Biologist (Wildlife) (Seasonal)

National Park Service • Whiskeytown, CA

2d • Onsite

About The Position

This seasonal Biologist (Wildlife) position assists staff with biological field work at Mount Rainier National Park, Whiskeytown National Recreation Area, Yosemite National Park, or Great Basin National Park. The anticipated entry-on-duty date is April or May 2027. Work seasons and emphasis vary by park: Mount Rainier (April to October) focuses on wildlife, aquatic resources, plants, and environmental compliance; Whiskeytown (May to November) focuses on wildlife, plants, and environmental compliance; Yosemite (April to October) focuses on wildlife and requires wildlife experience; and Great Basin (May to November) requires comfort working with large carnivores.

The role involves field work, project development and implementation, environmental review and compliance, project management, planning, budgeting, work-plan development, and assistance with agreements. The position collaborates with interdisciplinary staff, the public, and volunteers. Work is performed indoors and outdoors, in varied weather and sometimes hazardous or isolated settings. Telework is suitable only during an emergency or natural disaster. The position may be filled as a temporary seasonal appointment, potentially not to exceed 1,560 hours depending on the park and program; employment may end at any time due to funding, project needs, performance, or other considerations.

Requirements

• Must be a U.S. Citizen or National.
• Must meet the basic educational requirement through a degree in biological sciences, agriculture, natural resource management, chemistry, or a related discipline, or through an equivalent combination of courses, experience, or additional education.
• For GS-09 qualification, must have one year of specialized experience equivalent to GS-07, a qualifying graduate education alternative, or a qualifying combination of education and experience.
• Specialized experience must include field work in natural and sometimes isolated settings with limited or remote supervision; vegetation, ecological restoration, invasive plant management, or wildlife project implementation; effective communication and collaboration, including directing colleagues and volunteers; and experience gathering vegetation and/or wildlife field data.
• Knowledge of and experience with GPS technology.
• Must submit transcripts when using education to qualify; transcripts must meet the stated documentation requirements.
• Must have and maintain a valid driver's license throughout employment.
• Must pass a background investigation and favorable adjudication, E-Verify, and applicable employment eligibility checks.
• Males born after December 31, 1959, must be registered for Selective Service.
• Must participate in direct deposit.
• Must wear a uniform and comply with uniform standards.
• May be required to work on-call, evenings, weekends, holidays, overtime, or shift work, and may be required to travel and obtain a government charge card for travel.
• Must meet minimum age and applicable education or student-employment criteria: at least 18, or at least 16 and meeting one of the listed education, training, or student work conditions.
• Yosemite: Must be able to hike up to 16 miles per day while carrying a backpack.
• Great Basin: Must be able to lift 45–50 pounds and hike up to 10 miles per day at elevations over 10,000 feet.
• Must be able to perform physically demanding outdoor work on uneven and variable terrain.

Responsibilities

• Conduct field work, often under difficult conditions, to accomplish management goals.
• Develop and implement vegetation and wildlife projects.
• Review projects and their impacts, and recommend ways to minimize impacts.
• Implement management plans.
• Manage projects, including planning and project compliance.
• Develop budgets and work plans.
• Assist in managing agreements.
• Record observations of wildlife behavior and human-wildlife interactions on public lands.
• Work collaboratively with interdisciplinary staff, the public, and volunteers.
• Gather vegetation and/or wildlife field data using quantitative and qualitative methods.

Benefits

• A uniform allowance will be provided.
• Federal employees and their families have access to a range of benefits; specific eligibility depends on position type and the hiring agency.

What This Job Offers

• Career Level: Entry Level