Overview

  • Accepting applications

Duties

Summary

This position is that of State Director for the USDA-APHIS-Wildlife Services (WS) program. The applicant will be responsible for all aspects, scientific and administrative, of cooperative wildlife damage management programs with other federal, State and local governments, tribes, private organizations and individuals. This includes operational and technical assistance activities associated with a wide range of bird and mammal species.

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Responsibilities

  • The duties described are for the full-performance level. At developmental grade levels, assignments will be of more limited scope, performed with less independence and limited complexity.
  • The duties may include, but are not limited to:
  • Plans, organizes, and executes difficult and complex scientific programs and administrative activities designed to efficiently and effectively reduce wildlife damage
  • Prepares long-range work plans, budget estimates, and work schedules
  • Develops and maintains cooperative relationships with federal, State, county, and private industry officials concerned with the administration of WS programs
  • Negotiates with federal, State, county, municipal, and private organizations regarding wildlife damage management needs, feasibility, and cost effectiveness
  • Formulates budget estimates and administers fund expenditures for a complex program from multiple funding sources (federal appropriations; State, county, municipal organizations
  • Directs a workforce of federal and cooperative State employees through subordinate supervisors
  • Develops and initiates new, revised, or experimental techniques for wildlife damage management operations in the areas of responsibility
  • Within the areas of responsibility, is fully responsible for conducting a continuing review and evaluation of programs and activities to determine overall program effectiveness and compliance
  • Plans, develops, and administers a WS program to efficiently and effectively reduce wildlife damage adversely impacting agricultural interests, human health and safety, and natural resources

Requirements

Conditions of Employment

  • You must be a US Citizen or US National.
  • Males born after 12/31/1959 must be Selective Service registered or exempt.
  • Subject to satisfactory adjudication of background investigation and/or fingerprint check.
  • Subject to one year supervisory/managerial probationary period unless prior service is creditable. New USDA supervisors must successfully complete all components of the required training program before the end of their probationary period.
  • Direct Deposit: Per Public Law 104-134 all Federal employees are required to have federal payments made by direct deposit to their financial institution.
  • Successfully pass the E-Verify employment verification check. To learn more about E-Verify, including your rights and responsibilities, visit https://www.e-verify.gov/.
  • Testing Designated Position: Selectee must submit to a urinalysis to screen for illegal drug use prior to appointment and random testing thereafter. Final appointment and continued employment is conditional on negative results for illegal drug use.
  • Selectee will be subject to a pre-employment medical statement and/or exam.
  • Valid state driver’s license is required at the time of application.
  • In accordance with Office of Government Ethics regulations concerning conflict of interest, the incumbent will be required to submit a financial disclosure report within 30 days of their effective date of appointment and annually thereafter.

Qualifications

Applicants must meet all qualifications and eligibility requirements by the closing date of the announcement including time-in-grade restrictions, specialized experience and/or education, as defined below.

TIME-IN-GRADE: Current federal employees applying for a promotion opportunity must meet time-in-grade (TIG) requirement of 52 weeks of service at the next lower grade level in the normal line of progression for the position being filled.

Degree in biological science that included:

At least 9 semester hours in such wildlife subjects as mammalogy, ornithology, animal ecology, wildlife management, or research courses in the field of wildlife biology

At least 12 semester hours in zoology in such subjects as general zoology, invertebrate zoology, vertebrate zoology, comparative anatomy, physiology, genetics, ecology, cellular biology, parasitology, entomology, or research courses in such subjects (Excess courses in wildlife biology may be used to meet the zoology requirements where appropriate.)

At least 9 semester hours in botany or the related plant sciences.

or

Combination of education and experience: equivalent to a major in biological science (i.e., at least 30 semester hours), with at least 9 semester hours in wildlife subjects, 12 semester hours in zoology, and 9 semester hours in botany or related plant science, as shown in A above, plus appropriate experience or additional education.

FOR THE GS-13 LEVEL: Applicants must have one year of specialized experience (equivalent to the GS-12 level) that may have been obtained in the private or public (local, county, state, Federal) sectors which demonstrates:

  • Dealing with controversial human/wildlife conflicts and how the conflicts may be resolved for a wide range of environmental, cultural and political influences.
  • Assisting with the development of wildlife damage management objectives that are in compliance with federal and state laws and regulations, and sound conservation principles.
  • Human resources management and supervisory techniques, effectively training and supervising employees.
  • Assisting in the formulation of budget estimates and administering expenditures for a large, multi-faceted
  • program consisting of federal, state, and/or other cooperative funded budgets

FOR THE GS-14 LEVEL: Applicants must have one year of specialized experience (equivalent to the GS-13 level) that may have been obtained in the private or public (local, county, state, Federal) sectors which demonstrates:

  • Experience in developing and maintaining long-term relationships with federal agencies, state agencies, county agencies and private entities to develop cooperative wildlife damage management programs and administering cooperative agreements and MOUs with such entities
  • Lead the formulation of budget estimates and administering expenditures for a large, multi-faceted program consisting of federal, state, and/or other cooperative funded budgets
  • Overseeing a workforce of federal and cooperatively funded employees, which includes biologists, technicians, and various administrative staff.
  • Planning, coordinating, and compliance with the National Environmental Policy Act, Migratory Bird Treaty Act, Endangered Species Act, and Federal Aviation Regulations for wildlife damage management activities conducted within the State.
  • Negotiating interagency/cooperative service agreements with federal agencies, state agencies, county agencies and private entities to develop cooperative wildlife damage management programs.

TRANSCRIPTS are required if:

  • This position requires specific coursework or a degree in a specific field to be basically qualified.
  • You are qualifying for the position based on education.
  • You are qualifying for this position based on a combination of experience and education.
  • This education must have been successfully completed and obtained from an accredited school, college, or university
COMBINATION OF EDUCATION & EXPERIENCE AT THE GS-13 and 14 GRADE LEVEL: Applicants may have combinations of successfully completed education and specialized experience to meet total qualification requirements. The total percentages must equal at least 100 percent to qualify for that grade level.

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 and can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience.

Education

Please see above for education qualification requirement information.