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Explore a new career with the BLM - where our people are our greatest natural resource.
For additional information about the BLM, please visit Our website.
These positions are located in Bakersfield, CA; El Centro, CA; and Palm Springs, CA. Information about these locations and the surrounding areas can be found at:
Bakersfield - The Sound of Something Better
El Centro Chamber of Commerce & Visitors Bureau
Palm Springs Chamber of Commerce
Learn more about this agency03/11/2020 to 03/25/2020
$52,905 - $95,023 per year
GS 09 - 11
Few vacancies in the following locations:
Yes—as determined by the agency policy.
Occasional travel - To attend training, conferences, field visits
No
Permanent
Full-Time
Competitive
11
No
No
CA-DEU-2020-0021
562536700
All U.S. Citizens - Open to the Public; no previous Federal Service is required.
At the GS-09: Assisting in preparing, evaluating and conducting biological analysis of land and water resource projects; working closely with and assisting senior specialist with coordinating and consulting with Tribal, State, special interest groups and other federal agencies; serving on interdisciplinary teams where in collaboration with other specialists writes and reviews biological input to environmental assessments, biological assessments, and development of protective stipulations, and resource management plans; and participating in monitoring wildlife development projects by providing input to interdisciplinary reports, environmental assessments and protective stipulations for threatened and endangered species.
At the GS-11: Reviews the recommendations and data input from the Field/District offices on wildlife issues; works closely with the Lead Wildlife Biologist in the District/State Office on coordination issues with local interest groups, Tribal Councils, and other Federal agencies on matters pertaining to the impact of the application of biological decisions, habitat conservation, and laws and regulations; serves on district level/field level interdisciplinary teams responsible for writing and reviewing multi-field office required biological input to environmental assessments, biological assessments, development of protective stipulations, and resource management plans; and is responsible for identification of impacts to wildlife habitat and Threatened and Endangered species by other resource activities.
Physical Demands: The individual works in an office setting, however, in order to gather samples and complete monitoring activities, the individual frequently may be required to walk or ride vehicles over rough terrain, perform duties that require recurring bending, crouching, stooping, reaching or lifting. Work may also include lifting of moderately heavy items, such as equipment and samples.
Work Environment: Much of the work is performed in an office setting, however, frequent field work is necessary to complete the work involving outdoor exposure. Outdoor exposure involves some discomfort in extremes of temperature or inclement weather. The incumbent may be subjected to hostile wildlife, chemical and physical hazards.
Basic Education Requirement: This position has a basic education requirement which requires you to have a degree in biological science that includes at least 9 semester hours in such wildlife subjects as mammalogy, ornithology, animal ecology, wildlife management, or research courses in the field of wildlife biology; AND at least 12 semester hours in zoology in such subjects as general zoology, invertebrate zoology, vertebrate zoology, comparative anatomy, physiology, genetics, ecology, cellular biology, parasitology, entomology, or research courses in such subjects (Excess courses in wildlife biology may be used to meet the zoology requirements where appropriate.); AND at least 9 semester hours in botany or the related plant sciences; OR a combination of education and experience -- equivalent to a major in biological science (i.e., at least 30 semester hours), with at least 9 semester hours in wildlife subjects, 12 semester hours in zoology, and 9 semester hours in botany or related plant science, as shown above, plus appropriate experience or additional education.
You will need to clearly state your undergraduate/graduate degree(s) and submit your college transcripts or a listing of your college courses that includes hours and grades.
In addition to meeting the basic entry requirement, applicants must have appropriate experience or additional education. In order to be rated as qualified for this position, we must be able to determine that you meet the specialized experience requirement - please be sure to include this information in your resume. To be creditable, this experience must have been equivalent in difficulty and complexity to the next lower grade.
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.
Specialized Experience Requirement:
To qualify at the GS-09: Applicants must have one year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the GS-07 level in wildlife management related work. Specialized experience is defined as experience which includes the application of professional knowledge and competence in wildlife conservation or wildlife management. Examples include: planning and conducting wildlife field inventories & monitoring studies; interpreting data and assisting in preparing wildlife management plans; preparing reports; and recommending habitat management practices; OR two years of graduate education leading to a master?s or equivalent graduate degree in wildlife biology or a directly related field; OR an equivalent combination of the type and level of experience and education described above. Only graduate level education in excess of the first year of may be combined with experience.
