Leaving military service creates many challenges for veterans especially when confronted with finding viable and rewarding careers that compliment their active duty work experience. I know only too well about the trials and tribulations associated with this often traumatic move. My number was called for the draft during the Vietnam War in 1968. I passed my physical and was advised to report for duty in two weeks if I didn’t join another branch of service. I immediately crossed the hall at the Federal Building and joined the U.S. Air Force for a four year tour. I served a total of 10 years, just over three years active and the remaining time with the Air National Guard.
I was fortunate, the Air Force trained me to be an avionics technician and my skill set was transferable to the private sector. In my case I was hired by the Air National Guard as an avionics technician under the Palace Chase early out program as the Vietnam War wound down. Others that entered the service at the same time were not as fortunate and most were left to their own devises to find and secure employment. Many leaving the service at the time were out of work for a year or more and most had to be retrained. This also happened after 9/11 and according to David Henry Weiss, author of Operation Job Search, “Among post-9/11 Iraq and Afghanistan veterans, 33 percent have been unemployed for longer than one year and 17 percent have been unemployed for more than two years.“
This doesn’t have to be your story. The truth of the matter is that no matter what duties you performed on active duty many facets of your service will enhance your private sector job search. None of the least is the disciplined life you led while serving, your attention to detail, and your ability to follow orders and not question everything that comes your way. Employers benefit from these skills and seek them out. Therefore, you are already ahead of the game if you know the rules to follow that will get you there.
Operation Job Search; A Guide for Military Veterans Transitioning to Civilian Careers by John Henry Weiss provides the game plan all veterans need to find their path in life. This new book is what I consider to be the job guide Bible for anyone leaving the military and for veterans who haven’t found their niche yet. This new book outlines the process you will need to take, how to develop a viable and realistic job search plan, and you will learn about all opportunities including private sector and government jobs to considering starting your own business. You will discover how to prepare for the job interview, what clothes to wear, and review numerous training and job apprenticeship programs with many companies nationwide.
Operation Jobs Search by John Henry Weiss
This indispensible guide will improve your chances and help you obtain not just a job but the career of your dreams. Another advantage is that you don’t have to read the entire 466 pages. You can go direct to the areas of interest no matter where you are at in your search and get the help you need to succeed. There are also sections devoted specifically to female veterans.
This excellent reference is available at all bookstores and on Amazon.com. It may also be available at your local library.
The meteorologist (GS-1340) has to have knowledge in very specialized areas such as meteorology/atmospheric sciences and advanced mathematics (calculus). This job series falls under the Physical Science Group. This group includes all classes of positions, the duties of which are to advise on, administer, supervise, or perform research or other professional and scientific work or subordinate technical work in any of the fields of science concerned with matter, energy, physical space, time, nature of physical measurement, and fundamental structural particles; and the nature of the physical environment.
There were 31,566 federal workers employed in Physical Science Group within all Executive Branch departments, and in many large and small independent agencies with 261 employed overseas. The largest employer is the Department of Interior with 5,850 followed by the Department of Commerce with 5,534 and the Department of the navy with 4,195 civilians employed. A number of large independent agencies hire in this group including the EPA with 2,750 employed.
Phillip Manuel is a meteorologist who is a senior forecaster (GS-1340) with the NWS located at Blacksburg, VA.
Phillip Manuel specializes as a National Weather Service Incident Meteorologist (IMET), assisting Federal and State Incident Management Teams on large wildfires. This picture was taken at the Stouts Creek Fire in southwest Oregon in August 2015. IMETs Phillip Manuel and Scott Weishaar are getting ready to launch a weather balloon to gather weather information to help them make weather forecasts for the incident.
Manuel served as a general forecaster and is currently a senior forecaster and he explains that “Both positions are listed as being a “Forecaster,” but as a Grade 13 you assume more Supervisory Controls. The GS-13 position requires you to serve as the shift leader, routinely supervising at least one GS-12 full performance level meteorologist (General Forecaster) and one GS-11 Hydrometeorological Technician. As the shift supervisor, you are ultimately responsible for all NWS products, warnings, and advisories produced on that shift, and for their coordination with other NWS offices. Senior Forecasters lead and coordinate staff efforts and provide direction, guidance, instruction, and assistance to the shift staff.”
Q&A with Phillip Manuel
What were your reasons for becoming a Forecaster?
Public service. I enjoy forewarning people about the weather, especially extreme weather. I also get an adrenalin rush during high impact weather events and it is important for me to predict when these events are going to occur.
Forecasting has always been a passion. As far back as I can remember, I have been captivated by the weather. As a child, I loved being outdoors and would spend countless hours staring at the sky. Thunderstorms were my favorite and I would risk life and limb for the thrill of being outside during the storm to watch the cloud formations, see the lightning, and hear the thunder.
Extreme weather such as hurricanes and the crippling ice storms from the 1970s had similar effects on my psyche. It was nothing unusual for these storms to knockout the power for weeks at a time, forcing my family to use oil lamps for lighting and wood stoves for heating and cooking. This sort of living forced us to pay special attention to the weather. For whatever reason, I felt a need to warn my family and neighbors when these events were about to occur. As a teenager I became obsessed watching weather reports on television and would then relay this information to others.
What is the most challenging aspect of your job as a Forecaster?
The biggest challenge is working rotating shifts. Demand for weather data, forecasts, and warnings is a “24/7” sort of business. The vigilance and situational awareness required to do the job is only effective if I can get enough sleep to remain alert. There is no fun in forecasting if I can’t stay awake. The shifts and work deadlines are typically out-of-sync with the rest of the working world which means there are times I have to be awake when everybody else is sleeping. In addition, in order to remain proficient and relevant as a Senior Forecaster, I need to work both day and night shifts in order to provide the best direction, guidance, and instruction to better serve the staff and external customers.
What is the most interesting part of your job as a Forecaster?
The daily interaction with people and the variety of forecast challenges. The job never gets boring.
Being a forecaster is kind of like being an emergency room doctor, you are exposed to everything imaginable and every shift is different. The weather is constantly changing, which keeps the job interesting. In addition, you get to interact with people that need help. People need weather information in order to make decisions. Their level of need is different. This makes it interesting for me because I have to communicate my forecast in a way they can understand.
What is unique about your job as a Forecaster?
The cool thing about being a forecaster is that you can specialize in a particular interest or field of study. Within each forecast field office there are approximately 10 forecasters. Each forecaster may specialize in a particular forecast interest, such as severe weather, marine weather, winter weather, radar, aviation, hydrology, etc. You become the “focal point” or “program leader” within the office for that field of study. The other forecasters within the office will then seek you for advice or training concerning your expertise.
I am the fire weather program leader for my office. This is unique for me because I interact with other partner agencies, such as the U.S. Forest Service and similar land management agencies, supporting their need for weather forecasts to help them when suppressing wildfires or conducting prescribed burns. What is really unique about my job is I also serve as an Incident Meteorologist (IMET). I travel nationwide in support of Federal and State Incident Management Teams for incidents which may involve large wildfires, HazMat, or disaster cleanup. This requires that I keep a bag packed at home ready for travel at all times. When deployed I may remain away from home for weeks at a time.
Would you recommend being a Forecaster as a good job to pursue?
I highly recommend this position to anyone who likes the science of meteorology, loves to interact with people, and is open-minded to feedback, especially when your forecast does not go as planned. People are critical with respect to weather forecasts, and you must be willing to use this feedback to make the needed adjustments to improve your job performance.
Here is another way to look at it. Making a good forecast is like a Field Goal kicker on a football team kicking the ball through the uprights (the fans cheer). If you make a bad forecast, it’s like the same kicker missing the uprights. Your job evaluation and satisfaction will become based on how consistent you are at getting the ball through the uprights (a good forecast), and especially when the game is on the line in order to win the game (a forecast warning which may save lives).
