Wildlife Biologist, GS-0486
Definitions:
EXPERIENCE: One year of work experience is twelve months working full-time (at least 35-40 hours per week). Part-time experience can be pro-rated (i.e., a year at 20 hours per week is credited as 6 months of experience). If your position consisted of mixed duties, experience credit is given for the percentage of time that you spent on qualifying duties (i.e., if you held a position for 2 years, full-time, consisting of 25% personnel work and 75% budget work, and then applied for a budget position you could calculate your experience as follows: 2 yrs = 24 months. 24 months x 75% [percentage of time spent on budget duties] = 18 months of qualifying experience.)
UNDERGRADUATE EDUCATION: A year of undergraduate education is 30 semester hours, 45 quarter hours or the equivalent of college study. This education must have been obtained in an accredited college or university for which high school graduation or the equivalent was a prerequisite.
GRADUATE EDUCATION: In the absence of specific graduate program information, a year of graduate education is 18 semester hours or 27 quarter hours of graduate level college course work, or the number of credit hours the school attended has determined to represent 1 year of full time study. This education must have been obtained in an accredited college or university.
For GS-05:
BASIC EDUCATION REQUIREMENT: Applicants must meet A or B below to satisfy the basic education requirement for Wildlife Biologist, all grade levels.
A. Successful completion of a full 4-year course of study in an accredited college or university leading to a bachelor's or higher degree in biological science that included:
- at least 9 semester hours in such wildlife subjects as mammalogy, ornithology, animal ecology, wildlife management, or research course 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
B. Combination of education and experience-equivalent to a major in biological science (i.e., at least 30 semester hours or the equivalent), with at least 9 semester hours or the equivalent in wildlife subjects, 12 semester hours or the equivalent in zoology, and 9 semester hours or the equivalent in botany or related plant science, as shown in "A" above, plus appropriate experience and/or additional education for a total of 4 years. The education or combined education and experience must be comparable in type, scope and thoroughness to that acquired through successful completion of a 4-year course of study as described in "A" above. (CLICK HERE FOR DETAILS ON HOW TO COMBINE EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE)
For GS-07:
In addition to the basic education requirement as stated above, applicants must meet one of the following to qualify for the GS-07 level:
**One year of successfully completed graduate level education (18 semester hours, 27 quarter hours or the equivalent) in wildlife biology or other directly related field of study if it provided the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to do the work of the position to be filled.
**OR Superior Academic Achievement based on undergraduate study. (CLICK HERE FOR MORE INFORMATION ON SUPERIOR ACADEMIC ACHIEVEMENT)
**OR one year of appropriate professional experience that is in or related to the duties of the position to be filled is qualifying if it is equivalent in level of difficulty and responsibility to at least the GS-5 level in the Federal service, and if it equipped the applicant with the knowledge, skills and abilities to perform successfully the duties of the position.
Examples of GS-5 level work may include: 1) collecting basic biological data from field investigations; 2) preparing samples; 3) making observations on biological conditions; 4) searching published technical sources for information on designated topics and preparing summaries for reference of others. For examples 1-4, the work was closely controlled and a designated person assigned the work with clear, specific, and detailed instructions as to the methods, procedures, and guidelines to use.
**OR a combination of successfully completed graduate level education, as described above, and professional experience, as described above. (CLICK HERE FOR DETAILS ON HOW TO COMBINE GRADUATE EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE)
For GS-09:
In addition to the basic education requirement stated above, applicants must meet one of the following to qualify for the GS-09 level:
**Master's or equivalent graduate degree in wildlife biology or other directly related field of study or 2 years of progressively higher-level graduate education (36 semester hours, 54 quarter hours or the equivalent) leading to a master's degree in wildlife biology or other directly related field of study if it provided the knowledge, skills and abilities necessary to do the work of the position to be filled.
**OR one year of appropriate professional experience in wildlife biology that is equivalent to at least the GS-07 level in the Federal service
Examples of GS-07 level work may include: 1) assisting with planning, organizing, and implementing wildlife scientific investigations; 2) performing data analyses on portions of larger wildlife scientific investigations; 3) participating in gathering, organizing, and interpreting biological, ecological, pathological, public use, or other information pertinent to wildlife research studies and/or scientific investigations. For examples 1-3, the work involved following established methods and procedures, or detailed instructions; using some judgment in applying basic principles and procedures; solving minor problems and making routine decisions.
