Duties

The Pathways Recent Graduate Program is for recently graduated or graduating individuals who are looking for developmental experiences in the Federal Government intended to promote possible careers in the civil service. Recent Graduates will serve on this appointment for one year. During the first year the selectee will perform developmental activities designed to help them acquire the competencies of the target position in which they may be placed upon completion of the program. Participants who successfully complete the Recent College 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. For more information on the Pathways Recent Graduate Program, please visit.

As an Ecologist your duties may include, but are not limited to, the following:

Serves as a technical advisor for ecology and monitoring for the assigned Refuges.
Performs data collection and data entry and carries out quality control checks on data collection and entry performed by others.
Monitors and assists in assessing impacts to wildlife and habitat, vegetation removal, and natural disasters.
Participates in habitat management by assisting with fuel treatment planning and implementation.
Ensures all communication - written, oral, visual, and signed, is non-discriminatory and sensitive to all employees and the public.

Requirements

Conditions of Employment

Must be a U.S. Citizen or National
Resume (See "Required Documents"). Failure to provide ALL required information on your resume will result in loss of consideration due to an incomplete application package. It is your responsibility to ensure all information is provided on resume.
Eligibility and Supporting documents - You will ONLY be considered for the eligibilities that you select "yes" to AND submit the required supporting documentation, as listed in the Required Documents section.
Suitability for employment, as determined by background investigation
Must meet Pathways eligibility requirements
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.
Males born after 12-31-59 must be registered for Selective Service
Incumbent MUST be in good physical condition in order to safely perform under field conditions.

Qualifications

Only experience and education obtained by 09/16/2024 will be considered.

OPM's Qualification standard: Applicants meet the following eligibility requirement, and provide documentation such as a copy of your official transcript and/or veteran's documentation by the closing date of the announcement to be considered:

In order to qualify for this position you must possess both the Basic Requirement and the Minimum Qualification.

Basic Requirement

Degree: biology, or a related field of science underlying ecological research that included at least 30 semester hours in basic and applied biological sciences. These hours must have included at least 9 semester hours in ecology, and 12 semester hours in physical and mathematical sciences. OR
A combination of education and experience: Courses equivalent to a major or at least 30 semester hours in basic and applied biological sciences. These hours must have included at least 9 semester hours in ecology, and 12 semester hours in physical and mathematical sciences, plus appropriate experience or additional education. The quality of the combination must demonstrate that you possess the knowledge, skills, and abilities required to perform the work of the position and is comparable to that normally acquired through the completion of a full four-year course of study with a major as described above.

Minimum Qualification (GS-09)

One year of specialized experience comparable in scope and responsibility equivalent to at least the GS-7 grade-level in the Federal service. Specialized Experience may include: 1) Assisting in compiling, analyzing, and interpreting of ecological data using current and appropriate GIS and statistical modeling techniques; 2) Developing sampling designs for ecological surveys and monitoring efforts; 3) Utilizing LiDAR technologies to quantify vegetation and fuels conditions in natural ecosystems; 4) Conducting field sampling operations and data collection. OR
2 years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to a master's degree or master's or equivalent graduate degree in a discipline related to the position. OR
A combination of education and experience as described in 1 and 2 above which together equals 100% of the requirement.

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.

(NOTE: You must attach a copy of your transcripts. Failure to submit transcripts will result in an ineligible rating.)

Education

PROOF OF EDUCATION: All applicants 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. Failure to submit transcripts will result in an ineligible rating. 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:

Additional information

Education Status: Completed all requirements for an associates, bachelors, masters, professional, doctorate, vocational, or technical degree or certificate from a qualifying educational institution within the previous two (2) years; or individuals who, due to military service obligation, were precluded from applying to the Recent Graduates Program during any portion of the 2-year eligibility period described above shall have a full 2-year period of eligibility upon release or discharge from active duty. This eligibility period cannot extend more than 6 years from the date on which the requirements for the academic course of study were met.

Recent Graduate appointments may not exceed two years. Recent Graduates who satisfactorily complete all the Program requirements may be non-competitively converted to a Term or Permanent appointment in the competitive service. Conversion is not guaranteed. Recent Graduates converted to Term appointments may later be non-competitively converted to a Permanent competitive service position.

To register or verify your registration go to the Selective Service System at:

Telework

This position is suitable for telework and may be allowed to telework with supervisory approval.

Salary will be based upon duty station and locality pay once selected. Locality tables may be found at:

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.

A PCS move is not authorized.

Reasonable Accommodation: The USFWS provides reasonable accommodations to applicants with disabilities. Please visit.

Cost of Living Allowance: In addition to the yearly salary, this position may be entitled to a cost-of-living allowance (COLA).This allowance is subject to annual review, adjustment, and rate decrease.

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.

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.#J-18808-Ljbffr

U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS)

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