Biologist

National Park Service • Grand Canyon, AZ

2d • Onsite

About The Position

The Biologist serves with the National Park Service at Grand Canyon National Park, conducting the study, inventory, monitoring, restoration, and management of natural resources. This is a career-seasonal permanent position with work expected approximately from January through mid-December, followed by a non-pay period from December 18 through December 31 and for the remainder of the year as described in the posting. The position may be filled at the GS-07 or GS-09 level, with duties at the lower level developmental in nature. A uniform is required, and government housing may be available.

At the GS-07/09 level, the biologist leads fieldwork in front-country and remote backcountry settings, trains crew members in data collection and verification, contributes to invasive-plant management and native-plant restoration, uses field equipment and tools, and prepares reports interpreting monitoring results. At GS-09, the biologist also briefs others on habitat restoration, applies technical methods and relevant environmental and natural-resource laws to fieldwork, interprets vegetation data and trends in context of scientific literature, and processes field data using GIS or similar systems.

The position requires a valid driver's license, Arizona pesticide applicator certification within eight months of employment, and S-112 Introduction to Chainsaw Operations certification or equivalent within twelve months. Appointment is subject to background investigation and other federal employment conditions, and may include a one-year probationary period. Physical work can include strenuous activity and work in challenging, potentially hazardous outdoor environments.

Requirements

• Must be a U.S. Citizen or National.
• Must meet the mandatory biological-sciences or related education requirement, or an applicable combination of education and experience; transcripts are required to support claimed education.
• For GS-07, at least one year of specialized experience equivalent to GS-05, qualifying graduate education, an eligible combination of education and experience, or Superior Academic Achievement as specified in the announcement.
• For GS-09, at least one year of specialized experience equivalent to GS-07, a qualifying master's or equivalent graduate degree or two years of progressively higher-level graduate education, or an eligible combination of education and experience.
• Competitive candidates must meet applicable time-in-grade requirements.
• Resume must document hours worked per week as applicable to substantiate experience.
• Must possess and maintain a valid driver's license throughout employment.
• Must obtain Arizona Department of Agriculture Pesticide Applicator Certification within eight months of employment.
• Must obtain S-112 Introduction to Chainsaw Operations certification or equivalent within twelve months of employment.
• Must wear a uniform and comply with uniform standards.
• Must complete training and obtain and maintain a government charge card with travel and purchase authority.
• Appointment is subject to background investigation and favorable adjudication; E-Verify and Direct Deposit participation are required.
• Males born after December 31, 1959, must be registered for Selective Service.
• May be required to serve a one-year probationary period.
• Ability to perform strenuous physical activity, including standing, walking, climbing, and lifting and carrying heavy objects.
• Ability to conduct work in physically dangerous areas or settings and to concentrate and write for extended periods.

Responsibilities

• Lead fieldwork in front-country and remote backcountry settings, working safely and efficiently under challenging conditions.
• Train crew members in appropriate data collection, data entry, and verification methods.
• Lead or collaborate with partners on projects to manage invasive plants and restore native plant communities.
• Use chainsaws, water pumps, herbicide application equipment, and hand tools to manage invasive plants and restore native plant communities.
• Write reports and interpret monitoring results for natural resource managers.
• At GS-09, provide verbal briefings about habitat restoration, including invasive-plant management.
• At GS-09, apply technical methods, biological-resource management practices, and relevant requirements under NEPA, the Wilderness Act, and the Endangered Species Act to design, coordinate, and execute fieldwork.
• At GS-09, use field, geospatial, and other data to interpret vegetation data, trends, and interrelationships, and review scientific literature to contextualize findings.
• At GS-09, download, enter, and process vegetation data from mobile data collection units into GIS or similar systems.

Benefits

• Career-seasonal permanent appointments include the same benefits as Career appointments.
• A uniform allowance will be provided.
• Government housing may be available.
• Federal employees and their families have access to a comprehensive benefits package, subject to eligibility.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level