**OR a combination of successfully completed progressive graduate level education, as described above, that is beyond the first year of graduate study and professional experience, as described above. (CLICK HERE FOR DETAILS ON HOW TO COMBINE GRADUATE EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE)
For GS-11:
In addition to the basic education requirement as stated above, applicants must meet one of the following to qualify for the GS-11 level:
**Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree in wildlife biology or other directly related field of study or 3 years of progressively higher level graduate education (54 semester hours, 81 quarter hours or the equivalent) leading to a Ph.D. degree in wildlife biology or other directly related field of study if it provided the knowledge, skill and abilities necessary to do the work of the position to be filled.
**OR one year of appropriate professional experience in wildlife biology that is equivalent to at least the GS-09 level in the Federal service.
Examples of GS-9 level work may include: 1) participating in the planning and execution of wildlife biological studies with limited number of variables; 2) performing established, standardized tests and analyses on a broad range of biological samples; 3) conducting wildlife biological studies using established fact finding procedures. For examples 1-3, assignments were made with the objectives, priorities, and deadlines defined. The work was planned and carried out independently in accordance with proven techniques, methods, and practices. Controversial use of approaches or modifications of standard procedures were typically discussed with a designated person before being carried out.
**OR a combination of successfully completed graduate level education as described above that is beyond the second year of progressive graduate study and professional experience, as described above. (CLICK HERE FOR DETAILS ON HOW TO COMBINE GRADUATE EDUCATION & EXPERIENCE)
For GS-12:
In addition to the basic education requirement as stated above, applicants must have one year of appropriate professional experience in wildlife biology that is equivalent to at least the GS-11 level in the Federal service.
Examples of GS-11 level work may include: 1) independently planning and conducting comprehensive wildlife biological studies and investigations; 2) modifying and adapting standard biological techniques, processes, and procedures; 3) serving as a technical resource on wildlife biological issues. For examples 1-3, the assignments were planned and carried out independently, resolving most of the conflicts that arose, coordinating the work with others as necessary, relating new work situations to precedent ones, extending or modifying existing techniques, and interpreting and applying program policy in terms of established objectives.
For GS-13:
In addition to the basic education requirement as stated above, applicants must have one year of appropriate professional experience in wildlife biology that is equivalent to at least the GS-12 level in the Federal service.
Examples of GS-12 level work may include: 1) planning and coordinating wildlife biology projects of considerable depth and/or breadth; 2) analyzing and interpreting wildlife related project data with novel and obscure problems; 3) developing new or significantly modified biological techniques, methods, or criteria; 4) providing advisory, planning, or reviewing services as a technical specialist on a wildlife biological issue. For examples 1-4, the work provided wide latitude for the exercise of independent judgment to perform scientific work of marked difficulty and responsibility.
For GS-14:
In addition to the basic education requirement as stated above, applicants must meet the following to qualify for the GS-14 level:
**One year of appropriate professional experience in wildlife biology that is equivalent to at least the GS-13 level in the Federal service.
Examples of GS-13 level work may include: 1) providing technical leadership, staff level coordination, and consultation for a major wildlife resource program, and resolving problems which have been resistant to established accepted practices and methods; 2) serving as an expert agency representative working in consultation with international, national and State officials to negotiate project scope, administer project activities, prepare reports of results, and consider the impact of construction, contaminants , environmental, and recreational projects on wildlife resources; 3) conducting field investigations based upon newly identified principles in wildlife program areas where little or no information is available. For examples 1-3, the work involved planning and executing assignments, selecting appropriate techniques and methodology, determining the approach to be taken, and resolving most problems that arose. Guidelines were often inadequate, and the work required deviation from or extension of traditional methods and practices, or the development of essentially new or vastly modified techniques or methods.
For GS-15:
In addition to the basic education requirement as stated above, applicants must meet the following to qualify for the GS-15 level:
**One year of appropriate professional experience in wildlife biology that is equivalent to at least the GS-14 level in the Federal service.
Examples of GS-14 level work may include: (1) coordination and consultation of a major wildlife resource program, resolving problems which have been resistant to established accepted practices and methods; (2) serving as an expert agency representative working in consultation with international, national and State officials to negotiate project scope, administer project activities, prepare reports of results, and consider the impact of construction, contaminants, environmental, and recreational project on wildlife resources; (3) conducting field investigations based upon newly identified principles in wildlife program areas where little or no information is available. For examples 1-3, the work involved planning and executing assignments, selecting appropriate techniques and methodology, determining the approach to be taken, and resolving most problems that arose. Guidelines were often inadequate, and the work required deviation from or extension of traditional methods and practices, or the development of essentially new or vastly modified techniques or methods.