What are the responsibilities and job description for the Conservation Planner. position at U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS)?
Duties
As a Conservation Planner your duties will include but are not limited to the following:
Conditions of employment
Only experience and education obtained by 07/31/2026 will be considered.
In order to qualify for this position you must possess both the Basic Requirement and Minimum Qualification.
Basic Requirement
I have successfully completed a full 4-year course of study in an accredited college or university leading to a bachelor's or higher degree that included a major field of study in biological sciences, agriculture, natural resource management, chemistry, or related disciplines appropriate to the position.
OR
I have a combination of education and experience--courses equivalent to a major, as shown above, PLUS appropriate experience or additional education. To combine education and experience, first take the number of semester hours (or equivalent) earned towards your degree and divide by 120 semester hours (or equivalent). To determine the percentage of qualifying experience, divide the total number of months of acceptable specialized experience by 12 months. Add your percentages of education and experience together. The two percentages must total at least 100%.
Minimum Qualification [GS-11]
One year of specialized experience comparable in scope and responsibility equivalent to grade GS-09 in the Federal service. Experience may include 1) Lead planning teams on natural resource planning projects for the conservation of public lands; 2) Develop comprehensive wildlife management plans related to wildlife resources and recreation opportunities of an area; 3) Prepare and review environmental assessments or portions impact statements or comprehensive resource planning reports to evaluate environmental consequences of proposed actions; 4) Understand and implement environmental laws (e.g., National Wildlife Refuge System Administration Act, Endangered Species Act, specifically Sections 7 and 10; National Environmental Policy Act), regulations, and polices involving management of the conservation of public lands.
NOTE: Your resume must contain sufficient detail to prove you have one (1) year performing these duties.
OR
I have completed 3 years of graduate education leading to a Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree in wildlife biology, ecology, or a field directly related to this position. NOTE: To be found qualified under this option, you must submit transcripts (official or unofficial) to verify your education.
OR
A combination of education and experience as described above which together equals 100% of the requirement.
Minimum Qualifications [GS-12]
One year of specialized experience comparable in scope and responsibility equivalent to grade GS-11 in the Federal service. Experience may include 1) coordinating within and across large regional partnerships (e.g. Migratory Bird Joint Ventures, Fish Habitat Partnerships, National Estuary Program, Network for Landscape Conservation) to co-develop priorities, action strategies, and joint operations that achieve measurable ecological outcomes at scales ranging from local (or site) scale, to watershed (or landscape) scale, to regional and national scale; 2) applying conservation and resource management policies and objectives and their application to the conservation of trust resources at multiple spatial scales; 3) developing interagency projects and programs to define science-based objectives and provide guidance and direction in the implementation of private, state, and federal conservation programs on both public and private lands; 4) science collaboration associated with ecosystem conservation initiatives focused on specific fish and wildlife conservation issues.
NOTE: Your resume must contain sufficient detail to prove you have one (1) year performing these duties.
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.
Time In Grade Requirement: Applicants must meet both eligibility and qualification requirements for the position of interest by the closing date of the JOA. Specifically,
i. Area of Consideration.
ii. Time-in-grade (TIG) requirements as specified in 5 CFR 300, Subpart F.
iii. Time after competitive appointment as specified in 5 CFR 330.502.
iv. Qualification requirements outlined in OPM's Qualifications Standards for General Schedule Positions or for Federal Wage System (FWS)
Education
PROOF OF EDUCATION: All applicants who are using education or a combination of education and experience to qualify must submit copies of official or unofficial transcripts which include grades, credit hours earned, major(s), grade point average or class ranking, institution name, and student name. If any required coursework is not easily recognizable on transcripts, or if you believe a portion of a particular course can be credited toward meeting an educational requirement, you must also provide a memorandum on letterhead from the institution's registrar, dean, or other appropriate official stating the percentage of the course that should be considered to meet the requirement and the equivalent number of units. Unofficial transcripts are acceptable; however, if you are selected for the position, you will be required to produce the original official transcripts.
PASS/FAIL COURSES: If more than 10 percent of your undergraduate course work (credit hours) were taken on a pass/fail basis, your claim of superior academic achievement must be based upon class standing or membership in an honor society.
GRADUATE EDUCATION: One academic year of graduate education is considered to be the number of credits hours your graduate school has determined to represent one academic year of full-time study. Such study may have been performed on a full-time or part-time basis. If you cannot obtain your graduate school's definition of one year of graduate study, 18 semester hours (or 27 quarter hours) should be considered as satisfying the requirement for one year of full-time graduate study.
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:
Additional information
Pcs Information
This position is suitable for telework and may be allowed to telework with supervisory approval.
Additional Vacancies: One or more positions may be filled from applications received under this announcement in the advertised office or other U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service offices in the local commuting area.
