Pollution. Deforestation. The continued loss of wetlands and other vital wildlife habitat worldwide. These are the challenges Americans face each day as we approach the 21st century. And, these are the challenges that make working for the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service more than a career. It is also a commitment -- one shared by more than 7,000 men and women representing a wide range of professions, trades, and specialties.
We've designed this booklet to give you a closer look at the Service, our critical and expanding mission, and the rewarding employment opportunities available here. For more information, we encourage you to write to the Regional Office in the area where you would like to work (locations are listed at the end of this brochure). They will be glad to tell you more about the new horizons awaiting you...and the valuable contributions you can make as part of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife team.
Following a tradition of conservation leadership that is now in its second century, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, like its predecessor agencies, continues to take a pivotal role in safeguarding some of this nation's most precious and imperiled resources.
Today, we are the principal federal agency assigned to the conservation and enhancement of fish and wildlife and their habitats. It is a responsibility that is growing more complex every year. But it is also one that we accept with a renewed dedication and on a more far-reaching front than ever before.
To accomplish its mission, the Service employs many of the country's best biologists, wildlife managers, engineers, realty specialists, law enforcement agents, and others who work to save endangered and threatened species; conserve migratory birds and inland fisheries; provide expert advice to other federal agencies, industry and foreign governments; and manage more than 700 offices and field stations, among which are:
o 7 Regional Offices
o More than 500 national wildlife refuges
o Nearly 80 national fish hatcheries that raise more than 200
million fish each year
o 60 field officesFrom the Arctic Ocean to the South Pacific, from the Atlantic to the Caribbean, Service personnel are working to assure that future generations of Americans will be able to enjoy nature's beauty and bounty -- a challenge that you can join us in meeting, and a reward few other careers can offer.
A relatively small agency just a generation ago, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is currently engaged in an extensive range of activities all over the Americas and worldwide. The people who have chosen careers with us work in more than 120 occupations, helping to develop new knowledge about our natural world and apply it wisely to our living resources. The expanded and crucial mission includes:
Recovering Endangered Species. Service biologists work with their counterparts in federal and state agencies, universities, and private organizations to develop recovery plans and take actions to save the more than 700 plant and animal species that are in danger of extinction in the U.S.
Managing National Wildlife Refuges. From Alaska to Florida, the Service manages more than 90 million acres of lands and waters and the wildlife resources found within them. More than 500 refuges make up the refuge system. Their objectives include managing and protecting wildlife populations and habitats, and offering recreational and educational opportunities to the public. In addition, the National Wildlife Refuge System provides resting and feeding areas for waterfowl migrating along the four major "flyways."
Conserving Migratory Birds. In cooperation with Canadian and state wildlife agencies, the Service studies migratory bird populations, provides secure habitats for them and other wildlife, and regulates hunting.
Preserving Marine Mammals. By law, the Service is responsible for maintaining populations of manatees and dugongs, polar bears, walruses, and sea otters. The Service also works to preserve the health and stability of the marine ecosystems upon which these species depend.
Restoring Depleted Fisheries. Service fishery biologists devote much of their time to helping restore nationally important species such as lake trout in the Great Lakes, striped bass, American shad, Atlantic salmon in New England, sturgeon in the southeast, and the major salmon species of the Pacific Northwest and Alaska.
Enforcing Wildlife Laws. The Service employs special agents, wildlife inspectors, and refuge law enforcement officers who enforce the nation's wildlife conservation laws. Education and Consultation
Providing Technical Expertise. Through a network of more than 60 field offices, Service biologists and other scientists provide assistance on fish and wildlife issues for major federal projects such as flood control, and federally licensed activities such as alteration of wetland habitats. They also review activities that may affect endangered species, conduct surveys for environmental toxins, and map the wetlands of the United States.
Aiding Underprivileged Youth. Under an agreement with the Department of Labor, the Service operates three Job Corps Civilian Conservation Centers where underprivileged people ages 16-21 receive vocational training and learn basic math, reading, and language skills. The program teaches young people job skills, positive attitudes, and civic responsibility. Assistance
Distributing Federal Aid. Funds collected from federal excise taxes on hunting and fishing equipment and motor boat fuels are apportioned to the states to carry out their conservation programs, including hunting and aquatic education, and acquiring areas for recreational activities and wildlife habitat.
