Summary You will serve as an Assistant State Director within the USDA, APHIS, WS. Primary duties involve assisting in the planning, developing, organizing, and administering complex operational and technical assistance programs designed to efficiently, effectively, and safely reduce wildlife damage that adversely impacts agricultural interests, human health and safety, property, and natural resources. Responsibilities The duties described are for the full-performance level. At developmental grade levels, assignments will be of more limited scope, performed with less independence and limited complexity. The duties may include, but are not limited to: Assists in planning, developing, organizing, and administering complex operational and technical assistance WS programs designed to efficiently, effectively, and safely reduce wildlife damage. Works with State Director to conduct continuing reviews and evaluations of projects and activities to determine overall program effectiveness and compliance with required operating procedures. Collaborates with State Director to prepare long-range work plans, work schedules and priorities, formulates budget estimates, and administers fund expenditures. Assists with directing and overseeing a large workforce of Federal and, in some cases, cooperative employees (collaborators), including administrative staff, wildlife biologists, and technicians. Plans work to be accomplished by subordinates, establishes and adjusts short-term and long-term priorities, and prepares schedules for completion of work. Determines required staffing levels and organizational structure in relation to budgets and project needs. Establishes and maintains cooperative relationships with Federal, State/Territorial, county, and municipal agency officials, organizations, institutions, and associations. Cultivates positive community and media relations, participates in community meetings, gives presentations before groups, prepares articles for news media, answers inquiries regarding program function. Attends and addresses meetings of local, Regional, and National scope for the purpose of sharing program information and planning and evaluating future measures to be considered in WDM programs. Requirements Conditions of Employment Qualifications Applicants must meet all qualifications and eligibility requirements by the closing date of the announcement including time-in-grade restrictions, specialized experience and/or education, as defined below. TIME-IN-GRADE: Current federal employees applying for a promotion opportunity must meet time-in-grade (TIG) requirement of 52 weeks of service at the next lower grade level in the normal line of progression for the position being filled. BASIC REQUIREMENT: Degree: biological science that included: At least 9 semester hours in such wildlife subjects as mammalogy, ornithology, animal ecology, wildlife management, or research courses in the field of wildlife biology; and At least 12 semester hours in zoology in such subjects as general zoology, invertebrate zoology, vertebrate zoology, comparative anatomy, physiology, genetics, ecology, cellular biology, parasitology, entomology, or research courses in such subjects (Excess courses in wildlife biology may be used to meet the zoology requirements where appropriate.); and At least 9 semester hours in botany or the related plant sciences. OR Combination of education and experience: equivalent to a major in biological science (i.e., at least 30 semester hours), with at least 9 semester hours in wildlife subjects, 12 semester hours in zoology, and 9 semester hours in botany or related plant science, as shown above, plus appropriate experience or additional education. In addition to the above, applicants must also meet the following requirements: FOR THE GS-12 LEVEL: Applicants must have one year of specialized experience (equivalent to the GS-11 level) that may have been obtained in the private or public (local, county, state, Federal) sectors which demonstrates: Experience in human resources management and supervisory techniques in order to plan, develop, and administer a wildlife damage management program. Accomplishing wildlife damage management objectives in compliance with federal and state laws and regulations, and sound conservation principles. Resolving wildlife conflicts for a wide range of environmental, cultural and political influences. Planning and implementing wildlife damage management programs, including formulating budget estimates and administering expenditures, for a complex multi-faceted program consisting of federal and cooperatively funded budgets. Note: There is no education substitution for this grade level. FOR THE GS-13 LEVEL: Applicants must have one year of specialized experience (equivalent to the GS-12 level) that may have been obtained in the private or public (local, county, state, Federal) sectors which demonstrates: Planning, coordinating and implementing activities related to resolving wildlife damage conflicts to protect various resources including human safety, aviation safety, property including industrial resources, and natural resources. Experience overseeing a workforce of federal and cooperatively funded employees, which includes biologists, technicians, and various administrative staff. Planning, coordinating, and compliance with the National Environmental Policy Act, Migratory Bird Treaty Act, Endangered Species Act, State statutes, State Administrative Rules, and Federal Aviation Regulations for wildlife damage management activities conducted within the State. Negotiating interagency/cooperative agreements/cooperative service agreements with federal agencies, state agencies, county agencies and private entities to develop cooperative wildlife damage management programs. Note: There is no education substitution for this grade level. TRANSCRIPTS are required if: This position requires specific coursework or a degree in a specific field to be basically qualified. This education must have been successfully completed and obtained from an accredited school, college, or university. 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 and can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience. Education Please see above for education qualification requirement information. Additional Information Career Transition Assistance Plan (CTAP) or Reemployment Priority List (RPL): Visit the OPM website for information on how to apply as a CTAP or RPL eligible. To exercise selection priority for this vacancy, CTAP/RPL candidates must meet the basic eligibility requirements and all selective factors. CTAP candidates must be rated and determined to be well qualified (or above) based on an evaluation of the competencies listed in the How You Will Be Evaluated section. When assessed through a score-based category rating method, CTAP applicants must receive a rating of at least 85 out of a possible 100. First time hires to the federal government normally start at the lowest rate of the salary range for the grade selected. Promotion Potential: If you are selected for a position with further promotion potential, you will be placed under a career development plan, and may be non-competitively promoted if you successfully complete the requirements and if recommended by management. However, promotion is neither implied nor guaranteed. Worksite Information: This position may be eligible to telework up to four days per week, based upon the duties of the position. This position may also be eligible for flexible work arrangements as determined by agency policy and any applicable collective bargaining agreements. Additional information regarding ad hoc, occasional, or reoccurring telework may be obtained at a later time from the hiring manager or program during the hiring process. RELOCATION INCENTIVE: A relocation incentive may be offered for this position. Incentives are subject to agency policy, the specifics of individual job offers, and will be considered at time of selection. An incentive is not guaranteed. A service agreement will be required.
