4.0 scale for all required courses completed in a qualifying major field of study at either the time of application or during the last two years of your undergraduate curriculum; (3) class standing of upper third of the graduating class in the college, university, or a major subdivision of the college; or, (4) membership in a National Scholastic Honor Society certified by the Association of College Honor Societies, excluding freshman honor societies; OR
B. One full year of graduate level education in an accredited or pre-accredited college or university in one of the following related fields of biology, zoology, law or another closely related field that provides you with the knowledge, skills, and abilities to do the work of the position. The education must demonstrate the competencies necessary to do the work of the position; OR
C. One year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-05 grade level in the Federal service that demonstrates your ability to
experience that demonstrates performing developmental assignments and assisting senior personnel in the analysis of routine investigation compliance cases, assisting with inspection, identification of wildlife, wildlife parts and products, using a variety of automated systems and equipment, applying concepts, principles, practices, and procedures of wildlife importation and exportation; OR
D. A combination of education and experience as listed above.
  1. This position involves a multi-grade career ladder. The major duties listed represent the full performance level of GS-5/7. 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-5/7. 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.


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: http://www.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ous/international/usnei/us/edlite-visitus-forrecog.html

Additional information

To register or verify your registration go to the Selective Service System at https://www.sss.gov/Home/Verification

Conditions of Employment:

  • Require to obtain and wear an official U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service uniform.
  • Must be able to operate a government-owned or leased motor vehicle. A valid state driver's license is required..
  • THIS IS A DRUG TESTING DESIGNATED POSITION: Applicant(s) tentatively selected for this position will be required prior to appointment to submit to urinalysis to screen for illegal drug use. As a condition of continued employment in this position, incumbent(s) will be subject to random testing for illegal drug use.
  • This position sensitivity level has been designated as critical sensitive. The selectee must undergo a Single Scope Background Investigation (SSBI) prior to appointment.
  • The employee selected may be required to work a non-standard tour of duty that may include weekends, holidays, and night shifts.
FWS has determined that the duties of this position are suitable for telework and the selectee may be allowed to telework with supervisor approval.

We may use this announcement to fill additional vacancies within 90 days of 03/19/2018; OR More than one position may be filled from applications received under this announcement in the advertised office or other U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service offices in the local commuting area.

Relocation expenses are not authorized.
Reasonable Accommodation Requests: If you believe you have a disability (i.e., physical or mental), covered by the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 as amended and Americans with Disabilities Act 1990 as amended, that would interfere with completing the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments, you will be granted the opportunity to request a reasonable accommodation in your online application. Requests for Reasonable Accommodations for the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments and appropriate supporting documentation for Reasonable Accommodation must be received prior to starting the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments. Decisions on requests for Reasonable Accommodations are made on a case-by-case basis. If you meet the minimum qualifications of the position, after notification of the adjudication of your request, you will receive an email invitation to complete the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments. You must complete all assessments within 48 hours of receiving the URL to access the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments, if you received the link after the close of the announcement. To determine if you need a Reasonable Accommodation, please review the Procedures for Requesting a Reasonable Accommodation for Online Assessments here: https://help.usastaffing.gov/Apply/images/1/14/USA_Hire_Reasonable_Accommodation_FAQs_-_01-26- 17.pdf


How you will be evaluated

You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.

Your qualifications will be evaluated based on your responses to the online assessments completed during the application process. You will be assessed on the following competencies (knowledge, skills, abilities and other characteristics):

  • Knowledge of laws and regulations governing fish and wildlife importation and exportation.
  • Working knowledge of fish and wildlife principles and techniques to identify wildlife, wildlife parts and products.
  • Skill in oral and written communication to educate and inform those concerned with the import/export of wildlife, negotiate the solution to problems, and prepare clear, concise, accurate, and timely reports and presentations.

All qualified candidates will be assigned to a quality category. The category assignment is a measure of the degree in which your background matches the competencies required for this position. The category ratings for this position are:
  • Best Qualified
  • Well Qualified
  • Qualified
The Category Rating Process does not add veterans' preference points or apply the "rule of three" but protects the rights of Veterans by placing them ahead of non-preference eligibles within each quality category. Veterans' preference eligibles who meet the basic qualification requirements and who have a compensable service-connected disability of at least 10 percent will be listed in the highest quality category (except in the case of scientific or professional positions at the GS-09 level or higher).

If you are a veteran with preference eligibility and you are claiming 5-point veterans' preference, you must attach a copy of your DD-214 showing you were honorably discharged. If you are claiming 10-point veterans' preference, you must attach an SF-15," Application for 10-Point Veterans' Preference" in addition to the proof required by that form.
Unranked list: Applicants who meet basic eligibility criteria are listed by veterans' preference category: 10 percent or more compensably-disabled veterans, 10-point preference eligible veterans, 5-point preference eligible veterans and non-preference eligible veterans. Agencies must consider the candidates in the highest preference group first. Agencies cannot select nonpreference eligible veterans until the preference eligible veterans are exhausted or the agency has gone through the proper pass over procedures with respect to the remaining preference eligible veterans
§ 302.302 Examination of applicants.
(a)Eligibility. An evaluation of the qualifications of applicants for positions covered by this part may be conducted at any time before an appointment is made. The evaluation may involve only determination of eligibility or ineligibility or may include qualitative rating of candidates. If the evaluation involves only basic eligibility numerical scores will not be assigned and eligible candidates will be referred in accordance with the procedures described in paragraph (b)(5) of § 302.304.

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