Preserving America's national treasures requires concerned Americans like you. Because of the depth and range of Service programs and activities, you will find people working here representing a variety of professions, trades, and skills. Some, usually professional scientists and wildlife law enforcement officers, must pilot Service aircraft in order to do their work. Positions in the Service include:
More than a third of our employees are wildlife biologists, fishery biologists, refuge managers, and engineers. Specific courses of study and at least a bachelor's degree are required to qualify for entry level jobs in the professional category. The positions include:
Wildlife Biologists. Wildlife biologists study the distribution, habitats, life histories, and ecology of birds, mammals, and other wildlife. These biologists plan and carry out wildlife conservation and management programs.
Fishery Biologists. Some fishery biologists study the life history, habitats, population dynamics, nutrition, and diseases of fish. Others manage fish hatcheries, propagate various species of hatchery fish, conduct fish disease control programs, gather data on the effects of natural and human environmental changes on fish, and work with other agencies to restore and enhance fish habitats.
General Biologists. Because these jobs often require knowledge of both fish and wildlife biology, these professionals sometimes are referred to as fish and wildlife biologists. One example of the work they do is conducting viability and impact assessments to determine the effect proposed land and water developments might have on plant and animal life.
Refuge Managers. Managing national wildlife refuges to protect and conserve migratory and native species of birds, mammals, fish, endangered species, and other wildlife is the primary responsibility of the Service's refuge managers. Many refuges also offer outdoor recreational opportunities and programs to educate the public about the refuge's wildlife and their habitats.
Engineers. The Service's engineers, most of whom work in Regional Offices and in our Engineering Center in Denver, do studies, planning, and designs to support Service facilities. The majority are civil engineers, with a limited number of positions in other specialties including environmental, mechanical, electrical, hydraulic, and structural engineering.
Other Professionals. The Service also employs a number of people in a wide variety of other professional occupations: ecology, zoology, veterinary science, forestry, botany, chemistry, hydrology, land surveying, architecture, landscape architecture, statistics, library science, and archaeology. In addition, our three Job Corps centers employ teachers and guidance counselors.
A number of employees who also make significant contributions to the preservation of our natural resources are specialists, managers, and administrators who perform varied and critical roles in support of the Service's mission.
Outdoor Recreation Planners. Outdoor recreation planners coordinate the use of Service lands, waters, and related resources for wildlife and wildland-oriented recreation. They plan activities such as tours, nature walks, and environmental education programs. Most outdoor recreation planners work at national wildlife refuges.
Special Agents. Special agents enforce wildlife laws through both standard investigations and covert operations. They also are involved in public education and assistance.
Wildlife Inspectors. At ports of entry into the United States, wildlife inspectors examine shipping containers, live animals, wildlife products such as animal skins, and documents. Inspectors, who work closely with special agents, may seize shipments as evidence, participate in investigations, and testify in court.
Other Specialists. Many other employees, mostly in Regional Offices, perform a variety of support work:
Realty specialists, appraisers, and assessors appraise and negotiate for land that the Service acquires.
Contract specialists and purchasing agents handle a wide variety of contracts and procurement of supplies, services, and construction.
Budget analysts and financial managers formulate the Service's budget and track expenditures as well as summarize and analyze financial data.
Administrative officers and management analysts provide a variety of management services for a segment of the Service or analyze and advise on management processes and procedures.
Computer specialists, analysts, and programmers design, maintain, and modify automated systems that support both the scientific and administrative activities of the Service.
Personnel specialists help Service managers with recruitment, affirmative action, employee development, pay management, and employee and labor relations.
Public affairs specialists work with the news media and the public to provide information about Service activities. Technical Positions
Other jobs in the Service fall into the category of technician, which is sometimes called an assistant or aide. These are the people who work directly with the professional employees, carrying out the practical tasks and procedures essential to completing plans and projects. Biological technicians, for example, may manage habitat, conduct surveys or experiments, and compute and record data. Forestry technicians work as fire fighters and help manage forest areas on public land. Others may be engineering, survey, and cartographic technicians. At Job Corps centers, group leaders assist professional staff in training young adults in educational, vocational, and social skills.
Clerical employees are found throughout the Service. Entry into these positions requires that candidates pass a clerical test, and most of the jobs also require typing skills. Many require that employees use computers and word processing equipment. Usually, much more than typing is involved in clerical jobs; managers depend on clerical staff to track budget and expenditures, purchase supplies, maintain files, greet visitors, and handle telephone calls. Some clerical staff members also perform specialized functions in the areas of personnel, procurement, and accounting.
