Biological Science Technician (Plants) (Seasonal)

National Park Service • Tucson, AZ

2d

About The Position

Biological Science Technicians (Plants) perform field and technical work to monitor, manage, and protect natural resources, including plants, wildlife, aquatic resources, and their habitats. The anticipated entry-on-duty period is March through July 2027. The position may be filled at GS-05, GS-06, or GS-07, with duties varying by grade. This is a seasonal position and may be filled under a temporary seasonal appointment not to exceed 1,560 hours, depending on the park and program. Employment may end at any time because of funding levels, project needs, employee performance, or other considerations.

Common duties include monitoring vegetation and surveying for oak wilt disease; collecting and sending samples for laboratory analysis; recording and maintaining project data using GPS and GIS technology; and organizing project data. At GS-05 and GS-06, employees may implement established natural resource management projects and assist with preparing reports and plans. GS-06 duties also include assisting with the organization of project data for ecological resource management project implementation. At GS-07, employees assist with ecological resource management project implementation and may lead, train, and supervise field staff, interns, or volunteers; organize, schedule, and carry out established resource management projects; ensure data quality; and prepare draft project reports.

Work is partially sedentary but often involves prolonged standing, walking, and bending, as well as routinely lifting and carrying packs and equipment weighing up to 50 pounds. Work takes place in an office, laboratory, and field settings. Field conditions may include extreme weather and terrain, pesticides, poisonous plants, biting insects, and wild animals; laboratory work may involve hazardous chemicals. The position may require wearing a uniform, operating a government or private motor vehicle for official duties, completing training, and working on-call, evenings, weekends, holidays, overtime, or shift work. Government housing may be available but is not guaranteed, and occupancy of government quarters may be required.

Requirements

• U.S. citizenship is required.
• Must meet the applicable minimum age requirement: at least 18, or at least 16 under one of the specified education or student-employment conditions.
• Appointment is subject to a background investigation and favorable adjudication.
• Males must meet the Selective Service Registration Act requirement.
• Must participate in the Direct Deposit Electronic Funds Transfer Program.
• A valid driver's license is required if operating a government or private motor vehicle is part of official duties; must be at least 18 to operate government vehicles.
• May be required to complete training and obtain and maintain a government credit card with travel and purchase authority.
• GS-05: One year of specialized experience equivalent to GS-04; or four years of post-high-school education toward a bachelor's degree in a related scientific or technical field (or at least 24 semester hours in relevant courses, including at least 6 semester hours directly related to the position); or an equivalent combination of experience and education.
• GS-06: One year of specialized experience equivalent to GS-05; or 9 semester hours (13.5 quarter hours) of directly related graduate-level coursework toward a master's degree; or an equivalent combination of experience and education.
• GS-07: One year of specialized experience equivalent to GS-06; or 18 semester hours (27 quarter hours) of directly related graduate-level coursework toward a master's degree; or an equivalent combination of experience and education.
• If qualifying based in part on education, must submit transcripts; foreign education used to qualify must be evaluated for U.S. equivalency or course credit.
• Must submit a resume no longer than two single-sided pages that clearly documents duties, employment dates, and hours worked; only the resume submitted in the designated Resume section will be considered.

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 (GS-05 and GS-06).
• Assist with organizing project data for ecological resource management project implementation (GS-06).
• Assist with ecological resource management project implementation (GS-07).
• Train, lead, and supervise staff, interns, and/or volunteers conducting ecological resource management fieldwork (GS-07).
• Organize, schedule, and execute established natural resource management projects (GS-07).
• Ensure adequate quality control of data and prepare draft project reports (GS-07).

Benefits

• A uniform allowance will be provided.
• Government housing may be available, but is not guaranteed.
• Federal employees and their families have access to a comprehensive benefits package; specific eligibility depends on position type.

What This Job Offers

• Career Level: Entry Level
• Education Level: No Education Listed