Wildlife Refuge Manager - Interior, US Fish and Wildlife Service

Summary This position is a Wildlife Refuge Manager, GS- 0485-12 working in Winona, MN for the R3-UMR National Wildlife and Fish Refuge-Winona District. Responsibilities As a Wildlife Refuge Manager your duties will include but are not limited to the following: Wildlife Biology, Ecology, and Habitat Management Plans, manages, evaluates, and carries out the biological program at assigned Refuge/WMD(s). Incumbent prepares proposals for developmental/improvement projects (to include timeframes and costs) for the assigned Refuge/WMD(s) and submits for review/approval during annual budget cycle. Oversees, reviews and approves land and aquatic conservation activities, habitat creation, restoration, and contaminant projects, research studies, population studies, wildlife inventory, and monitoring activities to include species lifecycle requirements and management at assigned Refuge/WMD(s). Natural Resources Program Management Oversees, administers and/or develops required National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) documentation including Environmental Assessments, Environmental Impact Statements, Findings of No Significant Impact Categorical Exclusions , Endangered Species Act Section 7 consultations, archeological resource clearances, etc. (or major portions thereof). Coordinates with Refuge Complex senior management in the development of required NEPA documentation. Oversees and administers Comprehensive Conservation Plans, Habitat Management Plans, Land Acquisition and Protection Plans, etc. Visitor Services Plans and administers the Refuge/WMD's public relations/public use program including off-refuge programs, interpretive and educational programs, hunting, fishing, wildlife observation, and other recreational management activities. Reviews and edits brochures, press releases, interpretive panels/exhibits, websites, etc. Participates with senior management or agency specialists in the development and review of site plans and designs. Program Planning and Business Administration Develops 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 Refuges/WMDs within the Complex. Coordinates with other Federal and state agencies and interest groups in the formulation of long-range plans for management of the Refuge/WMD's natural resources. Develops cost estimates and the work sequence for major and minor rehabilitation projects of Refuge/WMD facilities and lands to prepare funding proposals that support internal and external funding. Implements or oversees funded projects. Prepares administrative reports, annual narrative reports, and other documents associated with wildlife management and administrative programs. Prepares accomplishment reports utilizing various automated systems for inclusion in Complex budget submissions. Updates, prioritizes, manages, and/or utilizes automated systems for budget tracking, procurement, time and attendance, asset inventories/maintenance, etc. Facilities and Equipment Management Administers the facilities and equipment management program. Develops various work plans and organizes projects covering the construction, repair and maintenance of equipment, buildings, roads, trails, fences, dikes, and other infrastructure. Applies engineering and construction techniques as 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. Supervision Supervises a team of professional, technical, analytical, administrative support staff, and blue collar workers (permanent and seasonal staff), setting a team attitude of adhering to high professional standards and completion of accurate, high quality work. Overall direct supervisory responsibilities include, but are not limited to, planning work to be accomplished by subordinates, setting and adjusting short-term priorities, and preparing schedules for completion of work; assigning work to subordinates; evaluating work performance of subordinates; providing advisory, counsel, or instruction to employees on a variety of matters; interviews candidates for positions in the unit; recommend appointment, promotion, or reassignment to such positions; hears and resolves minor complaints from employees, referring group grievances and more serious unresolved complaints to a higher level supervisor or manager; effects minor disciplinary measures, such as warnings and reprimands, recommending other action in more serious cases; identifies developmental and training needs of employees, providing or arranging for needed development and training; finding ways to improve production or increase the quality of the work directed; and developing performance standards. Requirements Conditions of Employment Qualifications Only experience and education obtained by 06/21/2023 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 bachelors 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. OR 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 I have appropriate experience and/or additional education comparable to the completion of a 4-year course of study. Minimum Qualification [GS-12] One year of specialized experience comparable in scope and responsibility equivalent to grade GS-11 in the Federal service. Experience must include t least the GS-11 that equipped me with the particular knowledge, skills and abilities to perform successfully the duties of this position and that is typically in or related to the work of this position to be filled. Specialized experience includes: experience planning and directing a broad variety of management operations in a natural resources setting; planning, directing, and evaluating all aspects of a wildlife management program; developing long and short term management plans; leading a staff of professional and nonprofessional personnel. 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), 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. For further information, visit: http://www.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ous/international/usnei/us/edlite-visitus-forrecog.html Additional Information PCS INFORMATION: No PCS entitlements authorized Telework: This position is suitable for telework and may be allowed to telework with supervisory approval. Additional Vacancies: One or more positions may be filled from applications received under this announcement in the advertised office or other U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service offices in the local commuting area. 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 assessment questionnaire, and be able to perform the duties of the position upon entry. For information on CTAP visit: https://www.usajobs.gov/Help/working-in-government/unique-hiring-paths/federal-employees/career-transition/" The Land Management Workforce Flexibility Act (LMWFA),P.L. 114-47, allows certain individuals who currently or formerly were under time-limited competitive appointments at certain land management agencies to compete under merit promotion procedures. Note: You must submit ALL SF-50s and performance information for each period of temporary/term employment that qualifies for LMWFA. Performance documentation can be obtained by contacting the supervisors for the positions you served in during your 24 months. If they did not complete performance appraisals ask them to provide a statement of performance for each period of service. The statement must specify the dates for each employment period and your level of performance (dates should match the dates on the SF-50s). Current appointees: Must have been hired under competitive examining procedures to a time limited appointment with a land management agency; Must have served under 1 or more time limited appointments by a land management agency for a period totaling more than 24 months without a break in service of 2 or more years; AND Must have performed at an acceptable level. Former appointees: Must have been hired under competitive examining procedures to a time limited appointment with a land management agency; Must have served under 1 or more time limited appointments by a land management agency for a period totaling more than 24 months without a break in service of 2 or more years; Must apply for position within 2 years after separation; Must have been separated for reasons other than misconduct or performance; AND Must have performed at an acceptable level.