Summary This position serves as a State Director of the Washington program within the Western Region of USDA, APHIS, WS. Primary duties involve 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: Prepares long-range work plans, work schedules and priorities, formulates budget estimates, and administers fund expenditures. Establishes and maintains numerous and diverse cooperative relationships. Coordinates involves continuous identification and integration of internal and external program issues. Plans, develops, organizes, and administers Wildlife Service programs. Ensures that program objectives are accomplished within the limits of Federal, State/Territorial, and local laws and regulations. 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 basic requirement above, applicants must also meet the following: 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: Experience in human resources management and supervisory techniques in order to plan, develop, and administer a wildlife damage management program. 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. 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. 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. 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. Extended travel or temporary duty may be required of the position. This may involve irregular working hours, including overtime. To fulfill field or laboratory requirements in this position, proof of specific vaccinations and boosters, may be required as a condition of employment to prevent contracting preventable diseases. Exposure to moderate risk and discomfort, such as adverse weather conditions, remote and uninhabited areas, uneven and rocky terrain, noisy environments, and exposure to hazards from WDM techniques may exist in field locations. Field visits may require moderately strenuous physical exertion. The incumbent must be able to lift moderate weight. The incumbent may need to operate 4X4 vehicles (including all-terrain and/or utility task vehicles), boats, snow mobiles, or ride horseback over rough terrain and in other off-road environments. The work may also require the incumbent to participate in aerial activities as a passenger and/or crew member of a fixed- or rotary-winged aircraft. Other physical demands include walking over wet, rough, uneven, or rocky surfaces, bending, crouching, stooping, stretching, or similar activities.
