Fish and Wildlife Biologist

You will serve as a Fish and Wildlife Biologist within the Department of the Interior, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Region 4, Louisiana Ecological Service Field Office, located in one of the below duty stations: Lafayette, LA Lacombe, LA Bell City, LA Pay will vary based on grade level and/or duty location for which you're selected. First time hires to the Federal government normally start at the step 1 rate. GS-11: $74,678 - $97,087 GS-12: $89,508 - $116,362

Some of the major duties you will perform include but are not limited to the following: Develops, plans, conducts, and reviews complex ecological investigations of federal land and water resource development proposals (including Coastal Wetlands Planning Protection and Restoration Act [CWPPRA] projects) to assess impacts on fish and wildlife resources (including federally listed species), with emphasis on habitat restoration, wetland ecology, and riparian management. Designs, coordinates, and implements large-scale habitat restoration and enhancement projects on federal, tribal, state, and private lands, including mapping, surveying, construction monitoring, and management planning for restored areas. Facilitates and negotiates cooperative agreements with federal, tribal, state, and local agencies, as well as private stakeholders, to maximize habitat preservation and restoration benefits for trust resources under CWPPRA and related federal programs. Reviews permit applications and project plans under U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE), Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), and other federal/state programs; inspects projects for compliance with policies, standards, and legal requirements; recommends actions to ensure alignment with federal conservation objectives. Prepares comprehensive written reports, environmental assessments, and impact statements; delivers oral presentations to agency staff, partners, and public groups, analyzing present and future impacts of federal project alternatives on fish and wildlife resources. Provides technical guidance to lower-graded biologists and staff, directs their work in areas of special expertise, and trains personnel in federal project planning, habitat restoration, and resource management practices. Engages in multi-disciplinary planning efforts with public and private groups, and federal/state agencies to achieve Service policies and CWPPRA objectives; reviews and recommends procedures for implementing new regulations, legislation, and conservation mandates. Responds to inquiries from Congressional staff, the public, and media regarding federal project impacts, providing information within established guidelines and promoting transparency and outreach for CWPPRA and related federal initiatives. Duties will be developmental in nature when filled below the full performance level.

Must be a U.S. Citizen or National. Appointment subject to background investigation and favorable adjudication. Males born after 12-31-59 must be registered for Selective Service. Direct Deposit participation required. Successfully pass the E-Verify employment verification check. To learn more, visit https://www.e-verify.gov/. Must possess and maintain a valid driver's license throughout employment. As a condition of employment for accepting this position, you may be required to serve a 1-year probationary period to evaluate your fitness and whether your continuation of employment advances the public interest. This probationary period is an extension of the appointment process and therefore requires the agency to determine if continued employment would advance the public interest, meet the organization goals and mission of the agency, and/or otherwise promote the efficiency of the service. In determining if your employment advances the public interest, the agency will consider: your performance and conduct; the needs and interests of the agency; whether your continued employment would advance organizational goals of the agency or the Government; and whether your continued employment would advance the efficiency of the Federal service. Under applicable law, the employment of an individual serving a probationary or trial period automatically terminates when that period ends unless the agency affirmatively certifies, in writing, that the individual's employment should continue and that their appointment should be finalized. In the absence of agency action to affirmatively certify continued employment beyond the probationary or trial period, such appointments are terminated. Upon completion of your probationary period your employment will be terminated unless you receive certification, in writing, that your continued employment advances the public interest.