Biological Science Technician (Wildlife)(Seasonal)

Summary

Biological Science Technicians perform field and technical work to monitor, manage, and protect natural resources, including plants, wildlife, aquatic resources, and their habitats. Likely Entry on Duty: March - May 2027. Open to the first 150 applicants.

Duties

The typical seasonal entry-on-duty period is April - November but can be variable during these months due to weather conditions, project needs, or funding. Some of the Biological Science Technician (Wildlife) Standard Duties include but are not limited to: Coordinates field operations with park staff and field crews to ensure logistics (housing, campsites, working areas, keys, check in/out procedures) and scheduling needs are met, and that all activities are clearly communicated to park and field staff. Collects and organizes natural resource field data (e.g., plant, water, geomorphology, stream biology) using network monitoring protocols, standardized data collection procedures, and equipment. Makes field observations of natural resource conditions. Installs, operates, and maintains equipment. Enters data and follows quality assurance procedures to ensure accurate data entry and transcription in established databases. Utilizes a variety of computer programs to compile, reduce, store, retrieve, analyze, and report data and other resource management information. Conducts fieldwork in remote backcountry settings and under difficult conditions in a safe and efficient manner. Uses 4WD and off-trail hiking to access monitoring sites. Additional duties for GS-09: Oversees and trains field crew members in appropriate data collection and verification (quality control). Assists with protocol revisions, prepares reports and publications, and communicates results to various audiences. Requirements

U.S. Citizenship required. Appointment subject to background investigation and favorable adjudication. Males must meet Selective Service Registration Act requirement. Selectee will be required to participate in the Direct Deposit Electronics Funds Transfer Program. Occupancy of government quarters may be required. Government housing may be available but is not guaranteed. Use find a park to contact specific parks for more information on government housing. You may be required to wear a uniform and comply with the National Park Service uniform standards. A uniform allowance will be provided. Use of non-LE firearms, you will be required to submit to a drug test and receive a negative drug test result prior to appointment for specific Biological Science Technician Wildlife Specialties. In addition, this position is subject to random testing for illegal drug use. Some locations may require employees who handle wildlife to have a current rabies vaccination or be willing to receive one as a condition of the assignment. You may be required to work on-call, evenings, weekends, holidays, overtime and/or shift work. You may be required to complete training and operate a four-wheel drive vehicle. You may be required to operate a government (or private) motor vehicle as part of your official duties; a valid driver's license will be required in such cases. You must be at least 18 years of age or older to operate government vehicles. You may be required to complete training, obtain and maintain a government credit card with travel and purchase authority. You must be at least (1)18 years old or (2) at least 16 years old and: (a) Have graduated from high school or been awarded a certificate equivalent to graduating from high school; or (b) Have completed a formal vocational training program; or (c) Have received a statement from school authorities agreeing with their preference for employment rather than continuing their education; or (d) Be currently enrolled in a secondary school and either work only during school vacation periods or work part-time during the school year under a formal student employment program. Qualifications

