SUPERVISORY BIOLOGIST

Summary

This position is a Supervisory Biologist, GS- 0401-13 working in Arcata, CA, for the R8-Arcata Fish and Wildlife.

Duties

• As a SUPERVISORY BIOLOGIST your duties will include but are not limited to the following: Provides administrative, scientific, and technical leadership for a large, complex scientific program/project. Manages the formulation of program objectives, priorities, and techniques. Provides long range resource planning, program direction, coordination, and evaluation. Lead the development of overall program goals, objectives, policies and strategies necessary to direct the program. Evaluates and monitors the program's accomplishments against stated goals and objectives. Monitors and coordinates with partners. As needed, directs, and oversees program and field work/activities such as monitoring, inventory, surveys, invasive species monitoring and control, research, impacts of point and non-point pollution, restoration, project reviews, and other related field activities. When required, provides on the ground support and assistance, and arranges for or directs additional monitoring efforts designed to gather specific information that supports the FWS and program position or the development of strategies for achieving targets and goals. Coordinates field activities with local governments and other public and private entities to minimize conflicts with subsistence, commercial, and recreational activities. Conducts public meetings for coordination and information exchange, and presentation and interpretation of project. Reviews or prepares or performs senior scientific reviews of materials in their areas of expertise. May develop training materials or training vehicles needed to convey changes or revisions to policy, guidance or data standards to Service personnel. Develops budget proposals and other documents including the FWS budget estimates and submittals, OMB budget estimates, and the President's budget justification. As appropriate, makes funding allocation recommendations for high-priority projects within the assigned program area and associated Headquarters, Regional and/or field offices. Assists in the execution of the program/project allocations including tracking budgets and expenditures to ensure they are in line with allocations. Conducts budget reviews, including direct/indirect cost analysis, and negotiates changes as appropriate. Works closely with appropriate FWS staff to ensure compliance with any constraints concerning source, timing, delivery, and amounts of appropriated funds. Responds to Congressional inquiries and actions relative to budget development and execution, and program/project implementation. Monitors and oversees the financial tracking systems to document and report on projects, funding needs, and work accomplishments. Coordinates the preparation, review, and distribution of program and project reports as needed, including annual reports, and special reporting requirements or requests to meet GPRA, OMB and HQ needs. Provides administrative and technical supervision necessary to accomplish the work. Plans the work to be accomplished, assigns work to employees, and establishes production or quality standards for the work. Sets priorities and prepares schedules for completion of work. Establishes and communicates guidelines and performance expectations for employees. Conducts formal performance reviews. Identifies and provides for the developmental and training needs of employees. Approves leave and certifies time and attendance, and interviews candidates for positions. Hears and resolves informal complaints and grievances, effects minor disciplinary measures, and recommends action in more serious cases. Provides advice and counsel to employees on both work and administrative matters. Develops and mentors employees to help them be successful in their position and grow in their career.

Qualifications

Only experience and education obtained by 09/10/2026 will be considered. In order to qualify for this position you must possess both the Basic Requirement and Minimum Qualification. Basic Requirement: Degree: Possess a degree in biological sciences, agriculture, natural resource management, chemistry, or related disciplines appropriate to the position. OR Combination of education and experience: Courses equivalent to a major in biological sciences, agriculture, natural resource management, chemistry, or related disciplines appropriate to the position, plus appropriate experience or additional education. -AND- Minimum Qualification [GS-13] One year of specialized experience comparable in scope and responsibility equivalent to grade GS-12 in the Federal service. Specialized experience may include: (1) leading, planning, developing, coordinating, and implementing fisheries projects or studies; (2) providing administrative, scientific, and technical leadership for a scientific program or project, including supervising or managing a staff of biological or natural resource professionals; (3) managing short- and long-term projects and assignments, including development of project timelines and implementation of projects according to schedules; (4) applying knowledge of appropriate Federal statutes and regulations to fish and wildlife conservation; and/or (5) coordinating activities with internal and external stakeholders to achieve fish and wildlife conservation objections. 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.