The GS-1340 seriesincludes positions that involve professional work in meteorology, the science concerned with the earth’s atmospheric envelope and its processes. The work includes basic and applied research into the conditions and phenomena of the atmosphere; the collection, analysis, evaluation, and interpretation of meteorological data to predict weather and determine climatological conditions for specific geographical areas; the development of new or the improvement of existing meteorological theory; and the development or improvement of meteorological methods, techniques, and instruments.
The federal government employs 2,966 meteorologistsof which 34 work overseas. The Department of Commerce is the largest employer with 2,558 followed by the Department of the Air Force with 1`51 and the Army with 96. About half of the cabinet level agencies employ small numbers of meteorologists along with several large independent agencies including 19 with NASA.
Positions in this occupation require full professional knowledge and application of meteorological methods, techniques, and theory.
Mary Beth Gerhardt is a meteorologist forecaster (GS-1340) with NWS and located at College Park, Maryland.
NOAA’s National Weather Service meteorologist Marybeth Gerhardt being interviewed about winter weather for CBS News affiliate from Pittsburgh. October 2015. (Photo: NOAA)
Q&A with Mary Beth Gerhardt
What were your reasons for becoming a Forecaster?
A sheer passion for the weather steered me towards a career in meteorology, and the idea of forecasting for an agency whose mission involves providing forecasts for the “protection of life and property” is what motivated me to specifically apply for a forecasting position with the National Weather Service.
What is the most challenging aspect of your job as a Forecaster?
Attempting to predict a chaotic atmosphere will always be my biggest challenge as a forecaster. Although forecasting can be stressful due to the heavy responsibility of the National Weather Service mission, the satisfaction of delivering a spot on weather forecast that people received, understood and heeded, which saved lives, is a satisfying feeling.
What is the most interesting part of your job as a Forecaster?
Everything! Honestly, everything from learning about the latest advances in the science and technology to actually forecasting a major winter storm and then watching it unfold across the nation continues to intrigue me.
What is unique about your job as a Forecaster?
The people I get to work with are probably the most unique aspect of my job as a forecaster. We are such an eclectic group, and yet our shared fascination with the weather allows us to work extremely well together.
Would you recommend being a Forecaster as a good job to pursue?
I would recommend being a forecaster to anyone who is passionate about weather, but with the warning that NWS forecasters are often required to work weekends, holidays, and night shifts. Also, because forecasting jobs are highly sought after even securing an entry level position can be extremely competitive.
Job Requirements of a Meteorologist (GS-1340)
Must be a U.S. citizen
$92,145.00 to $119,794.00 / Per Year
Degree in meteorology, atmospheric science, or other natural science major.
At least 24 semester hours in meteorology/atmospheric science.
There is a prerequisite or corequisite of calculus for course work in atmospheric dynamics and thermodynamics, physics, and differential equations.
For the GS-13 Grade level -you have to have least one year of specialized experience equivalent to the next lower grade/ band level (GS-12) that includes: performing a wide range of assignments in forecasting, or techniques development, or real-time support and monitoring of meteorological data and models; Knowledge of computer programming languages such as FORTRAN and C; knowledge of a variety of UNIX and LINUX operating systems, and an understanding of supporting operational real-time data flow and data processing.
The federal meteorologist job occupation is both a greatly complex but very rewarding. You will get both real job satisfaction and be on the forefront of leading technology advancements.
Credits
Maureen O’Leary, NOAA Communications and External Affairs at the National Weather Service.
The information provided may not cover all aspects of unique or special circumstances, federal and postal regulations, and programs are subject to change. Our articles and replies are time sensitive. Over time, various dynamic human resource guidance and factors relied upon as a basis for this article may change. The advice and strategies contained herein may not be suitable for your situation and this service is not affiliated with OPM, the postal service or any federal entity. You should consult with school counselors, hiring agency personnel offices, and human resource professionals where appropriate. Neither the publisher or author shall be liable for any loss or any other commercial damages, including but not limited to special, incidental, consequential, or other damages.
Have you ever dreamed of forecasting the weather, studying and surveying the geography of our coasts or exploring the oceans, or coral reefs? If so, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) is the agency for you. NOAA is part of the Department of Commerce, and was formed in 1970. There are 6,773 NOAA scientists and engineers. NOAA has a total of 12,000 personnel worldwide.
NOAA’s mission is Science, Service, Stewardship. To understand and predict changes in climate, weather, oceans and coasts. To share that knowledge and information with others and to conserve coastal and marine ecosystems and resources.
NOAA Ship
History of NOAA
NOAA’s history dates back over 200 years and it is one of the oldest federal agencies. In 1807 President Thomas Jefferson formed the United States Coast and Geodetic Survey (as the Survey of the Coast) to provide nautical charts to the maritime community for safe passage into American ports and along our extensive coastline. The Weather Bureau was formed in 1870 and one year later the U.S. Commission of Fish and Fisheries was created.
In 1970 to better handle the growing responsibility of predicting changes to both the ocean and atmospheric environments and living marine resources NOAA was formed. Today NOAA is in every state and is considered an international leader on scientific and environmental matters. It is considered America’s environmental intelligence agency.
In 1984 The National Status and Trends Program was started. It is one of the largest and most comprehensive monitoring programs of costal marine environmental quality in the United States. The objective of the program is to determine the existing status and the long term trends of the environmental quality of coastal areas throughout the United States. Additionally, this program measures the levels of toxic chemicals in bottom-feeding fish, mussels and oysters, and sediments.
NOAA Seafood Inspection Program
NOAA oversees fisheries management in the United States. Under authority in the 1946 Agricultural Marketing Act, the NOAA Seafood Inspection Program provides inspection services for fish, shellfish, and fishery products to the industry.
The NOAA Seafood Inspection Program offers a variety of professional inspection services on a fee-for-service basis which assures compliance with all applicable food regulations. The program offers sanitation inspection as well as system and process auditing in facilities, on vessels, or other processing establishments in order to be designated as participating establishments.
The National Coastal Zone Management Program
The National Coastal Zone Management Program works with coastal states and territories to addresses coastal issues, that includes climate change.
This program is a voluntary partnership between the federal government and United States coastal and Great Lakes states and territories authorized by the Coastal Zone Management Act (CZMA) of 1972 to address national coastal issues.
National Weather Service
In our next article we be featuring two employees that work for the National Weather Service (NWS). The NWS was established in 1870. It was originally called the Weather Bureau and was part of the War Department. Twenty years later it became a civilian agency, under the Department of Agriculture, and in 1940 was switched to the Commerce Department.
NWS Mission
Provide weather, water, and climate data, forecasts and warnings for the protection of life and property and enhancement of the national economy.
NWS Vision
A weather-ready nation: society is prepared to respond to weather-dependent events.
NWS Organization
The headquarters of the NWS is located in Silver Spring, Maryland, with regional headquarters located in Kansas City, Missouri; Bohemia, New York; Fort Worth, Texas; Salt Lake City, Utah; Anchorage, Alaska; and Honolulu, Hawaii. The NWS has 5,000 employees in 122 weather forecast offices, 13 river forecast centers, 9 national centers, and other support offices around the country, and provides a national infrastructure to gather and process data worldwide. Every year, the NWS collects some 76 billion observations and issues approximately 1.5 million forecasts and 50,000 warnings. For more information about the NWS you can view their website at Weather.gov.
The two employees that will be featured in our next article are Mary Beth Gerhardt, meteorologist (GS-1340) and Phillip Manuel, meteorologist (senior forecaster), GS-1340.
Credits
Maureen O’Leary, NOAA Communications and External Affairs at the National Weather Service.
