Conservation Planner/NEPA CoordinatorID:FW5067-AK-001Location:AnchorageProgram:FWS
Wage/Hr:$50.41Hours/Week:20 per weekMinimum Age:55
For over 25 years, National Experienced Workforce Solutions (NEW Solutions) has specialized in connecting experienced workers (ages 55+) with full-time and part-time job opportunities that support the critical missions of Federal Agencies across the United States.
NEW Solutions connects experienced workers (ages 55+) with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS). These experienced professionals provide administrative, scientific, technical, and operational support to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service through the Experienced Services Program (ESP).
Positions listed here do not guarantee employment for any definite period. Enrollment in the Experienced Worker Programs administered by NEW Solutions is temporary. The enrollment relationship between NEW Solutions and the Enrollee is an ?at-will? relationship. This means that an Enrollee is free to terminate enrollment at any time during the enrollment period, and NEW Solutions and the Agency have the right to terminate the relationship with the Enrollee.
PLEASE NOTE: An ?Enrollee? is not a federal employee, nor an employee of NEW Solutions. An ?Enrollee? is a participant in a grant program established through a Cooperative Agreement funded by the agency and administered by NEW Solutions. This position is budgeted for 640 hours.
This opportunity applies to applicants legally eligible to work in the United States.
Qualifications:
BA/BS Degree with minimum additional experience of 4 year(s) in Federal GS11 Realty Specialist 1170 Series
- Experience required with Windows, MS Word, MS Excel, MS PowerPoint, MS Teams, MS Outlook, MS SharePoint, Adobe Acrobat
Duties:
Full spectrum of Conservation Planner/NEPA Coordinator duties as described in position description in Series 0401. This position will provide essential expertise in evaluating the ecological implications of land use decisions. This role will enable the Realty program to incorporate scientific data into its processes, ensuring that all realty actions consider species protection, habitat preservation, and compliance with environmental regulations. By integrating biological assessments into the decision-making framework, this position directly contributes to the DOI's commitment to sustainable land management, ensuring that land management practices are both ecologically sound and aligned with national policies and priorities. This is equivalent to a Full Performance Level position at the GS-11/12.
- Plans, evaluates, conducts a wide variety of complex analyses of realty projects (to include rights-of-way) as related to refuge management and restoration to determine their effects upon the ecological implications of land use decisions. Reviews and/or writes all or portions of environment assessment/impact statements for refuge plans to evaluate environmental consequences of proposed actions on the environment. Provides expert technical guidance, review, and comment on documents, and other support (e.g., participation in public and inter-agency meetings, and some document development) for realty plans, refuge plans, National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) documents, compatibility determinations, mitigation plans, other compliance documents and processes, and permits and approvals. In association with management and development of refuges, provides expert technical guidance regarding compliance with NEPA; public review and comment (including requirements, and advantages and disadvantages of various public involvement methods); and applicability of the Federal Advisory Committee Act. 25%
- Maintains contact and communication with realty and refuge staff throughout the Regional leadership and with other agencies (Federal, Tribal, and state) that are stakeholders in refuge planning processes. Provides technical guidance to refuge staff on refuge planning regulations, policies, and procedures. May convey Service decisions/determination at external meetings pertaining to natural resources planning. Provides expert technical planning assistance and regulatory information to other Service Programs and agencies (Federal, Tribal, and state) to properly satisfy requirements of the ESA, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), and other Federal and state legislation/regulations. Coordinates and writes briefing materials and provides needed briefings for the Realty Officer, Regional Refuge Chief and others in the Regional Office, other agencies, and the public. Reviews new or proposed legislation or policy, and provides comments on their impact on refuge natural resource management. Responds to written, telephone, and in-person inquiries from the public obtaining and providing requested information within established guidelines of the office and in conformance with Service and Departmental policy. Develops communication plans for planning projects working closely with refuge and external affairs staff to clarify key messages and develop effective strategies to communicate them to prepare public notices, correspondence, and lead or assist with public meetings. Plans and organizes public meetings and hearings to discuss refuge planning projects. As required, provides training to new or lower-grade professional or non-professional personnel. Prepares correspondence pertaining to technical aspects of work. In the context of refuge planning processes, makes recommendations and implements actions to address the human dimensions of natural resources or the social factors affecting natural resource management and policy. Human dimensions applications include stakeholder engagement, collaborative conservation, human-wildlife conflict, understanding values and attitudes and other factors influencing conservation behavior, and strategic communication. 25%
- Leads and coordinates planning actions for realty projects by incorporating project-level plans for the conservation of NWRS natural resources and development of opportunities for wildlife-dependent recreation under a variety of conditions. Leads, develops, coordinates, or reviews plans that may encompass any and all programs that affect realty actions, refuge fish and/or wildlife and their habitat conditions including, but not limited to, realty policies, comprehensive conservation plans, natural resources (habitat) management, fire management, visitor services, hunting and fishing management and/or habitat restoration. Leads, coordinates and facilitates planning activities identifying habitat conservation priorities, wildlife population objectives, public use opportunities, land protection, and general operations of NWR. Reviews and comments on reports or environmental documents prepared by environmental consultants to ensure they meet legal, policy, and contract requirements. Develops, directs, and ensures completion of program objectives and associated documentation on a continuing basis in accordance with established program directives. Conducts on-going analysis of programs and analyzes results of special studies or investigations. Drafts or prepares reports with recommendations for changes, elimination, or improvement of operations and program plans. Gathers, organizes, and interprets biological, ecological, socioeconomic, public use, or other pertinent information to ensure management and project plans are current and accurate. Supports the implementation of management plans, studies and investigations required for species propagation/production, resource protection, ecological factors, public information, and other aspects of natural resource management. 25%
- Participates in the development, review, and processing of a variety of permits and other compliance documents for realty in coordination with refuge and regional office staff, Federal, Tribal, and state agencies; and with other parties as required. Examples include Realty actions; refuge appropriateness findings and compatibility determinations; ESA Section 7 compliance; Coastal Zone Management Act consistency determinations; and refuge wilderness reviews. Ensures that due dates are met and policies are followed. Reviews and edits permits and compliance documents and provides technical information and guidance regarding the compliance process to realty staff, refuge staff and regional leadership. Submits recommendations to the supervisor on technical and policy matters regarding application of the realty, refuge and land management issues. Coordinates with Headquarters staff, Regional Solicitor, and field office staff to ensure that documents have appropriate reviews and follow Service regulations, policy, guidance, and procedures. 25%
Other:
- Physical requirements: Office duties Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of this position.
NEW Solutions is committed to promoting equal opportunity and to an environment free from discrimination and harassment in any form administering Experienced Worker Programs under cooperative agreements with federal agencies. It is NEW Solutions'''' policy to comply with all applicable laws that provide equal opportunity and to prohibit unlawful discrimination in enrolling participants in the federal programs.