All qualifications must be met by the closing date of this announcement-10/26/2026-unless otherwise stated in this vacancy announcement. Credit will be given for all appropriate qualifying experience. To receive credit for experience, your 2 page resume MUST clearly indicate the nature of the duties and responsibilities for each position, starting and ending dates of employment (month/year), and the resume must reflect full and/or part-time or total number of hours worked (i.e., work 40+ hours a week, rather than indicating full-time). If part-time, the hours must be annotated to be able to pro-rate the amount of qualified specialized experience. Resumes must not exceed two single-sided pages and resumes longer than two pages will not be accepted. You may only submit one resume. 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. To qualify for this position at the GS-08 grade level, you must possess the following: One year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the GS-07 level in the Federal service (obtained in either the public or private sector). Specialized experience is experience that equipped me with the knowledge, skills, and abilities needed to successfully perform the duties of this position. You must include hours per week worked. Examples of specialized experience include: Planning logistics and leading implementation of field-based complex natural resource monitoring protocols across multiple parks Leading, and training others to lead, large diverse field crews made up of park and network staff, interns and citizen scientists Performing expert, accurate identification of native wildlife species of the Sonoran Desert from images, tracks, and other sign, and managing these and other park resource data in existing program databases, as well as providing training and oversight for the work of lower graded technicians Setting an annual program schedule and working with cooperators to develop public education and citizen science programs related to wildlife biology and other related park resource themes. To qualify for this position at the GS-09 grade level, you must possess one of the following: A. One year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the GS-08 level in the Federal service (obtained in either the public or private sector). Specialized experience is experience that equipped me with the knowledge, skills, and abilities needed to successfully perform the duties of this position. Examples of specialized experience include: Independently setting annual work priorities, field schedules and staffing levels for field implementation of complex natural resource monitoring protocols across multiple parks Leading, and training others to lead, large diverse field crews made up of park and network staff, interns and citizen scientists Performing expert, accurate identification of native wildlife species of the Sonoran Desert from images, tracks, and other sign, while providing training and oversight for the work of lower graded technicians Managing data from collection to data publication, and interpreting and documenting research findings to be included in annual reports, presentations, or journals Increasing capacity and breadth of public education and citizen science programs by increasing partnerships with cooperators and parks, and collaboratively increasing volunteer program utilization across multiple science programs and park resource data themes. -OR- B. Successful completion of two full years of progressively higher-level graduate education leading to a master's or equivalent graduate degree, if directly related. Related degrees may include biology, chemistry, statistics, entomology, animal husbandry, botany, physics, agriculture, or mathematics. -OR- C. Equivalent combination of experience and education that, together, equal 100% of the qualification standards listed above when combined. For example, six (6) months of specialized experience (50% of the experience requirement) combined with one year of education as outlined above (50% of the education above), along with 50% of the course-specific education stated above. NOTE: If you are qualifying based in part on education, you MUST submit a copy of your transcripts. Specialties: All applicants will be reviewed for the Biological Science Technician (Wildlife) (Seasonal) position using the general qualification requirements. The specialties below are additional areas of consideration. To be referred for a specialty, your resume must clearly demonstrate that you meet the additional experience requirements for that specialty. Owl Specialty To be considered for the Owl Specialty, you must have experience working with and handling live owls. This experience must be clearly demonstrated in your resume. Bat Specialty To be considered for the Bat Specialty, you must have experience working with and handling live bats. This experience must be clearly demonstrated in your resume. You must also be willing to receive any required rabies vaccination. Insect Specialty To be considered for the Insect Specialty, you must have experience working with and handling live insects. This experience must be clearly demonstrated in your resume. Large Mammals/Carnivores Specialty To be considered for the Large Mammals/Carnivores Specialty, you must have experience working with large mammal or carnivore species, such as bears, coyotes, cougars, or wolves. Experience may include trapping, tagging, collaring, radio telemetry, tracking, wildlife capture, or immobilization. This work may involve strenuous field duties, including lifting and carrying up to 50 pounds, hiking over rough terrain during the day or at night, working in extreme weather conditions, and working overtime, nights, or weekends. You must also have firearm experience and be willing to complete any required pre-employment drug testing associated with the position. Your qualifying experience must be clearly demonstrated in your resume. Avian Specialty To be considered for the Avian Specialty, you must have experience working with and handling live birds. Qualifying experience may include: Conducting surveys of avian species or other wildlife and recording scientific data; Collecting and recording information on avian species.; Assisting with bird banding; Collecting, identifying, marking, sexing, weighing, or measuring birds; Performing avian research, monitoring, or control activities in field or controlled settings. Your qualifying experience must be clearly demonstrated in your resume. Yosemite National Park Wildlife-Avian Selective FactorTo be considered for the Wildlife-Avian Specialty position at Yosemite National Park, you must meet the Biological Technician Wildlife qualification requirements AND all of the following requirements: Be proficient in ornithology. Have experience conducting surveys for passerine species native to the Sierra Nevada ecosystem, specifically using point counts and area searches. Be able to accurately identify at least 50 passerine species native to the Sierra Nevada ecosystem by both sight and sound. Be able to perform long, arduous days of hiking, including hiking up to 16 miles over rough terrain while carrying a backpack weighing up to one-third of your body weight. You must clearly demonstrate the required ornithology, survey, and species-identification experience in your resume. Your resume must contain enough information for us to determine that you possess these skills.Please see additional information for Work condition requirements.

