Volunteer Conservation Scientist Jobs (NOW HIRING)

This position is a Conservation Planner, GS- 0401-11/12 working in Honolulu, HI for the R1-Pacific Reefs National Wildlife Refuge Complex.Qualifications:Only experience and education obtained by 07/31/2026 will be considered.
In order to qualify for this position you must possess both the Basic Requirement and Minimum Qualification.
Basic Requirement:
I have successfully completed a full 4-year course of study in an accredited college or university leading to a bachelor's or higher degree that included a major field of study in biological sciences, agriculture, natural resource management, chemistry, or related disciplines appropriate to the position.
OR
I have a combination of education and experience--courses equivalent to a major, as shown above, PLUS appropriate experience or additional education. To combine education and experience, first take the number of semester hours (or equivalent) earned towards your degree and divide by 120 semester hours (or equivalent). To determine the percentage of qualifying experience, divide the total number of months of acceptable specialized experience by 12 months. Add your percentages of education and experience together. The two percentages must total at least 100%.
Minimum Qualification [GS-11]
One year of specialized experience comparable in scope and responsibility equivalent to grade GS-09 in the Federal service. Experience may include 1) Lead planning teams on natural resource planning projects for the conservation of public lands; 2) Develop comprehensive wildlife management plans related to wildlife resources and recreation opportunities of an area; 3) Prepare and review environmental assessments or portions impact statements or comprehensive resource planning reports to evaluate environmental consequences of proposed actions; 4) Understand and implement environmental laws (e.g., National Wildlife Refuge System Administration Act, Endangered Species Act, specifically Sections 7 and 10; National Environmental Policy Act), regulations, and polices involving management of the conservation of public lands.
NOTE: Your resume must contain sufficient detail to prove you have one (1) year performing these duties.
OR
I have completed 3 years of graduate education leading to a Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree in wildlife biology, ecology, or a field directly related to this position. NOTE: To be found qualified under this option, you must submit transcripts (official or unofficial) to verify your education.
OR
A combination of education and experience as described above which together equals 100% of the requirement.
Minimum Qualifications [GS-12]
One year of specialized experience comparable in scope and responsibility equivalent to grade GS-11 in the Federal service. Experience may include 1) coordinating within and across large regional partnerships (e.g. Migratory Bird Joint Ventures, Fish Habitat Partnerships, National Estuary Program, Network for Landscape Conservation) to co-develop priorities, action strategies, and joint operations that achieve measurable ecological outcomes at scales ranging from local (or site) scale, to watershed (or landscape) scale, to regional and national scale; 2) applying conservation and resource management policies and objectives and their application to the conservation of trust resources at multiple spatial scales; 3) developing interagency projects and programs to define science-based objectives and provide guidance and direction in the implementation of private, state, and federal conservation programs on both public and private lands; 4) science collaboration associated with ecosystem conservation initiatives focused on specific fish and wildlife conservation issues.
NOTE: Your resume must contain sufficient detail to prove you have one (1) year performing these duties.
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 OPM's Qualifications Standards for General Schedule Positions or for Federal Wage System (FWS)Education: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 institution's 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 school's 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 (ed.gov).Employment Type: OTHER