What are the responsibilities and job description for the Wildlife Biologist (Assistant District Supervisor) position at USDA Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS)?
Find Your Future With Us at USDA – Animal Plant Health Inspection Service
Job Summary
If selected, you will be responsible for overseeing the assessment and management of wildlife damage to a wide variety of agricultural and natural resources and property, and of wildlife related threats to human health and safety. You will ensure that wildlife damage management objectives are accomplished in keeping with Federal, State, and local laws and regulations, multiple funding mandates and sound wildlife management principles.
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 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, physiology, 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 above, plus appropriate experience or additional education. In addition to meeting the basic requirement you will also need to meet the following: FOR THE GS-9 LEVEL: Applicants must have one year of specialized experience (equivalent to the GS-7 level) that may have been obtained in the private or public (local, county, state, Federal) sectors which demonstrates: Leading a team, including developing and providing training in wildlife damage mitigation. Selecting the appropriate method, such as pesticides, firearms, explosives, repellents, traps, to develop and deliver safe and effective damage management strategies. Interpreting and applying policies, regulations, laws, and ordinances that affect wildlife damage management operations and working within those guidelines. OR 2 years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to a master's degree or master's or equivalent graduate degree in one of the following degree fields: Wildlife Biology, Wildlife Ecology, or Wildlife Management or closely related field. Equivalent combinations of education and experience are qualifying for this grade level... TRANSCRIPTS are required if: 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-9 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:Assists the District Supervisor in planning, directing, coordinating and administering a WS program in a portion of a large/complex District.Establishes and maintains cooperative relationships among agencies, organizations, institutions, industry groups, county/local governments, associations, and individuals.Negotiates, develops, monitors, and reports on agreements such as Cooperative Service Field Agreements, Interagency Agreements, and others with work and financial plans.Assists District Supervisor supervising a combined workforce of both State/local cooperative and Federal employees.Supports Wildlife Services safety program and procedures through participation in meetings, inspections, and implementation of safety requirements and protocols.Develops and conducts National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) processes and develops documents with minimal guidance from the supervisor.Modifies or adapts established wildlife damage management techniques as necessary to meet program needs.Recommends areas for potential research or further investigation, and suggests possible research projects or activities.
Position Start Date:
07/31/2026
Position Close Date:
08/06/2026
Salary Offered: 69789 - 94563 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
If selected, you will be responsible for overseeing the assessment and management of wildlife damage to a wide variety of agricultural and natural resources and property, and of wildlife related threats to human health and safety. You will ensure that wildlife damage management objectives are accomplished in keeping with Federal, State, and local laws and regulations, multiple funding mandates and sound wildlife management principles.
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 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, physiology, 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 above, plus appropriate experience or additional education. In addition to meeting the basic requirement you will also need to meet the following: FOR THE GS-9 LEVEL: Applicants must have one year of specialized experience (equivalent to the GS-7 level) that may have been obtained in the private or public (local, county, state, Federal) sectors which demonstrates: Leading a team, including developing and providing training in wildlife damage mitigation. Selecting the appropriate method, such as pesticides, firearms, explosives, repellents, traps, to develop and deliver safe and effective damage management strategies. Interpreting and applying policies, regulations, laws, and ordinances that affect wildlife damage management operations and working within those guidelines. OR 2 years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to a master's degree or master's or equivalent graduate degree in one of the following degree fields: Wildlife Biology, Wildlife Ecology, or Wildlife Management or closely related field. Equivalent combinations of education and experience are qualifying for this grade level... TRANSCRIPTS are required if: 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-9 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:Assists the District Supervisor in planning, directing, coordinating and administering a WS program in a portion of a large/complex District.Establishes and maintains cooperative relationships among agencies, organizations, institutions, industry groups, county/local governments, associations, and individuals.Negotiates, develops, monitors, and reports on agreements such as Cooperative Service Field Agreements, Interagency Agreements, and others with work and financial plans.Assists District Supervisor supervising a combined workforce of both State/local cooperative and Federal employees.Supports Wildlife Services safety program and procedures through participation in meetings, inspections, and implementation of safety requirements and protocols.Develops and conducts National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) processes and develops documents with minimal guidance from the supervisor.Modifies or adapts established wildlife damage management techniques as necessary to meet program needs.Recommends areas for potential research or further investigation, and suggests possible research projects or activities.
Position Start Date:
07/31/2026
Position Close Date:
08/06/2026
Salary Offered: 69789 - 94563 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!