FISH AND WILDLIFE BIOLOGIST
What you'd do
You will serve as a FISH AND WILDLIFE BIOLOGIST working for Arcata Fish and Wildlife Office. One position will be filled in either Arcata, CA or Yreka CA. You must apply to each location's you want to be considered for. 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: Plans, evaluates, conducts a wide variety of complex ecological investigations or inspections involving complex land and water resource development projects, proposals and/or license applications/renewals to determine their impact upon fish and/or wildlife resources and habitats and to ensure that legal standards and other requirements are met and implemented in a manner most beneficial to fish and/or wildlife resources. Prepares reports on the findings and recommends appropriate courses of action (e.g., approval/disapproval, offering alternative projects, or taking remedial action). Evaluates biological data and Federal program or project operational data to determine the effects of those programs or actions on threatened or endangered species through formal and informal consultation procedures. Assesses impacts of proposed Federal actions on threatened and endangered species and develops draft biological opinions required under Section 7 of the Endangered Species Act (ESA) Amendments for supervisor's review. 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. Submits recommendations to the supervisor on technical and policy matters regarding application of the ESA for sensitive issues with regard to permits including, but not limited to, the status of permits assigned to field offices or other Regional staff and analyzes regional permit workload and provides recommendations for streamlining as appropriate. Develops comprehensive fish and/or wildlife mitigation or management plans to ensure preservation, protection, and enhancement of fish and/or wildlife and their habitat for a geographic area having a variety of habitat conditions. Interacts with biologists throughout the assigned Region and with other agencies (Federal, Tribal, and state) that have endangered species programs and provides technical assistance and regulatory information involving moderately complex assignments in order properly satisfy requirements of the ESA, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), and other Federal and state legislation/regulations.
What you need to qualify
Qualifications: All qualifications must be met by the closing date of this announcement-08/28/2026-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. In order to qualify for this position you must possess both the Basic Requirement and Minimum Qualification. Basic Requirement: Successfully completed a full four-year course of study in an accredited college or university leading to a bachelor's degree in biological sciences, agriculture, natural resource management, chemistry, or a discipline related to this position. NOTE: Transcripts required. (OR) An appropriate combination of education and experience that included course work equivalent to a major (i.e. 24 semester hours) in biological sciences, agriculture, natural resource management, chemistry, or a discipline related to this position; PLUS, appropriate experience or additional course work. 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. NOTE: Transcripts required, and Your resume must contain sufficient detail of this level of work, i.e., complete begin/end dates, hours worked per week, duties performed, etc. for each timeframe for consideration. Minimum Qualification [GS-11] Possess at least one year of specialized experience comparable to the GS-9 level or higher in the Federal service (obtained in either the public or private sectors). Specialized experience includes: 1) Assess impacts of proposed actions on threatened and endangered species; 2) Develop draft biological opinions or letters of concurrence required under Section 7 of the Endangered Species Act (ESA) or develop habitat conservation plans pursuant to Section 10 of the ESA; 3) Conduct environmental impact assessments in private lands; 4) Assist in preparing and reviewing biological implications of environmental assessment/impact statements; 5) Review and process standard, routine research/recovery permits and other recovery/ESA related documents; 6) Plan, organize, and conduct biological work and/or habitat preservation studies. NOTE: Your resume must contain sufficient detail at this level of work, e.g., begin/end dates, hours worked per week, duties performed, etc. for each timeframe for consideration. OR Possess 3 years of progressively higher-level graduate education leading to a Ph.D. degree or Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree in a discipline directly related to the position. NOTE: Transcripts required. OR Possess a combination of qualifying specialized experience and qualifying graduate education (both as described above) that, when computed as percentages of their respective requirements, equals at least 100% when combined. Only education beyond the second graduate year (36 semesters or equivalent) is creditable using this method. NOTE: Transcripts required, and Your resume must contain sufficient detail of this level of work, i.e., complete begin/end dates, hours worked per week, duties performed, etc. for each timeframe for consideration. 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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