Wildlife Refuge Manager.

Responsibilities

• Oversees and administers the biological program at assigned Refuge/Wetland Management Districts, including land and aquatic conservation activities, habitat development, clean-up, contaminant and restoration projects, research programs, population studies, wildlife inventory, and monitoring activities to include species lifecycle requirements and management.
• Oversees, administers, and ensures the development of required National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) documentation such as Environmental Assessments (EAs), Environmental Impact Statements (EISs), Findings of No Significant Impact (FONSIs), Categorical Exclusions (CEs), Endangered Species Act (ESA) Section 7 consultations, archeological resource clearances, wilderness minimum requirement decisions, and subsistence evaluations.
• Oversees, administers, and ensures the development and coordination of Comprehensive Conservation Plans, Habitat Management Plans, Land Acquisition and Protection Plans, and Refuge Operational Needs plans.
• Oversees and administers the Refuge Visitor Services program with emphasis on the six priority public uses of the National Wildlife Refuge System and the Law Enforcement program.
• Supervises a multifaceted team of professional, technical, analytical, and administrative support staff, fostering a team attitude of adhering to high professional standards and completing accurate, high-quality work.

Requirements

• Must provide proof of U.S. citizenship.
• Appointment subject to background investigation and favorable adjudication.
• Males born after 12-31-59 must be registered for Selective Service.
• Direct Deposit participation required.
• Must successfully pass the E-Verify employment verification check.
• Must have and maintain a valid driver’s license throughout employment.
• Required to wear a uniform and comply with uniform standards; a uniform allowance will be provided.
• A financial disclosure report will be required within 30 days of appointment.
• Must serve a 1-year probationary period during which fitness and continued employment will be evaluated.
• This is a supervisory position that may require completion of a supervisory probationary period.

Qualifications

All qualifications must be met by the closing date of this announcement (08/21/2026).

Basic Requirement

Option 1: Degree
Zoology, wildlife management, or an appropriate field of biology that included at least:

• 9 semester hours in zoology;
• 6 semester hours in wildlife courses such as mammalogy, ornithology, animal ecology, or wildlife management;
• 3 semester hours in botany; and
• 3 semester hours in conservation biology.

Transcripts are required.

Option 2: Combination of Education and Experience
Courses equivalent to a major in one of the fields described above that included at least:

• 9 semester hours in zoology;
• 6 semester hours in wildlife courses such as mammalogy, ornithology, animal ecology, or wildlife management;
• 3 semester hours in botany; and
• 3 semester hours in conservation biology,

plus appropriate experience or additional education. Transcripts and a detailed resume are required.

Minimum Qualification (GS-13)

Possess one (1) year of specialized experience comparable to the GS-12 level or higher in the Federal service (obtained in either the public or private sectors). Specialized experience includes:

• Planning, administering, evaluating, managing, and/or operating programs, activities, and projects associated with conserving and managing fish and/or wildlife resources on public or private lands;
• Collaborating with internal and/or external groups on natural resource issues, such as Federal and/or State agencies, tribal governments, environmental groups, recreation groups, or the public;
• Supervising a team to accomplish tasks and projects in a land conservation setting.

Your resume must contain sufficient detail of this level of work, including begin/end dates, hours worked per week, and duties performed for each timeframe.

Volunteer Experience: 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). You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience.

Education

This position has a mandatory education requirement. You must submit a copy of your transcript(s) to support claimed education if substituting education for experience. Transcripts must include your name, school name, grades, credit hours earned, major(s), grade point average or class ranking, and date the degree was conferred, if applicable. Unofficial transcripts are acceptable, but if selected, you must provide official transcripts before beginning work.

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 and the equivalent number of units.

Foreign Education: To receive credit for education completed outside the United States, you must show proof that the education has been submitted to a private organization that specializes in interpretation of foreign educational credentials and deemed at least equivalent to that gained in conventional U.S. education programs. Recognition of Foreign Qualifications | U.S. Department of Education.

Benefits

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 designed to make your federal career rewarding. Eligibility for benefits depends on the type of position you hold and whether your position is full-time, part-time, or intermittent.

• First-time hires to the Federal government normally start at the step 1 rate.
• Cost of Living Allowance (COLA) rate of 3% is authorized.
• Eligible for payment of basic moving expenses, as required and to the extent allowed by the Federal Travel Regulation (FTR) 302-3.101, when changing duty station. All moving expenses are taxable. Relocation discretionary entitlements may also be authorized, excluding contractor-provided home sale.
• This position is suitable for telework and may be allowed to telework with supervisory approval.

Physical Demands / Work Environment

The work requires some physical exertion such as:

• Walking over wet, rough, uneven, or marshy surfaces;
• Bending, crouching, stooping, stretching, reaching, or similar activities;
• Recurring lifting of moderately heavy items weighing up to 50 pounds.