Job Title: Biologist

Summary

This announcement uses the DHA for Certain Personnel of the DoD Workforce direct hire authority to recruit and appoint qualified candidates to certain positions in the competitive service.
Salary Range:

Gouldsboro, PA:
GS-07: $46,696 to $60,703
GS-09: $57,118 to $74,250
GS-11: $69,107 to $89,835
Philadelphia, PA:
GS-07: $51,241 to $66,612
GS-09: $62,677 to $81,478
GS-11: $75,833 to $98,580

Learn more about this agency

Overview
Accepting applications

Open & closing dates
09/15/2023 to 09/29/2023

Salary
$46,696 - $98,580 per year

Pay scale & grade
GS 7 - 11

Locations
2 vacancies in the following locations:

Gouldsboro, PA

Philadelphia, PA Remote job
No

Telework eligible
Yes-as determined by the agency policy.

Travel Required
Occasional travel - You may be expected to travel up to 5% for this position.

Relocation expenses reimbursed
No

Appointment type
Permanent -

Work schedule
Full-time -

Service
Competitive

Promotion potential
11

Job family (Series)
0401 General Natural Resources Management And Biological Sciences

Supervisory status
No

Security clearance
Not Required

Drug test
No

Position sensitivity and risk
Non-sensitive (NS)/Low Risk

Trust determination process
Suitability/Fitness

Announcement number
CERD236295755727HD

Control number
749463700

This job is open to

The public
U.S. Citizens, Nationals or those who owe allegiance to the U.S.

Clarification from the agency
See "Who May Apply" in the "Qualifications" section for more information on who is eligible to apply for this position.

Videos

Duties
Evaluate permit application, compliance, and/or enforcement cases for activities in waters of the US within the regulatory authority of the Clean Water Act, the Rivers and Harbors Act of 1899, and the Marine Protection, Research, and Sanctuaries Act Personally conducts the evaluation of applications for permits, and the modification of permits, for activities or work in waters of the United States. Evaluations may require most or all of the following: Providing advice to potential applicants/permittees concerning regulatory requirements, including jurisdiction, processing and evaluation, and the likelihood of project approval Recommendation of issuance or denial of permits/ modifications, or conditions for issuance, and documentation of the weighing and balancing thought processes in a Statement of Findings (SOF) leading to the recommended decision Developing or re-evaluating General Permits (GP's) and making recommendations on the issuance or re-issuance of GPs, State Program General Permits (SPGP's), or the incorporation of regional conditions on nationwide permits. Representing the District and/or Regulatory Branch on interagency and other task forces to evaluate and develop solutions to problems concerning non-Corps interests which are related to the Corps regulatory program

Requirements

Conditions of Employment
Appointment may be subject to a suitability or fitness determination, as determined by a completed background investigation. Must possess a valid state driver's license Position requires up to 5% business related travel. Appointment to this position is subject to a one-year probationary period unless the appointee has previously met the requirements as described in 5 CFR Part 315.

Qualifications

Who May Apply: US Citizens

In order to qualify, you must meet the education and experience requirements described below. 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). You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience. Your resume must clearly describe your relevant experience; if qualifying based on education, your transcripts will be required as part of your application. Additional information about transcripts is in this document.

Applicants can be selected at the GS-07, GS-09, or GS-11 level. The target grade of this position is GS-11; management may fill position at the grade applicable to the selectee's education and experience.

Specialized Experience for GS-07: One year of specialized experience which includes experience which includes reviewing environmental documents and experience working with others on projects. This definition of specialized experience is typical of work performed at the second lower grade/level position in the federal service (GS-05).

OR

Education: One full year of graduate level education in a field which demonstrates the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to do the work of the position, such as: biological sciences, agriculture, natural resource management, chemistry, or related disciplines appropriate to the position.

OR

Combination of Education and Experience: A combination of education and experience may be used to qualify for this position as long as the computed percentage of the requirements is at least 100%. To compute the percentage of the requirements, divide your total months of experience by 12. Then divide the total number of completed graduate semester hours (or equivalent) by 18. Add the two percentages.

Specialized Experience for GS-09: One year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the GS-07 grade level in the Federal service which includes reviewing environmental documents, experience working with others on projects, and experience following/enforcing environmental regulations. This definition of specialized experience is typical of work performed at the second lower grade/level position in the federal service (GS-07).

OR

Education: Master's or equivalent graduate degree or 2 full years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to such a degree in a field which demonstrates the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to do the work of the position.

OR

Combination of Education and Experience: A combination of education and experience may be used to qualify for this position as long as the computed percentage of the requirements is at least 100%. To compute the percentage of the requirements, divide your total months of experience by 12. Then divide the total number of completed graduate semester hours (or equivalent) beyond the first year (total graduate semester hours minus 18) by 18. Add the two percentages.

Specialized Experience for GS-11: One year of specialized experience which includes assisting with reviewing and evaluating work to determine the nature, extent, and history of activities performed in Federally regulated areas; applying knowledge of federal and state wetland and water regulations; and working to prepare and/or review regulatory permits/applications involving structures and discharges in waters and wetlands. This definition of specialized experience is typical of work performed at the second lower grade/level position in the federal service (GS-09).

OR

Education: 3 years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to a Ph.D. degree or Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree

OR

Combination of Education and Experience: A combination of education and experience may be used to qualify for this position as long as the computed percentage of the requirements is at least 100%. To compute the percentage of the requirements, divide your total months of experience by 12. Then divide the total number of completed graduate semester hours (or equivalent) beyond the first year (total graduate semester hours minus 18) by 18. Add the two percentages.

