Summary FWS works with others to conserve, protect, and enhance fish, wildlife, plants, and habitats for the continuing benefit of the American people. Our major responsibilities are to protect and conserve migratory birds, endangered species, and marine mammals and fish. FWS partners with farmers and ranchers, State and local governments, Federal agencies, Tribes, citizen volunteers, corporations, and conservation groups to accomplish its mission. You can find additional information at WWW.FWS.GOV Responsibilities The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) is the only federal government agency whose primary responsibility is to manage fish and wildlife resources in the public trust. The mission of FWS is 'working with others to conserve, protect, and enhance fish, wildlife, plants, and their habitats for the continuing benefit of the American people.' These objectives are carried out through the operation of a Nationwide system of wildlife refuges, fish hatcheries, ecological services offices, various headquarters Programs, and numerous partnership initiatives and programs for the management of fish and wildlife populations and the generation of scientific data to ensure the improvement and protection of a quality environment. These functions are frequently conducted in cooperation with Tribes, other Federal and state agencies, and non-governmental organizations, and other partners. Our organization's values of stewardship, integrity, respect, collaboration, and innovation embody the way in which we do our work. The Office of the Assistant Director for Ecological Services (AD-ES) is an exceptionally diverse and far reaching program area which focuses primarily on activities related to assisting other federal agencies and non-federal parties in complying with a variety of federal wildlife laws, including the Endangered Species Act (ESA), Marine Mammal Protection Act, Fish and Wildlife Coordination Act, Federal Power Act, Coastal Barrier Resources Act, Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act (CERCLA), and National Environmental Policy Act. Ecological Services (ES) program activities are among the most complex and sensitive in all of natural resource management and are subject to constant litigation, frequent Congressional oversight, and extensive media interest. The AD-ES is responsible for the overall operation of the nationwide ES Program. The role of the AD-ES is to ensure that adequate National policy guidance is in place, consistent with the law, regulations, and the policy decisions of the FWS Director and the Department of the Interior (DOI); and that the nationwide ES Program can be carried out consistently and effectively. Policies are often raised to the attention of the highest political levels in the United States including the DOI Secretary, the White House, and Congress. On a regular and routine basis, the AD-ES represents the goals and objectives of the program to high level officials inside and outside FWS including Assistant Secretaries, Representatives and Senators (and their staffs), state government officials, foreign leaders, and Presidents/CEOs of non-governmental organizations and businesses. The AD-ES testifies before Congress on legislation relative to the program and is often the spokesperson for National issues in the media involving the program area. Requirements Conditions of Employment Qualifications You must meet all qualification requirements outlined within this vacancy by 11:59 PM (EST) on 02/23/2024 of this announcement. Educational Requirement As a basic requirement, applicants MUST have: A. Degree: Biological sciences, agriculture, natural resource management, or related disciplines appropriate to the position; OR B. Combination of education and experience: Courses equivalent to a major, or at least 30 semester hours in courses, as shown in A above, plus appropriate experience or additional education; OR C. Experience: Four years of experience that demonstrated that the applicant acquired knowledge and understanding of one or more of the biological sciences, agriculture, natural resource management, or related disciplines equivalent to that which would have been acquired through completion of a 4-year course of study as described in A above. Additionally, applicants MUST demonstrate progressively responsible leadership that is indicative of senior executive level managerial capability as outlined under Executive Core Qualifications and Technical Qualifications. Typically, experience of this nature will have been gained at or above the GS-15 grade level in the federal service or its equivalent with state or local governments, the private sector, or non-governmental organizations. Unless you are currently serving under a career Senior Executive appointment, are eligible for reinstatement into the Senior Executive Service, or have successfully completed a Senior Executive Service Candidate Development Program approved by the OPM and been certified by the OPM, you must submit a narrative statement covering each of the Executive Core Qualifications and Technical Qualifications listed below. Your examples should be clear and concise, and emphasize your level of responsibilities, scope of complexity of programs managed, program accomplishments with results of your actions, policy initiatives and level of contacts. The narrative addressing ECQ's must follow the format provided at http://www.opm.gov/ses/recruitment/ecq.asp Narrative statements may not exceed ten (10) pages for ECQ's; TQ's may not exceed six (6) pages. Technical Qualifications: 1. In-depth knowledge of, and professional experience in, applying principles and techniques of natural resources administration and management. 