POSITION TITLE: wildlife biologist

Hiring Organization/Employer:  USDA
Application Deadline:  7/15/26
Education Required:  Biological Science Degree
Location:  Panama City, FL

Description:  

 The incumbent acts as a Wildlife Biologist within the FL WS program. Work involves assisting
Tyndall AFB with management of their black bear population. The Wildlife Biologist monitors black
bear behavior and abundance and evaluates and mitigates hazards posed by bears on Tyndall AFB
properties

 

 

Compensation & Benefits:  

 $50,460 to $80,243 per year (depending on GS level
qualified for)

 

 

Responsibilities:  

 Conducts integrated wildlife damage management activities where needed to prevent or reduce
losses to property, agriculture, and natural resources, or to protect human health and safety.
Performs a variety of technical procedures including capture, restraint, chemical immobilization,
marking, transport, euthanasia, and/or necropsy of wildlife.
Modifies or adapts established damage or disease control techniques as necessary to meet local
conditions and environmental, economic, or political considerations.
Monitors and ensures compliance with program directives, and local, State, and Federal laws and
regulations in wildlife damage management activities.
Develops and maintains categorical exclusions, environmental assessments, monitoring reports, and
other documents required by NEPA.
Gathers, compiles, evaluates, and presents data on damage or hazards caused by various wildlife
species to cooperators, stakeholders, and colleagues.
Establishes and maintains cooperative relationships with other Federal, State, county and city
government agencies, Tribes, corporations, etc.
Communicates safe and effective damage management techniques through outreach and other
channels to the general public.
Other duties as assigned. 

 

 

Preferred Qualifications:  

 BASIC REQUIREMENT:
A. 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:
B. 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 in
A above, plus appropriate experience or additional education.
In addition to the above, applicants must have:
FOR THE GS-07 LEVEL: Applicants must have one year of specialized experience
(equivalent to the GS-05 level) that demonstrates:
• Identifying North American wildlife species and assess their abundance, behavior, and
habitats.
• Dealing with human-wildlife conflicts, principles of wildlife damage management.
• The Migratory Bird Treaty Act (MBTA), Endangered Species Act, National
Environmental Policy Act.
• The Skilled use of firearms, traps, snares, pesticides, immobilizing drugs, pyrotechnics,
electronic harassment devices, and other non-lethal control tools.
• Using computers for word processing, spreadsheets, and database applications.
OR
1 year of graduate-level education (18 semester hours) in Wildlife Biology, Wildlife Ecology,
Wildlife Management.
OR
Superior Academic Achievement: To qualify based on superior academic achievement, you
must have completed the requirements for a bachelor's degree from an accredited institution
AND must meet certain GPA requirements. For more details click: Superior Academic
Achievement
Equivalent combinations of education and experience are qualifying for this grade level.
FOR THE GS-09 LEVEL: Applicants must have one year of specialized experience
(equivalent to the GS-07 level) that demonstrates:
All requirements of the GS-07 level and the following:
• Designing a wildlife survey program that detects spatial and temporal differences in
wildlife abundance and provides a suitable index of conflicts with wildlife.
• Interpreting and applying policies, regulations, laws, and ordinances that affect wildlife
damage management operations and working within those guidelines.
• Using GPS, GIS technologies, and web-based systems for data entry and
administrative processes.
OR
2 years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to a master’s degree in wildlife
biology, wildlife management, wildlife ecology or masters or equivalent graduate degree in one
of the above mentioned fields.
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.
• You are qualifying for this position based on Superior Academic Achievement.
• This education must have been successfully completed and obtained from an accredited
school, college, or university.
COMBINATION OF EDUCATION & EXPERIENCE AT THE GS-07/09 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. To learn more about combining education and experience for this
series, click the following: Combining Education and Experience for Professional and Scientific
Positions
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. 

 

 

 

How to Apply:  

 Additional materials not listed above (i.e. position descriptions, training
certificates, etc.) may not be considered. Applicants who do not submit the required items listed
above may not be considered. Applications with all supporting documents must be submitted to the
contact office and must be RECEIVED by the CLOSING DATE of this announcement. 

 

 

 

 

Contact:  

 

 Richard C. Hinnah
District Supervisor
11152 NW State Road 20
Bristol, FL 32321
(352) 281-1992
richard.c.hinnah@usda.gov