What are the responsibilities and job description for the Research Biologist position at USDA Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS)?
Find Your Future With Us at USDA – Animal Plant Health Inspection Service
Job Summary
This position is with the National Wildlife Research Center (NWRC) of the U.S. Department of Agriculture, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (USDA-APHIS) Wildlife Services Program (WS). Works as a research grade biologist to define, lead, plan, coordinate, conduct, analyze, and report on field and laboratory research dealing with wildlife damage conflicts. Four (4) positions to be filled. See additional information for an explanation of where vacancies will be filled.
Qualifications
Applicants must meet all qualifications and eligibility requirements by the closing date of the announcement, including specialized experience and/or education, as defined below. BASIC REQUIREMENT: Degree: biological sciences, agriculture, natural resource management, chemistry, or related disciplines appropriate to the position. OR; Combination of education and experience: Courses equivalent to a major, 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-12 LEVEL: Applicants must have one year of specialized experience (equivalent to the GS-11 level) that may have been obtained in the private or public (local, county, state, Federal) sectors which demonstrates: Experience independently planning and conducting research studies with an emphasis in one of the following areas: wildlife repellents (e.g., physiology, sensory biology), chronic wasting disease, invasive species (e.g., Brown Treesnakes), and/or wildlife-aviation safety. Studies conducted to provide tools, information and solutions for wildlife damage management to protect agriculture, natural resources, and human health and safety. Designed and conducted research projects in laboratory, field and captive settings to address human-wildlife conflict including trapping, handling, marking, etc. Brought in external resources/funding (either via grants or via leveraging partnerships) to support research. Experience communicating research findings through peer-reviewed, scientific publications and presentations to diverse stakeholders; and considered an expert in respective field. OR Qualification on the basis of education--Applicants for such research positions can be considered qualified for GS-12 if they possess a Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree directly related to the position. Equivalent combinations of education and experience are qualifying for this grade level. TRANSCRIPTS are required: This position requires specific coursework or a degree in a specific field to be basically qualified. You are qualifying for the position based on education. You are qualifying for this position based on a combination of experience and education. This education must have been successfully completed and obtained from an accredited school, college, or university COMBINATION OF EDUCATION & EXPERIENCE AT THE GS-12 GRADE LEVEL: Applicants may have combinations of successfully completed education and specialized experience to meet total qualification requirements. The total percentages must equal at least 100 percent to qualify for that grade level. 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.
Major Duties
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:Determines the character, distribution, and economics of wildlife damage problems in agricultural, forest, insular, and other settings.Develops methods of detecting and estimating or indexing wildlife populations and the magnitude of resource damage and economic loss.Develops integrated management techniques and strategies for reducing wildlife damage problems and/or eradicating invasive animal populations.Develops control technologies, such as toxicants, repellents, attractants, capture devices, mechanical control devices, habitat manipulation strategies, and/or reproductive inhibition technologies.Provides a general knowledge of wildlife ecology, behavior, physiology, and types of damage and control options to individuals responsible for management decisions.Performs non-research duties as assigned, such as serving on various WS or NWRC committees or representing the Agency or Program with other government entities or outside interests.
Position Start Date:
04/24/2026
Position Close Date:
04/30/2026
Salary Offered: 89508 - 129742 USD Per Year
You can make a difference! The U.S. Department of Agriculture's (USDA) Marketing and Regulatory Programs (MRP) needs bright, energetic and committed professionals to facilitate the domestic and international marketing of U.S. agricultural products and to protect the health and care of animals and plants in the United States. We operate in domestic and global markets. Be part of an organization that protects the health and agriculture of the American people. Join our team! To learn more about what it's like to work at the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, what the agency does, and the types of careers, please visit the APHIS careers site. APHIS is an emergency response agency. This means that all Agency employees may be asked or assigned to participate in rotating temporary duty assignments to support emergency programs at some time during their careers with APHIS. For details click: APHIS Emergency Response
Please see the full announcement on USAJobs by clicking on the APPLY button!
