Summary These (2) vacancies are for FISH AND WILDLIFE BIOLOGISTS, GS- 0401-12 and are located in Sacramento, California in the San Francisco Bay-Delta Fish and Wildlife Office and are supervised by the Assistant Field Supervisor of the Watershed Planning Division. These positions include responsibilities for Spill Response and Natural Resource Damage Assessment and Restoration (NRDAR) in the Pacific Southwest Region, Region 8. Responsibilities As a FISH AND WILDLIFE BIOLOGIST specializing in Spill Response and Natural Resource Damage Assessment and Restoration (NRDAR), the duties will include but are not limited to the following: Reviewing oil spill incidents to evaluate and address impacts to Service trust resources, including, but not limited to threatened, endangered, or at-risk species, migratory birds, and National Wildlife Refuge lands; participating on Area Committees; and providing technical assistance to update Area Contingency Plans and other spill preparedness documents. Managing a diverse suite of ongoing NRDAR cases, serving as the office's lead representative on Trustee Councils. Applying knowledge of natural resource laws and regulations, fish and wildlife biology, restoration ecology, environmental toxicology, chemistry, and risk assessment to protect natural resources following the release of oil or other hazardous substances into the environment, assessing and quantifying natural resource injuries, and developing restoration options. Working as a team member to coordinate multidisciplinary teams, including biologists, solicitors, and natural resource economists within and outside the federal government. These positions are multidisciplinary, relying heavily on expertise in fish and wildlife biology, restoration ecology, ecotoxicology, chemistry, and risk assessment. They also require an understanding of natural resource laws and the ability to work in a collaborative team environment. Requirements Conditions of Employment Qualifications Only experience and education obtained by 10/31/2024 will be considered. In order to qualify for this position you must possess both the Basic Requirement and Minimum Qualification. Basic Requirement: Possess a Bachelor's or higher degree from an accredited college or university in biological sciences, agriculture, natural resource management, chemistry, or related disciplines appropriate to the position; OR Possess a combination of education and experience which includes courses equivalent to a major in the biological sciences (i.e. at least 24 semester hours) as shown above, plus appropriate experience or additional education that is comparable to that normally acquired through the successful completion of a full 4-year course of study in the biological sciences, agriculture, or natural resources management or related disciplines appropriate to the position. Minimum Qualification [GS-12] Possess one year of specialized experience at or equivalent to the GS-11 grade level in the Federal service (obtained in either the public or private sectors). Specialized experience includes: 1.) Evaluating the impact of pollutants/chemicals on fish and wildlife resources and their habitat; 2.) Evaluating and interpreting biological reports, scientific research papers, or environmental assessment/impact statements; 3.) Experience designing, implementing, or managing environmental studies to assess impacts to natural resources following release of oil/chemicals in the environment; 4.) Demonstrated experience with federal environmental laws (or their state counterpart) (e.g. Oil Pollution Act (OPA); Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act (CERCLA); Endangered Species Act (ESA); National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA); or Clean Water Act (CWA)); and 5.) Coordinating with a variety of stakeholders such as Federal and State agencies regarding fish and wildlife, habitat assessment, or restoration. NOTE: Your resume must contain sufficient information in these areas to be found qualified. 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 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: Recognition of Foreign Qualifications | International Affairs Office (ed.gov) Additional Information PCS INFORMATION: -No PCS entitlements authorized Telework: This position is suitable for telework and may be allowed to telework with supervisory approval. 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. Career Transition Assistance Plan (CTAP) or Interagency Career Transition Assistance Plan (ICTAP): Department of Interior (DOI) Career Transition Assistance Plan (CTAP) procedures apply in filling this vacancy. CTAP or ICTAP applicants must be determined to be well-qualified for this position in order to receive special selection priority. To be well-qualified, a CTAP or ICTAP applicant must meet the following: OPM qualification requirements for the position, all selective factors, where applicable; special OPM approved qualifying conditions for the position; is physically qualified with reasonable accommodation, where appropriate, to satisfactorily perform the duties of the position upon entry; and receives a rating of at least 85 on the questionnaire. For more information visit: OPM's Employee Guide to Career Transition Reasonable Accommodation: The USFWS provides reasonable accommodations to applicants with disabilities. Please visit USAJOBS Help Center | Reasonable accommodation policy if you need a reasonable accommodation for any part of the application and hiring process.