The information provided may not cover all aspects of unique or special circumstances, federal and postal regulations, and programs are subject to change. Our articles and replies are time sensitive. Over time, various dynamic human resource guidance and factors relied upon as a basis for this article may change. The advice and strategies contained herein may not be suitable for your situation and this service is not affiliated with OPM, the postal service or any federal entity. You should consult with school counselors, hiring agency personnel offices, and human resource professionals where appropriate. Neither the publisher or author shall be liable for any loss or any other commercial damages, including but not limited to special, incidental, consequential, or other damages.
The GS-1811 series includes all classes of positions, the duties of which are to advise on, administer, supervise, or perform investigation, inspection, or enforcement work primarily concerned with alleged or suspected offenses against the laws of the United States, or such work primarily concerned with determining compliance with laws and regulations.
There are 192,929 federal workers employed in the GS-1800 Investigation Group workingwithin all Executive Branch departments, and in many large and small independent agencies with 3,800 employed overseas. Even small agencies employ investigators including the Federal Maritime Election Commission (3), and 15 with the Chemical Safety and Hazard Investigation Board.
Keith Toomey, is a special agent in charge, with the Fish & Wildlife Service’s Professional Responsibility Unit, in Shepherdstown, WV.
Keith Toomy, Special Agent in Charge (FWS)
The largest employers of the Investigative Group are the Department of Homeland Security (130,343), 28,541 with the Department of Justice, the Department of Agriculture employs 8,126, and there are 3,802 employed with the Department of Transportation. All of the cabinet level agencies employ workers in the GS-1800 group with 34,265 in the GS-1801 general inspection, investigation, enforcement and compliance series, 42,442 in the GS-1811 criminal investigation position, over 20,000 in border patrol enforcement GS-1896, and 21,038 in the GS-1985 customs and border protection.
Don’t overlook any agency in your job search as there are positions available in most agencies.
Q and A with Keith Toomey
Why did you want to become a Special Agent in Charge? I felt it was a great responsibility and challenge to lead this office. It provided stability to the office and has allowed our program to continue to develop and evolve. I was lucky to have many great mentors at the county, state and federal level as my career progressed like Danny James and Nick Susalis to name a few. This position has allowed me to share some of that experience, but as General Gray said when I joined the Marine Corps years ago “you are first and foremost a rifleman, everything else is secondary.” I still consider myself a working agent and handle a case load. I think it’s important to stay current and connected to those investigative skills.
What is the most challenging part of your job? The most challenging part of this particular position is trying to balance the caseload against the amount of time our PRU agents are traveling away from their families handling cases nationwide and the stress that results from that time away.
What is the most dangerous part of your job? This profession at any level has been and will always be inherently dangerous. I constantly remind our officers and agents they need to have the courage to take decisive action when required and not worry about the current level of anti-police rhetoric in the public or press. We were called to be and the Service employs us to be law enforcement officers which at times means things will not always be pretty or easy. We need to be safe and go home when the work is done.
What is the best part of being a Special Agent in Charge? The best part of this position is the daily diversity. We handle a variety of cases for the Service besides traditional Internal Affairs issues and we teach at many levels within the Service and to outside agencies as well. We are also very lucky being located within Jefferson County, WV to have a great working relationship with the local Sheriff’s Office and State Police.
Would you recommend this job occupation? I would recommend this position but it is not for everyone. I think the same goes for the profession as a whole. This occupation is dangerous, challenging and requires a ton of common sense along with communication skills. There will be internal and external political frictions each requiring your attention and tactful handling. At the end of day, it is also a very satisfying and rewarding career as long has you have the moral courage for it.
Office of Law Enforcement
The Fish and Wildlife Service’s Office of Law Enforcement is responsible for focusing on threats to wildlife that are detrimental. These threats involve illegal trade, unlawful commercial exploitation, habitat destruction, and environmental contaminants. They will investigate wildlife crimes, regulates wildlife trade, helps Americans understand and obey wildlife protections laws, and works in partnership with international, state, and tribal counterparts to conserve wildlife resources.
The work of this office includes:
Breaking up international and domestic smuggling rings that target imperiled animals.
Preventing the unlawful commercial exploitation of protected U.S. species.
Protecting wildlife from environmental hazards and safeguarding critical habitat for endangered species.
Enforcing federal migratory game bird hunting regulations and working with states to protect other game species from illegal take and preserve legitimate hunting opportunities.
Distributing information and outreach materials to increase public understanding of wildlife conservation and promote compliance with wildlife protection laws.
Inspecting wildlife shipments to ensure compliance with laws and treaties and detect illegal trade.
Working with international counterparts to combat illegal trafficking in protected species.
Training other federal, state, tribal, and foreign law enforcement officers.
Using forensic science to analyze evidence and solve wildlife crimes.
When fully staffed, the Office of Law Enforcement includes 261 special agents and some 140 wildlife inspectors. Most are “officers on the beat” who report through eight regional law enforcement offices. A headquarters Office of Law Enforcement provides national oversight, support, policy, and guidance for Service investigations and the wildlife inspection program; trains Service law enforcement personnel; fields a special investigations unit; and provides budget, management and administrative support for the Office of Law Enforcement.
The Office of Law Enforcement has the Clark R. Bavin National Fish and Wildlife Forensics Laboratorywhich conducts scientific analyses that support federal, state, and international investigations of wildlife crime. They also maintain a National Wildlife Property Repository, which supplies abandoned and forfeited wildlife items to schools, universities, museums, and non-government organizations for public education, and operates the National Eagle Repository, which meets the needs of Native Americans for eagles and eagle feathers for religious use.
Job Requirements of a GS-1811
Must be a U.S. citizen to apply
Salary ranges from $87,263 to $113,444.00 per year.
Provides expert technical advice, guidance, and recommendations concerning tactical field operations and the application and use of criminal investigative techniques to subordinates, other law enforcement partners
Plans and oversees tactical field operations, case administration, and the supervision and management of the criminal investigative unit.
Directing a comprehensive criminal investigative program that has handled all aspects of the criminal investigative process.
Directly managing/supervising law enforcement agents and analysts.
Maintaining liaison with other local, state, and federal law enforcement counterparts.
The GS-1811 job series covers positions which supervise, lead, or perform work involving planning, conducting, or managing investigations related to alleged or suspected criminal violations of Federal laws. The federal government employs 42,442 in this occupation. The work involves:
recognizing, developing, and presenting evidence to reconstruct events, sequences, time elements, relationships, responsibilities, legal liabilities, and conflicts of interest;
conducting investigations in a manner meeting legal and procedural requirements; and
providing advice and assistance both in and out of court to the U.S. Attorney’s Office during investigations and prosecutions.
Work in this series primarily requires knowledge of criminal investigative techniques, rules of criminal procedures, laws, and precedent court decisions concerning the admissibility of evidence, constitutional rights, search and seizure, and related issues in the conduct of investigations. Criminal investigators conduct investigations of alleged or suspected criminal violations of Federal laws. The Federal statute or law which may have been violated does not determine whether a position should be classified in this series. The actual process and the knowledge and skills used to investigate crimes determine the appropriate series of the position. Classification into the 1811 series should not be an automatic process but should be based on the work of the individual position. Work primarily requires knowledge of:
pertinent statutes, regulations, policies, and guidelines, including the Code of Federal Regulations or the Uniform Code of Military Justice;
Federal Rules of Criminal Procedures, Federal Sentencing Guidelines, and Federal guidelines on the conduct of criminal investigations;
criminal investigative techniques, such as protective surveys and assignments, surveillance, and undercover work;
the evidence required to prove a crime was committed;
the jurisdiction of various agencies;
sources of information and how to develop them (e.g., informants, surveillance, and undercover work);
electronic countermeasures and the latest technological advances used by criminals and investigators; and
decisions and precedent cases involving, but not limited to, rules of evidence, search and seizure, and detention and arrest.
