Fish and Wildlife Biologist

You will serve as a Fish and Wildlife Biologist with US Fish and Wildlife Service. For over 60 years, Ecological Services has protected and restored fish, wildlife, plants, and habitats, beginning with the River Basins Program. The Illinois-Iowa Field Office, founded in 1971 and expanded in 1982, reviews federal projects, supports endangered species recovery, leads environmental restoration, and builds conservation partnerships in Illinois and Iowa.

All qualifications must be met by the closing date of this announcement - 08/19/2026-unless otherwise stated in this vacancy announcement. Competitive candidates must also meet Time-in-Grade requirements as defined in 5 CFR 300, Subpart

F.

A) Possess a bachelor's or higher degree from an accredited college or university in biological sciences, agriculture, natural resource management, chemistry, or related disciplines appropriate to the position; OR

B) Possess a combination of education and experience which includes courses equivalent to a major in the biological sciences (i.e., at least 24 semester hours) as shown above, plus appropriate experience or additional education that is comparable to that normally acquired through the successful completion of a full 4-year course of study in the biological sciences, agriculture, natural resource management, chemistry, or related disciplines appropriate to the position.

In addition to the basic education requirement above, you must possess the qualifications below in order to qualify for this position at the GS-11 grade level.

A) Possess 1 year of specialized experience equivalent to the next lower grade level as a GS-09 in Federal service performing the following duties:facilitating activities pursuant to sections of the Endangered Species Act; conducting status surveys for listed candidate species; preparing and implementing habitat restoration and enhancement projects; preparing draft budget initiatives; preparing written correspondence. OR

B) Possess 3 years of progressively higher-level graduate education leading to a Ph.D. degree, or Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree in the biological sciences, natural resource management, or a closely related field which provided the knowledge, skills, and abilities to perform the duties of this position; OR

C) Possess a combination of experience as described above and graduate education as described above which, when combined, is equivalent to 100% of the qualification requirement.

In addition to the basic education requirement above, you must possess the qualifications below in order to qualify for this position at the GS-12 grade level.

A) Possess 1 year of specialized experience equivalent to the next lower grade level as a GS-11 in Federal service performing the following duties: coordinating and facilitating activities pursuant to sections of the Endangered Species Act; planning and conducting status surveys for listed candidate species; coordinating wide ranging initiatives to fully implement ESA programs; independently designing and implementing habitat restoration and enhancement projects;

preparing draft budget initiatives; reviewing rules, regulations and legislation pursuant to ESA; preparing written correspondence for publication. Experience refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service programs (e.g., Peace Corps, Ameri Corps) 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.

This position involves a multi-grade career ladder. The selectee may be promoted without further competition when all regulatory, qualification, and performance requirements are met. Selection at a lower grade level does not guarantee promotion to the full performance level.

Experience refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service programs (e.g., Peace Corps, Ameri Corps) 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.