Duties
As a Natural Resource Specialist, you will perform the following duties:
- Conduct complex analysis and review of statutory or regulatory compliance, and support natural resource management actions related to the following: Endangered Species Act (ESA); National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA); Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act (MSA), including Essential Fish Habitat (EFH); Marine Mammal Protection Act (MMPA); the National Aquaculture Act of 1980; or the Fish and Wildlife Coordination Act (FWCA).
- Evaluate the effectiveness of resource management actions and conservation and preservation programs and formulate strategic improvements.
- Lead complex biological studies, habitat assessments, and environmental monitoring and permitting programs to formulate solutions for intricate problems related to watershed, coastal and ocean resource management.
- Provide expert advice, assistance, products and services on watershed, coastal and ocean issues, scientific research, and policy.
Qualifications
To qualify for the 0401 series:
- EDUCATION: Degree: biological sciences, agriculture, natural resource management, chemistry, or related disciplines appropriate to the position.
OR
- Combination of education and experience: Courses equivalent to a major, as shown in A above, plus appropriate experience or additional education.
-AND-
- SPECIALIZED EXPERIENCE: Applicants must possess one year of specialized experience equivalent in difficulty and responsibility to the next lower grade level in the Federal Service. Specialized experience is experience that has equipped the applicant with the particular competencies/knowledge, skills and abilities to successfully perform the duties of the position. This experience need not have been in the federal government.
To qualify at the ZP-3 or GS-11 level:
SPECIALIZED EXPERIENCE: In addition to meeting the Basic Requirements above, applicants must also possess one full year (52 weeks) of specialized experience equivalent to the ZP-2 or GS-09 in the Federal service. Specialized experience MUST include all of the following:
- Participating in biological studies, habitat assessments, or environmental monitoring or permitting programs;
- Gathering, reviewing, or cataloging scientific data related to resource management, conservation, or preservation programs; and
- Drafting research summaries or regulatory reports pertaining to natural resource management.
OR
- SUBSTITUTION OF EDUCATION: Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree or 3 years of progressively higher-level graduate education leading to such a degree.
OR
- COMBINATION OF EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE: A combination of successfully completed graduate-level education and specialized experience may be used to meet the total experience requirements. Note: Only graduate-level education in excess of the amount required for the next lower grade level may be combined with experience.
To qualify at the ZP-4 or GS-13 level:
SPECIALIZED EXPERIENCE: In addition to meeting the Basic Requirements above, applicants must also possess one full year (52 weeks) of specialized experience equivalent to the ZP-3 or GS-12 in the Federal service. Specialized experience MUST include all of the following:
- Leading biological studies, habitat assessments, or environmental monitoring or permitting programs;
- Developing guidance or evaluating plans related to the management of watershed, coastal or ocean resources; and
- Reviewing research summaries or regulatory reports pertaining to natural resource management prior to publication.
Application deadline: July 13, 2026
Salary range: $74,678 – $197,200 per year
