Biological Science Technician (Fisheries)(Seasonal)

National Park Service • Ashland, CA

5d

About The Position

Biological Science Technicians perform field and technical work to monitor, manage, and protect natural resources, including aquatic resources and their habitats. Fisheries technicians support resource-management professionals and work on monitoring, research, conservation, production, and management of fishes and other aquatic resources. Work may include applying established biological methods and procedures, carrying out projects, collecting and analyzing field data, maintaining records, and using specialized equipment and computer programs to manage and report information.

Positions may be filled for a seasonal period of approximately six months, though duration can vary with weather, project needs, or funding. Defined seasons are March–October for the Klamath Network, April–October for Crater Lake and Mount Rainier National Parks, and May–November for North Cascades National Park. The likely entry-on-duty period is March–May 2027. Some positions may be temporary seasonal appointments not to exceed 1,560 hours, depending on the park and program; employment may end early because of funding, project needs, performance, or other considerations.

The work is performed in offices, laboratories, and field settings. Fieldwork can involve difficult terrain and weather, and some positions require outdoor hiking of up to 12 miles per day at elevations above 10,000 feet. Work may involve exposure to pesticides, hazardous chemicals, poisonous plants, biting insects, and wild animals. The position may require backcountry travel, diving certification, operation of vehicles, and work on-call or outside regular hours, including evenings, weekends, holidays, overtime, or shifts. Government housing may be available but is not guaranteed; occupancy of government quarters may be required. A uniform may be required, with a uniform allowance provided.

Requirements

• U.S. citizenship is required.
• Meet the applicable age requirement: at least 18 years old, or at least 16 and meeting one of the specified education, training, school-authority, or student-employment conditions.
• For GS-08, possess one year of specialized experience equivalent to GS-07; education cannot substitute for experience at this grade level.
• For GS-09, possess one year of specialized experience equivalent to GS-08, or two years of progressively higher-level graduate education toward a related master's or equivalent degree, or an equivalent combination of experience and education.
• Specialized experience may include aquatic field surveys, coordinating surveys for NEPA project planning, providing technical advice on aquatic-resource protection and mitigation, recording wildlife observations, analyzing data, preparing technical reports, presenting findings, or related natural-resource research, conservation, management, ecological field study, inventory, monitoring, or invasive-species control.
• Submit a resume of no more than two single-sided pages that describes duties, employment dates, and hours worked; submit transcripts if qualifying based in part on education.
• A valid driver's license is required if operating a government or private motor vehicle is part of official duties; operators of government vehicles must be at least 18.
• A current open-water and scientific-diving certification may be required.
• May be required to complete training and operate a four-wheel-drive vehicle.
• May be required to complete training and obtain and maintain a government credit card with travel and purchase authority.
• May be required to obtain an Oregon Public Pesticide Applicator license for Crater Lake National Park; the park provides training and pays for the license.
• May be required to wear a uniform and comply with National Park Service uniform standards.
• May be required to work on-call, evenings, weekends, holidays, overtime, or shift work; backcountry travel may also be required.
• Appointment is subject to background investigation and favorable adjudication; pre-employment and random drug testing may be required.
• Males must meet Selective Service registration requirements.
• Selectees must participate in the Direct Deposit Electronic Funds Transfer Program.

Responsibilities

• Perform technical work supporting resource-management professionals, such as biologists and ecologists.
• Monitor, research, conserve, produce, and manage fishes and aquatic resources, and apply established biological facts, methods, techniques, and procedures.
• Lay out, schedule, organize, and execute natural-resource management projects following established procedures.
• Collect, organize, and analyze field data, and ensure quality control of data and samples.
• Maintain records and locate and compile data and other information from various sources.
• Use computer programs to compile, reduce, store, retrieve, analyze, and report data and resource-management information.
• Use specialized equipment to carry out resource-management projects.
• At the GS-09 level, prepare reports, plans, and guidelines related to aquatic-resource monitoring projects.
• At the GS-09 level, provide logistical support for resource-management projects, lead and train field crews, and advise, assist, or train students, volunteers, and lower-graded technicians.

Benefits

• Uniform allowance
• Government housing may be available, but is not guaranteed
• Federal employee benefits package; specific eligibility and benefits depend on position type

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level
• Education Level: No Education Listed