Biological Science Technician (Wildlife)(Seasonal)

National Park Service•Empire, MI

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. Seasonal entry-on-duty is typically February through September and may vary with weather, project needs, and funding. The anticipated entry-on-duty period is February through July 2027. The position involves surveying and monitoring wildlife populations, species, and habitats; collecting biological and environmental data and specimens using established methods and equipment; recording and maintaining project data with GPS, GIS, and other data-management technology; and organizing and summarizing field data. Duties may include implementing established wildlife projects, maintaining project records, and assisting with reports and project documentation. At GS-06, the work may include independently conducting monitoring and management activities, operating specialized equipment, evaluating data, and assisting with project implementation, analysis, reports, and plans. At GS-07, the work may include coordinating and leading field projects, providing technical guidance and training, ensuring field-data quality, evaluating results, and preparing draft reports and recommendations. This is a seasonal position that may be filled under a temporary appointment not to exceed 1,560 hours, depending on the park and program. Employment may end at any time because of funding, project needs, performance, or other considerations. Work is performed in an office, laboratory, and field setting. Field conditions can include extreme weather and terrain, pesticides, poisonous plants, biting insects, and wild animals; laboratory work may involve hazardous chemicals. The position may require government quarters, wearing a uniform, on-call duty, evening, weekend, holiday, overtime or shift work, training, and operation of a four-wheel-drive or other motor vehicle. A valid driver's license is required when operating a vehicle as part of official duties.

Requirements

U.S. citizenship is required.
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.
Must be at least 18 years old to operate government vehicles.
A valid driver's license is required when operating a government or private motor vehicle as part of official duties.
Must meet the stated minimum age and education or enrollment conditions: age 18 or older, or age 16 or older and meeting one of the listed high-school, vocational-training, school-authority, or student-employment conditions.
GS-05: One year of specialized experience equivalent to GS-04 conducting or participating in wildlife inventories and monitoring, basic field surveys using established protocols and standard equipment, and wildlife or habitat data collection and recording; OR the specified four years of post-high-school education or course credits, including at least 6 semester hours directly related to wildlife; OR an equivalent combination of qualifying experience and education.
GS-06: One year of specialized experience equivalent to GS-05 conducting wildlife inventories and monitoring using established protocols and standard equipment, collecting and maintaining wildlife or habitat data, and carrying out wildlife management, monitoring, or habitat-improvement activities; OR 9 semester hours or 13.5 quarter hours of directly related graduate-level study toward a master's degree; OR an equivalent combination.
GS-07: One year of specialized experience equivalent to GS-06 leading or coordinating wildlife field activities, conducting wildlife surveys, managing or evaluating wildlife or habitat data, and implementing wildlife management, conservation, or habitat-improvement activities; OR 18 semester hours or 27 quarter hours of directly related graduate-level study toward a master's degree; OR an equivalent combination.
Qualifications must be met by the announcement closing date, October 26, 2026, unless otherwise stated.
Submit a resume no longer than two single-sided pages. It must describe duties and responsibilities, employment dates by month and year, and hours worked; part-time hours must be specified for experience credit.
If qualifying based on education, submit a legible transcript copy; official transcripts are required before starting if selected and education was used to qualify.
Foreign education used to meet qualifications must be evaluated by an appropriate private organization as equivalent to U.S. accredited education or credited by an accredited U.S. college or university.
Qualifying experience may be paid or unpaid, including eligible volunteer experience.

Responsibilities

Conduct surveys and monitor wildlife populations, species, and habitats.
Collect biological and environmental data and specimens using established wildlife sampling and monitoring methods and equipment.
Record and maintain project data using GPS, GIS, and other data-management technology.
Organize, enter, and maintain wildlife and habitat project data.
Implement established wildlife monitoring and management projects; collect, organize, and summarize field data; and assist with reports and project documentation.
At GS-06, independently conduct wildlife and habitat monitoring and management activities using established methods; operate and maintain specialized field equipment; organize and evaluate project data; and assist with project implementation, data analysis, reports, and plans.
At GS-07, coordinate and lead wildlife and habitat field projects and provide technical guidance to field staff, interns, and/or volunteers.
At GS-07, organize, schedule, and execute established projects; train personnel in wildlife identification, survey and monitoring methods, data and sample collection, habitat assessment, mapping, and equipment use; ensure field-data quality; evaluate and summarize results; and prepare draft reports and recommendations.