Criminal investigative work is characterized by the types and scope of crimes investigated and the organization and sophistication of the criminals. Additional characteristics of criminal investigative work include: planning and conducting investigations extending over protracted periods of time; assignments made primarily on a referral or case basis; and an emphasis on identifying and apprehending individuals for criminal prosecution. During the course of their careers, criminal investigators may rotate through various assignments to include protective details, asset forfeiture investigations, and multi-jurisdictional task forces. Some criminal investigators perform or oversee undercover assignments as a regular and recurring part of their assigned duties. Criminal investigator positions will normally be found in organizations whose primary purpose includes functions typically performed by criminal investigators, such as organizations responsible for performing inspection, compliance, enforcement, prevention, or deterrence functions.
Medical Requirements
The duties of positions in this series require moderate to arduous physical exertion involving walking and standing, use of firearms, and exposure to inclement weather.
Manual dexterity with comparatively free motion of finger, wrist, elbow, shoulder, hip, and knee joints is required. Arms, hands, legs, and feet must be sufficiently intact and functioning in order that applicants may perform the duties satisfactorily.
Sufficiently good vision in each eye, with or without correction, is required to perform the duties satisfactorily. Near vision, corrective lenses permitted, must be sufficient to read printed material the size of typewritten characters.
Duties of these positions are exacting and responsible, and involve activities under trying conditions, applicants must possess emotional and mental stability.
Any physical condition that would cause the applicant to be a hazard to
The special agent in charge is a very specialized job series. It involves skills such as problem solving, use of fire arms, knowledge of various law enforcement regulations, tactical field operations, criminal investigation and analysis. This is a job occupation worth checking out.
Credits
Anita Noguera, Manager, BPHC Marketing Communications, Falls Church, VA
Photos were provided by the Fish and Wildlife Service
The information provided may not cover all aspects of unique or special circumstances, federal and postal regulations, and programs are subject to change. Our articles and replies are time sensitive. Over time, various dynamic human resource guidance and factors relied upon as a basis for this article may change. The advice and strategies contained herein may not be suitable for your situation and this service is not affiliated with OPM, the postal service or any federal entity. You should consult with school counselors, hiring agency personnel offices, and human resource professionals where appropriate. Neither the publisher or author shall be liable for any loss or any other commercial damages, including but not limited to special, incidental, consequential, or other damages.
The GS-0701 series covers professional positions that supervise, lead, or perform work in the veterinary medical sciences. The work involves promoting the health and welfare of both animals and the public through diagnosis, treatment, prevention, and understanding of animal diseases; conservation of animal resources; and advancement of veterinary medical knowledge. Learn more about holding a federal veterinarian jobs below.
The federal government employs 2,226 Veterinary Medical Officers. The Department of Agriculture is the largest employer of this group with 1,774 employees. The Department of Health and Human Services employs 34 while the DOI, VA, Army, EPA and the Smithsonian Institute employ small number of this occupational series. There are 23 veterinarians working for the Department of the Interior.
Samantha Gibbs is a is a veterinarian with the Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) at the Patuxent Research Refuge, Laurel, Maryland.
Samantha Gibbs, Veterinarian (FWS)
The wildlife veterinarian has many different services that they must perform. These services may include, but are not limited to:
Wildlife capture efforts.
Animal capture and handling, applicable chemical immobilization, and tagging-collaring-surgical procedures necessary for assessing individual animal movement, environmental conditions.
Training of professional wildlife biologists in wildlife capture, handling, and/or animal processing;
Development of standard operating procedures (SOPs) for safe wildlife capture, handling, tagging, and sampling in collaboration with other federal agencies and/or other international, state, local, or private organizations.
Successful application for DEA Controlled Substances registration.
Q and A with Samantha Gibbs
Why did you become a Wildlife Veterinarian?
Growing up, I had a strong interest in wildlife ecology and conservation. After high school I went to work for a wildlife veterinarian and began to understand the strong role veterinarians play in forwarding wildlife conservation goals.
What are the most challenging parts of your job?
Probably the most challenging part of the job is turning research science into management actions that will improve wildlife health at a population scale. More often than not, there isn’t much we can do once a disease has begun to spread in wildlife.
What is the most unique experience you have had as a Wildlife Veterinarian?
I was once capturing wild ducks for avian influenza testing in northern Australia and had to ensure that when I released the birds after being swabbed they didn’t head towards the river because there was a line of crocodiles waiting at the water’s edge for a tasty treat!
What are the rarest and most common species of animals that you have come in contact with?
I have worked with hundreds of bird species, some quite rare and many very common. I currently serve as back-up veterinarian for the whooping cranes that are being bred and raised at Patuxent. I have also had the opportunity to work with bison, rhinos, Florida panthers, lions, manatees, feral pigs, and frogs!
What are some of the duties you have to perform as a Wildlife Veterinarian?
My work varies from field activities to research to policy. I provide field support such as surgical implantation of satellite transmitters in ducks, taking fat biopsies from bison, and performing post-mortems on animals that are a part of die-off events. I am involved in the development and implementation of research projects that investigate wildlife diseases. And I provide technical assistance for policy decisions that involve wildlife health issues.
Would you recommend Wildlife Veterinarian as a good career path?
The career of wildlife veterinarian has been an amazing journey for me. It involves many years of studying, sometimes extreme field conditions, sometimes long hours at a computer, and lots of travelling, but for me it is certainly been well worth it for the crazy events, kind people, and fascinating wildlife I have experienced along the way.
Basic Requirements
Must be a U.S. citizen to apply.
Salary for a GS 12/13 ranges from $71,012.00 to $109,781.00 / Per Year.
Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVM) or equivalent degree, i.e., Veterinary Medical Doctor (VMD), obtained at a school or college of veterinary medicine accredited by the American Veterinary Medical Association Council on Education (AVMA).
Possession of a permanent, full, and unrestricted license to practice veterinary medicine in a State, District of Columbia, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, or a territory of the United States that includes successful completion of the North American Veterinary Licensing Examination (NAVLE) or its predecessors, the National Board Examination (NBE) and the Clinical Competency Test (CCT).
Additional Requirements
GS-12: To qualify for a GS-12 is listed below:
Master’s degree in an area of specialization, including but not limited to, animal science, avian medicine, food safety, infectious diseases, veterinary clinical sciences, pathobiology, biomedical sciences, veterinary anatomy, veterinary preventive medicine, comparative biological sciences, epidemiology, veterinary parasitology, molecular veterinary biosciences, public health, microbiology, pathology, immunology, laboratory animal medicine, toxicology, wildlife, zoological animal medicine, or sciences related to the work of a veterinary medical officer position.
Successful completion of two years of an internship, residency program, or fellowship training program in a discipline related to the position.
Applicants must demonstrate at least one full year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the GS-11 grade level in the Federal service.
Examples of specialized experience for the GS-12 grade level include:
Implementing health monitoring and treatment programs for large herds of production livestock (cattle, sheep, and swine).
Recording and analyzing health records in order to implement appropriate prevention and treatment programs.
Working with animal care personnel and herd managers to appropriately train and educate on new practices relating to animal care.
GS-13: To qualify for the GS-13 are listed below:
Ph.D. degree in an area of specialization, including but not limited to, animal science, avian medicine, food safety, infectious diseases, veterinary clinical sciences, pathobiology, biomedical sciences, veterinary anatomy, veterinary preventive medicine, comparative biological sciences, epidemiology, veterinary parasitology, molecular veterinary biosciences, public health, microbiology, pathology, immunology, laboratory animal medicine, toxicology, wildlife, zoological animal medicine, or sciences related to the work of a veterinary medical officer position.
