Fish and Wildlife Biologist
What you'd do
You will serve as a Fish and Wildlife Biologist located within the Department of Interior, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Fish and Wildlife Service Region 8, Sacramento Fish and Wildlife Office. GS-07: $55,934-$72,716 per annum GS-09 $68,419 - $88,949 per annum GS-11: $82,780-$107,620 per annum First time hires to the Federal government normally start at the step 1 rate.
Major duties
Some of the major duties you will perform include but are not limited to the following: Evaluates biological data and project operational data to determine the effects on threatened or endangered species through formal and informal consultation procedures. Assesses impacts of federal and private actions on threatened and endangered species and develops draft biological opinions required under Section 7 and reviews habitat conservation plans under Section 10 of the Endangered Species Act (ESA). Recommends ways to minimize or eliminate impacts to listed species, as well as alternatives that will avoid jeopardizing the continued existence of a species or avoid destroying or adversely modifying critical habitat. Maintains and updates files on permits and exemptions issued for activities associated with endangered, threatened, proposed, and candidate species and their habitats. As requested, provides (compiles, collates, coordinates) extracts or summaries of these data for inclusion in such things as project documents, listing or de-listing packages, and budget exercises. Reviews and provides comments on management plans, studies and investigations required for habitat preservation and development work. Prepares reports on progress and completion of studies, uses data to formulate recommendations for future programs and effect improvements in management practices. Interacts with biologists throughout the office's geographic area and with other agencies (Federal, Tribal, and state) that have endangered species programs. Provides technical biological guidance to requestors implementing programs for the conservation and recovery of threatened and endangered species. Provide biological support on a variety of issues relating to the restoration, preservation, and conservation of fish and wildlife and their habitats. Duties will be developmental in nature when filled below the full performance level.
What you need to qualify
Qualifications: All qualifications must be met by the closing date of this announcement-08/13/2026-unless otherwise stated in this vacancy announcement. To receive credit for experience, your resume MUST state either "full-time" (or "40 hours a week") or "part-time" with the number of hours worked per week to ensure proper crediting of specialized experience. Failure to adequately provide information needed to determine number of hours worked in each position may result in that time not being credited when evaluating qualifying experience. For periods of time that reflect military service, the DD-214 or Statement of Service is sufficient to meet the full and/or part-time hours requirement as the service dates will be reflected. This position requires a special qualification that has been determined to be essential to perform the duties and will be used as a screen out element. If you do not provide evidence that you possess the following selective factor(s), you will be rated not qualified. In order to qualify for this position you must possess both the Basic Requirement and Minimum Qualification. Basic Requirement: Degree: Successful completion of a full 4-year course of study in an accredited college or university leading to a bachelor's or higher degree that included a major field of study in biological sciences, agriculture, natural resource management, chemistry, or related disciplines appropriate to the position. You must submit transcripts. OR Combination of education and experience: course work as shown in A above, plus appropriate experience or additional education. AND Minimum Qualification [GS-11] One year of specialized experience comparable in scope and responsibility equivalent to grade GS-09 in the Federal service. Experience includes 1) conducting complex biological or ecological investigations to determine the impact of various land and water development projects upon endangered species and their habitats; 2) negotiating alternative actions or mitigation measures, etc.; 3) developing habitat conservation or restoration projects; 4) serving as a technical advisor on the Endangered Species Act for other staff, government agencies, land owners, private interest groups, etc.; 5) preparing biological portions of environmental assessment/impact statements or comprehensive resource planning reports; 6) ensure federal environmental laws, regulations, and policies involving natural resources issues are implemented (i.e., Endangered Species Act, specifically Sections 7 and 10; Clean Water Act; Fish and Wildlife Coordination Act; National Environmental Policy Act). OR 3 years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to a Ph.D. degree or Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree in wildlife biology, ecology, or a directly related field appropriate to this position. OR A combination of education and experience as described in 1 and 2 above which together equals 100% of the requirement. Minimum Qualification [GS-09] One year of specialized experience comparable in scope and responsibility equivalent to grade GS-07 in the Federal service. Experience includes 1) conducting biological or ecological investigations to determine the impact of various land and water development projects upon the fish and/or wildlife resources of an area; 2) reviewing permit applications; 3) assisting in developing comprehensive fish and/or wildlife management plans; 4) preparing portions of draft biological opinions/assessments as required under Section 7 of the Endangered Species Act (ESA); 5) reviewing biological portions of environment assessment/impact statements or resource planning reports; 6) implementing biological work and/or habitat preservation and development work for endangered, threatened, proposed, and candidate species and their habitats; 7) implementing federal environmental laws, regulations, and policies involving natural resource issues. (i.e., Endangered Species Act, specifically Sections 7 and 10; Clean Water Act; Fish and Wildlife Coordination Act; National Environmental Policy Act). OR 2 years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to a master's degree or master's or equivalent graduate degree in wildlife biology, ecology, or a directly related field appropriate to this position. OR A combination of education and experience as described in 1 and 2 above which together equals 100% of the requirement. Minimum Qualification [GS-07] One year of specialized experience comparable in scope and responsibility equivalent to grade GS-05 in the Federal service. Experience includes 1) Assist with reviewing biological and environmental assessment/impact statements; review resource planning reports; 2) Research potential impacts of proposed programs or actions to determine the effects of those programs or actions on threatened and endangered species; 3) Assist with preparing portions of draft biological opinions/assessments as required under Section 7 of the Endangered Species Act (ESA) for the supervisor's review and/or discussion; 4) Maintain and update files on permits issued for activities associated with endangered, threatened, proposed, and candidate species and their habitats; 5) implementing federal environmental laws, regulations, and policies that involve natural resource issues (i.e., Endangered Species Act, specifically Sections 7 and 10; Clean Water Act; Fish and Wildlife Coordination Act; National Environmental Policy Act). OR At least 1 full year of graduate education from an accredited college or university in wildlife biology, ecology, or a directly related field appropriate to this position. OR Superior Academic Achievement (SAA): Successfully completed a bachelor's degree in a directly related field AND meet one of the following: (1) Class Standing: rank in the upper 3rd of the graduating class in the college, university, or major subdivision, based on the completed courses; OR (2) Grad-Point Average (GPA): earn a GPA of (a) 3.0 or higher out of a possible 4.0 ("B" or better) based on 4 years of education, or based on courses completed during the final 2 years of the curriculum -or- (b) 3.5 or higher out of a possible 4.0 ("B" or better) based on the average of the required courses completed in the major field, or the required courses completed during the final two years. Note: GPA will be rounded to one decimal place, for example, 2.95 = 3.0, 2.94 = 2.9; OR (3) Membership in a National Scholastic Honor Society. OR A combination of professional experience and education beyond the first 60 semester hours towards a bachelor's degree which together equals 100% of the requirements. (When combining education with experience, first determine the total qualifying education as a percentage of the education required for the grade level; then determine the experience as a percentage of the experience required for the grade level; finally, add the two percentages. The total percentage must equal at least 100 percent to qualify an applicant for that grade level.) Volunteer Experience: 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.
Before you apply
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