Wildlife Refuge Manager

Some of the major duties you will perform include but are not limited to the following:

• Oversees and administers the biological program at assigned Refuge administering habitat development research programs population studies wildlife inventory and monitoring activities and invasive species control. Ensures all projects comply with national regional and Refuge policies regulations and mandates.
• Ability to plan develop coordinate and negotiate the resolution of complicated unprecedented and/or controversial resource use issues and problems related to a National Wildlife Refuge.
• Skill and diplomacy in developing partnerships strategizing and coordinating activities with other Federal state and local agencies and with private and national organizations and special interest groups and organizations.
• Initiates and ensures the development approval and implementation of annual work plans budgets cost estimates grants funding administration and program schedules.
• Supervises a multifaceted team of professional technical analytical and administrative support staff setting a team attitude of adhering to high professional standards and completion of accurate high quality work.
• Responsible for creating an environment that encourages and rewards cooperation collective problem solving and participative decision-making. Develops the ability of others to perform and contribute to the organization by providing feedback and by providing opportunities to learn through formal and informal methods.
• Oversees and administers the Refuge Visitor Services program with emphasis on the six priority public uses of the National Wildlife Refuge System.

• 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.
• 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 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 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 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.

*Additional Requirements located under qualifications*

Qualifications:

All qualifications must be met by the closing date of this announcement - 10/01/2026-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/OR 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: zoology wildlife management or an appropriate field of biology that included at least 9 semester hours in zoology; 6 semester hours in such wildlife courses as mammalogy ornithology animal ecology or wildlife management; and 3 semester hours in botany and 3 semester hours in conservation biology. You must submit transcripts.
-OR-
B. Combination of education and experience: courses equivalent to a major in one of the fields described in A above that included at least 9 semester hours in zoology; 6 semester hours in such wildlife courses as mammalogy ornithology animal ecology or wildlife management; and 3 semester hours in botany and 3 semester hours in conservation biology plus appropriate experience or additional education

To qualify for this position at the GS-13 grade level:
Experience: To qualify you must possess at least one full year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-12 level in the Federal service (obtained in either the public or private sectors). Specialized experience is defined as demonstrated experience: Experience must include the following:

1. Plan manage evaluate and carry out the biological program at assigned Refuge.
2. Skill and diplomacy in coordinating station activities with other agencies and organizations; ability to deal effectively with the general public; and ability to exercise tact and diplomacy in official association with Federal state and local agencies and various organizations and special interest groups.
3. Ability to communicate in writing sufficient to respond to congressional inquiries write policy and procedures develop briefing documents develop performance plans

1. Knowledge of applicable laws and agency/bureau policies objectives planning and management activities related to the National Wildlife Refuge System.
2. Reviews and makes priority public use decisions based on expert knowledge of refuge compatibility and appropriate use policy.