Summary: This position serves as a Wildlife Biologist within the USDA, APHIS, WS and performs assignments with mínimal supervision. The work is primarily concerned with wildlife damage management operations relating to the assessment, reduction, and elimination of problems associated with wildlife in airport and rural environments. Overseas assignment will be carried out as a liaison to Department of Defense partners at Military/civilian joint use airports in assigned area of responsibility. This job is open to: The public: - U.S. Citizens, Nationals or those who owe allegiance to the U.S. Career transition (CTAP, ICTAP, RPL): - Federal employees whose job, agency or department was eliminated and are eligible for priority over other applicants. Duties: - The duties may include, but are not limited to: - Assists cooperators in understanding of and compliance with the Migratory Bird Treaty Act (MBTA), Endangered Species Act, Bald and Golden Eagle Protection Act, and other wildlife-related laws. - Communicates safe and effective damage management techniques through outreach and other channels to the general public. - Assists other WS employees as requested and may assist in training new WS personnel. - Modifies or adapts established damage or disease control techniques as necessary to meet local conditions and address specific environmental, economic, or political considerations. - Recommends, to supervisor, areas for potential research or developmental study, to reduce the risks of damage to resources or disease transmission to domestic animals and humans. - May develop and deliver training for cooperators, stakeholders, partner agencies and organizations, or other entities. - Establishes and maintains cooperative relationships with other Federal, State, county and city government agencies, Tribes, corporations, educational or research institutions. - Gathers, compiles, evaluates, and presents data on damage or hazards caused by various wildlife species to cooperators, stakeholders, and colleagues through project or program reports. Requirements: Conditions of employment: - You must be a US Citizen or US National. - Individuals who were born male after 12/31/1959 must be Selective Service registered or exempt. - Subject to satisfactory adjudication of background investigation and/or fingerprint check. - Successful completion of one-year probationary period, unless previously served. - Direct Deposit: Per Public Law 104-134 all Federal employees are required to have federal payments made by direct deposit to their financial institution. - 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. - All USDA employees are required to be enrolled in Continuous Vetting, which authorizes government agencies to receive notifications of criminal activity on individuals who hold low risk, public trust, or national security positions. - Certification as a Qualified Qualified Airport Wildlife Biologist (QAWB) at time of selection is highly preferred. Assignment to post is expected to happen within 4 months of onboarding and certification is a requirement before deployment. - May need to operate 4X4 vehicles (including all-terrain and/or utility task vehicles), boats, snow mobiles, or ride horseback over rough terrain and in other off-road environments. - May also be required to participate in aerial activities as a passenger or crew member of a fixed - or rotary-winged aircraft. - The legal and physical ability to possess and discharge firearms is required. - APHIS is an emergency response agency. All agency staff members may be requested or allocated to take part in alternating temporary duty assignments away from their designated duty station in support of emergency initiatives. - Incumbent will be required to successfully obtain and maintain the appropriate pesticide applicator license(s), through completion of the necessary Certified Applicators courses and/or examinations after appointment to the position. - The incumbent will be required to successfully obtain and maintain all secure access credentials, vehicle operation certifications, and other certifications or trainings required by the agency and host entity for operations on an airfield. Qualifications: Applicants must meet all qualifications and eligibility requirements by the closing date of the announcement, including specialized experience and/or education, as defined below. BASIC REQUIREMENT: - Degree: biological science that included: - At least 9 semester hours in botany or the related plant sciences. OR FOR THE GS-09 LEVEL:Applicants must have one year of specialized experience (equivalent to the GS-07 level) that may have been obtained in the private or public (local, county, state, Federal) sectors which