Wildlife Refuge Manager

At the full performance level (GS-12) the major duties of this position include but are not limited to the following:

• Plans manages evaluates and carries out the maintenance and biological program at assigned Refuge.
• Oversees administers and/or develops required National Environmental Policy Act documentation including Environmental Assessments Environmental Impact Statements Findings of No Significant Impact Categorical Exclusions Endangered Species Act Section 7 consultations requests for cultural resource clearances etc.
• Updates prioritizes manages and/or utilizes automated systems for budget tracking procurement time and attendance asset inventories/maintenance etc.
• Administers the facilities and equipment management program. Works with team members/regional experts to develop work plans and organizes projects covering construction repair and maintenance of equipment buildings roads trails fences dikes and other infrastructure.
• Supervises a team of professional technical analytical administrative support staff (permanent and seasonal staff) setting a team attitude of adhering to high professional standards and completion of accurate high quality work.

• Must provide proof of U.S. citizenship.
• 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 are required to wear a uniform and comply with uniform standards. A uniform allowance will be provided.
• You are required to complete training obtain and maintain a government credit card with travel and purchase authority.
• A financial disclosure report will be required within 30 days of appointment.

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.

A 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 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.

All qualifications must be met by the closing date of this announcement - 08/19/2026-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 Education Requirement:
Possess a bachelors or higher degree from an accredited college or university in 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; 3 semester hours in botany; and 3 semester hours in conservation biology OR Possess a combination of education from an accredited college or university and specialized 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 wildlife courses such as mammalogy ornithology animal ecology or wildlife management; 3 semester hours in botany; and 3 semester hours in conservation biology plus appropriate experience or additional education OR Previously occupied a position in the GS-0485 series prior to December 3 2010 and met the basic education requirement of the previous qualification standard. Previous standard: bachelors or higher degree with major in zoology wildlife management or an appropriate field of biology that includes 9 semester hours in zoology; 6 semester hours in wildlife; and 9 semester hours in botany. You must submit a copy of your SF-50 (Personnel Action) dated prior to Dec 3 2010 showing that you held a position in the GS-0485 series.

Minimum Qualification GS-12
Specialized experience may include: 1) Prepares proposals for developmental/improvement projects (to include timeframes and costs) for the assigned Refuge and submits for review/approval during annual budget cycle 2) Recognizes emerging conflicts with refuge management objectives and facilitates collaborative problem-solving with partners to reconcile differing interests and achieve mutually supported conservation outcomes. 3) Plans and administers the Refuges public relations/public use program interpretive and educational programs hunting fishing wildlife observation and other recreational management activities 4) Develops and implements short to long-range plans annual work plans budgets and work schedules. 5) Administers the facilities and equipment management program. Develops various work plans and organizes projects covering construction repair and maintenance of equipment buildings roads trails fences dikes and other infrastructure.