Ocean Career: Biologist at NOAA

Biologist (Endangered Species)

As a Biologist (Endangered Species), you will perform the following duties:

• Conduct Endangered Species Act (ESA) section 7 consultations and protected resource assessments to resolve complex problems such as developing and implementing resource management plans or covering diverse resource management issues related to offshore/renewable energy development.
• Research and analyze scientific information to evaluate the effects and impacts of various activities on threatened and endangered species and their critical habitat.
• Establish rapport with customers and stakeholders in order to build on relationships that result in actions that protect ESA listed species and their critical habitats. Build collaborative relationships to better provide services and meet both the customer's needs, and the need for ESA compliance, including for offshore/renewable energy development.
• Write concise documents, briefs, biological opinions, and technical correspondence that clearly communicate the analysis done under Section 7 of the ESA and present this information in the promotion of understanding and cooperation. Serve as subject matter expert on topics such as offshore wind/renewable energy for the completion of tasks, providing technical guidance and instruction to other staff.

Conditions of Employment

• Must be a U.S. Citizen or National to apply.
• Required to pass a background investigation and fingerprint check.
• Must be suitable for Federal employment.
• Must be registered for Selective Service, if applicable.
• Qualifications requirements must be met by closing date of announcement.

Qualification requirements in the vacancy announcements are based on the U.S. Office of Personnel Management (OPM) Qualification Standards Handbook, which contains federal qualification standards. This handbook is available on the Office of Personnel Management's website located at: https://(Use the "Apply for this Job" box below)..

EDUCATION:

This position requires applicants to meet a Basic Education Requirement in addition to at least one year of specialized experience in order to be found minimally qualified. Transcripts must be submitted with your application package. You MUST meet one of the following basic education requirements:

• A Degree: biological sciences, agriculture, natural resource management, chemistry, or related disciplines appropriate to the position.
• OR Combination of education and experience:
  Courses equivalent to a major, as shown in A above, plus appropriate experience or additional education.

AND SPECIALIZED

EXPERIENCE:

Applicants must possess one year of specialized experience equivalent in difficulty and responsibility to the next lower grade level in the Federal Service. Specialized experience is experience that has equipped the applicant with the particular competencies/knowledge, skills and abilities to successfully perform the duties of the position. This experience need not have been in the federal government.

To qualify at the ZP-4 or GS-13 level:

• In addition to meeting the Basic Requirements above, applicants must also possess one full year (52 weeks) of specialized experience equivalent to the ZP-3 or GS-12 in the Federal service. Specialized experience MUST include all of the following:
• Supporting a protected or threatened or endangered species program by conducting and guiding consultations, including for offshore wind/renewable energy, assessments and analyses based on section 7 of the Endangered Species Act;
• Preparing technical documents related to the conservation and protection of animals per the Endangered Species Act; and
• Implementing recovery plans for threatened and endangered species.

College Transcript:
If you are qualifying based on education, submit a copy of your college transcript that lists college courses detailing each course by the number and department (i.e., bio 101, math 210, etc.), course title, number of credit hours and grade earned. You must submit evidence that any education completed in a foreign institution is equivalent to U.S. education standards with your resume.

You may submit an unofficial copy of the transcript at the initial phase of the application process. If course content cannot be easily identified from the title of the course as listed on your transcript, you must submit an official course description from the college/university that reflects the content at the time the course was taken.

Final date to receive applications:
March 14, 2022 Salary: $106,823 – $164,102 per year Pay scale & grade: ZP 4

Work schedule:

Full-time