People in the trades and crafts help keep the Service operating. For example, some fish hatcheries have animal caretakers who feed and help rear the fish. On almost every wildlife refuge, maintenance workers and mechanics do everything from mowing the grass to putting in new wiring. They fix pipes, build shelves, create trails, drive trucks, repair engines, and paint signs. Generally, years of education and experience are not specified as requirements for jobs of this type. Rather, applicants must clearly demonstrate that they are skilled in a particular trade, usually by completing a questionnaire about previous jobs.
In the following pages, we have outlined the basic qualification requirements for positions with the Service. As you will see, education and experience may be combined to meet these requirements. In addition, some occupations require specific course work in a particular field. For information on clerical positions, please contact the Regional Office located within the area where you wish to work.
Professional Positions-
Specific Requirements
Requirements for general biologists: A bachelor's degree with a major in biology or a combination of education and experience equivalent to a degree which included an appropriate number of semester hours in biological science.
Requirements for fishery biologists: The same as general biologists except that coursework must have included at least 6 semester hours in aquatic subjects and at least 12 semester hours in animal sciences.
Requirements for wildlife biologists and refuge managers: The same core requirements as general biologists; however, specific courses include 9 semester hours in wildlife subjects (6 hours for refuge managers), 12 semester hours in zoological subjects (9 hours for refuge managers), and 9 semester hours in botany or the related plant sciences.
Professional, Specialist, Management and Administrative Positions
Grade Education or Experience (or Equivalent Combination)
GS-5 4-year course of study above high school leading to a
bachelor's degree
3 years of general experience*, 1 year of which was
least equivalent to GS-4
GS-7 1 full academic year of graduate level education or law
school or superior academic achievement
1 year of specialized experience** at least equivalent
to GS-5
GS-9 2 full academic years of graduate level education or
master's or equivalent graduate degree of LL.B. or J.D.
1 year of specialized experience at least equivalent to
GS-7
GS-11 3 full academic years of graduate level education or
Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree
1 year of specialized experience at least equivalent to
GS-9
GS-12 Education alone will not suffice at these levels
and 1 year of specialized experience at least equivalent to
above next lower grade level*General experience -- progressively responsible experience that equipped the applicant to plan and organize work, communicate effectively orally and in writing, and analyze problems in order to identify significant factors, gather pertinent data, and recognize solutions.
**Specialized experience -- experience that is in or related to the line of work of the position to be filled and that has equipped the applicant with the specific knowledge, skills, and abilities to successfully perform the duties of the position.
Technical and Clerical Positions
Grade Education or Experience (or Equivalent Combination)
GS-1 No prerequisites
No prerequisites
GS-2 High school graduation or equivalent
3 months of general experience*
GS-3 1 year above high school with course(s) related to the
occupation, if required
6 months of general experience
GS-4 2 years above high school with courses related to the
occupation, if required
6 months general experience and 6 months specialized
experience*
GS-5 4-year course of study above high school leading to a
bachelor's degree with courses related to the
occupation, if required
1 year specialized experience at least equivalent to
GS-4
GS-6 Education alone is not qualifying at these levels
and 1 year of specialized experience at least equivalent to
above next lower grade level*General Experience -- any type of work that demonstrates the applicant's ability to perform the work of the position, or experience that provided a familiarity with the subject matter of the position.
** Specialized experience -- experience that is in the occupation of the position to be filled, in a related occupation, or in one of the specialized areas within that occupation, that has equipped the applicant with the particular knowledge, skills, and abilities to successfully perform the duties of the position.
At the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, we understand the importance of offering a salary and benefits that will help us attract the most qualified people. That is why you will find us more than competitive in all of these areas:
Pay. Like all federal employees, those who work for the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service earn salaries as prescribed by law and set by the President. Most positions occupied by Service employees are classified either as "general schedule" (GS) or as "wage grade" (WG). General schedule employees (the professional, technical, administrative, and clerical workers) receive annual salaries based on their GS grades (1 through 15). Although base salaries for each grade level are the same nationwide, geographic locality pay increases to base pay vary somewhat. Some hard-to- fill jobs and positions in certain high-cost areas have other special pay rates.
Wage grade employees (those in trades and crafts occupations) receive hourly wages based on comparable private industry wage rates in their localities.
Both general schedule and wage grade employees are eligible to receive periodic pay increases provided their work is satisfactory.
Life and Health Insurance. All permanent employees are eligible to participate in the Federal Employees' Group Life Insurance Program, which provides low cost insurance, including disability provisions and survivor benefits. Employees also can select health insurance from among many health insurance plans with varying coverage. After a year of continuous service, temporary employees may, at their own expense, join one of the group health benefits plans.
