Biological Science Technician (Plants)(Seasonal)

National Park Service•Crescent City, CA

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 between March and May 2027. Positions may be filled for a six-month seasonal period, with duration varying due to weather, project needs, or funding. Defined seasons vary by park, generally running from March through November. Standard duties include monitoring vegetation, surveying for oak wilt disease, collecting and submitting samples for laboratory analysis, recording and maintaining project data using GPS and GIS technology, and organizing project data. Depending on grade, technicians may implement natural resource management projects, assist with reports and plans, organize project data for ecological resource management, or lead field staff and coordinate established projects. GS-07 duties may include training, leading, and supervising staff, interns, or volunteers; organizing and scheduling projects; ensuring data quality; and preparing draft project reports. The work is performed in offices, laboratories, and field settings. Fieldwork may involve prolonged standing, walking, and bending; lifting and carrying packs and equipment weighing up to 50 pounds; exposure to extreme weather, difficult terrain, pesticides, poisonous plants, biting insects, and wild animals; and backcountry travel, including multi-day trips, mountainous terrain, and stream crossings. Laboratory work may involve hazardous chemicals. Travel requirements vary by park.

Requirements

U.S. citizenship is required.
Appointment is subject to a background investigation and favorable adjudication.
Males must meet Selective Service Registration Act requirements.
The selectee must participate in the Direct Deposit Electronic Funds Transfer Program.
Must meet the stated minimum age requirements: at least 18, or at least 16 under one of the listed education or student-employment conditions.
Must meet all qualifications by the announcement closing date of October 26, 2026.
For GS-04, qualify through the specified combination of general and specialized experience, college education with required related coursework, or an equivalent combination.
For GS-05, qualify through one year of specialized experience equivalent to GS-04, specified education, or an equivalent combination.
For GS-06, qualify through one year of specialized experience equivalent to GS-05, specified graduate coursework, or an equivalent combination.
For GS-07, qualify through one year of specialized experience equivalent to GS-06, specified graduate coursework, or an equivalent combination.
Submit a resume no longer than two single-sided pages that documents duties, employment dates, and hours worked; only the resume submitted in the designated Resume section will be used for qualification and rating.
If qualifying based on education, submit legible transcripts; official transcripts may be required before work begins if selected.
Foreign education used to meet qualification requirements must be evaluated as equivalent to accredited U.S. education or receive appropriate U.S. college credit.
May be required to occupy government quarters; housing may be available but is not guaranteed.
May be required to wear a uniform and comply with National Park Service uniform standards.
Pre-employment and random drug testing may be required.
May be required to work on-call, evenings, weekends, holidays, overtime, and/or shift work.
May be required to complete training and operate a four-wheel-drive vehicle.
A valid driver's license is required when operating a government or private motor vehicle for official duties; operators of government vehicles must be at least 18.
May be required to possess a Class A or B Commercial Driver's License.
May be required to handle or apply pesticides and/or herbicides.
May be required to complete training and obtain and maintain a government credit card with travel and purchase authority.
At Great Basin National Park, applicants are expected to have their own vehicle to make living in the remote location possible; personal vehicles will not be used for work.

Responsibilities

Monitor vegetation and survey for oak wilt disease.
Collect samples and send them for laboratory analysis.
Record and maintain project data using GPS and GIS technology.
Organize project data.
Implement established natural resource management projects and assist in preparing reports and plans, as applicable to grade.
Assist with ecological resource management project implementation and organization of project data, as applicable to grade.
Train, lead, and supervise staff, interns, and/or volunteers conducting ecological resource management fieldwork, as applicable to grade.
Conduct or support plant and plant disease identification, data and sample collection, mapping, and tool and equipment use and maintenance.
Organize, schedule, and execute established natural resource management projects; ensure adequate data quality control; and prepare draft project reports, as applicable to grade.