To qualify at the GS-11: Applicants must have one year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the GS-09 level in wildlife management related work. Specialized experience is defined as experience which includes the application of professional knowledge and competence in wildlife conservation or wildlife management. Examples include: preparing wildlife portions of environmental assessments, analyzing surface use proposals on Threatened & Endangered Species, planning & conducting wildlife field inventories & monitoring studies, and interpreting data & preparing wildlife management plans; OR three years of graduate education leading to a Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree in wildlife biology or a directly related field; OR an equivalent combination of the type and level of experience and education described above. Only graduate level education in excess of the first two years may be combined with experience.
You must meet all qualification requirements by the closing date of the announcement.
SELECTIVE SERVICE: Male applicants born after December 31, 1959, must certify that they have registered with the Selective Service System, or are exempt from having to do so under the Selective Service Law. To register or verify your registration go to the Selective Service System website.
May require completion of a one year probationary period.
Travel and relocation expenses will not be paid by the Department of the Interior. Any travel, transportation and relocation expenses associated with reporting for duty in this position will be the responsibility of the selected employee.
Career Transition Assistance Plan (CTAP)/Interagency Career Transition Assistance Program (ICTAP): CTAP provides eligible surplus and displaced Federal competitive service employees with selection priority over other candidates for competitive service vacancies. Information about CTAP/ICTAP eligibility is available from OPM's Career Transition Resources website at CTAP or ICTAP. If your agency has notified you in writing that you are a surplus or displaced employee eligible for CTAP consideration or that you are a displaced employee eligible for ICTAP consideration, you may receive selection priority if: 1) This vacancy is within your CTAP/ICTAP eligibility; 2) You apply under the instructions in this announcement; and 3) You are found well qualified for this vacancy. You must provide proof of eligibility with your application to receive selection priority. Such proof may include a copy of your written notification of CTAP/ICTAP eligibility, or a copy of your separation personnel action form. CTAP and ICTAP eligibles will be considered well qualified if they fall within the Well or Best Qualified categories on the rating criteria for this position..
Reemployment Priority List (RPL): The RPL is the mechanism agencies use to give reemployment consideration to their former competitive service employees separated by a RIF or who have fully recovered from a compensable injury after more than one year. If you are currently on a Reemployment Priority List, you may be given priority consideration.
BLM may use certain incentives, currently offered by the Federal government, to attract high quality applicants.
This announcement is being advertised concurrently under Announcement# CA-Merit-2020-0059 for current and former Federal employees serving under a competitive service career or career-conditional appointment or reinstatement eligible. You must apply to each announcement separately if you wish to be considered under both recruitment methods.
The Bureau of Land Management has determined that the duties of this position are suitable for telework and the selectee may be allowed to telework with supervisor approval.
Government facilities are required to provide a smoke free environment for their employees. Smoking will be permitted only in designated areas.
This is a Bargaining Unit position.
You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.
Upon receipt of your complete application package, a review of your application will be made to ensure you meet the basic qualification requirements. Your rating will be based on your responses to the Job Specific Questionnaire and the information stated in your resume. If you meet the qualification requirements, your application will be placed in one of three categories: Best Qualified, Well Qualified, or Qualified. Within these categories, applicants eligible for veteran's preference will receive selection priority over non-veterans. In addition, interviews may be conducted for this position. The interviews may be conducted on a pass/fail basis or may be scored. The job specific questions relate to the following knowledge, skills and abilities required to do the work of this position.
For GS-09 and GS-11:
KSA #1: Knowledge of the theories, principles and concepts related to wildlife biology and the ability to relate the knowledge to other professional bodies of knowledge, such as zoology, animal ecology, and other related fields.
KSA #2: Skill in collaborating with individuals or groups to gain support for the desired outcome.