Career Transition Assistance Plan (CTAP) or Interagency Career Transition Assistance Plan (ICTAP): Department of Interior (DOI) Career Transition Assistance Plan (CTAP) procedures apply in filling this vacancy. These programs apply to employees who have been involuntarily separated from a federal service position within the competitive service or Federal service employees whose positions have been deemed surplus or no longer needed. To receive selection priority for this position, you must: (1) meet CTAP or ICTAP eligibility criteria; (2) be rated well-qualified (i.e., meet the minimum qualification requirements, including any selective placement factors; education, and experience requirements) for the position with a score of 85 or above on the assessment questionnaire, and be able to perform the duties of the position upon entry. Applicants claiming CTAP/ICTAP eligibility must submit a copy of their most recent performance appraisal, proof of eligibility, and most current SF-50 noting position, grade level, and duty location with their application.
For More Information Visit
Reasonable Accommodation: The USFWS provides reasonable accommodations to applicants with disabilities. Please visit
Probation/Trial Period Con't
The [probationary or trial] period is an extension of the appointment process and therefore requires the agency to determine if continued employment would advance the public interest, meet the organization goals and mission of the agency, and/or otherwise promote the efficiency of the service. In determining if your employment advances the public interest, the agency will consider:
Candidates should be committed to improving the efficiency of the Federal government, passionate about the ideals of our American republic, and committed to upholding the rule of law and the United States Constitution.
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.
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 Conservation Planner your duties will include but are not limited to the following:
- Plans, evaluates, conducts a wide variety of complex analyses of refuge management and restoration projects to determine their effects upon biological, physical, cultural, and socioeconomic resources to ensure that legal standards, regulations, policy, and other requirements are met.
- Reviews and/or writes all or portions of environment assessment/impact statements for refuge plans to evaluate environmental consequences of proposed actions on the environment.
- Provides expert technical guidance, review, and comment on documents, and other support (e.g., participation in public and inter-agency meetings, and some document development) for refuge plans, National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) documents, compatibility determinations, mitigation plans, other compliance documents and processes, and permits and approvals.
- Participates in the development, review, and processing of a variety of permits and other compliance documents for refuges in coordination with refuge and regional office staff, Federal, Tribal, and state agencies; and with other parties as required. Examples include refuge appropriateness findings and compatibility determinations; ESA Section 7 compliance; and refuge wilderness reviews. Ensures that due dates are met and policies are followed.
- Leads and coordinates the development of comprehensive plans and project-level plans for the conservation of National Wildlife Refuge System natural resources and development of opportunities for wildlife-dependent recreation under a variety of conditions.
- Leads, develops, coordinates, or reviews plans that may encompass any and all programs that affect refuge fish and/or wildlife and their habitat conditions including, but not limited to, comprehensive conservation plans, natural resources (habitat) management, fire management, visitor services, hunting and fishing management and/or habitat restoration.
- Reviews and comments on reports or environmental documents prepared by environmental consultants to ensure they meet legal, policy, and contract requirements.
- Gathers, organizes, and interprets biological, ecological, socioeconomic, public use, or other pertinent information to ensure management and project plans are current and accurate. Supports the implementation of management plans, studies and investigations required for species propagation/production, resource protection, ecological factors, public information, and other aspects of natural resource management.
Conditions of employment
- Must be a U.S. Citizen or National.
- Merit promotion applicants must meet time-in-grade requirement as defined in 5 CFR 300, Subpart F.
- Suitability for employment, as determined by background investigation.
- Driver’s License: This position requires the incumbent to operate a government (or private) motor vehicle as part of their official duties. Selectee must hold and maintain a valid state driver’s license throughout their employment in this position.
- A condition of employment for accepting this position, you will be required to serve a [1-year probationary period OR 2-year trial period] during which your fitness and whether your continued employment advances the public interest will be evaluated.
- Individuals assigned male at birth after 12-31-59 must be registered for the Selective Service. To verify registration visit SSS.gov.
Only experience and education obtained by 07/31/2026 will be considered.
In order to qualify for this position you must possess both the Basic Requirement and Minimum Qualification.
Basic Requirement
I have successfully completed a full 4-year course of study in an accredited college or university leading to a bachelor's or higher degree that included a major field of study in biological sciences, agriculture, natural resource management, chemistry, or related disciplines appropriate to the position.
OR
I have a combination of education and experience--courses equivalent to a major, as shown above, PLUS appropriate experience or additional education. To combine education and experience, first take the number of semester hours (or equivalent) earned towards your degree and divide by 120 semester hours (or equivalent). To determine the percentage of qualifying experience, divide the total number of months of acceptable specialized experience by 12 months. Add your percentages of education and experience together. The two percentages must total at least 100%.
Minimum Qualification [GS-11]
One year of specialized experience comparable in scope and responsibility equivalent to grade GS-09 in the Federal service. Experience may include 1) Lead planning teams on natural resource planning projects for the conservation of public lands; 2) Develop comprehensive wildlife management plans related to wildlife resources and recreation opportunities of an area; 3) Prepare and review environmental assessments or portions impact statements or comprehensive resource planning reports to evaluate environmental consequences of proposed actions; 4) Understand and implement environmental laws (e.g., National Wildlife Refuge System Administration Act, Endangered Species Act, specifically Sections 7 and 10; National Environmental Policy Act), regulations, and polices involving management of the conservation of public lands.
