Biological Science Technician (Plants)(Seasonal)

National Park Service • Whiskeytown, CA

13h

About The Position

Biological Science Technicians perform field and technical work to monitor, manage, and protect natural resources, including plants, wildlife, aquatic resources, and their habitats. This seasonal position is expected to begin in March 2027; the typical seasonal entry-on-duty period is April through October, though timing may vary with weather, project needs, and funding. The position may be filled at the GS-04, GS-05, or GS-06 grade level, and duties vary by grade. Work may be performed in an office, laboratory, and field setting. The appointment may be temporary seasonal, and employment may end early due to funding, project needs, performance, or other considerations.

Common duties include observing natural resource conditions; conducting plant surveys; managing non-native and invasive plants; enhancing native plant populations; collecting, organizing, and reporting resource data; conducting revegetation; and using databases and computer programs. Invasive plant treatment may involve manual or mechanical removal, power equipment and hand tools, and herbicides. Revegetation may include installing containerized, salvaged, or divided plants and collecting and sowing seed.

At GS-05, duties may additionally include recording and quality-checking data, routine sample testing, monitoring rare and listed plant species and vegetation communities, and using databases, statistical methods, GIS, and GPS to prepare draft reports and perform spatial mapping and analysis. At GS-06, duties may additionally include leading field crews and volunteers; selecting treatment methods, tools, and herbicides; assisting with restoration and monitoring projects; identifying vascular plants to species; documenting project work; preparing reports and plans; maintaining databases and equipment; providing training; and assisting with safety plans and job hazard analyses.

Applicants must meet the applicable grade-level experience and/or education qualifications by the announcement closing date. The role requires U.S. citizenship, and a background investigation and favorable adjudication are required. A valid driver’s license is required when operating a government or private motor vehicle as part of official duties. Employees may need to apply pesticides or herbicides, wear a uniform, complete training, operate a four-wheel-drive vehicle, and obtain a government travel and purchase card. Government housing may be available but is not guaranteed; occupancy of government quarters may be required.

Requirements

• U.S. citizenship is required.
• Appointment is subject to a background investigation and favorable adjudication.
• Males must meet the Selective Service registration requirement.
• Must be at least 18 years old to operate government vehicles.
• A valid driver’s license is required if operating a government or private motor vehicle for official duties.
• Applicants must meet the applicable GS-04, GS-05, or GS-06 qualification standard by the announcement closing date.
• GS-04 qualification: one year of experience, including six months of general experience and six months of specialized experience assisting with plant or vegetation inventories, field data collection, and routine vegetation management; or qualifying college study; or an equivalent combination of experience and education.
• GS-05 qualification: one year of specialized experience equivalent to GS-04 performing vegetation management and surveys; or qualifying education leading to a bachelor’s degree or 24 semester hours in relevant subjects, including at least six directly related semester hours; or an equivalent combination.
• GS-06 qualification: one year of specialized experience equivalent to GS-05 organizing program data, independently applying vegetation management methods, conducting inventories and surveys, and carrying out vegetation management; or one year of directly related graduate-level study; or an equivalent combination.
• If qualifying based in part on education, applicants must submit legible transcripts; official transcripts are required before starting work if selected and education was used to qualify.
• Resumes must not exceed two single-sided pages and must state duties, employment dates, and hours worked.
• May be required to handle or apply pesticides and/or herbicides, wear a uniform, work on-call, evenings, weekends, holidays, overtime, or shifts, complete training, operate a four-wheel-drive vehicle, and obtain and maintain a government credit card with travel and purchase authority.
• Must meet the stated minimum age and education or other listed conditions for employment.

Responsibilities

• Observe natural resource conditions in the field.
• Conduct plant surveys and other field activities to monitor vegetation and natural resources.
• Control non-native and invasive plants using manual, mechanical, or chemical treatment methods.
• Enhance native plant populations and conduct revegetation, including installing plants, collecting seed, and sowing seed.
• Compile, organize, store, retrieve, and report resource management data using computer programs and databases.
• At GS-05, record and quality-check collected data, conduct routine sample testing and monitoring, and prepare draft reports using standard statistical methods.
• At GS-05, collect data and perform spatial mapping and analysis using GIS (including ArcGIS) and GPS devices, including Trimble and mobile GIS units such as Field Maps.
• At GS-06, lead field crews and volunteers implementing vegetation management and ecological restoration work.
• At GS-06, select appropriate invasive-plant treatment methods, tools, and herbicides for different conditions.
• At GS-06, assist with restoration, revegetation, and long-term monitoring projects; identify vascular plants to species; and document project work with photographs.
• At GS-06, assist with reports, plans, and guidelines; maintain databases; and install, operate, maintain, inventory, and calibrate resource management equipment and supplies.
• At GS-06, train others and assist with safety plans and job hazard analyses.

Benefits

• A uniform allowance will be provided.
• A comprehensive federal employee benefits package is described; specific eligibility depends on appointment type and position.

What This Job Offers

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