Job Summary
This position is with the National Wildlife Research Center (NWRC) of the U.S. Department of Agriculture, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (USDA-APHIS) Wildlife Services Program (WS). Works as a research grade biologist to define, lead, plan, coordinate, conduct, analyze, and report on field and laboratory research dealing with wildlife damage conflicts. Four (4) positions to be filled. See additional information for an explanation of where vacancies will be filled.
Qualifications
Applicants must meet all qualifications and eligibility requirements by the closing date of the announcement, including specialized experience and/or education, as defined below. BASIC REQUIREMENT: Degree: biological sciences, agriculture, natural resource management, chemistry, or related disciplines appropriate to the position. OR; Combination of education and experience: Courses equivalent to a major, 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-12 LEVEL: Applicants must have one year of specialized experience (equivalent to the GS-11 level) that may have been obtained in the private or public (local, county, state, Federal) sectors which demonstrates: Experience independently planning and conducting research studies with an emphasis in one of the following areas: wildlife repellents (e.g., physiology, sensory biology), chronic wasting disease, invasive species (e.g., Brown Treesnakes), and/or wildlife-aviation safety. Studies conducted to provide tools, information and solutions for wildlife damage management to protect agriculture, natural resources, and human health and safety. Designed and conducted research projects in laboratory, field and captive settings to address human-wildlife conflict including trapping, handling, marking, etc. Brought in external resources/funding (either via grants or via leveraging partnerships) to support research. Experience communicating research findings through peer-reviewed, scientific publications and presentations to diverse stakeholders; and considered an expert in respective field. OR Qualification on the basis of education--Applicants for such research positions can be considered qualified for GS-12 if they possess a Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree directly related to the position. Equivalent combinations of education and experience are qualifying for this grade level. TRANSCRIPTS are required: This position requires specific coursework or a degree in a specific field to be basically qualified. You are qualifying for the position based on education. You are qualifying for this position based on a combination of experience and education. This education must have been successfully completed and obtained from an accredited school, college, or university COMBINATION OF EDUCATION & EXPERIENCE AT THE GS-12 GRADE LEVEL: Applicants may have combinations of successfully completed education and specialized experience to meet total qualification requirements. The total percentages must equal at least 100 percent to qualify for that grade level. 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.
Major Duties
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:Determines the character, distribution, and economics of wildlife damage problems in agricultural, forest, insular, and other settings.Develops methods of detecting and estimating or indexing wildlife populations and the magnitude of resource damage and economic loss.Develops integrated management techniques and strategies for reducing wildlife damage problems and/or eradicating invasive animal populations.Develops control technologies, such as toxicants, repellents, attractants, capture devices, mechanical control devices, habitat manipulation strategies, and/or reproductive inhibition technologies.Provides a general knowledge of wildlife ecology, behavior, physiology, and types of damage and control options to individuals responsible for management decisions.Performs non-research duties as assigned, such as serving on various WS or NWRC committees or representing the Agency or Program with other government entities or outside interests.
Position Start Date:
04/24/2026
Position Close Date:
04/30/2026
Salary Offered: 89508 - 129742 USD Per Year
You can make a difference! The U.S. Department of Agriculture's (USDA) Marketing and Regulatory Programs (MRP) needs bright, energetic and committed professionals to facilitate the domestic and international marketing of U.S. agricultural products and to protect the health and care of animals and plants in the United States. We operate in domestic and global markets. Be part of an organization that protects the health and agriculture of the American people. Join our team! To learn more about what it's like to work at the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, what the agency does, and the types of careers, please visit the APHIS careers site. APHIS is an emergency response agency. This means that all Agency employees may be asked or assigned to participate in rotating temporary duty assignments to support emergency programs at some time during their careers with APHIS. For details click: APHIS Emergency Response
Please see the full announcement on USAJobs by clicking on the APPLY button!