Wildlife Refuge Specialist
Job Location:
Irrigon, OR - USA
Yearly Salary:
Posted:
Application Deadline:
Vacancies:
Job Summary
This position is a Wildlife Refuge Specialist GS/11 in Irrigon OR for the Mid-Columbia River National Wildlife Refuge Complex.
This position assists the Wildlife Refuge Manager in the development and administration of the operating program and other activities on Umatilla NWR. Refuge operations and programs include wildlife biology ecology habitat and natural resource management visitor services outreach and education maintenance environmental compliance and volunteer programs.
As a Wildlife Refuge Specialist your duties will include but are not limited to the following:
- Responsible for the day-to-day operational aspects of coordinating planning and carrying out various duties involved with the effective and efficient running of Refuge/Wetland Management District biological programs and services. Oversees and reviews land and aquatic conservation activities habitat development clean-up contaminant and restoration projects research studies population studies wildlife inventory and monitoring activities to include species lifecycle requirements and management. Ensures all projects comply with national regional and Refuge/Wetland Management District policies regulations and mandates.
- Develops and fosters partnerships with other Federal state and local agencies and private organizations to protect lands around the Refuge/Wetland Management District.
- Participates in the development of required National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) documentation (or portions thereof) including Environmental Assessments (EAs) Endangered Species Act (ESA) Section 7 consultations archeological clearances and similar actions. Coordinates with the Wildlife Refuge Manager and other senior management in the gathering and consolidating of data.
- Assists with the planning and directing of the Refuge/WMDs comprehensive public relations/public use program - including off-refuge programs interpretive and educational programs wildlife dependent recreation (hunting fishing wildlife observation) and other recreational management activities - to maximize use of the Refuge/WMD
- Assists Wildlife Refuge Manager and other senior management in the development of long-range plans annual work plans budgets and work schedules. Implements short medium and long-range operation plans based on existing or approved plans and coordinates work schedules for equipment and resources with other Refuge/Wetland Management District within the Refuge Complex.
- Utilizes engineering and construction techniques as applied to Refuge/WMD infrastructure training and operation of heavy equipment reporting requirements (e.g. real property inventories personal property inventories SAMMS annual maintenance energy reports etc.) safety rules and environmental compliance reporting requirements.
- Must be a U.S. Citizen or National.
- Merit promotion applicants must meet time-in-grade requirement as defined in 5 CFR 300 Subpart F.
- Suitability for employment as determined by background investigation.
- Drivers License: This position requires the incumbent to operate a government (or private) motor vehicle as part of their official duties. Selectee must hold and maintain a valid state drivers license throughout their employment in this position.
- Uniform: Official U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service uniform is required.
- A condition of employment for accepting this position you will be required to serve a 1-year probationary period OR 2-year trial period during which your fitness and whether your continued employment advances the public interest will be evaluated.
- Supervisory Probationary Period: Selectees who have not previously completed a supervisory probationary period will be required to serve a one-year supervisory/managerial probationary period for this position.
- Individuals assigned male at birth aftermust be registered for the Selective Service. To verify registration visit .
Only experience and education obtained by 07/29/2026 will be considered.
In order to qualify for this position you must possess both the Basic Requirement and Minimum Qualification.
Basic Requirement:
A. Completed a 4-year course of study in an accredited college or university leading to a bachelors or higher degree with major in zoology wildlife management or an appropriate field of biology that included at least 9 semester hours (or equivalent) in zoology; 6 semester hours (or equivalent) in such wildlife courses as mammalogy ornithology animal ecology or wildlife management; 3 semester hours (or equivalent) in conservation biology; and 3 semester hours (or equivalent) in botany. NOTE Transcripts required.
OR
B. Completed courses in an accredited college/ university equivalent to a major in zoology wildlife management or appropriate field of biology that included at least 9 semester hours (or equivalent) in zoology; 6 semester hours (or equivalent) in such wildlife courses as mammalogy ornithology animal ecology or wildlife management; 3 semester hours in conservation biology (or equivalent); and 3 semester hours (or equivalent) in botany PLUS appropriate experience and/or additional education comparable to the completion of a 4-year course of study. NOTE: Transcripts required and your resume must provide sufficient information e.g. complete begin/end dates work schedule duties performed etc. at this level of experience to meet this standard.
Minimum Qualification GS-09
A. One (1) year of specialized experience comparable in scope and responsibility equivalent to grade GS-07 in the Federal service. Experience includes meeting one or more of the following: 1) assisting management with a variety of habitat management programs 2) independently conducting habitat management activities or public use programs 3) interacting with a variety of individuals and groups through oral and written communications. NOTE Your resume must contain sufficient information e.g. complete begin/end dates work schedule duties performed etc. for each time frame for consideration
OR
B. Successfully completed two academic years of progressively higher-level graduate education leading to a Masters degree in zoology wildlife management or other appropriate field of biology directly related to this position. NOTE Transcripts required.