Successful completion of three years of an internship, residency program, or fellowship training program in a discipline related to the position.
Applicants must demonstrate at least one full year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the GS-12 grade level in the Federal service. Specialized experience is experience directly related to the position to be filled.
Examples of specialized experience for the GS-13 grade level include:
Interpreting and implementing the Federation of Animal Science Societies Guide for the Care and Use of Agricultural Animals in Research and Teaching in a research environment; or
Experience following or implementing Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee (IACUC) policies and procedures as they relate to care of animals in research; or
Experience as or working with an IACUC Attending Veterinarian to implement appropriate animal care in a research environment.
Medical Requirements: Individuals must be physically and mentally able to safely and efficiently perform the full range of duties of the position without creating hazards to themselves or others.
Veterinary Medical Officers who inspect or supervise inspection activities in privately owned slaughter houses and processing plants must meet specific medical standards
Job Requirements
Maintains up-to-date knowledge of field anesthesia techniques, ensures compliance with Animal Welfare Act requirements and Institutional Animal Care and Use Committees (IACUC) approved protocols.
Strictly adheres to Department of Justice’s Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) rules and regulations for the use and storage of controlled substances.
Assists in the development of the annual budget and work plans.
Establishes and maintains liaison with research and management biologists from natural resource agencies, conservation organizations, and universities who have expertise specific to wildlife capture and anesthesia as well as wildlife diseases, their epidemiology, and management, to exchange information and develop techniques and methods related to population and habitat management, monitoring, and evaluation.
Reviews scientific proposals and reports to evaluate hypotheses, research design, appropriateness of methods, probability of success, and overall importance to wildlife disease management or science.
Analyzes disease report summaries and determines the impact on resources, develops action plans as required, coordinates actions with the Refuges and other Service regions as warranted.
Fields questions concerning the report and response from various sources, representatives from other Federal and State agencies, and the media.
Analyzes the impact of wildlife morbidity and mortality events on populations, and assists wildlife biologists and/or managers as needed to evaluate impacts to harvest regulations or other population goals.
Prepares reports and articles for publication in scientific literature and for presentation at professional meetings.
Provides oral and written presentations on significant wildlife health and disease issues ranging from highly technical professional audiences, to congressional and agency staffs, to news media, and the general public.
Mastery of, and skill in applying, advanced concepts, principles, practices, and methodology of veterinary medicine.
Professional knowledge of, and ability to apply, wildlife management concepts, principles, practices, including field techniques and methodologies, to manage an active complex, regional, wildlife management program.
Knowledge of, and ability to apply, the principles, practices, techniques, and concepts of population ecology and wildlife biology as related to the management of free ranging wildlife populations.
Familiarity with population-limiting factors based on habitat nutritional quality, climate change, predation and competition, or other demographic factors sufficient to incorporate into wildlife management plans.
Ability to synthesize existing information, apply new scientific findings, developments, and advances to meet innovative, complex, controversial, long-term wildlife health and management needs that are national and international in scope.
Ability to provide creativity and critical-thinking skills necessary to apply veterinary advances in approaches and new scientific developments to local resource issues, and determine cause-and-effect relationships between species, their habitats, and disease.
In our next article we will continue with the FWS and our Question and Answerwill be with Keith Toomey, Special Agent in Charge (GS-1811).
Credits
Anita Noguera, Manager, BPHC Marketing Communications, Falls Church, VA
Photos were provided by the Fish and Wildlife Service
The information provided may not cover all aspects of unique or special circumstances, federal and postal regulations, and programs are subject to change. Our articles and replies are time sensitive. Over time, various dynamic human resource guidance and factors relied upon as a basis for this article may change. The advice and strategies contained herein may not be suitable for your situation and this service is not affiliated with OPM, the postal service or any federal entity. You should consult with school counselors, hiring agency personnel offices, and human resource professionals where appropriate. Neither the publisher or author shall be liable for any loss or any other commercial damages, including but not limited to special, incidental, consequential, or other damages.
One of the important functions of the Federal Government is to communicate with the public concerning the programs administered and activities engaged in by various Federal agencies. This communication is provided by the public affairs specialist (GS-1035) and serves the dual purpose of: 1) informing the broad spectrum of individuals and groups affected by agency programs of the benefits, services, or requirements of such programs; and 2) assessing the degree of understanding or interest the public has in these programs and activities. The public affairs specialist salary ranges from $90,823.00 to $118,069.00 / Per Year.
The federal government employs 5,519 public affairs specialists. The Departments of the Army, Navy and Air Force are the largest employers of this group with 2,052 civilian employees. The Department of the Interior employs 312 followed by the VA with 297. Positions are available in all cabinet level and large federal agencies.
Valerie Fellows is a public affairs specialist working at the US Fish and Wildlife Service Headquarters Ecological Services Program in Falls Church, VA.
Valarie Fellows (GS-1035) FWS
Q&A with Valerie Fellows
Why did you decide to become a Public Affairs Specialist?
My background was in wildlife management, biology and toxicology, so I always dreamed I would one day work for the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. But I never really “loved” the notion of daily field work: schlepping through remote areas day after day, fighting off mosquitoes the size of hummingbirds, taking Dramamine just to be able to get through the day on the boat, etc. I loved it every now and then, but not every day. Our field biologists are really amazing for loving that type of hard labor!
Plus, I’m an extrovert and I’m pretty good at communicating!
Combine those factors and it came very naturally for me to support the mission of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service by communicating to the media and the public about the work we do and why it’s important for the public. I am able to combine my strengths for communication with my passion for wildlife, and I absolutely love my job.
What is your greatest challenge as a Public Affairs Specialist?
Staying relevant with the public. Our field offices are involved in managing really complex environmental issues that can’t be fixed overnight, and trying to tell the story of what they are doing and making it relevant to the issues the American public cares about is challenging. Science and technology is advancing at an extremely fast pace, but if we don’t deliver our messages about why people should care and keep it pertinent to the issues important to them, then eventually science could lose support.
What is most interesting about being a Public Affairs Specialist?
No two days are the same. Every day is a different topic or issue and it’s always something new to learn about.
What is the most unique aspect about being a Public Affairs Specialist?
I’ve been lucky enough to be involved with some monumental announcements for my agency – including the recovery of the bald eagle and its removal from the Endangered Species Act – which was 5 decades in the making and the celebration of the 100th anniversary of Rachel Carson’s birth. To have just a sliver of the public engagement on those pieces of conservation history is extremely fulfilling, and I was so grateful for it.
Would you recommend the Public Affairs Specialist job occupation?
Yes! I’ve loved my jobs in this series at all levels. I’ve made mistakes and learned from them, but I love the excitement and results that our agency gets from connecting to the public on conservation issues!
Public Affairs Specialist Duties
In addition to the general public, Federal agencies communicate with many specialized segments of the population, e.g., farmers, taxpayers, military personnel, educators, State and local government officials, manufacturers, and so on. Federal agencies communicate with the general public and these other pertinent publics in a variety of ways, for many different purposes, and in countless organizational settings across the country, and around the world.
Public Affairs includes positions responsible for administering, supervising, or performing work involved in establishing and maintaining mutual communication between Federal agencies and the general public. They also communicate with various other pertinent entities including internal or external, foreign or domestic audiences.
Positions in this series advise agency management on policy formulation and the potential public reaction to proposed policy, and identify and carry out the public communication requirements inherent in disseminating policy decisions. The work involves identifying communication needs and developing informational materials that inform appropriate publics of the agency’s policies, programs, services and activities, and plan, execute, and evaluate the effectiveness of information and communication programs in furthering agency goals. Work in the series requires skills in written and oral communication, analysis, and interpersonal relations.
