Biological Science Technician (Plants) (Seasonal)

Department Of The Interior • Washington, DC

55d • $22 - $29 • Onsite

About The Position

These positions are located in National Capital Area Office, in the Invasive Plant Management Team.

The typical seasonal entry-on-duty period for National Capital Area Office is January - July, but can be variable during these months due to weather conditions, project needs, or funding. Anticipated Entry on Duty: January 2026.

These positions are located in National Capital Area Office, in the Invasive Plant Management Team.

The typical seasonal entry-on-duty period for National Capital Area Office is January - July, but can be variable during these months due to weather conditions, project needs, or funding. Anticipated Entry on Duty: January 2026.

Requirements

• U.S. Citizenship required.
• Appointment subject to background investigation and favorable adjudication.
• Meet Selective Service Registration Act requirement for males.
• Selectee will be required to participate in the Direct Deposit Electronics Funds Transfer Program.
• You may be required to complete training and operate a four-wheel drive vehicle.
• You may be required to work on-call, evenings, weekends, holidays, overtime and shift work.
• You may be required to travel overnight away from home up to 1 night per month. You must obtain a government charge card for travel purposes.
• You may be required to complete training and obtain/maintain a government charge card with travel and/or purchase authority.
• Must be able to maintain a pesticide applicator or technician license.
• You will be required to operate a government (or private) motor vehicle as part of your official duties; a valid driver's license is required. You will be required to submit a Motor Vehicle Operator's License and Driving Record. You must also submit (within a State sealed envelope or submitted directly by the State authorities), and at your own expense, all certified driving records from all States that disclose all valid driver's licenses, whether current or past, possessed by you.
• This position requires that the incumbent maintains a pesticide applicator or technician license. Applicants must have previously held or currently hold a pesticide applicator or technician license within any state or US territory. This information must be indicated on your resume or a license information provided in the application attachments.
• EXPERIENCE: At least one full year of specialized experience comparable in scope and responsibility to the GS-04 grade level in the Federal service (obtained in either the public or private sectors). This experience includes activities such as: participating as a field crew member for invasive plant control projects in remote natural settings or urban parks; identifying target invasive plant species from desirable native plant species; collecting invasive plant control data and records according to standard protocols; assisting with processing of spatial data collected by program staff; surveying and mapping invasive plant populations using GPS handheld devices or mobile devices; handling and applying herbicides; participating in native restoration programs; and recording biological and plant data using computer software programs (such as Microsoft Access, Excel, Word, ArcGIS, or comparable software). You must include hours per week worked.
• EDUCATION: Successful completion of 4 years above high school leading to a bachelor's degree in an accredited educational institution (120 semester hour or 180 quarter hours) which included at least 24 semester hours of scientific or technical courses, such as biology, chemistry, statistics, entomology, animal husbandry, botany, physics, agriculture, or mathematics. At least 6 semester hours of courses must be directly related to this position. Examples of directly related education are biology, botany, range science, forestry, ecology, environmental science, zoology, fisheries, animal husbandry, natural resource management or other directly related fields. You must include transcripts.
• COMBINATION: Successful completion of a combination of education and experience as described above. You must include transcripts.

Responsibilities

• Works on non-native plant management and habitat restoration involving the use of manual removal, mechanical removal, biological control, and pesticide control.
• Assists with vehicle care, pesticide application, spray equipment repairs, chainsaws operations, fieldwork documentation and data integrity
• Identifies non-native species of the Mid-Atlantic region and prioritize control based on ecological principles.
• Assists with maintenance and inventory of equipment used for invasive plant control such as large trucks and trailers. vehicle mounted spray units, backpack sprayers, chainsaws, and brush saws.
• Collects, analyzes, and summarizes field data related to invasive plant management work.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level
• Industry: Administration of Environmental Quality Programs
• Number of Employees: 5,001-10,000 employees