Fish and Wildlife Biologist

U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service • Full-time • Multiple Locations • $74.68k - $116.36k / year • 1d ago

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Open: October 23, 2026 — Closes: November 5, 2026

Summary

You will serve as a Fish and Wildlife Biologist within the Department of the Interior, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Region 4, Louisiana Ecological Service Field Office, located in one of the below duty stations: Lafayette, LA Lacombe, LA Bell City, LA Pay will vary based on grade level and/or duty location for which you're selected. First time hires to the Federal government normally start at the step 1 rate. GS-11: $74,678 - $97,087 GS-12: $89,508 - $116,362

Major Duties

Some of the major duties you will perform include but are not limited to the following: Develops, plans, conducts, and reviews complex ecological investigations of federal land and water resource development proposals (including Coastal Wetlands Planning Protection and Restoration Act [CWPPRA] projects) to assess impacts on fish and wildlife resources (including federally listed species), with emphasis on habitat restoration, wetland ecology, and riparian management. Designs, coordinates, and implements large-scale habitat restoration and enhancement projects on federal, tribal, state, and private lands, including mapping, surveying, construction monitoring, and management planning for restored areas. Facilitates and negotiates cooperative agreements with federal, tribal, state, and local agencies, as well as private stakeholders, to maximize habitat preservation and restoration benefits for trust resources under CWPPRA and related federal programs. Reviews permit applications and project plans under U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE), Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), and other federal/state programs; inspects projects for compliance with policies, standards, and legal requirements; recommends actions to ensure alignment with federal conservation objectives. Prepares comprehensive written reports, environmental assessments, and impact statements; delivers oral presentations to agency staff, partners, and public groups, analyzing present and future impacts of federal project alternatives on fish and wildlife resources. Provides technical guidance to lower-graded biologists and staff, directs their work in areas of special expertise, and trains personnel in federal project planning, habitat restoration, and resource management practices. Engages in multi-disciplinary planning efforts with public and private groups, and federal/state agencies to achieve Service policies and CWPPRA objectives; reviews and recommends procedures for implementing new regulations, legislation, and conservation mandates. Responds to inquiries from Congressional staff, the public, and media regarding federal project impacts, providing information within established guidelines and promoting transparency and outreach for CWPPRA and related federal initiatives. Duties will be developmental in nature when filled below the full performance level.