BIOLOGICAL SCIENTIST (ENVIRONMENTAL)

Summary

Primary Purpose: GS 09/11:This is a developmental position with known promotion potential to the target position of Biological Scientist, GS-0401-12. Incumbent works closely with the supervisor in performing duties identified in the full performance standard core personnel document/core document that is. GS12: Serves as an Environmental Biological Scientist with project management, executions, and operations responsibility in assigned project(s) within an environmental program element.

Duties

• Provides extensive environmental expertise to manage assigned environmental projects or programs through application of professional knowledge and skill in Biological Scientist practices, processes and techniques. Responsible for executing assigned projects or program element(s), in-house and by contract, to comply with all applicable Federal, state, and local environmental laws and policies. Provides advisory services on specific problems, projects, programs, and functions in assigned program area. Complies with health, safety, and environmental rules and procedures and performs work that enhances the safety of the work environment.

Qualifications

In order to qualify, you must meet the specialized experience requirements described in the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) Qualification Standards for General Schedule Positions, Professional and Scientific Positions. BASIC REQUIREMENT OR INDIVIDUAL OCCUPATIONAL REQUIREMENT: Community Planning Series 0020: Community Planning Series 0020 (opm.gov) General Natural Resources Management and Biological Sciences Series 0401: General Natural Resources Management and Biological Sciences Series 0401 (opm.gov) General Engineering Series 0801: all-professional-engineering-positions-0800.pdf (opm.gov) Environmental Engineering Series 0819: all-professional-engineering-positions-0800.pdf (opm.gov) General Physical Science Series 1301: General Physical Science Series, 1301 (opm.gov) In addition to meeting the basic requirement above, to qualify for this position you must also meet the qualification requirements listed below: SPECIALIZED EXPERIENCE: GS-9: Applicants must have at least one (1) year of specialized experience at the next lower grade GS-7, or equivalent in other pay systems. Examples of specialized experience includes experience of environmental concepts and principles as well as the ability to apply standard environmental professional practices, methods, and techniques to perform relatively difficult but well precedented assignments. Experience of applicable Federal, State, and local environmental laws, regulations, or integration principles and practices, and other guidance to make recommendations concerning assigned restoration, compliance, conservation, pollution prevention projects. Ability to search technical reports, manufacturers' catalogs, and other guidelines and publications to obtain information, prepare reports, and perform moderately difficult assignments. Experience of environmental disciplines to be aware of ramifications of their findings and actions inherent in assigned environmental projects, studies, and programs. Ability to make selections and adaptations of environmental applications and alternatives and, after review by the supervisor or higher-grade engineer, carry out the assignment. (NOTE: Your resume must support the response you select.) OR EDUCATION: Master's or equivalent graduate degree or 2 full years of progressively higher-level graduate education leading to such a degree which demonstrates the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to do the work of the position. NOTE: You must submit a copy of transcripts. OR COMBINATION OF EXPERIENCE AND EDUCATION: A combination of education and experience may be used to qualify for this position as long as the computed percentage of the requirements is at least 100%. NOTE: You must submit a copy of transcripts. GS-11: Applicants must have at least one (1) year of specialized experience at the next lower grade GS-9, or equivalent in other pay systems. Examples of specialized experience includes experience of a wide range of environmental duties; and the skill to modify standard practices and adapt equipment or techniques to solve a variety of problems; adapt precedents or make significant departures from previous approaches to similar projects to provide for the specialized requirements of projects; and apply standard practices of related disciplines as they relate to environmental functions. Experience with applicable Federal, State, and local environmental laws, regulations, or integration principles and practices, and other guidance to make decisions and recommendations concerning assigned restoration, compliance, conservation, pollution prevention projects. Experience of environmental disciplines to be aware of ramifications of their findings and actions inherent in assigned environmental projects, studies, and programs. Ability to plan, develop, coordinate, and monitor environmental facilities or projects so as to assure compliance with applicable objectives, standards, and requirements. (NOTE: Your resume must support the response you select.) OR EDUCATION: Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree or 3 full years of progressively higher-level graduate education leading to such a degree or related disciplines which demonstrates the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to do the work of the position. NOTE: You must submit a copy of transcripts. OR COMBINATION OF EXPERIENCE AND EDUCATION: A combination of education and experience may be used to qualify for this position as long as the computed percentage of the requirements is at least 100%. NOTE: You must submit a copy of transcripts. GS-12: Applicants must have at least one (1) year of specialized experience at the next lower grade GS-11, or equivalent in other pay systems. Examples of specialized experience includes experience with a wide range of environmental duties; and the skill to modify standard practices and adapt equipment or techniques to solve a variety of problems; adapt precedents or make significant departures from previous approaches to similar projects to provide for the specialized requirements of projects; and apply standard practices of related disciplines as they relate to environmental functions. Experience with Federal, State, and local environmental laws, regulations, or integration principles and practices, and other guidance to make decisions and recommendations concerning assigned restoration, compliance, conservation, pollution prevention, and/or integration principles and practices. Experience of environmental disciplines to be aware of ramifications of their findings and actions inherent in assigned environmental projects, studies, and programs. Ability to plan, develop, coordinate, and monitor environmental facilities or projects so as to assure compliance with applicable objectives, standards, and requirements. Ability to research, gather information, and prepare the planning, programming, and budgeting system (PPBS) documentation in support of assigned programs. Ability to serve as an environmental technical advisor in executing assigned projects to the Environmental Protection Committee and serves as a support member on other applicable boards and committees. Ability to prepare contract specifications, statements of work, government cost estimates and contract supporting documentation in support of acquisition of equipment and services for assigned programs. FEDERAL TIME-IN-GRADE (TIG) REQUIREMENT FOR GENERAL SCHEDULE (GS) POSITIONS: Merit promotion applicants must meet applicable time-in­-grade requirements to be considered eligible. One year at the GS-7 level is required to meet the time-in-grade requirements for the GS-9 level. One year at the GS-9 level is required to meet the time-in-grade requirements for the GS-11 level. One year at the GS-11 level is required to meet the time-in-grade requirements for the GS-12 level. TIG applies if you are in a current GS position or held a GS position within the previous 52 weeks. NOTE: Applicants applying as VEOA candidates who are current GS civil service employees or are prior GS civil service employees within the past 52 weeks must also meet time-in-grade requirements. See EDUCATION Section for KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES (KSAs)

