Home / Federal careers / GS-0485
Wildlife Refuge Management
Performs wildlife refuge management work including habitat management, visitor services, and conservation programs.
What GS-0485 pays
2025 base rates, before locality. Most federal employees add a locality adjustment on top.
| Grade | Step 1 | Step 2 | Step 3 | Step 4 | Step 5 | Step 6 | Step 7 | Step 8 | Step 9 | Step 10 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| GS-5 | $34,454 | $35,603 | $36,752 | $37,901 | $39,050 | $40,199 | $41,348 | $42,497 | $43,646 | $44,786 |
| GS-7 | $42,679 | $44,102 | $45,525 | $46,948 | $48,371 | $49,794 | $51,217 | $52,640 | $54,063 | $55,486 |
| GS-9 | $52,205 | $53,945 | $55,685 | $57,425 | $59,165 | $60,905 | $62,645 | $64,385 | $66,125 | $67,865 |
| GS-11 | $63,163 | $65,268 | $67,373 | $69,478 | $71,583 | $73,688 | $75,793 | $77,898 | $80,003 | $82,108 |
| GS-12 | $75,706 | $78,229 | $80,752 | $83,275 | $85,798 | $88,321 | $90,844 | $93,367 | $95,890 | $98,422 |
| GS-13 | $90,025 | $93,026 | $96,027 | $99,028 | $102,029 | $105,030 | $108,031 | $111,032 | $114,033 | $117,034 |
Base pay only. Locality pay adds 15 to 40 percent or more depending on where the job sits. Source: OPM 2025 General Schedule.
Qualification requirements
OPM's standard for GS-0485, as written.
Degree: zoology, wildlife management, or an appropriate field of biology that included at least 9 semester hours in zoology; 6 semester hours in such wildlife courses as mammalogy, ornithology, animal ecology, or wildlife management; and 3 semester hours in botany, and 3 semester hours in conservation biology.
OR
Combination of education and experience: courses equivalent to a major in one of the fields described in A above that included at least 9 semester hours in zoology; 6 semester hours in such wildlife courses as mammalogy, ornithology, animal ecology, or wildlife management; and 3 semester hours in botany, and 3 semester hours in conservation biology, plus appropriate experience or additional education.
Additional Requirements for Positions Involving Pilot Duties: For positions in this series that require piloting an aircraft, applicants must:
• Possess a current FAA Commercial Pilot's Certificate with appropriate ratings for single-engine aircraft operation on both land and water;
• Have a minimum of 500 hours of solo flight time in command of aircraft, not less than 100 hours of which was in cross-country time; and
• Meet the medical requirements prescribed for possession of the necessary pilot's license.
What this means if you served
- Write the duties, not the billet. OPM credits military experience on the work performed, and does not use rank or pay to judge specialized experience.
- Put the training and certifications you earned in service on the page. They count here.
- Claim your veterans preference on the application. It is not applied for you.
- No positive education requirement here, so qualifying experience can stand in for the education.
How to qualify for GS-0485
1Review Qualification Requirements
Read the OPM qualification standards above to understand the education and experience requirements for your target grade level.
2Find Your Grade Level
Grade follows the scope and complexity of the work you can document against the announcement, not the rank you held. OPM does not use military rank or pay when it evaluates specialized experience. Roughly: GS-5 entry, GS-7/9 junior, GS-11/12 journey, GS-13 and up senior.
3Gather Documentation
Collect your DD-214, SF-50 (if applicable), transcripts, certifications, and any training records that demonstrate your qualifications.
4Build Your Federal Resume
Two pages. USAJOBS has enforced that limit since 27 September 2025 and will not accept a longer resume from a Title 5 agency posting, so the space has to answer every qualification requirement. Include hours worked per week, supervisor contact details, and the accomplishments with numbers on them.
5Apply on USAJOBS
Search for open positions, carefully answer all assessment questions, and submit your application before the closing date.
Military jobs that map to this series
Geospatial Engineer
Geospatial Engineers have experience in mapping and analyzing terrain, which can be applied to habitat management and conservation planning.
Skills that carry over: Terrain Analysis, Mapping, Data Interpretation.
Usually opens at: GS-7, GS-9.
Your record can qualify you even when your code is not on this list. The crosswalk is a starting point, not the gate.
Typical duties
- Manage wildlife refuge operations
- Develop habitat management plans
- Coordinate visitor services
- Monitor wildlife populations
- Implement conservation programs
- Manage partnerships
Key competencies
Wildlife Management
Knowledge of habitat and species management.
Refuge Operations
Skill in managing refuge facilities and staff.
Public Use Programs
Ability to manage visitor and hunting programs.
Conservation Planning
Skill in developing management plans.
Stakeholder Relations
Ability to work with diverse partners.
Regulatory Compliance
Understanding of refuge laws and policies.
Words the announcement will use
Use the ones your record actually supports. A rater is matching your experience against the specialized experience statement, and a keyword with nothing behind it does not survive that.
Questions about GS-0485
What is a Wildlife Refuge Manager?
A GS-0485 Wildlife Refuge Manager oversees operations at National Wildlife Refuges, managing habitat, wildlife populations, and public use programs. These professionals protect critical ecosystems while providing outdoor recreation opportunities.
How much does a Wildlife Refuge Manager make?
Wildlife Refuge Managers earn between $52,205 (GS-9 Step 1) and $117,034 (GS-13 Step 10) under the 2025 GS pay scale. Most positions are GS-11/12/13, earning $63,163-$117,034 annually. Remote locations may include housing.
What are the requirements for GS-0485?
GS-0485 positions require education in wildlife management, biology, or natural resources with specific coursework. Higher grades require progressively more refuge management and supervisory experience.
Can military experience substitute for education in GS-0485?
Military experience cannot substitute for required wildlife education. However, veterans with wildlife degrees who managed natural resources on installations have applicable experience. Leadership and resource management skills from military service are valuable.
What is the career progression for Wildlife Refuge Manager?
The career ladder follows GS-9/11/12/13 intervals. Entry-level managers oversee smaller refuges. GS-12/13 managers direct major refuges with multiple staff. Senior managers may oversee refuge complexes or regional programs.
How do I apply for GS-0485 jobs?
Search USAJOBS.gov for 'Wildlife Refuge' or '0485' series. USFWS is the employer. Your federal resume should detail wildlife management experience, habitat restoration projects, and public use program management. Be prepared for rural locations.
Ready to apply for GS-0485?
A rater matches your record against the announcement's specialized experience statement, inside two pages. BMR writes that shape from your own experience: competency headers, real scope, hours per week, and the supervisor detail the rater checks.