Natural Resources Specialist (Pathways Recent Graduate)

📍 Folsom, California · 🏛 Bureau of Reclamation · 💰 $55,934–$72,716 per year · 🎓 GS 7 · 🧭 General Natural Resources Management And Biological Sciences (0401) · ⏳ Closes Nov 23, 2026 · 12 days left · 🗓 Posted Nov 9, 2026
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About this job

This is a Pathways Recent Graduate position. You will serve as a Natural Resources Specialist for the Bureau of Reclamation. This position supports environmental compliance, natural resource monitoring, wildlife habitat management, and environmental restoration projects. This vacancy is limited to 50 applications and may close early. The announcement will close at 11:59 p.m. ET on the day the application limit is reached or on the scheduled closing date, whichever occurs first.

Duties

Some of the major duties you will perform include but are not limited to the following: Assist in preparing and reviewing environmental documents and supporting compliance with NEPA, ESA, and other applicable environmental laws. Coordinate with federal, state, and local agencies on environmental planning, Section 7 consultations, and resource management activities. Conduct field inspections, collect and analyze resource data, and monitor land and water areas to identify environmental impacts and compliance issues. Assist in planning and implementing restoration and enhancement projects involving erosion control, wildlife habitats, wetlands, and riparian areas. Provide technical support for environmental permits, resource management contracts, pest management activities, and environmental compliance.

Qualifications

Recent Graduate Requirement: You must apply for a Recent Graduate position within two (2) years of completing a qualifying educational program, i.e., within the previous two (2) years, the Recent Graduate must have completed a qualifying associate, bachelors, masters, professional, doctorate, vocational, or technical degree or certificate from a qualifying educational institution. Except as provided for in the bullet below, an application will be considered only if it is received no later than two (2) years from the date all requirements for a qualifying degree or certificate were met. Exceptions are made for veterans, as defined in 5 USC 2108, who, due to military service obligations, were precluded from applying to the Program during the two-year eligibility period described above. These individuals have a full two-year period of eligibility upon their release or discharge from active duty. In no event, however, may their eligibility period extend beyond six years from the date on which they completed their academic requirements. In addition to being a Recent Graduate, to qualify for this position, you must meet the following Basic Educational Requirement AND Specialized Experience/Education: Basic Educational Requirements: To be considered, you must meet at least one of the following education requirement: A. Degree: A degree in biological sciences, agriculture, natural resource management, chemistry, or related disciplines appropriate to the position. -OR- B. Combination of education and experience: Courses equivalent to a major, as shown in A above, plus appropriate experience or additional education. In addition to meeting the above, to qualify for this position at the GS-07 grade level you must meet one of the below requirements: Specialized Experience Requirement: you must possess at least one full year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-5 level in the Federal service (obtained in either the public or private sectors). Specialized experience is defined as demonstrated experience: assisting with environmental compliance activities or preparing environmental documentation; collecting, compiling, or analyzing natural resource data; conducting field surveys or monitoring land, water, or wildlife resources; and assisting with natural resource management or environmental restoration activities. -OR- Education: Successful completion of one full year of graduate-level education in a field directly related to the position, such as biological sciences, environmental science, natural resource management, or a closely related discipline -OR- Combination of education and experience: A combination of qualifying graduate-level education and specialized experience that together meet the qualification requirements for this position. Superior Academic Achievement (SAA): You may qualify based on a bachelor's degree in a field directly related to the position and Superior Academic Achievement. S.A.A. may be demonstrated by one of the following: Class standing: Graduated in the upper one-third of your college, university, or major subdivision. Grade-point average: A GPA of 3.0 or higher on a 4.0 scale based on 4 years of education, or based on courses completed during the final 2 years of the curriculum; or a GPA of 3.5 or higher on a 4.0 based on the average of the required courses completed in the major field, or the required courses completed during the final two years. Note: GPA will be rounded to one decimal place, for example, 2.95 = 3.0, 2.94 = 2.9 Honor society membership: Membership in a qualifying national scholastic honor society recognized by the Association of College Honor Societies. Freshman honor society membership does not qualify. See OPM for a list of eligible societies. To receive credit for experience, 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. Failure to adequately provide information needed to determine number of hours worked in each position may result in that time not being credited when evaluating qualifying experience. For periods of time that reflect military service, the DD-214 or Statement of Service is sufficient to meet the full and/or part-time hours requirement as the service dates will be reflected. Volunteer Experience: Experience refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service programs (e.g., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) 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. All qualifications must be met by the closing date of this announcement-11/23/2026-unless otherwise stated in this vacancy announcement.