Positions in the Public Affairs Series are primarily concerned with advising management on the formulation and articulation of agency policy and designing, executing, and evaluating the information programs that communicate agency policies, programs, and actions to various pertinent publics.
Public affairs positions work in and contribute to a variety of functional programs. The term functional program refers to the basic objectives of a Federal agency and its operations and activities in achieving them. A functional program may include the entire mission of an agency or any one of many programs administered by the department or agency. Positions in this series require a practical understanding and knowledge of functional programs to facilitate communication between an agency and its publics on program-related problems, activities, or issues. Much of this program knowledge is obtained from specialists in the functional program areas or through review of agency developed material, interviewing program specialists, or reading professional and trade publications.
Job Requirements
Must be a U.S. citizen to apply.
Identifying internal and external target audiences for various issues, programs and activities and independently developing the full suite of communication tools and products to reach those audiences.
Preparing and/or overseeing the development of news releases, feature articles, publications, speeches for program and management officials, fact sheets, briefing papers, radio and television scripts and other public informational.
Advising on personal appearances and interviews, sets up news conferences in support of a public affairs plan or directed to specific audiences.
Establishing and maintaining effective working relationships with representative of appropriate media and national organizations or public interest groups, as well as counterparts in other Federal, State or local government agencies.
Determining the form, extent and timing of media information programs which will maximize the education of information to the public.Conducting complex and exhaustive research and assist in providing comprehensive data to media representatives.Skill in making oral presentations; analyzing the effectiveness of crisis communication plans. Maintaining a network of subject matter experts for use as quality information sources.
Skill in setting up and conducting impromptu news conferences and briefings
Experience managing established social media campaigns and utilizing a diverse array of social media platforms to communicate information about agency, programs, policies, initiatives and other relevant information to the public.
In our next article we will continue with the FWS and our Question and Answer with Samantha Gibbs, a Wildlife Veterinarian (GS-0486).
Credits
Anita Noguera, Manager, BPHC Marketing Communications, Falls Church, VA
Photos were provided by the Fish and Wildlife Service
The information provided may not cover all aspects of unique or special circumstances, federal and postal regulations, and programs are subject to change. Our articles and replies are time sensitive. Over time, various dynamic human resource guidance and factors relied upon as a basis for this article may change. The advice and strategies contained herein may not be suitable for your situation and this service is not affiliated with OPM, the postal service or any federal entity. You should consult with school counselors, hiring agency personnel offices, and human resource professionals where appropriate. Neither the publisher or author shall be liable for any loss or any other commercial damages, including but not limited to special, incidental, consequential, or other damages.
NASA is recruiting astronauts through a job announcement that was posted on December 14th. They will announce their selections in mid-2017 and this new group of astronauts will potentially fly on four U.S. spacecrafts during their careers: the International Space Station, two commercial crew spacecraft currently in development by U.S. companies, and NASA’s Orion deep-space exploration vehicle.
According to NASA Administrator and former astronaut Charles Bolden, “NASA is on an ambitious journey to Mars and we’re looking for talented men and women from diverse backgrounds and every walk of life to help get us there.” Those selected will go to space on American-made spacecraft and participate in the exploration of Mars.
Astronaut – Space Exploration
The application process is rigorous to say the least and those seriously interested must follow the guidance provided in the USAJOBS job announcement and submit all required paperwork. Print out the job announcement and use a highlighter to identify each step that you MUST take to successfully apply. According to USAJOBS, “To receive consideration you must meet the minimum requirements by the closing date of the announcement; and submit all required information by the closing date of the announcement via USAJOBS.” Follow the ‘How to Apply’ section of the job announcement to ensure you provide all information requested.
Completing and submitting a professional application is only half the battle. Applications must also present themselves confidently and professionally in the job interview. Those who prepare for the interview will be better able to handle this often tense final step in the selection process.
Duties
Astronauts are involved in all aspects of training for and conducting operations in space, including on the ISS, on Russian Soyuz spacecraft, and in the development and testing of future spacecraft. This includes extravehicular activities (EVA), robotics operations using the remote manipulator system, the ability to operate and conduct research experiments, the ability to operate as a safe member of an aircraft crew (including flight planning and communications), and spacecraft maintenance activities. Astronauts also participate in mission simulations to help themselves and flight controllers in the Mission Control Center operate in the dynamic environment of low earth orbit. Additionally, astronauts serve as the public face of NASA, providing appearances across the country, and sharing NASA’s discoveries and goals.
Long-duration missions aboard the ISS generally last from three to six months. Training for long-duration missions is very arduous and takes approximately two to three years. This training requires extensive travel, including long periods away in other countries training with NASA’s international partners.
Qualifications
Applicants must meet the following minimum requirements before submitting an application:
1. Bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution in engineering, biological science, physical science, computer science, or mathematics.
Notes on Academic Requirements:
Applicants for the Astronaut Candidate Program must meet the basic education requirements for NASA engineering and scientific positions; specifically, successful completion of standard professional curriculum in an accredited college or university leading to at least a bachelor’s degree with major study in an appropriate field of engineering, biological science, physical science, computer science, or mathematics.
The following degree fields are not considered qualifying:
–Degrees in Technology (Engineering Technology, Aviation Technology, Medical Technology, etc.)
–Degrees in Psychology (except for Clinical Psychology, Physiological Psychology, or Experimental Psychology, which are qualifying)
–Degrees in Nursing
–Degrees in Exercise Physiology or similar fields
–Degrees in Social Sciences (Geography, Anthropology, Archaeology, etc.)
–Degrees in Aviation, Aviation Management, or similar fields
2. At least 3 years of related, progressively responsible, professional experience obtained after degree completion OR at least 1,000 hours pilot-in-command time in jet aircraft. An advanced degree is desirable and may be substituted for experience as follows: master’s degree = 1 year of experience, doctoral degree = 3 years of experience. Teaching experience, including experience at the K – 12 levels, is considered to be qualifying experience for the Astronaut Candidate position, provided the initial degree is qualifying.
3. Ability to pass the NASA long-duration astronaut physical, which includes the following specific requirements:
Distant and near visual acuity must be correctable to 20/20, each eye. The use of glasses is acceptable.
The refractive surgical procedures of the eye, PRK and LASIK, are allowed. Note that such surgeries are permitted, but not required for potential applicants.
Since all crewmembers will be expected to fly aboard a specific spacecraft vehicle and perform EVA activities (spacewalks), applicants must meet the anthropometric requirements for both the specific spacecraft vehicle and the EVA mobility unit (spacesuit). Applicants brought in for an interview will be evaluated to ensure they meet the anthropometric requirements.
Basic Education Requirement: A bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university with major study in engineering, biological science, physical science, computer science, or mathematics.
Degrees in engineering technology are not considered to be qualifying for this position.
The information provided may not cover all aspects of unique or special circumstances, federal and postal regulations, and programs are subject to change. Our articles and replies are time sensitive. Over time, various dynamic human resource guidance and factors relied upon as a basis for this article may change. The advice and strategies contained herein may not be suitable for your situation and this service is not affiliated with OPM, the postal service or any federal entity. You should consult with school counselors, hiring agency personnel offices, and human resource professionals where appropriate. Neither the publisher or author shall be liable for any loss or any other commercial damages, including but not limited to special, incidental, consequential, or other damages.
In part one of this series we introduced the Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) to include its history and their prominent programs. This article features the historian occupation (GS-0170) and its unique role within the FWS.
This series includes positions the duties of which are to advise on, administer, supervise, or perform research or other work in the field of history when such work requires a professional knowledge of established methods and techniques of historical research in the collection, evaluation, analysis, or presentation of historical facts.
The federal government employs 765 historians of which 30 work overseas. The Department of the Air Force is the largest employer with 197 civilians followed by the Department of the Interior with 171 and the Department of the Army employs 158. All but two cabinet level agencies employ workers in this group including a few large independent agencies.