Requirements

Must provide proof of U.S. citizenship. Appointment subject to background investigation and favorable adjudication. Males born after 12-31-59 must be registered for Selective Service. Direct Deposit participation required. Successfully pass the E-Verify employment verification check. To learn more, visit https://www.e-verify.gov/. Must possess and maintain a valid driver's license throughout employment. As a condition of employment for accepting this position, you may be required to serve a 1-year probationary period to evaluate your fitness and whether your continuation of employment advances the public interest. This probationary period is an extension of the appointment process and therefore requires the agency to determine if continued employment would advance the public interest, meet the organization goals and mission of the agency, and/or otherwise promote the efficiency of the service. In determining if your employment advances the public interest, the agency will consider: your performance and conduct; the needs and interests of the agency; whether your continued employment would advance organizational goals of the agency or the Government; and whether your continued employment would advance the efficiency of the Federal service. Under applicable law, the employment of an individual serving a probationary or trial period automatically terminates when that period ends unless the agency affirmatively certifies, in writing, that the individual's employment should continue and that their appointment should be finalized. In the absence of agency action to affirmatively certify continued employment beyond the probationary or trial period, such appointments are terminated. Upon completion of your probationary period your employment will be terminated unless you receive certification, in writing, that your continued employment advances the public interest. This is a supervisory position that may require completion of a supervisory probationary period.

Education

This position has a mandatory education requirement. 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 programs and such education has been deemed equivalent to that gained in an accredited U.S. education program; or full credit has been given for the courses at a U.S. accredited college or university. For further information, visit: Recognition of Foreign Qualifications | International Affairs Office (ed.gov).

How to apply

Review the appointment eligibility criteria in the application preview linked below. The eligibility section of the application allows you to choose how you wish to be considered for this vacancy announcement. 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 or the application text. You may qualify for more than one eligibility, so please choose carefully. If you respond that you do not meet any of the eligibility criteria, you will not be considered for this position under this announcement. To apply for this position, you must provide a complete Application Package. See required documents section. Click 'Apply' to create an account or log in to your existing USAJOBS account. Click the Apply Online button. Answer the questions presented in the application and attach all necessary supporting documentation. To PREVIEW the application questionnaire, select the following link: https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/13047505 Click the Submit Application button prior to 11:59 PM (ET) on the announcement closing date. If you are required to complete any USA Hire Assessments, you will be notified after submitting your application. The notification will be provided in your application submission screen and via email. The notification will include your unique assessment access link to the USA Hire system and the completion deadline. Additionally, in USAJOBS you can click "Track this application" to return to your assessment completion notice. Access USA Hire using your unique assessment link. Access is granted through your USAJOBS login credentials. Review all instructions prior to beginning your assessments. You will have the opportunity to request a testing accommodation before beginning the assessments should you have a disability covered under the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 as amended. Set aside at least 3 hours to take the USA Hire Assessments; however, most applicants complete the assessments in less time. If you need to stop the assessments and continue later, you can re-use your unique assessment link. Your responses to the USA Hire Assessments will be reused for one year (in most cases) from the date you complete an assessment. If future applications you submit require completion of the same assessments, your responses will be automatically reused. Visit the USA Hire Applicant Resource Center for practice assessments and assessment preparation resources at https://support-usahire.opm.gov/hc/en-us. Applicants who apply under this job opportunity announcement agree to have their application, associated documents and applicable personal information shared with other Bureaus/Offices within the Department of the Interior (DOI) who have vacancies within the same occupational series, grade, full performance level and in the same geographic location(s), including within the same metro/commuting area. Applying to this announcement does not replace the need to apply to other job opportunity announcements for which you wish to receive consideration. To update your application, including supporting documentation: During the announcement open period, return to your USAJOBS account, find your application record, and click Edit my application. This option will no longer be available once the announcement has closed. To view the announcement status or your application status, visit https://help.usajobs.gov/how-to/application/status. If you are unable to apply online, you must request an alternative application which is available from the Human Resources Office. Please contact the Human Resources Office via email at [email protected].