Education

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. Recognition of Foreign Qualifications | U.S. Department of Education. https://www.ed.gov/about/initiatives/international-affairs/recognition-of-foreign-qualification

Requirements

Must provide proof of U.S. Citizenship or Foreign National who meets both Immigration and Annual Appropriations Laws. Appointment subject to background investigation and favorable adjudication. Males born after 12-31-59 must be registered for Selective Service. Direct Deposit participation required. Successfully pass the E-Verify employment verification check. To learn more, visit www.dhs.gov/EVerify/. Recent Graduates will be required to sign a Pathways Recent Graduate Participant Agreement. Recent Graduates must receive at least 40 hours of formal training directly linked to their employment field. Recent Graduates will enter a formal training program with a mentor and execute an Individual Development Plan outlining training requirements and program expectations. As a condition of employment for accepting this position, the duration of the Recent Graduates excepted service appointment is counted as a trial period. During this time, your fitness and whether your continued employment advances the public interest will be evaluated. This trial period is an extension of the appointment process and therefore requires the agency to determine if continued employment would advance the public interest, meet the organization goals and mission of the agency, and/or otherwise promote the efficiency of the service. In determining if your employment advances the public interest, the agency will consider: your performance and conduct; the needs and interests of the agency; whether your continued employment would advance organizational goals of the agency or the Government; and whether your continued employment would advance the efficiency of the Federal service. Under applicable law, the employment of an individual serving a trial period automatically terminates when that period ends unless the agency affirmatively certifies, in writing, that the individual's employment should continue and that their appointment should be finalized. In the absence of agency action to affirmatively certify continued employment beyond the probationary or trial period, such appointments are terminated. Upon completion of your trial period your employment will be terminated unless you receive certification, in writing, that your continued employment advances the public interest.

Evaluations

Your qualifications will be evaluated based on your application materials (e.g. resume, supporting documents), the responses you provide on the application questionnaire, and the result of any additional assessment(s) required for this position. Your resume must not exceed 2 pages. Only the document submitted as the "Resume" under the Documents section will be used to determine your qualifications/eligibility and for rating purposes. In the event you submit more than one resume, only the latest submission will be reviewed. Candidates will be rated and ranked using Category Rating procedures. These procedures place candidates with veteran's preference above non-preference eligibles within each category. CP/CPS veterans are placed at the top of the highest category for all positions except professional and scientific positions at GS-9 and higher. If you are a preference eligible candidate, you will be listed at the top of whichever quality category your rating places you in. Under Category Rating, candidates will be rated and ranked into the following categories: Best Qualified - applicants possessing experience that substantially exceeds the minimum qualifications of the position including all selective factors and are highly proficient in all requirements of the job and can perform effectively in the position. Well Qualified - applicants possessing experience that exceeds the minimum qualifications of the position including all selective factors and are proficient in most of the requirements of the job. Qualified - applicants possessing experience that meets the minimum qualifications of the position including all selective factors and are proficient in some, but not all of the requirements of the job. To be considered for this position, you must complete all required steps in the process. In addition to the application and application questionnaire, this position requires successful completion of additional assessment(s), including a structured resume review. This assessment measures the critical competencies listed above that are required to successfully perform the job. You will be assessed in the following competencies (knowledge, skills, abilities, and other characteristics): Compliance, Conservation Biology, and Field Data Collection Overstating your qualifications and/or experience in your application materials or application questionnaire may result in your removal from consideration. Cheating on an assessment may also result in your removal from consideration. Providing false or misleading information on your resume or supporting documentation may result in removal from consideration or other action consistent with applicable federal hiring regulations. Applicants who include vulgar, offensive, or inappropriate language or information in their application package will be ineligible for further consideration for this position.

How to apply

Please read the entire announcement and all the instructions before you begin an application. To apply for and be considered for this position, you must complete all required questionnaires, assessments and submit all required documentation as specified in the How to Apply and Required Documents section. The complete application package must be submitted by 11:59 PM (ET) on the 11/23/2026--unless otherwise stated in this vacancy announcement to receive consideration. The application process is as follows: Click the Apply Online button. Answer the questions presented in the application and attach all necessary supporting documentation. To PREVIEW the application questionnaire, select the following link: https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/13105637 Click the Submit Application button prior to 11:59 PM (ET) on the announcement closing date. To update your application, including supporting documentation: During the announcement open period, return to your USAJOBS account, find your application record, and click Edit my application. This option will no longer be available once the announcement has closed. To view the announcement status or your application status, visit https://help.usajobs.gov/how-to/application/status. Applicants who apply under this job opportunity announcement agree to have their application, associated documents and applicable personal information shared with other Bureaus/Offices within the Department of the Interior (DOI) who have vacancies within the same occupational series, grade, full performance level and in the same geographic location(s), including within the same metro/commuting area. Applying to this announcement does not replace the need to apply to other job opportunity announcements for which you wish to receive consideration.

Applications are handled only on the official announcement. This page is a readable copy of the public announcement data — the official version controls if anything differs.

