What are the responsibilities and job description for the Deputy Chief of Staff. position at U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS)?
Duties
As a Deputy Chief of Staff your duties will include but are not limited to the following:
Conditions of employment
Only experience and education obtained by 05/18/2026 will be considered.
In order to qualify for this position you must possess the Minimum Qualification.
Minimum Qualification [GS-14]
One year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-13 grade level in Federal service. Specialized experience may include the following: Experience with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service culture, statutes, and policies governing the management, operations, and program implementation to advise regional and program managers and partners for advancing goals, objectives, and initiatives; building and maintaining partnerships with similarly situated organizations, Congress, the Department and other federal agencies; communicating principles, methods, practices, and techniques; analytical methods and interpersonal relationships practices; preparing presentations, reports, briefing statements and memoranda in response to Departmental, Administration, and/or congressional inquiries and requests; providing administrative support activities, resolving staff grievances and complaints; administering discipline, making decisions on personnel matters, and ensuring compliance with management programs.
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
Education
This job does not have an education qualification requirement.
Additional information
PCS INFORMATION: No PCS entitlements authorized
Telework: 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): Department of Interior (DOI) Career Transition Assistance Plan (CTAP) procedures apply in filling this vacancy. CTAP provides placement assistance to permanent Federal employees who are surplus, displaced, or involuntarily separated. Applicants claiming CTAP 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. To be considered under CTAP, applicants must be well-qualified (i.e., meet the minimum qualification requirements, including any selective placement factors; education, and experience requirements), score at least 85 on the accomplishment record evaluation, and be able to perform the duties of the position upon entry. For information on CTAP visit:
Reasonable Accommodation: The USFWS provides reasonable accommodations to applicants with disabilities. Please visit
Applicants who apply under this job opportunity announcement agree to have their application, associated documents and applicable personal information shared with other Bureaus/Offices within the Department of the Interior (DOI) who have vacancies within the same occupational series, grade, full performance level and in the same geographic location(s), including within the same metro/commuting area. Applying to this announcement does not replace the need to apply to other job opportunity announcements for which you wish to receive consideration.
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 Deputy Chief of Staff your duties will include but are not limited to the following:
- Coordinates decision-making among the Director, Deputy Directors, Assistant Directors, and Regional Directors assuring consistency with policy, objectives, and goals.
- In coordination with the Chief of Staff, may be called to represent and speak for the Director, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) on key managerial, operational, and programmatic decisions, including representing the Director in meetings with high-level senior managers of the Department of the Interior, other federal agencies, the Office of Management and Budget, and congressional members and staff, regarding Service policy and program priorities.
- Reviews and edits briefing statements, event memos, and other documents on behalf of the Directorate in response to Departmental, Administration, and/or congressional inquiries and requests.
- Provides ongoing communication and work with programs and regions on highly visible partnership projects including strategic advice and counsel to assure accurate information on project direction; and is responsible for difficult and complex issues which involve the laws and regulations that govern FWS.
- Provides administrative support activities through a small staff ensuring equal opportunity for all employees in training, promotions, awards, recognition, and career development.
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.
- 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 05/18/2026 will be considered.
In order to qualify for this position you must possess the Minimum Qualification.
Minimum Qualification [GS-14]
One year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-13 grade level in Federal service. Specialized experience may include the following: Experience with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service culture, statutes, and policies governing the management, operations, and program implementation to advise regional and program managers and partners for advancing goals, objectives, and initiatives; building and maintaining partnerships with similarly situated organizations, Congress, the Department and other federal agencies; communicating principles, methods, practices, and techniques; analytical methods and interpersonal relationships practices; preparing presentations, reports, briefing statements and memoranda in response to Departmental, Administration, and/or congressional inquiries and requests; providing administrative support activities, resolving staff grievances and complaints; administering discipline, making decisions on personnel matters, and ensuring compliance with management programs.
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
Education
This job does not have an education qualification requirement.
Additional information
PCS INFORMATION: No PCS entitlements authorized
Telework: 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): Department of Interior (DOI) Career Transition Assistance Plan (CTAP) procedures apply in filling this vacancy. CTAP provides placement assistance to permanent Federal employees who are surplus, displaced, or involuntarily separated. Applicants claiming CTAP 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. To be considered under CTAP, applicants must be well-qualified (i.e., meet the minimum qualification requirements, including any selective placement factors; education, and experience requirements), score at least 85 on the accomplishment record evaluation, and be able to perform the duties of the position upon entry. For information on CTAP visit:
Reasonable Accommodation: The USFWS provides reasonable accommodations to applicants with disabilities. Please visit
Applicants who apply under this job opportunity announcement agree to have their application, associated documents and applicable personal information shared with other Bureaus/Offices within the Department of the Interior (DOI) who have vacancies within the same occupational series, grade, full performance level and in the same geographic location(s), including within the same metro/commuting area. Applying to this announcement does not replace the need to apply to other job opportunity announcements for which you wish to receive consideration.
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.