This job originated on www.usajobs.gov. For the full announcement and to apply, visit www.usajobs.gov/job/506520700. Only resumes submitted according to the instructions on the job announcement listed at www.usajobs.gov will be considered.
General Information
Salary: $81,548 (Step 01) to $106,012 (Step 10); NOTE: First time hires to the Federal Government are typically hired at the Step 01.
There is one vacancy; however, this announcement may be used to fill additional vacancies if they become available.
08/01/2018 to 09/12/2018
$81,548 - $106,012 per year
GS 12
No
Occasional travel - Overnight travel of 1 to 5 nights per month may be required.
No
Term - This is an Excepted Appointment Not-to-Exceed 2 Years
Full-Time
Excepted
12
No
No
RES-2018-0302
506520700
Open to all qualified candidates. Because this Mendenhall Postdoctoral Research Fellowship is a U.S. Government position, preference must be given to U.S. citizens. Citizens of other nations may be considered under certain circumstances, i.e., when there are no qualified U.S. citizen applicants available. In those instances, the USGS may consider making an offer to a non-citizen provided applicable laws and regulations are followed.
Mendenhall Research Fellowship - Research Opportunity # S29. Developing principles and practices for species assessments to inform endangered species determinations, particularly for multiple species assessments
Endangered species determinations require reliable scientific analyses to assess species risk of extinction (Carroll et al. 1996, Doremus and Tarlock 2005, Waples et al. 2015, Murphy and Weiland 2016). Recently, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) has adopted the species status assessment (SSA) process that results in a scientific analysis to be used in endangered species decisions (McGowan et al. 2017, Smith et al. 2018). The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) is collaborating with USFWS to improve scientific input to SSAs to work towards more accurate decisions about species status and more effective conservation efforts.
The SSA process includes three sequential tasks: description of species ecology, estimation of current condition, and forecast of future condition. The SSA incorporates predictive modeling, species distribution modeling, population genetics, scenario analysis, formal expert elicitation, and decision analysis. Often the bottleneck in an SSA is the science required for estimation and forecasting.
Improving efficiency of the SSA process, while maintaining accuracy, is needed given the high number of petitioned species and recovery plans to be updated. The research is expected to result in widely-distributed guidance and publications on achieving accurate and efficient species assessments.
Proposed Duty Station: Kearneysville, West Virginia
Areas of Ph.D.: Conservation biology, population ecology, community ecology, biology, quantitative ecology (candidates holding a Ph.D. in other disciplines but with knowledge and skills relevant to the Research Opportunity may be considered).
Qualifications: Applicants must meet one of the following qualifications: Research Biologist, Research Ecologist, Research Wildlife Biologist, Research Fish Biologist, Research Statistician (Biology)
(This type of research is performed by those who have backgrounds for the occupations stated above. However, other titles may be applicable depending on the applicant's background, education, and research proposal. The final classification of the position will be made by the Human Resources Specialist.)
http://geology.usgs.gov/postdoc/opps/qualifications.html
Physical/Environmental Demands: Work is usually performed in an office setting. The work area normally involves everyday risks or discomforts that require normal safety precautions typical of offices or meeting and training rooms.
Are There Any Special Requirements For This Position?
The Mendenhall Research Fellowship Program provides an opportunity for postdoctoral fellows to conduct concentrated research in association with selected members of the USGS professional staff, often as a final element to their formal career preparation. The Program is also intended to provide research experiences that enhance their personal scientific stature and credentials. The Mendenhall Program is envisioned to bring current scientific expertise to assist in the implementation of the USGS Strategic Plan and the science strategy of its programs (refer to http://pubs.usgs.gov/circ/2007/1309/,http://www.usgs.gov/start_with_science/). Mendenhall Fellows are expected to publish their results in peer-reviewed scientific outlets.
In order to be considered for these opportunities, candidates must:
(1) have successfully completed a Ph.D. in a field related to the described Research Opportunity; the Ph.D. degree requirements must have been met no earlier than August 1, 2013 (5 years before the announcement opening date), and must be completed by the time employment starts;
(2) meet the qualification requirements described in the Research Opportunity. The research proposal submitted must demonstrate that the applicant is equipped with the knowledge, skills, and abilities to successfully perform the duties for the specific Research Opportunity.
Executive Order 11935, only United States citizens and nationals (residents of American Samoa and Swains Island) may compete for civil service jobs. An agency is permitted to hire non-citizens only in very limited circumstances where there are no qualified citizens available for the position, and meets the appropriation and immigration laws. Please contact the appropriate regional Personnel Office for questions about eligibility and further assistance. https://www.usajobs.gov/Help/working-in-government/non-citizens/
Foreign Education. You must provide proof, if the foreign education determines your qualifications for the position. Education completed in foreign colleges or universities may be used to meet Federal qualification requirements if the applicant can show that the foreign education is comparable to education received in accredited educational institutions in the United States. It is the applicant's responsibility to provide such evidence when applying for Federal jobs. If selected, you will be required to provide official proof that such education has been deemed at least equivalent to that gained in conventional U.S. education program. For more information on how foreign education is evaluated, visit: http://www.usgs.gov/ohr/oars/quals/foreign.html.
You must meet all eligibility requirements for the position by the closing date of the announcement.
A career with the U.S. government provides employees with a comprehensive benefits package. As a federal employee, you and your family will have access to a range of benefits that are designed to make your federal career very rewarding. Opens in a new windowLearn more about federal benefits.
Eligibility for benefits depends on the type of position you hold and whether your position is full-time, part-time or intermittent. Contact the hiring agency for more information on the specific benefits offered.
You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.
A career with the U.S. government provides employees with a comprehensive benefits package. As a federal employee, you and your family will have access to a range of benefits that are designed to make your federal career very rewarding. Opens in a new windowLearn more about federal benefits.
Eligibility for benefits depends on the type of position you hold and whether your position is full-time, part-time or intermittent. Contact the hiring agency for more information on the specific benefits offered.
As a new or existing federal employee, you and your family may have access to a range of benefits. Your benefits depend on the type of position you have - whether you're a permanent, part-time, temporary or an intermittent employee. You may be eligible for the following benefits, however, check with your agency to make sure you're eligible under their policies.
Applicants are to submit the following for each individual Research Opportunity for which they are applying.
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.
If an applicant is chosen for an opportunity and meets the qualification requirements, the Human Resources Office will contact the applicant and make a firm job offer.
The Federal hiring process is set up to be fair and transparent. Please read the following guidance.
Applicants are to submit the following for each individual Research Opportunity for which they are applying.
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.
If an applicant is chosen for an opportunity and meets the qualification requirements, the Human Resources Office will contact the applicant and make a firm job offer.
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/506520700. Only resumes submitted according to the instructions on the job announcement listed at www.usajobs.gov will be considered.
Learn more about