Qualifying for a Federal Job

Basic Qualifications
Occupational Titles
Majors

Basic Qualification Requirements

Following are basic qualification standards for some of the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service’s major occupations. Applicants should review these basic qualification standards to ensure that all necessary coursework is completed to meet qualification requirement before, receiving academic degree.

FISH AND WILDLIFE BIOLOGIST
Positions that involve professional work in biology, agriculture, or related natural resource management.

QUALIFICATION REQUIREMENTS
Successful completion of a full four-year course of study in an accredited college or university leading to a bachelor's or higher degree, which included a major field (24 semester hours) of study in biological sciences, agriculture, natural resource management, chemistry, or related disciplines appropriate to this position or an appropriate combination in education and experience.

WILDLIFE REFUGE MANAGEMENT
Positions that require professional knowledge and competence in the management, administration; and scientific operation of public lands and waters designated as national wildlife refuges. The work involves a variety of activities in land, water, and habitat management, land planning, resource identification and allocation, administration, public relations, supervision, and other activities involving wildlife resource utilization, protection, inventory and evaluation, and maintenance of grasslands, marshes, and soils.

QUALIFICATION REQUIREMENTS
Successful completion of a full four-year course of study in an accredited college or university leading to a bachelor's degree or higher in zoology, wildlife management or an appropriate field of biology which included at least nine semester hours in zoology; six semester hours in such wildlife course as mammalogy, ornithology, animal ecology, or wildlife management; and nine semester hours in botany or an appropriate combination of education and experience.

FISHERY BIOLOGIST
This series includes positions that require professional knowledge and competence in the science of fishery biology to perform work: (a) developing, conserving, managing, and administering fishery resources; and (b) evaluating the impact of construction projects and other socioeconomic activities that present potential or actual adverse effects on fishery resources and their habitat.

QUALIFICATION REQUIREMENTS
Successful completion of a full four-year course of study in an accredited college or university leading to a bachelor's or higher degree with a major in biological science which included at least six semester hours in aquatic subjects such as limnology, ichthyology, fishery biology, aquatic botany, aquatic fauna, oceanography, fish culture, or related courses in the field of fishery biology; 12 semesters hours in animal science in such subjects as general zoology, vertebrate zoology, comparative anatomy, physiology, entomology, parasitology, ecology, cellular biology, genetics, or research in these fields. (Excess coursework in aquatic subjects may be used to meet this requirement when appropriate) or an appropriate combination of education and experience.

WILDLIFE INSPECTOR
These positions are located in the Office of Senior Resident Agent at Ports of Entry. Positions perform the full range of inspection and compliance duties involving the enforcement and administration of laws and regulations governing the importation, exportation, and interstate commerce of wildlife and wildlife products.

QUALIFICATION REQUIREMENTS
Successful completion of a full four-year course of study leading to a bachelor's degree or three years of general experience, one of which was equivalent to the GS-4 level that demonstrated the ability to analyze problems, plan and organize work, and communicate effectively orally and in writing.

WILDLIFE BIOLOGIST
Positions that require professional knowledge and competence in the science of wildlife biology to perform work involving: (a) the conservation, propagation, management, protection, and administration of wildlife species.; or (b) the determination, establishment, and application of biological facts, principles, methods, techniques, and procedures necessary for the conservation and management of wildlife resources and habitats.

QUALIFICATION REQUIREMENTS
Successful completion of a full four-year course of study in an accredited college or university leading to a bachelor's or higher degree in biological science which included at least at least 12 semester hours in zoology, in such subjects as general zoology, invertebrate or vertebrate zoology, comparative anatomy, physiology, genetics, ecology, cellular biology, parasitology, entomology, or research courses in such subjects. (excess coursework in wildlife biology maybe used to meet the zoology requirements where appropriate); nine semester hours in such wildlife courses as mammalogy, ornithology, animal ecology, or wildlife management or research courses in the file of wildlife biology; and nine semester hours in botany or the related plant disciplines or an appropriate combination of education and experience.

OUTDOOR RECREATION PLANNER
Positions whose primary concerns are planning, advising on, and coordinating the use of land, water, and related resources to provide opportunities for the creative use of leisure time outdoors, with due regard to protecting and enhancing the quality of the outdoor environment for the enjoyment of people. The work requires application of knowledge of the practices of natural resource conservation involved in the development and coordination of programs to provide recreational resources, and the techniques of area planning.

QUALIFICATION REQUIREMENTS
Successful completion of a full four-year course of study leading to a bachelor's degree. Major study - outdoor recreation planning or a related field such as: sociology, forestry, landscape architecture, economics, biological sciences, natural resource management and conservation, civil engineering, urban planning, or recreation. Applicants who qualify on the basis of graduate work in related disciplines. must have one or more courses in outdoor recreation or three years of general experience, one of which was equivalent to GS-4, that demonstrates the ability to analyze problems, plan and organize work, and communicate effectively orally and in writing. This general experience must also have provided knowledge of the requirements and practices of outdoor recreation, planning or natural resource utilization and conservation.

PARK RANGER
Positions that require knowledge of the principles and techniques of biology, forestry, conservation, environment, and natural resource management, in order to effectively convey biological subject matter to the public. Those positions with law enforcement duties would also require knowledge of applicable Federal, State, and local laws and .regulations governing the use of refuge lands, facilities, and resources to determine violations.

QUALIFICATION REQUIREMENTS
Successful completion of a full 4-year course of study with 24 semester hours of related course work in the field of natural resource management, natural sciences, earth sciences, history, archeology, anthropology, park and recreation management, law enforcement/police science, social sciences, museum science, business administration, public administration, behavioral sciences, sociology or other closely related subjects pertinent to the management and protection of natural and cultural resources or one year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-4 level that demonstrated the know ledges, skills, and abilities to perform the duties. Such experience may have been gained as. a park guide or tour leader, in law enforcement or investigative work, in archeological or historical preservation work, in forestry or fire management work, or in work involving developing and implementing policy related to protection conservation, or management of park areas or similar operations.

APPRAISER
Prepares complete narrative market value reports of real estate under purchase consideration by the United States in various states. Prepares realty feasibility studies of proposed acquisition; prepares appraisal reports of revenue sharing purposes of Fish & Wildlife Service managed real estate; and may prepare appraisal report of residential rentals of government quarters.

QUALIFICATION REQUIREMENTS
Successful completion of a full four-year course of study leading to a bachelor's degree or three years of general experience, one of which was equivalent to the GS-4, that demonstrated the ability to analyze problems, plan and organize work, and communicate effectively orally and in writing.

REALTY SPECIALIST
Negotiates agreements with private landowners or government agencies for the purchase, lease, transfer, or exchange of lands needed for the establishment or operation of the physical installations of the Fish & Wildlife Service.

QUALIFICATION REQUIREMENTS
Successful completion of a full four-year course of study leading to a bachelor's degree or three years of general experience, one of which was equivalent to GS-4, that demonstrated the ability to analyze problems, plan and organize work, and communicate effectively orally and in writing.