Historians in the Federal Government are engaged in one or more of the following major areas:
Planning and conducting special historical studies relating to current problems for use by agency officials and others in developing or modifying policies and programs.
Planning and conducting continuing or long-range historical studies to record the policies, programs, and operations of their particular agencies.
Planning and preparing scholarly narrative or documentary histories for publication.
Planning and conducting historical studies in connection with the establishment, conservation, restoration, reconstruction, and interpretation to the public of sites of major significance in the military, political, economic, and cultural history of the United States.
Regardless of the area of endeavor involved, historian positions at full performance levels typically include responsibility for project planning and research and presentation functions
Q&A with Mark Madison
Mark Madison is an historian, (GS-0170) for the FWS and works at the National Conservation Training Center, Shepherdstown, WV.
Mark Madison, FWS Historian
Why did you want to become a historian?
My father was a historian so I was genetically predisposed. History was my favorite reading material as a child and adult. I actually started as a biologist but got lured back to history through the history of science.
What are the top three most interesting aspects of your job?
We get new historical objects almost every day we just got a 5200-pound printing press.
I have just started social media with a Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram feeds. It is new and keeps me humble as to my tech abilities.
The FWS has the most interesting history in the federal government ranging from Rachel Carson to Red Wolves.
What is the most interesting historical find you ever came across?
A little mammal and we have a taxidermy black-footed that was rediscovered in 1981 after the species had been declared extinct in 1979. That little ferret helped save a species.
Would you recommend the historian occupation as a good career path?
Any subject you are passionate about is a good career path. I was passionate about history and conservation so being a historian for the FWS was a great choice.
Job Requirements
Must be a U.S. citizen to apply.
Successful completion of a full 4-year course of study in an accredited college or university leading to a bachelor’s or higher degree in History; or related field that included at least 18 semester hours in history.
Professional experience that reflects knowledge of history concepts and techniques and available sources.
Methods and techniques of historical research in the collection, evaluation, analysis, and presentation of historical facts.
Research and write historical materials, and conducting special studies and creating other historical products such as oral histories.
Perform research, analysis, evaluates and produces written historical reports about origins, or evolution.
Prepare analytical studies of complex program issues, administrative summaries.
Provide training publications to employees and the public with a general understanding of the history of an agency and its activities.
Plan and execute a historical research program that documents of an agency’s history.
Provides guidance and advice to regional offices, divisions, and field stations on completing historical research, studies, and oral histories involving an agency’s history.
Plans, reviews, and evaluates projects initiated by other offices.
Knowledge of requirements and procedures required to initiate, and monitor contracts for historical research and studies.
In part 3 we will meet Valerie Fellows a public affairs specialist, (GS-1035) for the FWS.
Credits
Anita Noguera, Manager, BPHC Marketing Communications, Falls Church, VA
Photos were provided by the Fish and Wildlife Service
The information provided may not cover all aspects of unique or special circumstances, federal and postal regulations, and programs are subject to change. Our articles and replies are time sensitive. Over time, various dynamic human resource guidance and factors relied upon as a basis for this article may change. The advice and strategies contained herein may not be suitable for your situation and this service is not affiliated with OPM, the postal service or any federal entity. You should consult with school counselors, hiring agency personnel offices, and human resource professionals where appropriate. Neither the publisher or author shall be liable for any loss or any other commercial damages, including but not limited to special, incidental, consequential, or other damages.
The endangered species program is managed by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS).If you enjoy working outdoors and interacting with wildlife you can explore job opportunities with the USFWS that protects and enforces federal wildlife laws. They employ approximately 9,000 people at their headquarters in Washington, D.C. and at regional and field offices located across the country.
The USFWS is under the Department of the Interior and is responsible for protecting endangered species , enforcing federal wildlife laws, managing migratory birds, and restoring nationally significant fisheries. They also conserve and restore wildlife habitat, such as wetlands and assist foreign governments with their international conservation efforts. They also are responsible for distributing funds to state fish and wildlife agencies through the Wildlife Sport Fish and Restoration program.
The Arapaho National Wildlife Refuge
History of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS)
The agency mission is stated as follows, “Working with others to conserve, protect, and enhance fish, wildlife, plants, and their habitats for the continuing benefit of the American people.”
The United States Commission for Fish and Fisheries was founded in 1871 to study and recommend solutions to the nations declining fish population. They reorganized In 1903 under the United States Bureau of Fisheries. The USFWS was created in 1940 when the Bureaus of Fisheries and Biological Survey were combined under the Department of the Interior. The USFWS protects vital natural habitat throughout the country.
Objectives, Functions and Resources of the USFWS
Objectives
Assist in the development and application of an environmental stewardship ethic for our society, based on ecological principles, scientific knowledge of fish and wildlife, and a sense of moral responsibility.
Guide the conservation, development, and management of the Nation’s fish and wildlife resources.
Administer a national program to provide the public opportunities to understand, appreciate, and wisely use fish and wildlife resources.
Functions
Enforce federal wildlife laws
Protect endangered species
Manage migratory birds
Restore nationally significant fisheries
Conserve and restore wildlife habitat such
Assist foreign governments with conservation efforts
Hundreds of millions of dollars are distributed to State fish and wildlife agencies through their Wildlife Sport Fish and Restoration program.
Resources
The agency manages the 150 million-acre National Wildlife Refuge System comprised of more than 551 National Wildlife Refuges and thousands of small wetlands and other special management areas. Under the Fisheries program, they also operate 70 National Fish Hatcheries, 65 fishery resource offices and 86 ecological services field stations.
The vast majority of fish and wildlife habitat is not on federal lands. The USFWS fosters aquatic conservation and assists voluntary habitat conservation and restoration through various partnerships such as the Partners for Fish and Wildlife, Sport Fishing and Boating Partnership Council and others.
Two Important Programs in the USFWS
National Wildlife Refuge Program
More than 700 species of birds, 220 species of mammals, 250 reptile and amphibian species and more than 1,000 species of fish are provided habitat by the National wildlife refuges. Over 380 threatened or endangered plants or animals are protected on wildlife refuges and each year, millions of migrating birds use refuges as they fly thousands of miles between their summer and winter homes.
Today, there are more than 560 national wildlife refuges and 38 wetland management districts, including one within an hour’s drive of most major metropolitan areas. Find one close to you.
Refuges welcome more than 45 million visitors each year, who participate in a wide variety of recreational activities including hunting, fishing, birding, photography, environmental education and other activities.
Ecological Services Program
This program administers the Endangered Species Act by working with experts in the scientific community to identify species on the verge of extinction and to devise ways to bring them back. They collaborate with federal and state agencies, and many others to help protect important habitat, increase species’ populations, and reduce the threats to their survival so that they can be removed from federal protection.
The program also maps, monitors, and inventories the nation’s wetlands. In addition, it provides guidance and expertise to protect wildlife for projects such as wind farms and large-scale transportation developments meeting our society’s growing energy and transportation needs.
There are offices in all 50 states that help protect species and habitats and conserve the natural resources on which we all depend. They ensure that wetlands persist to protect us from storms and to filter our water. This program continues to conserve for future generations a continued source of sustaininable land.
The USFWS has many fascinating job occupations and including that of Mark Madison their resident Historian (GS-170) which will be discussed in our next article.
Credits
Anita Noguera, Manager, BPHC Marketing Communications, Falls Church, VA
The information provided may not cover all aspects of unique or special circumstances, federal and postal regulations, and programs are subject to change. Our articles and replies are time sensitive. Over time, various dynamic human resource guidance and factors relied upon as a basis for this article may change. The advice and strategies contained herein may not be suitable for your situation and this service is not affiliated with OPM, the postal service or any federal entity. You should consult with school counselors, hiring agency personnel offices, and human resource professionals where appropriate. Neither the publisher or author shall be liable for any loss or any other commercial damages, including but not limited to special, incidental, consequential, or other damages.
