POSITION TITLE: wildlife biologist

Hiring Organization/Employer:  USDA
Application Deadline:  7/20/2026
Education Required:  Bachelors
Location:  Goldsboro & Jacksonville, NC

Description:  

Wildlife Biologist 

 

Compensation & Benefits:  

$52,693 - $83,794 per year (Goldsboro)
$50,460 - $80,243 per year (Jacksonville)

 

Responsibilities:  

  • Responsible for efficiently, effectively, and safely reducing adverse wildlife-related impacts to agriculture, property, natural resources, and to reduce wildlife impacts on human health and safety.
  • Plans work to be accomplished by subordinates, establishes and adjusts short-term and long term priorities, and prepares schedules for completion of work.
  • Assists with the development and implementation of conventional strategic plans based on Wildlife Services Directives and program needs.
  • In accordance with established criteria and direction, implements new or revised WS policies and protocols in response to annual levels of appropriations or changes in national policy or legislation.
  • Ensures compliance with the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), parallel State environmental laws, and other applicable Federal and State laws and regulations.
  • Coordinates and meets with Federal, State/Territorial, county, and municipal agency personnel, organizations, institutions, associations, and private industry groups to identify WDM needs.
  • Cultivates positive community and media relations, participates in community meetings, gives presentations before groups, and prepares articles for local news media.
  • Negotiates, establishes, maintains, monitors, and reports on conventional and standard reimbursable agreements such as Cooperative Service, Field, and Interagency Agreements.
  • In coordination with supervisor, tracks budgets and funds provided for wildlife damage management (WDM) operations of the work unit.
  • Performs other duties, as required. 

 

Preferred Qualifications:  

 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 meeting the Basic Requirement you must all meet the following requirements for each grade level.

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 and airport wildlife hazard management.
  • The Migratory Bird Treaty Act (MBTA), Endangered Species Act, National Environmental Policy Act, and Federal Air Regulations.
  • 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. 

 

 

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. Interested individuals should send a resume (cannot exceed two pages), transcripts, veteran documentation (if applicable) to the address listed here:

CONTACT OFFICE:
Steve Smith, State Director
USDA APHIS WS
6213-E Angus Drive
Raleigh, NC 27617
(919) 326-6924
steven.h.smith@usda.gov