KSA #3: Knowledge of major policy guidance such as the National Environmental Policy Act, the Threatened and Endangered Species Act, and other related Bureau and Federal issuances in order to adhere to legal perimeters.
KSA #4: Knowledge of wildlife habitat and threatened and endangered species and skill in modifying and adapting standard techniques and processes to overcome significant resource problems.
KSA #5: Knowledge of animal ecology and population dynamics in order to resolve or avoid problems in habitat restoration, construction, and program management issues that may adversely impact certain species.
Resumes must show relevant experience and other information. Your resume must list your education and work experience including the dates (mm/dd/yy) of each employment along with the number of hours worked per week and salary information. Your resume will be used to validate your responses to the assessment tool(s). You are welcome to submit a cover letter (optional). If you wish to do so, include it with your resume.
In addition to the online application (resume and responses to the questionnaire), you are required to submit the following forms:
Copy of Transcripts or a list of college courses that include hours and grades from an accredited U.S. college/university. If your degree is from a Foreign Institution, See Foreign Education
Veterans' Preference: If you are entitled to veterans' preference, you should indicate the level of veterans' preference you are claiming on your resume. Your veterans' preference entitlement will be adjudicated (verified) by the employing agency using the documents you provide.
For more information on which type of preference is applicable please visit VetGuide.
Career Transition Assistance Program (CTAP) or Interagency Career Transition Assistance Program (ICTAP) eligibles: documentation verifying your CTAP/ICTAP eligibility - this includes a copy of the agency notice and your most recent SF-50 noting current position, grade level and duty location.
You may submit your documents either via Auto-Requested Fax or by uploading your documents from your USAJOBS Profile.
Auto-Requested Fax: allows you to submit required documentation that will be electronically displayed along with your resume.
UPLOADING DOCUMENTS: instead of faxing your documents you may use the uploading procedures thru Applicant Manager. Do not use both options.
Hard copy paper supplemental documents, submitted without prior Human Resources approval, will be considered as an incomplete application.
Required documentation must be submitted by 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time, on the closing date of this announcement.
Education must be accredited by an accrediting institution recognized by the U.S. Department of Education in order for it to be credited towards qualifications. Therefore, provide only the attendance and/or degrees from schools accredited by accrediting institutions recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.
Failure to provide all of the required information as stated in this vacancy announcement may result in an ineligible rating or may affect the overall rating.
To receive consideration for this position, you must provide a complete Application Package, which includes ALL of the following items: 1. Your responses to the Assessment Questionnaire; 2. Your resume; and 3. Applicable supporting documents specified in the Required Documents section of this job announcement.
Click on the button "Apply Online" and login to MY USAJOBS.
If you haven't already registered with USAJOBS, the system will require you to create a user name and password, complete a questionnaire and upload, paste or type a resume into USAJOBS.
If you have already registered with USAJOBS and forgot your login information, select the "Did you forget your username and/or password" link from the right side menu.
Your application package must be submitted by 11:59 PM Eastern Time by the closing date of this announcement.
If you need assistance in applying on-line, please contact the HR Office at phardesty@blm.gov. If applying on-line poses a hardship for you (i.e. you do not have access to the internet) you must contact us prior to the closing date of the announcement for an alternative method of applying.
You will be notified of the status of your application as the qualification review process is conducted.
You may also check the status of your application by viewing your MY USAJOBs account.
The Federal hiring process is set up to be fair and transparent. Please read the following guidance.
This job originated on www.usajobs.gov. For the full announcement and to apply, visit www.usajobs.gov/job/562536700. Only resumes submitted according to the instructions on the job announcement listed at www.usajobs.gov will be considered.
Learn more about
BLM is seeking dynamic and energetic individuals to join the team as Wildlife Biologists with the California Desert District and Central California District Offices.
The BLM manages more land - 245 million surface acres - than any other Federal agency. This land, known as the National System of Public Lands, is primarily located in 12 Western States, including Alaska. The BLM, with a budget of about $1 billion, also administers 700 million acres of sub-surface mineral estate throughout the nation. The BLM's multiple-use mission is to sustain the health, diversity, and productivity of the public lands for the use and enjoyment of present and future generations.
