Wildlife Refuge Specialist

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USFWS

Irrigon, Oregon

Job Type: Full-Time

Salary: $61,722 - $97,087 per year

Duties

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/WMD’s 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.

Promotion Potential: This position involves a multi-grade career ladder. The major duties listed represent the full performance level of GS-11. At lower grade levels, you will perform assignments of a more limited scope and with less independence. You will progressively acquire the background necessary to perform at the full performance level of GS-11.

Qualifications / Experience Level Required:

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.
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.
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 after 12-31-59 must be registered for the Selective Service. To verify registration visit SSS.gov.

Qualifications

Only experience and education obtained by 07/29/2026 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 Master’s 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,

Area of Consideration.
Time-in-grade (TIG) requirements as specified in 5 CFR 300, Subpart F.
Time after competitive appointment as specified in 5 CFR 330.502.
Qualification requirements outlined in OPM’s 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

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).

Housing: No

Contact:

Apply for This Position: https://www.usajobs.gov/job/876466300

Application Closes: 07/29/26

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