Education
In addition to meeting the basic requirement above, to qualify for this position you must also meet the qualification requirements listed below:

Basic Education Requirement for Biologist:

A. Degree: Bachelor's degree (or higher degree) in biological sciences, agriculture, natural resource management, chemistry, or related disciplines appropriate to the position.

OR

B. Combination of Education and Experience: Courses equivalent to a major, as shown in A above, plus appropriate experience or additional education.

FOREIGN EDUCATION: If you are using education completed in foreign colleges or universities to meet the qualification requirements, you must show the education credentials have been evaluated by a private organization that specializes in interpretation of foreign education programs and such education has been deemed equivalent to that gained in an accredited U.S. education program; or full credit has been given for the courses at a U.S. accredited college or university. For further information, visit: http://www.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ous/international/usnei/us/edlite-visitus-forrecog.html

Only degrees from an accredited college or university recognized by the Department of Education are acceptable to meet positive education requirements or to substitute education for experience. For additional information, please go to the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) and U.S. Department of Education websites at - http://www.opm.gov/qualifications and http://www.ed.gov/admins/finaid/accred/index.htm

Additional information

This announcement uses the DHA for Certain Personnel of the DoD Workforce direct hire authority to recruit and appoint qualified candidates to certain positions in the competitive service. Male applicants born after December 31, 1959, must complete a Pre-Employment Certification Statement for Selective Service Registration. You will be required to provide proof of U.S. Citizenship. One year trial/probationary period may be required. Direct Deposit of Pay is required. Selection is subject to restrictions resulting from Department of Defense referral system for displaced employees. If you have retired from federal service and you are interested in employment as a reemployed annuitant, see the information in the Reemployed Annuitant information sheet. This is a Career Program (CP) 18 Multiple positions may be filled from this announcement. Salary includes applicable locality pay or Local Market Supplement. Payment of Permanent Change of Station (PCS) costs is not authorized, based on a determination that a PCS move is not in the Government interest. Parking is available for a daily, weekly, or monthly fee in the vicinity of the Philadelphia District office building, at employee's expense. However, most employees commute through public transportation or high-speed rail. The Army currently provides up to $300 per month for mass transit subsistence. Most employees commute via regional rail and public transportation. Monthly mass transit subsistence is not available at the Gouldsboro, PA duty location. Free Public Parking is available the Gouldsboro, PA location.

A career with the U.S. government provides employees with a comprehensive benefits package. As a federal employee, you and your family will have access to a range of benefits that are designed to make your federal career very rewarding. Opens in a new windowLearn more about federal benefits.

Review our benefits

Eligibility for benefits depends on the type of position you hold and whether your position is full-time, part-time or intermittent. Contact the hiring agency for more information on the specific benefits offered.

How You Will Be Evaluated

You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.
Candidates will be evaluated in accordance with the qualification and eligibility requirements set forth by the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) located at: General Natural Resources Management and Biological Sciences Series 0401 (opm.gov)

Veterans and Military Spouses will be considered along with all other candidates.

If selected, you may be required to provide additional supporting documentation.

A career with the U.S. government provides employees with a comprehensive benefits package. As a federal employee, you and your family will have access to a range of benefits that are designed to make your federal career very rewarding. Opens in a new windowLearn more about federal benefits.

Review our benefits

Eligibility for benefits depends on the type of position you hold and whether your position is full-time, part-time or intermittent. Contact the hiring agency for more information on the specific benefits offered.
As a new or existing federal employee, you and your family may have access to a range of benefits. Your benefits depend on the type of position you have - whether you're a permanent, part-time, temporary or an intermittent employee. You may be eligible for the following benefits, however, check with your agency to make sure you're eligible under their policies.
Your complete application includes your resume and other documents which prove your qualifications and eligibility to apply. If you fail to provide these documents, you will be marked as having an incomplete application package and you will not be considered any further.

1. Your resume: Your resume may be submitted in any format and must support the specialized experience described in this announcement. If your resume includes a photograph or other inappropriate material or content, it will not be used to make eligibility and qualification determinations and you may not be considered for this vacancy. For qualifications determinations your resume must contain hours worked per week and the dates of employment (i.e., HRS per week and month/year to month/year or month/year to present). If your resume does not contain this information, your application may be marked as incomplete and you may not receive consideration for this position. For additional information see: What to include in your resume . 2. Other supporting documents: Cover Letter, optional This position has an individual occupational requirement and/or allows for substitution of education for experience. If you meet this requirement based on education you MUST submit a copy of your transcript with your application package or you will be rated ineligible. See: Transcripts and Licenses NOTE: Documents submitted as part of the application package, to include supplemental documents, may be shared beyond the Human Resources Office. Some supplemental documents such as military orders and marriage certificates may contain personal information for someone other than you. You may sanitize these documents to remove another person's personal information before you submit your application. You may be asked to provide an un-sanitized version of the documents if you are selected to confirm your eligibility.

If you are relying on your education to meet qualification requirements:
Education must be accredited by an accrediting institution recognized by the U.S. Department of Education in order for it to be credited towards qualifications. Therefore, provide only the attendance and/or degrees from schools accredited by accrediting institutions recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.
Failure to provide all of the required information as stated in this vacancy announcement may result in an ineligible rating or may affect the overall rating.