Electrical engineers with the United States Bureau of Reclamation (USBR) are in the GS-0850 job series. They must know and understand electrical engineering concepts, theories, principles, and practices applicable to the design and efficient operation and maintenance of power plants, pumping plants, electrical systems, transmission systems, and associated USBR equipment.
According to the Department of Labor’s Occupational Outlook Handbook there are 306,100 electrical engineers working in America and their average median salary is $89,630 a year or $43.09 per hour. The federal government employs 4,858 electrical engineers of which 67 work overseas. The Department of the Navy and Army are the largest employers with 3,015 civilians followed by the Department of Energy with 533. The Department of Transportation employs 116 in the GS-0850 job series. All cabinet level agencies except for the Department of Education and some large independent agencies employ electrical engineers.
Electronics engineers working with the federal government develop, research, and often evaluate electronic devices that are used in a number of areas and applications including computing, aviation, manufacturing, and transportation. They work on federal electronic systems and devices such as radar, navigation, communications, satellites, flight systems, sonar and other related systems.
Part 1 of this series titled Working for the Bureau of Reclamationwill familiarize you with this diverse and essential organization. There are many engineering job opportunities available in the private sector and federal government if you take the time to seek them out. If you are looking for a federal government job seek out job announcements for the GS-0850 job series and apply for all vacancies in your area. You can explore careers with agencies in your area by conducting informational interviews that can get your foot in the door if handled properly.
Q&A with Alejandro Buitrago
Alejandro Buitrago, Electrical Engineer
Alejandro Buitrago is an Electrical Engineer (GS-0850), Department of Interior/Bureau of Reclamation/ Power System Analysis & Control Group.
Why did you choose to become an Electrical Engineer?
After 5 years of service in the Navy as an electrician, I discovered a passion for troubleshooting electrical circuits and a need to improve the operation of electrical equipment.
Are there any parts of job that are considered dangerous?
My team collects performance data from generators during operation, which requires extreme caution because of the potential danger. Reclamation’s main concern is safety.
What is the most interesting part of your job as an Electrical Engineer?
Solving difficult problems. There’s nothing more rewarding than being able to correct malfunctioning equipment and knowing that when you leave the facility the units will be performing correctly at their full capability.
What is the most demanding or challenging part of being an Electrical Engineer?
Keeping up with technology. Technology is evolving every day and as a group we need to keep up with technology to guarantee optimal operation of our plants and consequently efficient delivery of power and water to the American people.
Would you recommend the Electrical Engineering career path?
I recommend choosing a career in which you will be happy, and if that is to become an engineer, be aware that it is a challenging and rewarding field.
Electrical Engineer (GS-0850) Job Occupation
Duties
– Provide electrical engineering expertise on maintenance of electrical equipment and installation of new electrical equipment for the power plants, switchyards, dams and associated facilities
– Prepare design modifications and specifications to modify, replace, or repair diverse and often complex systems, or components of such systems.
– Provide electrical engineering expertise in modernizing powerplants, switchyards, dams, or associated facilities.
– Provide technical support and project engineering support to a wide variety of engineering projects that includes planning, design, and installation.
Qualifications and Education Requirements
– Must be a U.S. citizen to apply
– Pay range for a GS-7/11 is from $45,057.00 to $91,255.00 / Per Year
– Degree: professional engineering. To be acceptable, the curriculum must: (1) be in a school of engineering with at least one curriculum accredited by the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology (ABET) as a professional engineering curriculum; or (2) include differential and integral calculus and courses (more advanced than first-year physics and chemistry) in five of the following seven areas of engineering science or physics: (a) statics, dynamics; (b) strength of materials (stress-strain relationships); (c) fluid mechanics, hydraulics; (d) thermodynamics; (e) electrical fields and circuits; (f) nature and properties of materials (relating particle and aggregate structure to properties); and (g) any other comparable area of fundamental engineering science or physics, such as optics, heat transfer, soil mechanics, or electronics.
– Combination of education and experience — college-level education, training, and/or technical experience that furnished (1) a thorough knowledge of the physical and mathematical sciences underlying professional engineering, and (2) a good understanding, both theoretical and practical, of the engineering sciences and techniques and their applications to one of the branches of engineering. The adequacy of such back
– Professional registration — Current registration as a professional engineer by any State, the District of Columbia, Guam, or Puerto Rico.
– Written Test– Evidence of having successfully passed the Engineer-in-Training (EIT) examination, or the written test required for professional registration, which is administered by the Boards of Engineering Examiners in the various States, the District of Columbia, Guam, and Puerto Rico.
– Specified academic courses — Successful completion of at least 60 semester hours of courses in the physical, mathematical, and engineering sciences and in engineering that included the courses specified in the basic requirements. The courses must be fully acceptable toward meeting the requirements of a professional engineering curriculum.
– Related curriculum — Successful completion of a curriculum leading to a bachelor’s degree in engineering technology or in an appropriate professional field, e.g., physics, chemistry, architecture, computer science, mathematics, hydrology, or geology, may be accepted in lieu of a degree in engineering, provided the applicant has had at least 1 year of professional engineering experience acquired under professional engineering supervision and guidance. Ordinarily there should be either an established plan of intensive training to develop professional engineering competence, or several years of prior professional engineering-type experience, e.g., in interdisciplinary positions. (The above examples of related curricula are not all-inclusive.)
Specialized Experience Requirements
In addition to the basic education requirement, you must meet the specialized experience requirement as delineated below:
– For GS-07: One year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade level GS-05 in the federal service. Specialized experience at this level is defined as experience with Electrical Engineering theories, principles, and practices working with electrical power, communication, and control drawings. Experience that included industrial systems and electrical work on large facilities.
– For GS-09: One year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade level GS-07 in the federal service. Specialized experience at this level is defined as experience with Electrical Engineering theories, principles, and practices working with electrical power, communication, and control drawings. Experience with the evaluation of alternative plans, assisting with the determination of engineering feasibility of potential plans and features, and assisting with the preparation of designs and cost estimates for electrical systems. Examples of electrical systems may range from communications to industrial systems and electrical transmission facilities.
– For GS-11: One year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade level GS-09 in the federal service. Specialized experience at this level is defined as experience with Electrical Engineering theories, principles, and practices applicable to the formulation and evaluation of alternative plans, determination of engineering feasibility of potential plans and features, and preparation of designs and cost estimates for a wide variety of electrical systems. Examples of electrical systems range from communications, to circuit breakers and transformers, and include control and protective sub-systems. Experience in the repair, testing, or modification of electrical equipment and systems typical in most power generation facilities.
– For GS-12: One year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade level GS-11 in the federal service. Specialized experience at this level is defined as experience with Electrical Engineering theories, principles, and practices applicable to the formulation and evaluation of alternative plans, determination of engineering feasibility of potential plans and features, and preparation of designs and cost estimates for a wide variety of electrical systems. Examples of electrical systems range from communications, to large generators, 500-kV circuit breakers and transformers, and include control and protective sub-systems. Experience in the repair, testing, or modification of electrical equipment and systems typical in most power generation facilities.
The USBR job occupations explored in this series are just the beginning of what great opportunities that await you at this unique agency.
Credits
Peter Soeth, Public Affairs, Commissioner’s Office, Bureau of Reclamation, Denver, CO
Matt Mishkind PhD, SPHR,Team Lead for Training, Systems, and Human Capital Strategy, Human Resources Policy and Programs Division Policy and Administration, Bureau of Reclamation, Denver, CO
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