OR
C. 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) is creditable using this method. NOTE: Transcripts required and your resume must contain sufficient information e.g. complete begin/end dates hours worked per week duties performed etc. for each period of work for consideration to meet this standard.
Minimum Qualification GS-11
A. One (1) year of specialized experience comparable in scope and responsibility to grade GS-09 grade level in federal service. Examples of specialized experience include meeting one or more of the following: 1) planning and management of activities related to land management (e.g. public use accessibility endangered species cultural resources etc.); 2) interacting with diverse individuals and groups to solve natural resource or land management problems and promote cooperation; 3) participating in development of annual work plans long-range plans and associated budgeting. NOTE: Your resume must contain sufficient information e.g. complete begin/end dates work schedule duties performed etc. for each time frame to be considered.
OR
B. Possess three (3) years of progressively higher-level graduate education leading to a Ph.D. degree or Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree in in zoology wildlife management or other appropriate field of biology directly related to this position. NOTE Transcripts required.
OR
C. 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) is creditable using this method. NOTE: Transcripts required and your resume must contain sufficient information e.g. complete begin/end dates hours worked per week duties performed etc. for each period of work for consideration to meet this standard.
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.
Time In Grade Requirement: Applicants must meet both eligibility and qualification requirements for the position of interest by the closing date of the JOA. Specifically
i. Area of Consideration.
ii. Time-in-grade (TIG) requirements as specified in 5 CFR 300 Subpart F.
iii. Time after competitive appointment as specified in 5 CFR 330.502.
iv. Qualification requirements outlined in OPMs Qualifications Standards for General Schedule Positions or for Federal Wage System (FWS) wage grade positions applicants are evaluated using the OPM Job Qualification System for Trades and Labor Occupations and the job element examining method.
Your SF-50 will be used to confirm you meet all requirements
PROOF OF EDUCATION: All applicants who are using education or a combination of education and experience to qualify must submit copies of official or unofficial transcripts which include grades credit hours earned major(s) grade point average or class ranking institution name and student name. If any required coursework is not easily recognizable on transcripts or if you believe a portion of a particular course can be credited toward meeting an educational requirement you must also provide a memorandum on letterhead from the institutions registrar dean or other appropriate official stating the percentage of the course that should be considered to meet the requirement and the equivalent number of units. Unofficial transcripts are acceptable; however if you are selected for the position you will be required to produce the original official transcripts.
PASS/FAIL COURSES: If more than 10 percent of your undergraduate course work (credit hours) were taken on a pass/fail basis your claim of superior academic achievement must be based upon class standing or membership in an honor society.
GRADUATE EDUCATION: One academic year of graduate education is considered to be the number of credits hours your graduate school has determined to represent one academic year of full-time study. Such study may have been performed on a full-time or part-time basis. If you cannot obtain your graduate schools definition of one year of graduate study 18 semester hours (or 27 quarter hours) should be considered as satisfying the requirement for one year of full-time graduate study.
FOREIGN EDUCATION: If you are using education completed in foreign colleges or universities to meet the qualification requirements you must show the education credentials have been evaluated by a private organization that specializes in interpretation of foreign education programs and such education has been deemed equivalent to that gained in an accredited U.S. education program; or full credit has been given for the courses at a U.S. accredited college or university. For further information visit: Recognition of Foreign Qualifications International Affairs Office ().
PCS INFORMATION:
-No PCS entitlements authorized
If eligible and qualified you may be offered a recruitment or relocation incentive. The decision to offer an incentive will be made on a case-by-case basis and is neither promised nor guaranteed.
Telework:
This position is suitable for telework and may be allowed to telework with supervisory approval.
Government housing may be available.
Additional Vacancies: One or more positions may be filled from applications received under this announcement in the advertised office or other U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service offices in the local commuting area.
Career Transition Assistance Plan (CTAP): Department of Interior (DOI) Career Transition Assistance Plan (CTAP) procedures apply in filling this vacancy. CTAP provides placement assistance to permanent Federal employees who are surplus displaced or involuntarily separated. Applicants claiming CTAP eligibility must submit a copy of their most recent performance appraisal proof of eligibility and most current SF-50 noting position grade level and duty location with their application. To be considered under CTAP applicants must be well-qualified (i.e. meet the minimum qualification requirements including any selective placement factors; education and experience requirements) score at least 85 on the accomplishment record evaluation and be able to perform the duties of the position upon entry. For information on CTAP visit: Accommodation: The USFWS provides reasonable accommodations to applicants with disabilities. Please visit USAJOBS Help Center Reasonable accommodation policy if you need a reasonable accommodation for any part of the application and hiring process.
Probation/Trial Period Cont:
The 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.
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.
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:
IC
