Wildlife Refuge Manager

You will serve as a Wildlife Refuge Manager with US Fish and Wildlife Service, leading staff and overseeing National Wildlife Refuges, Wetland Management Districts, and Refuge Complexes. You will apply expert knowledge to solve complex wildlife and land management challenges, advance conservation efforts, protect natural resources, and support the FWS mission.

The Wildlife Refuge Manager will help lead the Eastern South Dakota Wetland Management District Complex including the oversight of operations. Some of the major duties you will perform include but are not limited to the following: Lead and manage overall refuge operations, setting direction for staff and ensuring high-quality, science-based resource management with a focus on administering a network of conservation easements and fee-title waterfowl production areas and national wildlife refuges across eastern South Dakota.

Oversee biological and habitat management programs, including conservation projects, restoration efforts, research, and monitoring to support wildlife populations and healthy ecosystems. Guide the development and implementation of long-range plans, including land management strategies, conservation plans, and resource protection initiatives.

Build partnerships with tribes, local communities, agencies, and conservation organizations to advance shared resource goals and address complex natural resource issues. Manage budgets, staffing needs, and administrative operations, ensuring effective use of resources and sound business practices. Oversee facilities and equipment maintenance and guide development of infrastructure projects that support refuge operations and public access.

Direct visitor services programs, including public use activities, education, interpretation, and volunteer engagement to support safe, meaningful outdoor experiences. Supervise and lead a multidisciplinary team, overseeing program performance, budget and resource management, workforce development, and operational excellence to achieve mission objectives.

All qualifications must be met by the closing date of this announcement - 11/13/2026-unless otherwise stated in this vacancy announcement. Competitive candidates must also meet Time-in-Grade requirements as defined in 5 CFR 300, Subpart F. For current Federal employees, if hours worked per week are not included on your resume, you must submit a non-award SF-50 as part of your application to be used to validate your work schedule and determine the amount of specialized experience that you will be granted.

An award SF-50 will not be acceptable documentation for which to consider your amount of qualifying experience . For periods of time that reflect military service, the DD-214 or Statement of Service is sufficient to meet the work schedule requirement as the service dates will be reflected. For all other applicants who are not current federal employees, your resume must state either "full-time" (or "40 hours a week") or "part-time" with the number of hours worked per week to ensure proper crediting of specialized experience.

Minimum Qualification Requirements: To qualify for this position, you must meet the following Basic Education Requirement AND Specialized Experience for the series to which you are applying. Basic Education Requirement: In addition to the specialized experience requirements for this position, you must meet at least one of the following: A.

Degree: Zoology, wildlife management, or an appropriate field of biology that included at least 9 semester hours in zoology; 6 semester hours in such wildlife courses as mammalogy, ornithology, animal ecology, or wildlife management; and 3 semester hours in botany, and 3 semester hours in conservation biology. You must submit transcripts.

• OR- B. Combination of education and experience: Courses equivalent to a major in one of the fields described in A above that included at least 9 semester hours in zoology; 6 semester hours in such wildlife courses as mammalogy, ornithology, animal ecology, or wildlife management; and 3 semester hours in botany, and 3 semester hours in conservation biology, plus appropriate experience or additional education.
• AND
• Specialized Experience : To qualify, you must have at least one full year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-12 level in the Federal service (obtained in either the public or private sectors). Specialized experience is defined as demonstrated experience: carrying out wildlife and habitat management activities, including implementing conservation projects on public lands and the administration of conservation easements; leading natural resource planning or compliance processes, such as drafting or coordinating parts of conservation plans, habitat plans, or environmental reviews; building cooperative relationships with partners - including local communities, tribes, landowners, or agencies - to address natural resource issues; and leading teams or projects by setting priorities, coordinating work, or providing guidance to others in support of refuge or land management operations. You must include hours per week worked. Volunteer Experience: Experience refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service programs (e.g., Peace Corps, Ameri. Corps) and other organizations (e.g., professional; philanthropic; religious; spiritual; community, student, social). Volunteer work helps build critical competencies, knowledge, and skills and can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience.

This position does not allow substituting education for experience. This position has a mandatory education requirement. You must submit a copy of your transcript(s) to support claimed education if substituting education for experience. Transcripts must include your name, school name, grades, credit hours earned, major(s), grade point average or class ranking, and date the degree was conferred, if applicable.

A typed list of courses, grades, semester/quarter hours, GPA, etc. will not be accepted. Non-submission may result in being rated not qualified for the position. Unofficial transcripts are acceptable, but if you are selected for this position and you used your education to qualify, you must provide official transcripts before you begin work.

Foreign Education: To receive credit for education completed outside the United States, you must show proof that the education has been submitted to a private organization that specializes in interpretation of foreign educational credentials and such education has been deemed at least equivalent to that gained in conventional U.

S.

Education

programs. For more information on how foreign education is evaluated, visit: https://www.ed.gov/about/initiatives/international-affairs/recognition-of-foreign-qualifications