Biologist

National Park Service • Yellowstone National Park, WY

1d • Onsite

About The Position

The Biologist serves with the National Park Service at Yellowstone National Park and leads the Yellowstone Aquatic Invasive Species (AIS) Prevention Program. The career-seasonal appointment is permanent and includes the same benefits as a career appointment, but does not provide year-round work. The position works approximately 11.5 months, with one pay period in April in a non-pay status.

The position leads program planning and implementation, supervises seasonal employees, and manages supplies and equipment. It oversees watercraft inspections before launch in park waters, decontaminates watercraft as needed, prevents the launch of watercraft fouled with invasive species, and ensures visiting boaters comply with park AIS and watercraft rules. The Biologist also plans and implements early-detection monitoring, coordinates sample processing and regional prevention efforts, and analyzes data and prepares reports on program activities and achievements.

The position requires living at the remote Yellowstone Lake duty location from approximately May through November; park housing is provided during that period. Work takes place indoors and outdoors in all types of weather and may involve strenuous activity, hazardous terrain or settings, and possible travel by fixed-wing aircraft or helicopter. The employee must wear a uniform, obtain and maintain a motorboat operator certification, and may be required to work on-call, evenings, weekends, holidays, overtime, and shift work. Overnight travel away from home may be required up to two nights per month from December through April.

Requirements

• Must be a U.S. Citizen or National.
• Must pass a background investigation and favorable adjudication.
• Males born after December 31, 1959, must be registered for Selective Service.
• Must participate in Direct Deposit and pass E-Verify employment verification.
• Must have a current valid state driver's license or obtain one within 14 days of hire.
• Pre-employment and random drug testing are required; a verified positive drug test precludes appointment.
• Must obtain a government charge card for travel and maintain a government credit card with travel and purchase authority.
• Must live at the remote Yellowstone Lake duty location from approximately May through November; park housing is provided during this period.
• Must wear a uniform and comply with uniform standards.
• Must obtain and maintain a Motorboat Operator Certification Course (MOCC) certification within one year of entering on duty.
• Must be able to lift 50 pounds.
• May be required to work on-call, evenings, weekends, holidays, overtime, and shift work.
• May be required to travel overnight away from home up to two nights per month between December and April.
• Must meet the basic education requirement: a degree in biological sciences, agriculture, natural resource management, chemistry, or an appropriate related discipline, or equivalent coursework combined with appropriate experience or additional education.
• For GS-11, must meet one of the stated qualification paths: at least one year of specialized experience comparable to GS-09; at least three years of progressively higher-level graduate education leading to a Ph.D. or an equivalent doctoral degree; or a qualifying combination of related graduate education and specialized experience.
• Specialized experience, when used to qualify, includes aquatic invasive species watercraft and equipment inspections and decontaminations; preparing and implementing AIS prevention or response plans and procedures; early-detection sampling and monitoring; analyzing and identifying aquatic species; and preparing AIS articles suitable for peer-reviewed journals or distribution to the public and partners.
• Current federal employees must meet applicable time-in-grade requirements. Applicants must document work hours per week; education used to qualify must be supported by transcripts.
• May be required to complete a one-year probationary period; continued employment requires written agency certification that it advances the public interest.

Responsibilities

• Lead the planning and implementation of the Yellowstone Aquatic Invasive Species (AIS) Prevention Program.
• Manage and supervise seasonal employees to achieve Prevention Program goals.
• Procure and maintain supplies and equipment for the AIS Prevention Program.
• Plan and oversee operations to inspect watercraft before launching in park waters.
• Decontaminate watercraft as needed and deny launch to watercraft fouled with invasive species.
• Ensure visiting boaters adhere to Yellowstone rules regarding AIS and watercraft.
• Staff and maintain watercraft inspection stations.
• Plan and implement early-detection AIS monitoring using environmental DNA, plankton tows, and other methods.
• Coordinate field sampling with state or federal laboratories that process samples.
• Coordinate with private, state, and federal entities in the Yellowstone region to align AIS prevention and monitoring protocols.
• Collect and analyze data and prepare reports summarizing AIS Prevention Program activities and achievements.

Benefits

• Career-seasonal appointments include the same benefits as career appointments.
• Federal employees and their families have access to a comprehensive benefits package; specific benefit eligibility depends on position type.

What This Job Offers

• Career Level: Mid Level