Wildlife Biologist
Job Location:
Cambridge, MA - USA
Yearly Salary:
Posted:
Application Deadline:
Vacancies:
Job Summary
You will serve as a Wildlife Biologist with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Region 5 Chesapeake Marshlands National Wildlife Refuge Complex in Cambridge Maryland.
Pay will vary based on grade level for which youre selected. First time hires to the Federal government normally start at the step 1 rate.
Some of the major duties you will perform include but are not limited to the following:
- Designing analyzing planning managing and implementing the biological programs or a major segment of the programs involving natural resources of significant national or international importance.
- Developing and recommending comprehensive management plans covering the biological programs.
- Developing biological study proposals survey designs and scopes-of-work and conducting complex biological field investigations involving wildlife species and habitats including population and harvest surveys biological sampling population health studies animal collecting food habit studies population modeling and other wildlife monitoring activities.
- Designing and conducting studies identifying important habitats and recommends strategies to conserve and protect habitats and populations.
- Using qualitative and quantitative methods to analyze findings to include biological data in geographic information systems (GIS).
- Must be a U.S. Citizen or National.
- Appointment subject to background investigation and favorable adjudication.
- Males born aftermust be registered for Selective Service.
- Direct Deposit participation required.
- Successfully pass the E-Verify employment verification check. To learn more visit possess and maintain a valid drivers license throughout employment.
- Must have a current or obtain within 6 months a Pesticide Certification.
- You are required to wear a uniform and comply with uniform standards. A uniform allowance will be provided.
As a condition of employment for accepting this position you may be required to serve a 1-year probationary period -OR- 2-year trial period to evaluate your fitness and whether your continuation of employment advances the public interest.
This probationary or trial 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 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 individuals employment should continue and that their appointment should be 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 OR- trial period your employment will be terminated unless you receive certification in writing that your continued employment advances the public interest.
All qualifications must be met by the closing date of this announcement - 10/13/2026-unless otherwise stated in this vacancy announcement. Competitive candidates must also meet Time-in-Grade requirements as defined in 5 CFR 300 Subpart F.
For current Federal employees if hours worked per week are not included on your resume you must submit a non-award SF-50 as part of your application to be used to validate your work schedule and determine the amount of specialized experience that you will be granted. An award SF-50 will not be acceptable documentation for which to consider your amount of qualifying experience. For periods of time that reflect military service the DD-214 or Statement of Service is sufficient to meet the work schedule requirement as the service dates will be reflected. For all other applicants who are not current federal employees 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.
Minimum Qualification Requirements: To qualify for this position you must meet the following minimum qualifications:
Basic Educational Requirement AND Specialized Experience for the series to which you are applying.
Basic Educational Requirements: In addition to the specialized experience requirements for this position you must meet at least one of the following:
A. Degree: Biological Science that included at least 9 semester hours in such wildlife subjects as mammalogy ornithology animal ecology wildlife management or research courses in the field of wildlife biology; and at least 12 semester hours in zoology in such subjects as general zoology invertebrate zoology vertebrate zoology comparative anatomy physiology genetics ecology cellular biology parasitology entomology or research courses in such subjects (Excess courses in wildlife biology may be used to meet the zoology requirements where appropriate.); and at least 9 semester hours in botany or the related plant sciences. You must submit transcripts.
-OR-
B. Combination of education and experience: course work as shown in A above plus appropriate experience or additional education.
To qualify for this position at the GS-11 grade level:
Experience: To qualify you must possess at least one full year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-09 level in the Federal service (obtained in either the public or private sectors). Specialized experience is defined as demonstrated experience: 1) planning developing implementing or evaluating wildlife or natural resource management programs; 2) designing or conducting biological studies surveys or field investigations involving wildlife species and habitats; 3) analyzing and interpreting biological data using qualitative or quantitative methods; 4) preparing scientific or technical reports management plans or recommendations based on biological findings; and 5) providing biological or wildlife management advice to managers agencies partners or other stakeholders. You must include hours per week worked. -OR-
Education: Successful completion of at least 3 years of progressively higher-level graduate education leading to a Ph.D. degree or Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree. You must include transcripts. -OR-
Combination of education and experience as listed above.
To qualify for this position at the GS-12 grade level:
Experience: To qualify you must possess at least one full year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-09 level in the Federal service (obtained in either the public or private sectors). Specialized experience is defined as demonstrated experience: 1) planning and implementing wildlife or natural resource management programs; 2) designing or conducting biological studies and investigations involving wildlife species and habitats; 3) analyzing and interpreting biological data to develop management recommendations; 4) preparing scientific or technical reports; and 5) providing biological guidance or coordinating natural resource management activities with internal or external partners. You must include hours per week worked.
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.
This position has a mandatory education requirement. Additional vacancies may be filled using this job announcement. All DOI employees their spouses and minor children may not acquire or retain any claim permit lease small tract entry or other rights granted by the Department in Federal lands with limited exceptions. Additional ethics prohibitions can be found here DOI Ethics Prohibitions U.S. Department of the Interior. Candidates should be committed to improving the efficiency of the Federal government passionate about the ideals of our American republic and committed to upholding the rule of law and the United States Constitution.
You must submit a copy of your transcript(s) to support claimed education if substituting education for experience. Transcripts must include your name school name grades credit hours earned major(s) grade point average or class ranking and date the degree was conferred if applicable. A typed list of courses grades semester/quarter hours GPA etc. will not be accepted. Non-submission may result in being rated not qualified for the position. Unofficial transcripts are acceptable but if you are selected for this position and you used your education to qualify you must provide official transcripts before you begin work.
Foreign Education: To receive credit for education completed outside the United States you must show proof that the education has been submitted to a private organization that specializes in interpretation of foreign educational credentials and such education has been deemed at least equivalent to that gained in conventional U.S. education programs. For more information on how foreign education is evaluated visit: information
Promotion to the full performance level is neither guaranteed nor implied and will be based solely on your ability to satisfactorily perform the work of the position existing work at the higher grade level and recommendation by the positions supervisor.
Physical Demands: The job involves a substantial amount of field work. When engaged in field activities the work is at times strenuous requiring exertion such as walking over wet rough uneven or rocky surfaces; bending crouching stooping stretching reaching or similar activities. The work requires average agility and dexterity. Travel to remote study sites will be required via boats small aircraft snowmobiles all-terrain vehicles and/or on foot. Extended periods of camping in tents or cabins in remote field camps may occur. Incumbent must be able to cope with the pressure of short time deadlines responsibilities of logistics to remote areas cultural conflicts and adverse weather conditions. You may be required to lift objects weighing up to 50 pounds.
Work Environment: The work requires both office and outdoor work. The office is adequately lighted heated and ventilated. Frequent travel by various means of surface and air transportation is required to attend meetings and to conduct field work. A variety of temperature and weather extremes may be encountered while in the field. You may be subject to large numbers of biting insects and may be required to work in close proximity to large animals such as bear and moose. You may need to carry a firearm for personal protection from wildlife. You will be expected to conduct duties in a safe and orderly manner so as not to endanger self fellow workers or property.
The duties of this position are suitable for telework and the selectee may be allowed to telework with supervisor approval.
A career with the U.S. government provides employees with a comprehensive benefits package. As a federal employee you and your family will have access to a range of benefits that are designed to make your federal career very rewarding. Opens in a new windowLearn more about federal benefits.
Eligibility for benefits depends on the type of position you hold and whether your position is full-time part-time or intermittent. Contact the hiring agency for more information on the specific benefits offered.
Required Experience:
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