2. Knowledge of the roles, responsibilities, and goals of a large natural resources organization with programs of national scope. 3. Knowledge of current issues in environmental science, habitat maintenance, and the interactions among various environmental and biological sciences. Executive Core Qualifications: ECQ 1 - LEADING CHANGE: You must have demonstrated an ability to bring about strategic change, both within and outside the organization, to meet organizational goals. Inherent to this ECQ is the ability to establish an organizational vision and to implement it in a continuously changing environment. Leadership Competencies: Creativity & Innovation, External Awareness, Flexibility, Resilience, Strategic Thinking, Vision ECQ 2 - LEADING PEOPLE: You must demonstrate the ability to lead people toward meeting the organization's vision, mission, and goals. Inherent to this ECQ is the ability to provide an inclusive workplace that fosters the development of others, facilitates cooperation and teamwork, and supports constructive resolution of conflicts. Leadership Competencies: Conflict Management, Leveraging Diversity, Developing Others, Team Building ECQ 3 - RESULTS DRIVEN: This core qualification involves the ability to meet organizational goals and customer expectations. Inherent to this ECQ is the ability to make decisions that produce high-quality results by applying technical knowledge, analyzing problems, and calculating risks. Leadership Competencies: Accountability, Customer Service, Decisiveness, Entrepreneurship, Problem Solving, Technical Credibility ECQ 4 - BUSINESS ACUMEN: This ECQ involves the ability to manage human, financial, and information resources strategically. Leadership Competencies: Financial Management, Human Capital Management, Technology Management ECQ 5 - BUILDING COALITIONS: This ECQ involves the ability to build coalitions internally and with other Federal agencies, State and local governments, nonprofit and private sector organizations, foreign governments, or international organizations to achieve common goals. Leadership Competencies: Partnering, Political Savvy, Influencing/Negotiating FUNDAMENTAL COMPETENCIES: The following competencies are the foundation for success in each of the Executive Core Qualifications: Interpersonal Skills, Oral Communication, Integrity/Honesty, Written Communication, Continual Learning, Public Service Motivation. Education PROOF OF EDUCATION: All applicants who are using education or a combination of education and experience to qualify must submit copies of official or unofficial transcripts which include grades, credit hours earned, major(s), grade point average or class ranking, institution name, and student name. 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 to meet the requirement and the equivalent number of units. Unofficial transcripts are acceptable; however, if you are selected for the position, you will be required to produce the original official transcripts. PASS/FAIL COURSES: If more than 10 percent of your undergraduate course work (credit hours) were taken on a pass/fail basis, your claim of superior academic achievement must be based upon class standing or membership in an honor society. GRADUATE EDUCATION: One academic year of graduate education is considered to be the number of credits hours your graduate school has determined to represent one academic year of full-time study. Such study may have been performed on a full-time or part-time basis. If you cannot obtain your graduate school's definition of one year of graduate study, 18 semester hours (or 27 quarter hours) should be considered as satisfying the requirement for one year of full-time graduate study. FOREIGN EDUCATION: If you are using education completed in foreign colleges or universities to meet the qualification requirements, you must show the education credentials have been evaluated by a private organization that specializes in interpretation of foreign education. For further information, visit: Recognition of Foreign Qualifications | International Affairs Office (ed.gov) Additional Information PCS INFORMATION: Yes, entitlements for payment of basic moving expenses, as required and to the extent allowed by the Federal Travel Regulation (FTR) 302-3.101, are authorized for eligible applicants changing duty station when the change meets the distance tests as provided in FTR 302-1.1 and 302-2.6. All moving expenses are taxable. -In addition, relocation discretionary entitlements MAY be authorized for this position including contractor-provided home sale. Telework: This position is suitable for telework and may be allowed to telework with supervisory approval. Reasonable Accommodation: The USFWS provides reasonable accommodations to applicants with disabilities. Please visit USAJOBS Help Center | Reasonable accommodation policy if you need a reasonable accommodation for any part of the application and hiring process.