Wildlife Biologist (Airplane Pilot)
Serves as a recognized scientific expert in migratory bird management and for particular species of migratory birds; includes planning, designing, and conducting significant surveys, inventories, and other types of monitoring and assessment activities. Provides scientific leadership in specialized studies of significant biological problems and issues; designs significant waterfowl improvement projects. Provides supporting role and contributes to many aspects of Department of the Interior (Department) and Service efforts to manage natural resources adaptively, including adaptive harvest management (AHM) for waterfowl, and strategic habitat conservation (SHC), among other initiatives. Serves on waterfowl Flyway Technical/Study Committees, which require his/her experience, expertise, and species skills as needed. Provides expert advice regarding environmental contaminants, migratory bird die-offs, habitat alteration/impact and/or enhancement, and reports on various migratory bird law violations when encountered during field activities in the U.S., Canada, and Mexico. Conducts and oversees survey data analysis to ensure that survey data meet the highest scientific standards. Emphasis is on the development of sound population and productivity data on indicator species that provide a basis for assessing the overall conservation status of trust species. Analyzes survey and banding data, prepares manuscripts and technical reports and scientific papers for distribution within the Fish and Wildlife Service, to other agencies, Non-government Organizations (NGOs), the public; and for other non-peer reviewed publication outlets as appropriate. The incumbent contributes to the formulation and administration of the Service's collaborative bird survey and management policies through participation in the Flyway Council System, which is the North American process of managing many bird populations. Attends Flyway Council and Technical Committee meetings to discuss, plan, and refine annual survey and banding programs, and other monitoring and assessment objectives and strategies. Contributes to the development of conceptual plans, strategic conservation plans, habitat protection priorities, and decision documents for migratory bird issues. Develops overall strategies and plans, and coordinates with other cooperators those surveys designed to track migratory bird population trends and habitat changes throughout the United States, Canada, and Mexico, ensuring that projects meet regional and Service goals and objectives. Prepares annual work plans, budgets, and justifications for projects, and effectively manages each project budget to achieve work plan objectives. Serves as Principal Investigator for various migratory bird surveys. Responsibility includes coordinating, directing, conducting, and evaluating annual aerial surveys of nesting, molting, staging, migrating and wintering waterfowl and other migratory birds in the continental United States, Alaska, Canada, and/or Mexico. Serves as an airplane pilot, operating fixed-wing aircraft from land and water for the primary purpose of conducting special-use flight missions. Conducts aerial bird surveys at minimum airspeeds, often within 1500 feet of the terrain while simultaneously navigating precisely, using paper maps and/or specialized electronic navigational equipment, and making and recording bird and mammal observations, usually by species. These flights are often conducted at maximum gross weight over remote areas, where weather reporting stations, radio aids to navigation, and communication facilities are limited. A major proportion of takeoffs and landings are accomplished from off airport locations and often flying duties must be accomplished under marginal weather conditions. All survey flights require above-average pilot skills and judgment. Only experience and education obtained by https:
//www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/classification-qualifications/general-schedule-qualification-standards/0400/wildlife-biology-series-0486/ BASIC EDUCATION REQUIREMENTS:
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, physicology, 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 in A above, plus appropriate experience or additional education. FOR DEPRTMENT OF THE INTERIOR POSITIONS WITH PILOT DUTIES:
Applicants must:
Possess a current FAA Commercial Airman Certificate with ratings appropriate for the duties performed; Possess an instrument rating; Have completed a minimum of 500 hours of flight time as Pilot-in-Command and 25 hours of flight time as Pilot-in-Command at night; and Possess a current Class II Medical Certificate. NOTE:
Prospective pilots may be administered pre-employment flight evaluations that assess general skill and knowledge rather than specific make/model knowledge prior to final employment decisions. You may qualify at the GS-12 level, if you fulfill the following qualification requirement:
One year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-11 grade level in the Federal service that demonstrates your ability to serving as pilot-in-command of single-or multi-engine, fixed-wing aircraft; participating in aerial surveys for the primary purpose of monitoring wildlife or their habitats; developing logistical and operational plans for conducting aerial wildlife surveys; authoring or co-authors peer-reviewed publications or technical reports; and presenting one or more oral talks or poster at a scientific meeting, symposium, or conference. You may qualify at the GS-13 level, if you fulfill the following qualification requirement:
One year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-12 grade level in the Federal service that demonstrates your to serving as pilot-in-command of single-or multi-engine, fixed winged aircraft in the amphibious, float, or well-configured in both high-density airspace and remote areas; documenting substantive (i.e.,>200 pilot-in-command flight hours) as pilot-in-command during aerial wildlife surveys conducted near minimum airspeeds and 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. Promotion Potential:
This position involves a multi-grade career ladder. The major duties listed represent the full performance level of GS-12/13. At lower grade levels, you will perform assignments of a more limited scope and with less independence. You will progressively acquire the background necessary to perform at the full performance level of GS-12/13. Promotion is at the discretion of the supervisor and is contingent upon satisfactory performance, availability of higher level work, and availability of funds.The selectee may be promoted without further competition when all regulatory, qualification, and performance requirements are met. Selection at a lower grade level does not guarantee promotion to the full performance level.
Estimated Salary: $20 to $28 per hour based on qualifications.
//www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/classification-qualifications/general-schedule-qualification-standards/0400/wildlife-biology-series-0486/ BASIC EDUCATION REQUIREMENTS:
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, physicology, 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 in A above, plus appropriate experience or additional education. FOR DEPRTMENT OF THE INTERIOR POSITIONS WITH PILOT DUTIES:
Applicants must:
Possess a current FAA Commercial Airman Certificate with ratings appropriate for the duties performed; Possess an instrument rating; Have completed a minimum of 500 hours of flight time as Pilot-in-Command and 25 hours of flight time as Pilot-in-Command at night; and Possess a current Class II Medical Certificate. NOTE:
Prospective pilots may be administered pre-employment flight evaluations that assess general skill and knowledge rather than specific make/model knowledge prior to final employment decisions. You may qualify at the GS-12 level, if you fulfill the following qualification requirement:
One year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-11 grade level in the Federal service that demonstrates your ability to serving as pilot-in-command of single-or multi-engine, fixed-wing aircraft; participating in aerial surveys for the primary purpose of monitoring wildlife or their habitats; developing logistical and operational plans for conducting aerial wildlife surveys; authoring or co-authors peer-reviewed publications or technical reports; and presenting one or more oral talks or poster at a scientific meeting, symposium, or conference. You may qualify at the GS-13 level, if you fulfill the following qualification requirement:
One year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-12 grade level in the Federal service that demonstrates your to serving as pilot-in-command of single-or multi-engine, fixed winged aircraft in the amphibious, float, or well-configured in both high-density airspace and remote areas; documenting substantive (i.e.,>200 pilot-in-command flight hours) as pilot-in-command during aerial wildlife surveys conducted near minimum airspeeds and 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. Promotion Potential:
This position involves a multi-grade career ladder. The major duties listed represent the full performance level of GS-12/13. At lower grade levels, you will perform assignments of a more limited scope and with less independence. You will progressively acquire the background necessary to perform at the full performance level of GS-12/13. Promotion is at the discretion of the supervisor and is contingent upon satisfactory performance, availability of higher level work, and availability of funds.The selectee may be promoted without further competition when all regulatory, qualification, and performance requirements are met. Selection at a lower grade level does not guarantee promotion to the full performance level.
- Department:
0486 Wildlife Biology - Salary Range:
$79,968 to $128,920 per year
Estimated Salary: $20 to $28 per hour based on qualifications.
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