Education

QUALIFICATIONS CONTINUED: Qualifying experience may be obtained in the private or public sectors. The OPM Qualification Standards Handbook is available for review at: OPM Qualification Standards. 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. EDUCATION SECTION: To qualify based on education, you must submit a legible copy of transcripts from an accredited institution with your name, school name, credit hours, course level, major(s), and grade-point average or class ranking. Transcripts do not need to be official, but if you are selected for this position and you used your education to qualify, you must provide official transcripts before you begin work. If you are using education completed in foreign colleges or universities to meet qualification requirements, you must show that your education credentials have been evaluated by a private organization that specializes in the interpretation of foreign education programs and that (1) deemed your education equivalent to that gained in an accredited U.S. education program, or (2) given full credit for courses at a U.S. accredited college or university. GS-08 ONLY: There is no substitution of education for experience at the grade level(s) of this announcement. 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. How You Will Be Evaluated

A review of your resume and supporting documentation will be made and compared against your responses to the Assessment Questionnaire to determine if you are qualified for this job. If your resume is incomplete or does not support the responses provided in the Assessment Questionnaire, or if you fail to submit all required documentation, you will be rated 'ineligible', 'not qualified', or your score will be adjusted accordingly. If a determination is made that you have inflated your qualifications or experience, you can lose consideration 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 veterans' preference above non-preference eligibles within each category. Veterans with a service connected disability of at least 10-percent are listed in the highest quality category, except when the position being filled is scientific or professional at the GS-09 grade level or higher. Under Category Rating, candidates will be rated and ranked into one of three 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. You will be evaluated on the following competencies: Education and Training Teamwork Technical Competence Wildlife Biology Writing Current or former displaced Federal employees who are surplus, displaced, or involuntarily separated have special priority selection rights under the Agency Career Transition Assistance Program (CTAP) or the Interagency Career Transition Assistance Program (ICTAP). To be considered under CTAP/ICTAP, you must be well-qualified. To meet the definition of well-qualified, you must (1) score at least 85 on the assessment questionnaire; (2) meet the minimum qualification requirements (education, experience or a combination therein), including any selective placement factors; and (3) be able to perform the duties of the position upon entry with reasonable accommodation, when applicable. Overstating your qualifications and/or experience in your application materials or application questionnaire may 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. Other Information

A selectee receiving a first appointment to the Federal Government (Civil Service) is entitled only to the lowest step of the grade for which selected. The salary range on this vacancy does not grant an entitlement to a higher rate of pay. Additional vacancies may be filled using this job announcement. Government housing MAY be available. Some positions filled may be covered by a collective bargaining agreement. Click here for the OPM Salaries and Wages to calculate locality pay. Non-Competitive Rehire Eligibility: Temporary seasonal employees can only maintain their non-competitive rehire eligibility if they work no more than a combined total of Temporary NTE 1039 hours anywhere in the National Park Service (NPS) within their established service year. Accordingly, non-competitive rehire eligibility allows for re-appointment to the same position or another position appropriate for temporary appointment with the same qualification requirements (5 CFR 316.402[b][7]), based on series and grade, anywhere in the major subdivision (NPS). If you have held a temporary seasonal appointment in the past 12 months and have already worked the maximum temporary appointment combined total of 1039 hours during that period, you are still welcome to apply. However, please be aware that exceeding the limit of 1039 hours in your established service year will result in the loss of your non-competitive rehire eligibility. The limit can be exceeded by working multiple temporary seasonal positions that result in a combined total greater than 1039 hours. The limit also can be exceeded by working a single temporary seasonal appointment that exceeds 1039 hours, unless granted an exception by OPM. This position may be filled under a temporary seasonal appointment not-to-exceed 1560 hours rather than 1039 hours depending on the park and program Employment may be terminated at any time due to fluctuations in funding levels, project needs, employee performance, or other considerations. PHYSICAL DEMANDS: The work is partially sedentary with prolonged standing, walking, and bending often required. Heavy items (e.g., packs and equipment up to 50 pounds) must be lifted and carried on a routine basis. WORK ENVIRONMENT: The work is performed in an office, laboratory, and in the field. Field work includes exposure to extreme weather conditions and terrain, pesticides, poisonous plants, biting insects, and wild animals. Laboratory work may involve exposure to hazardous chemicals. Wildlife positions may require strenuous field work in remote, steep, rugged, and off-trail terrain. Depending on the location and assignment, field work may include hiking up to 25 miles in a day, working at elevations above 10,000 feet, navigating on and off trail, carrying a heavy backpack and field equipment, and participating in multiple overnight backpacking or camping trips in remote areas while following Leave No Trace (LNT) principles. Wildlife positions may require water experience using inflatable pack rafts and wading in intertidal and freshwater systems including lakes and rivers. Applicants must be able to safely perform this type of field work and must demonstrate relevant field experience in their resume.