NOTE: Your resume must contain sufficient detail to prove you have one (1) year performing these duties.
OR
I have completed 3 years of graduate education leading to a Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree in wildlife biology, ecology, or a field directly related to this position. NOTE: To be found qualified under this option, you must submit transcripts (official or unofficial) to verify your education.
OR
A combination of education and experience as described above which together equals 100% of the requirement.
Minimum Qualifications [GS-12]
One year of specialized experience comparable in scope and responsibility equivalent to grade GS-11 in the Federal service. Experience may include 1) coordinating within and across large regional partnerships (e.g. Migratory Bird Joint Ventures, Fish Habitat Partnerships, National Estuary Program, Network for Landscape Conservation) to co-develop priorities, action strategies, and joint operations that achieve measurable ecological outcomes at scales ranging from local (or site) scale, to watershed (or landscape) scale, to regional and national scale; 2) applying conservation and resource management policies and objectives and their application to the conservation of trust resources at multiple spatial scales; 3) developing interagency projects and programs to define science-based objectives and provide guidance and direction in the implementation of private, state, and federal conservation programs on both public and private lands; 4) science collaboration associated with ecosystem conservation initiatives focused on specific fish and wildlife conservation issues.
NOTE: Your resume must contain sufficient detail to prove you have one (1) year performing these duties.
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.
Time In Grade Requirement: Applicants must meet both eligibility and qualification requirements for the position of interest by the closing date of the JOA. Specifically,
i. Area of Consideration.
ii. Time-in-grade (TIG) requirements as specified in 5 CFR 300, Subpart F.
iii. Time after competitive appointment as specified in 5 CFR 330.502.
iv. Qualification requirements outlined in OPM's Qualifications Standards for General Schedule Positions or for Federal Wage System (FWS)
Education
PROOF OF EDUCATION: All applicants who are using education or a combination of education and experience to qualify must submit copies of official or unofficial transcripts which include grades, credit hours earned, major(s), grade point average or class ranking, institution name, and student name. If any required coursework is not easily recognizable on transcripts, or if you believe a portion of a particular course can be credited toward meeting an educational requirement, you must also provide a memorandum on letterhead from the institution's registrar, dean, or other appropriate official stating the percentage of the course that should be considered to meet the requirement and the equivalent number of units. Unofficial transcripts are acceptable; however, if you are selected for the position, you will be required to produce the original official transcripts.
PASS/FAIL COURSES: If more than 10 percent of your undergraduate course work (credit hours) were taken on a pass/fail basis, your claim of superior academic achievement must be based upon class standing or membership in an honor society.
GRADUATE EDUCATION: One academic year of graduate education is considered to be the number of credits hours your graduate school has determined to represent one academic year of full-time study. Such study may have been performed on a full-time or part-time basis. If you cannot obtain your graduate school's definition of one year of graduate study, 18 semester hours (or 27 quarter hours) should be considered as satisfying the requirement for one year of full-time graduate study.
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:
Additional information
Pcs Information
- No PCS entitlements authorized
- Discretionary entitlements are not authorized for this position
This position is suitable for telework and may be allowed to telework with supervisory approval.
Additional Vacancies: One or more positions may be filled from applications received under this announcement in the advertised office or other U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service offices in the local commuting area.
Career Transition Assistance Plan (CTAP) or Interagency Career Transition Assistance Plan (ICTAP): Department of Interior (DOI) Career Transition Assistance Plan (CTAP) procedures apply in filling this vacancy. These programs apply to employees who have been involuntarily separated from a federal service position within the competitive service or Federal service employees whose positions have been deemed surplus or no longer needed. To receive selection priority for this position, you must: (1) meet CTAP or ICTAP eligibility criteria; (2) be rated well-qualified (i.e., meet the minimum qualification requirements, including any selective placement factors; education, and experience requirements) for the position with a score of 85 or above on the assessment questionnaire, and be able to perform the duties of the position upon entry. Applicants claiming CTAP/ICTAP eligibility must submit a copy of their most recent performance appraisal, proof of eligibility, and most current SF-50 noting position, grade level, and duty location with their application.
For More Information Visit
Reasonable Accommodation: The USFWS provides reasonable accommodations to applicants with disabilities. Please visit
Probation/Trial Period Con't
The [probationary or trial] period is an extension of the appointment process and therefore requires the agency to determine if continued employment would advance the public interest, meet the organization goals and mission of the agency, and/or otherwise promote the efficiency of the service. In determining if your employment advances the public interest, the agency will consider:
- your performance and conduct;
- the needs and interests of the agency;
- whether your continued employment would advance organizational goals of the agency or the Government; and
- whether your continued employment would advance the efficiency of the Federal service.
Candidates should be committed to improving the efficiency of the Federal government, passionate about the ideals of our American republic, and committed to upholding the rule of law and the United States Constitution.
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.
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.