Other

Duties

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. These functions are frequently conducted in cooperation with Tribes, other Federal and state agencies, and non-governmental organizations, and other partners. The Assistant Director for Ecological Services (AD-ES) provides leadership and oversight to an exceptionally complex 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. The incumbent must process and apply executive level expertise in the administration of environmental law and policy to direct and manage policy development within the rapidly changing social and political landscape of conservation in the Nation. The AD-ES provides frequent counsel and recommendations to the Director and other members of the FWS Directorate on matters of policy and the implementation and management of specific issues within the program area. 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 and 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 FWS to high level officials 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 frequently testifies before Congress on legislation relative to the program and is often the spokesperson for National issues in the media involving the program area.

Qualifications

You must meet all qualification requirements outlined within this vacancy by 11:59 PM (EST) on 05/15/2026 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. As a basic requirement for entry into the Senior Executive Service (SES), you must show in your resume evidence of progressively responsible leadership that is indicative of senior executive level managerial capability and that is directly related to the skills and abilities outlined under the Executive Core Qualifications (ECQs) and Technical Qualifications (TQs) listed below. To meet the minimum qualification requirements for this position, you must show that you possess the ECQs and TQs related to this position within your resume. Resumes must not exceed 2 pages and resumes over the 2-page limit will not be reviewed. Your resume should include examples of experience, education, and accomplishments applicable to the qualification(s). If your resume does not reflect demonstrated evidence of these qualifications, you will not receive consideration for the position. It is recommended that your resume emphasize levels of responsibility, scope and complexity of programs managed, program accomplishments, and results. You will be evaluated to determine if you meet the minimum qualifications required of the position. Please be sure to give concrete examples of your experience and demonstrate the complexity of the knowledge you possess. Separate narrative statements for the ECQs and TQs are not required and will not be reviewed if submitted. EXECUTIVE CORE QUALIFICATIONS (ECQs): Below are descriptions of the ECQs that must be clearly demonstrated in your resume. ECQ 1: Commitment to the Rule of Law and the Principles of the American Founding This core qualification requires a demonstrated knowledge of the American system of government, commitment to uphold the Constitution and the rule of law, and commitment to serve the American people. Leadership Competencies: Knowledge of the American System of Government; Commitment to the Rule of Law; Civic-Mindedness ECQ 2: Driving Efficiency This core qualification involves the demonstrated ability to strategically and efficiently manage resources, budget effectively, cut wasteful spending, and pursue efficiency through process and technological upgrades. Leadership Competencies: Fiscal Responsibility; Managing Resources; Leveraging Technology ECQ 3: Merit and Competence This core qualification involves the demonstrated knowledge, ability and technical competence to effectively and reliably produce work that is of exceptional quality. Leadership Competencies: Technical Skill; Problem Solving; Agility; Resilience ECQ 4: Leading People This core qualification involves the demonstrated ability to lead and inspire a group toward meeting the organization's vision, mission, and goals, and to drive a high-performance, high-accountability culture. This includes, when necessary, the ability to lead people through change and to hold individuals accountable. Leadership Competencies: Accountability; Developing Others; Executive Judgement ECQ 5: Achieving Results This core qualification involves the demonstrated ability to achieve both individual and organizational results, and to align results to stated goals from superiors. Leadership Competencies: Operational Mindset; Innovation; Strategic Thinking TECHNICAL QUALIFICATIONS: Below are descriptions of the TQ's that must be clearly demonstrated in your resume. TQ 1: Knowledge of and experience in applying principles of natural resources administration to drive innovation in the production of scientific data and development of regulatory reforms. TQ 2: Experience leading multi-disciplinary teams to ensure all members remain accountable, productive, and customer focused.

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 programs and such education has been deemed equivalent to that gained in an accredited U.S. education program; or full credit has been given for the courses at a U.S. accredited college or university. For further information, visit: Recognition of Foreign Qualifications | International Affairs Office (ed.gov).

Other 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 situational telework with supervisory approval. The sensitivity level of the position requires completion of a successful background investigation of the selectee. Reasonable Accommodation: The FWS 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.