Why This Wildlife Refuge Specialist Job Matters
Join the <strong class="text-gray-900">U.S. Fish And Wildlife Service</strong> and make an impact.
Wildlife Refuge Specialist Job Overview
All qualifications must be met by the closing date of this announcement - 11/19/2026-unless otherwise stated in this vacancy announcement. Competitive candidates must also meet Time-in-Grade requirements as defined in 5 CFR 300, Subpart F. For current Federal employees, if hours worked per week are not included on your resume, you must submit a non-award SF-50 as part of your application to be used to validate your work schedule and determine the amount of specialized experience that you will be granted. An award SF-50 will not be acceptable documentation for which to consider your amount of qualifying experience. For periods of time that reflect military service, the DD-214 or Statement of Service is sufficient to meet the work schedule requirement as the service dates will be reflected. For all other applicants who are not current federal employees, your resume must state either "full-time" (or "40 hours a week") or "part-time" with the number of hours worked per week to ensure proper crediting of specialized experience. Minimum Qualification Requirements: To qualify for this position, you must meet the following minimum qualifications: Basic Educational Requirement AND Specialized Experience for the series to which you are applying. Basic Educational Requirements: In addition to the specialized experience requirements for this position, you must meet at least one of the following: A. Degree: Bachelor's or higher degree from an accredited college or university 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. You must submit transcripts. -OR- B. Combination of education and experience: course work as shown in A above, plus appropriate experience or additional education. Specialized Experience: To qualify for this position at the GS-11 grade level: To qualify, you must possess at least one full year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-09 level in the Federal service (obtained in either the public or private sectors). Specialized experience is defined as demonstrated experience: 1) Managing the biological program at a national wildlife refuge or other protected area by analyzing, evaluating, and selecting the appropriate techniques in the collection of biological data with an emphasis on wildlife population assessment, habitat management, or conservation plans; 2) Identifying and making recommendations to resolve wildlife management problems; 3) Providing technical advice relating to wildlife habitat management or conservation plans, wildlife species; 4) Preparing reports and making presentations on findings and recommendations concerning wildlife management issues. You must include hours per week worked. -OR- Education: Successful completion of at least three (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 me with the knowledge, skills, and abilities to perform the duties of this position. You must include transcripts. -OR- Combination of education and experience as listed above. Specialized Experience: To qualify for this position at the GS-12 grade level: To qualify, you must possess at least one full year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-11 level in the Federal service (obtained in either the public or private sectors). Specialized experience is defined as demonstrated experience: 1) Leading and managing the biological program at a national wildlife refuge or other protected area by monitoring, protecting, managing, restoring, and enhancing wildlife and wildlife habitat; 2) Planning, implementing, and using quantitative means to assess the results of research, habitat management, wildlife population management, and species and habitat monitoring work; 3) Working with refuge, regional biology, and partner organization teams to monitor, manage and restore key habitats and species; 4) Writing natural resource management plans, and presenting these and other findings to diverse audiences. Volunteer Experience: 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.