The Department of the Interior is seeking highly qualified candidates for the Senior Executive Service (SES) position of Assistant Director, National Wildlife Refuge System (NWRS), U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, located in Washington, D.C. The Department classifies SES positions by category to establish minimum pay levels. This position is designated as Category 4, with a minimum annual salary of $186,207.
Veterans' preference does not apply to positions in the Senior Executive Service (SES).
The Assistant Director, National Wildlife Refuge System (NWRS), performs the following key responsibilities: Provides executive leadership and strategic direction for the stewardship, management, and operation of the National Wildlife Refuge System.
Directs national policy, priorities, strategic planning, budgeting, and performance for programs supporting the conservation and management of fish, wildlife, plants, habitats, and natural and cultural resources across the Refuge System. Evaluates program performance, emerging conservation challenges, and operational needs and directs adjustments to policies, priorities, strategies, and resources to achieve national objectives.
Provides executive oversight of land acquisition, realty, land protection, and land disposition activities supporting the Refuge System and other U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service programs. Directs national policies and priorities for visitor services, wildlife-dependent recreation, public access and use, and cultural resource stewardship. Provides executive oversight of infrastructure planning, investment, maintenance, and asset management across the Refuge System.
Builds and sustains strategic partnerships with States, Tribes, Federal agencies, conservation organizations, communities, and other partners to advance national conservation and Refuge System priorities. Represents the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service on significant national policy, conservation, management, and operational matters involving the National Wildlife Refuge System.
PROOF OF EDUCATION: All applicants who are using education or a combination of education and experience to qualify must submit copies of official or unofficial transcripts which include grades, credit hours earned, major(s), grade point average or class ranking, institution name, and student name.
If any required coursework is not easily recognizable on transcripts, or if you believe a portion of a particular course can be credited toward meeting an educational requirement, you must also provide a memorandum on letterhead from the institution's registrar, dean, or other appropriate official stating the percentage of the course that should be considered to meet the requirement and the equivalent number of units.
Unofficial transcripts are acceptable; however, if you are selected for the position, you will be required to produce the original official transcripts.
FOREIGN EDUCATION: If you are using education completed in foreign colleges or universities to meet the qualification requirements, you must show the education credentials have been evaluated by a private organization that specializes in interpretation of foreign education programs and such education has been deemed equivalent to that gained in an accredited U.S. education program; or full credit has been given for the courses at a U.S. accredited college or university.
For further information, visit: Recognition of Foreign Qualifications | U.S. Department of Education
felicia_ramirez@ios.doi.gov · 303-445-3074
This position is with U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Department of the Interior.
The posted pay range is $186207 – $228000/yr.
This position is eligible for telework.
This position requires a Other security clearance.
Applications close on 2026-10-15.
This position is open under the 'Ses' hiring path.
Source: USAJOBS.gov — U.S. Federal Government
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