Wildlife Engineer Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Summary
This position serves as a Wildlife Refuge Specialist, GS- 0485-11 working in California for the San Luis National Refuge Complex.
The incumbent of this position assists the Wildlife Refuge Manager in the development and administration of the operating program and other activities. Refuge operations and programs include wildlife biology, ecology, habitat management, natural resource program management, visitor services, outreach and education programs, and volunteer programs.
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Duties
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As a Wildlife Refuge Specialist your duties will include but are not limited to the following:

• Participates in the review of projects proposed by other bureaus/agencies, stakeholders/partners (i.e., U.S. Forest Service, state fish and wildlife agencies, Tribal representatives), identifying possible conflicts with refuge management objectives, and develops comments and recommendations for the Wildlife Refuge Manager and senior management approval.
• 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.
• Participates in the design of outreach and educational programs for the community; and provides input to the development of a variety of information such as brochures, interpretive panels/exhibits, and websites.
• Prepares administrative reports, annual narrative reports, and other documents associated with wildlife management and administrative programs.
• Utilizes engineering and construction techniques as applied to Refuge/WMD infrastructure, training and operation of heavy equipment, reporting requirements.

Requirements
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Conditions of employment

• 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.
• Drug testing position: Selectees tentatively selected for this position will be required to submit to urinalysis to screen for illegal drug use prior to appointment.
• Medical Requirements: Selectees must pass a pre-employment medical examination and may be subject to post-employment medical examinations to determine if they are maintaining the fitness standards for this position.
• Driver's 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 driver's license throughout their employment in this position.
• Firearm: Selectees will be required to carry a firearm in the performance of your duties.
• Uniform: Official U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service uniform is required.
• This position requires participation in habitat management with prescribed fire/controlled burns and local wild land firefighting. Red Card Certification, Pack Test, Physical, and Drug Testing is required.
• Employees assigned to operate watercraft are required to possess knowledge and skills as certified by the completion of the Department's Motorboat Operator Certification Course (MOCC) or other approved watercraft training program.
• Individuals assigned male at birth after 12-31-59 must be registered for the Selective Service. To verify registration visit SSS.gov.

Qualifications
Only experience and education obtained by 07/15/2026 will be considered.
In order to qualify for this position you must possess both the Basic Requirement and Minimum Qualification.
Basic Requirement:
A. I have completed a 4-year course of study in an accredited college or university leading to a Bachelor's or higher degree with major 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.
B. I have completed courses in an accredited college or university equivalent to a major in zoology, wildlife management, or 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 PLUS appropriate experience and/or additional education comparable to the completion of a 4-year course of study. NOTE: This experience must be detailed in your resume if qualifying under this standard.
C. My education and/or experience is not described above.
Minimum Qualification GS-11

1. One (1) year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the GS-9 grade level in the Federal service that equipped me with the knowledge, skills, and abilities to perform successfully the duties of the position, and that is typically in or related to the work of the position to be filled. Specialized experience may include: 1) planning, administering, evaluating, managing, or operating some programs, activities and projects associated with conserving and managing fish and/or wildlife resources for a large program; 2) managing natural resources on public or private lands for the purpose of providing critical habitat for fish and/or wildlife, 3) using a variety of communication methods to convey technical or non-technical natural resource information to a variety of audiences; 4) leading a small team of professional or nonprofessional personnel in a natural resource environment. NOTE: Your resume must contain sufficient detail, e.g., begin/end dates, hours worked per week, duties performed, etc. of each timeframe for consideration; OR
2. Three years of progressively higher level graduate education or PhD or equivalent doctoral degree in a field of study directly related to the position. NOTE: Transcripts required; OR
3. A combination of education and experience as described in 1 and 2 above which together equals 100% of the requirement.

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
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).
Additional information
PCS INFORMATION: No PCS authorized.
Telework: This position is suitable for telework with supervisory approval.
Additional Vacancies: One or more positions may be filled under this announcement..
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 questionnaire, and be able to perform the duties of the position upon entry. For information on CTAP Career Transition.
Reasonable 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.
Applicants who apply under this job opportunity announcement agree to have their application, associated documents and applicable personal information shared with other Bureaus/Offices within the Department of the Interior (DOI) who have vacancies within the same occupational series, grade, full performance level and in the same geographic location(s), including within the same metro/commuting area. Applying to this announcement does not replace the need to apply to other job opportunity announcements for which you wish to receive consideration.
Positions that require the use of a Firearm - Applicants are ineligible for this position if ANY time they have been convicted of a misdemeanor or felony crime of domestic violence, unless such conviction was expunged, set aside or the applicant receives a pardon.
Reasonable Accommodation (RA) Requests: If you believe you have a disability (i.e., physical or mental), covered by the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 as amended that would interfere with completing the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments, you will be granted the opportunity to request a RA in your online application. Requests for RA for the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments and appropriate supporting documentation for RA must be received prior to starting the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments. Decisions on requests for RA are made on a case-by-case basis. If you meet the minimum qualifications of the position, after notification of the adjudication of your request, you will receive an email invitation to complete the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments, based on your adjudication decision. You must complete all assessments within 48 hours of receiving the URL to access the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments if you received the link after the close of the announcement. To determine if you need a RA, please review the Procedures for Requesting a Reasonable Accommodation for Online Assessments here: RA
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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.
Benefits
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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.
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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.