Time Off. In addition to receiving 10 paid holidays per year, employees also earn paid vacation time, according to their length of service. Employees earn 13 vacation days per year during the first 3 years of service, 20 days per year after 3 years of service, and 26 days per year after 15 years of service. In addition, employees earn 13 days paid sick leave each year. Certain temporary employees can also earn sick days.
Retirement. U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service employees participate in excellent retirement programs. Employees are eligible to retire with full annuities at age 60 with 20 years of service or at age 62 with at least 5 years of service. Employees with 30 years of service may retire at age 55.
Now that you've learned more about the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and the benefits we offer, here's some information on how to get started on a career with us. How are jobs filled? How do you qualify? How do you apply? All are answered below:
There are several ways, including promoting or reassigning current employees, transferring employees from other federal agencies, rehiring former federal employees, or hiring applicants from outside the federal service.
Yes. Candidates selected for the positions must meet basic qualification standards that apply uniformly throughout the federal government. This brochure provides information on these qualifications.
Yes. Depending on the specific vacancy, these people may be hired as a result of:
o submitting an application directly to a Regional Personnel Office.
o completing a special program such as a student employment program. Some that offer simplified career entry into the federal government include the cooperative education and the Presidential Management Intern programs.
o taking advantage of special hiring opportunities available to people such as those with severe physical disabilities, veterans, and Peace Corps returnees.
Summer positions usually are filled at grades GS-1 through GS- 4, although higher graded summer jobs sometimes are available. Applications for summer employment must be submitted during a specified period, normally sometime between January and April of each year. The number and types of temporary positions for which we recruit vary from year to year, so you should contact a U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Regional Personnel Office to learn about current opportunities.
Volunteer opportunities also are available and provide a good opportunity for people who want to learn more about the Service.
For information on specific vacancies in certain geographic locations, or for general information on employment with the Service, you are invited to contact the nearest Regional Office listed below. Other sources of information include the following:
Office of Personnel Management "Area Offices" supply information about many federal job opportunities or positions and any tests required. The telephone directory (under U.S. Government) will list the phone number and address of the office nearest you.
Career Planning and Placement Directors at colleges and universities can provide career information about federal employment and training opportunities. Some campuses may also provide information through offices that assist minorities, veterans, and persons with disabilities; cooperative education, internship, and student employment offices; counseling centers; and financial aid offices.
State Employment or Job Services maintain listings of federal position vacancies. These offices can help you obtain the necessary forms to apply for jobs or direct you to sources for more information.
The Department of the Interior Automated Vacancy Announcement Distribution System (AVADS) Bulletin Board contains a list of current position vacancies in the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, as well as other agencies within the Department of the Interior. It is accessible through a personal computer and is free of charge by using a modem to dial 1-800-368-3321. You can also call toll free, 1-800-336-4562, for pre-recorded vacancy information if you do not have access to the electronic bulletin board.
We hope you have found this publication helpful. We also hope you will consider the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service in your career search.
REGIONAL OFFICES U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Areas Covered Pacific Region (CA, HI, ID, NV, OR, WA, 911 NE. 11th Avenue Pacific Islands) Eastside Federal Complex Portland, OR 97232-4181 (503) 231-2018 (Job Information Line) (503) 231-6136 (Personnel Office) Southwest Region (AZ, NM, OK, TX) 500 Gold Avenue, SW. P.O. Box 1306 Albuquerque, NM 87103 (505) 766-2033 Great Lakes-Big Rivers Region (IA, IL, IN, MI, MN Federal Building, Fort Snelling MO, OH, WI) Twin Cities, MN 55111-4056 (612) 725-3585 Southeast Region 1875 Century Center Boulevard, NE. (AL, AR, FL, GA, Atlanta, GA 30345 KY, LA, MS, NC, (404) 679-4014 PR, SC, TN, VI) Northeast Region 300 Westgate Center Drive (CT, DE, MA, MD, Hadley, MA 01035-9589 ME, NH, NJ, NY, (413) 253-8200 (Job Information Line) PA, RI, VA, VT, WV) Mountain-Prairie Region (CO, KS, MT, NE, P.O. Box 25486 ND, SD, UT, WY) Denver Federal Center Denver, CO 80225 (303) 236-4733 (Job Information Line) Alaska Region (AK) 1011 East Tudor Road Anchorage, AK 99503 (907) 786-3301 SERVICE HEADQUARTERS Metro. Washington, DC U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service area including PG Department of the Interior County, MD 1849 C Street, NW. Washington, DC 20240 (703) 358-2120