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Required documents

The following documents are required and must be submitted by 11:59 PM (ET) on 11/23/2026 - unless otherwise stated in this vacancy announcement: Resume which includes a list of all significant jobs held and duties performed, with dates in month-year format (include month/day/year format if needed for 52 weeks of experience), and indicate hours worked per week (or full-time). Your resume must clearly show how long you have held each grade/rank. Resumes must not exceed two single-sided pages and resumes longer than two pages will not be accepted. The minimum font size is 10-point for all body text. All resumes must maintain a minimum 0.5-inch margins on all sides to ensure readability and prevent excessive content compression. Including supplemental pages or attachments disguised as resume extensions are prohibited and will not be reviewed to determine your eligibility/qualifications. Your 2-page resume must contain information sufficient to make a valid determination that you fully meet the specialized experience requirements. If you have federal experience, you should include series, and grade for each position held, and if experience is part of a career ladder position, you must clearly distinguish the job duties and length of time working for each grade level. More information on how to write a Federal Resume: https://help.usajobs.gov/faq/application/documents/resume/what-to-include Complete All Required Assessment(s). All college transcript(s). Please submit both undergraduate and graduate level transcripts, as applicable. Veterans Preference Documentation, if applicable. Veterans must submit a copy of your latest Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty, DD-214 (member 4 copy) or other Documentation of Service and Separation under Honorable Conditions, as listed on the SF15. If you are a Disabled Veteran, Purple Heart Recipient, or Parent or Spouse of a Disabled or Deceased Veteran, you must submit all additional proof required by the SF15, and if applicable, a completed SF15. You may request a copy of your Department of Veterans Affairs letter from www.va.gov/records/ or call 1-800-827-1000. If you are a veteran within 120 days of discharge, you must submit signed documentation from the Armed Forces certifying: 1) your expected release/retirement from active duty, 2) under honorable conditions, 3) your pay grade/rank/rate at time of discharge, 4) dates of active-duty service, 5) any campaign or expeditionary medals received, & 6) dated within 120 days of your separation. Failure to submit any of the above-mentioned required documents will result in loss of consideration due to an incomplete application package. It is your responsibility to ensure all required documents have been submitted. Do not submit photographs with your application package. Documents with photographs may not be seen by hiring officials - you must remove your image from all documents. Do not upload Adobe portfolio documents. Adobe portfolio documents are not viewable by our agency's staffing offices.

What to expect next

Please refer to your USAJOBS account for application status; the Human Resources Office cannot respond to individual status inquiries. Once your online application is submitted you will receive a confirmation notification by email. Your application will be evaluated by the Human Resources Office to determine your eligibility for the position. After the evaluation is complete, you will receive another notification regarding the status of your application. You can find your path with the Department of Interior at https://careers.doi.gov/. Any exaggeration of your experience, false statements, or attempt to conceal information may disqualify you for employment consideration. We may verify all information you provide in your resume and questionnaire responses, through reference and/or background checks, and/or verification of your education. If you are selected, you will be contacted personally by the Human Resources Office posting this announcement.

Other information

Additional vacancies may be filled using this job announcement. The full performance level (FPL) of the target position that the Recent Graduate can be non-competitively promoted to is a GS-11. Promotion to the full performance level is neither guaranteed nor implied and will be based solely on your ability to satisfactorily perform the work of the position, existing work at the higher grade level, and recommendation by the position's supervisor. This is an excepted service, developmental appointment expected to last one year under the Pathways Recent Graduates Program. If selected, you will be required to complete a Participant Agreement in which it shall document the anticipated start and end dates for this developmental appointment. The agency may noncompetitively convert a Recent Graduate who is a U.S. Citizen to a term or permanent appointment in the competitive service as long as they successfully complete the one year developmental program and meet the OPM Qualification Standards for the targeted occupational series. If otherwise eligible and qualified, you may be offered a recruitment or relocation incentive. The decision to offer an incentive will be made on a case-by-case basis and is neither promised nor guaranteed. For information visit: Recruitment Incentive or Relocation Incentive. A continued service agreement may be required if it is determined you are eligible for a permanent change in duty station (PCS), recruitment, or relocation incentive. Physical Demands/Work Environment: The position involves both office and fieldwork, requiring prolonged standing, walking and hiking over rugged terrain, climbing slopes, and occasionally carrying equipment weighing up to 40 pounds. Fieldwork may involve exposure to changing or inclement weather conditions and requires the use of personal protective equipment and adherence to established safety procedures. All Department of Interior (DOI) employees, their spouses, and minor children may not acquire or retain any claim, permit, lease, small tract entry, or other rights granted by the Department in Federal lands, with limited exceptions. Additional ethics prohibitions can be found here, https://www.doi.gov/ethics/ethics-prohibitions. The duties of this position are suitable for telework and the selectee may be allowed to telework with supervisor approval.

Frequently asked questions

How much does this Natural Resources Specialist (Pathways Recent Graduate) job pay?

The announcement lists a salary of $55,934–$72,716 per year (GS 7).

When is the last day to apply?

Applications close on Nov 23, 2026 — 12 days from today.

Where is this job located?

This position is located in Folsom, California with the Bureau of Reclamation.

How do I apply?

Applications are submitted through the official announcement on USAJobs. Use the Apply button on this page to go to the official posting — this site never takes applications itself.

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Data: USAJobs (U.S. Office of Personnel Management), retrieved 2026-11-11 · Announcement CBVH-27-DE-13105637-JMB · Official announcement. FederalJobs is unofficial and is not affiliated with OPM or the agency.
Natural Resources Specialist (Pathways Recent Graduate)
Nov 23, 2026 deadlineApply