Education

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES (KSAs): Your qualifications will be evaluated on the basis of your level of knowledge, skills, abilities and/or competencies in the following areas: GS-09/11: 1. Knowledge of basic principles of the classified titled or related field. 2. Skill in communicating factual and procedural information clearly, orally and in writing. 3. Ability to learn basic techniques of the classified title. 4. Ability to analyze problems to identify significant factors, gather pertinent data, and recognize solutions. 5. Ability to plan and organize work and consult effectively with co-workers. GS-12: 1. Knowledge of professional environmental principles, practices, techniques, and procedures to effectively perform project development, execution, training, and advisory services in assigned projects or program(s). 2. Knowledge to troubleshoot environmental problems requiring investigation of unsanitary or questionable conditions in assigned projects or program(s). 3. Knowledge of applicable Federal, State, and local laws, regulations, integration principles and practices, and other guidance to make decisions and recommendations concerning assigned restoration, compliance, conservation, pollution prevention, and/or integration principles and practices; and health, safety, and security practices. 4. Skill to integrate an interdisciplinary team of professionals to include attorneys, public health specialists, public affairs specialists, biological scientists, environmental engineers, physical scientists, general engineers, community planners, regulators, other governmental officials, and community groups. 5. Ability to communicate effectively, both orally and in writing, clearly, concisely, and with technical accuracy, and establish effective working relationships with others. IF USING EDUCATION TO QUALIFY: If position has a positive degree requirement or education forms the basis for qualifications, you MUST submit transcripts with the application. Official transcripts are not required at the time of application; however, if position has a positive degree requirement, qualifying based on education alone or in combination with experience, transcripts must be verified prior to appointment. An accrediting institution recognized by the U.S. Department of Education must accredit education. Click here to check accreditation. FOREIGN EDUCATION: Education completed in foreign colleges or universities may be used to meet the requirements. You must show proof the education credentials have been deemed to be at least equivalent to that gained in conventional U.S. education program. It is your responsibility to provide such evidence when applying. PART-TIME OR UNPAID EXPERIENCE: Credit will be given for appropriate unpaid and or part-time work. You must clearly identify the duties and responsibilities in each position held and the total number of hours per week. VOLUNTEER WORK EXPERIENCE: Refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service Programs (i.e., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizations (e.g., professional; philanthropic; religious; spiritual; community; student and social). Volunteer work helps build critical competencies, knowledge and skills that can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience.

How to apply

The complete Application Package must be submitted by 11:59 PM (ET) on 09/18/2026 To preview the Application Questionnaire, please click the following link: https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/13051168 To begin the process, click the Apply Online button to create an account or log in to your existing USAJOBS account. Follow the prompts to complete the application questionnaire. Please ensure you click the Submit My Application button at the end of the process. To apply for this position, you must provide a complete Application Package which includes: 1. Your Resume. If you submit more than one resume, only the most recent will be reviewed. The "most recent" is considered the resume with the latest timestamp. Resumes may not exceed two pages. The two-page resume ensures the most relevant experience is reviewed and considered, which is a common practice in both the public and private sectors. Resumes exceeding two pages will be removed from consideration. Additional information on how to complete or update your resume may be located here. For qualification determination your resume must contain hours worked per week and dates of employment (i.e., month/year to month/year or month/year to present). If your resume does not contain this information, your application may be marked as insufficient, and you will not receive consideration for this position. If you are a current Federal employee or previous Federal employee, provide your pay plan, series and grade, i.e. GS-0301-09. Current Federal Civilian Employees may list any relevant performance related rating (given within the last three years) and/or incentive awards in your resume. Do NOT include photographs, inappropriate material, inappropriate content, nor personal information such as age, gender, religion, social security number, etc., on your resume. If the resume you submit contains such information you will not be considered for this vacancy. Your name, first and last, MUST be included on your resume. 2. A complete Application Questionnaire 3. Additional Required Documents (see Required Documents section). Ensure all submitted documents contain your full name. 4. Help recruiters find you. Make your resume and profile searchable, which means recruiters may contact you about possible jobs. Additional information may be located here. PLEASE NOTE: It is the applicant's responsibility to verify that information entered and/or uploaded, (i.e., resume) is received, accurate, and submitted by the closing date. You may verify your documents have been processed with your application package successfully. You can access your USAJOBS account to do so by clicking here. Uploaded documents may take up to one hour to clear the virus scan. Human Resources WILL NOT modify or change any answers submitted by an applicant.