Physical Science Technician (Seasonal)

National Park Service • Marblemount, WA

12d

About The Position

The Physical Science Technician performs technical field and laboratory work supporting physical science monitoring, research, and resource management programs. Work includes collecting, processing, analyzing, and managing scientific data and samples. The technician organizes, coordinates, and implements fieldwork for air resources, water resources, environmental contamination, integrated pest management, and Geographic Information Systems (GIS) programs. The typical seasonal entry-on-duty period is April through October, though timing may vary based on weather, project needs, or funding. The likely entry-on-duty date is April 2027.

The position includes collecting and organizing field data; testing samples; entering data and compiling reports; monitoring conditions; providing logistical support and area orientation to contract or cooperating scientists; and operating and maintaining sampling, monitoring, and laboratory equipment. The technician takes precautions to prevent sample loss or contamination, recommends improvements to monitoring networks and sampling and analytical procedures, supports researchers’ projects, and conducts initial assessments of potential environmental contamination. At the GS-7 level, duties also include selecting data-collection sites, planning field crews’ work with attention to safety, ensuring protocol compliance, guiding and training others, and interpreting data for reports used by managers and staff.

Work is performed in an office, laboratory, and field setting. Fieldwork may involve extreme weather and terrain, poisonous plants, biting insects, and wild animals; laboratory work may involve hazardous chemicals. The work is partially sedentary, but often requires prolonged standing, walking, and bending, as well as routinely lifting and carrying equipment and packs weighing up to 50 pounds. The position may require on-call work, evenings, weekends, holidays, overtime, or shift work. The appointment is seasonal and may be temporary, with employment potentially ending due to funding, project needs, performance, or other considerations.

Requirements

• U.S. citizenship is required.
• Appointment is subject to a background investigation and favorable adjudication.
• Males must meet Selective Service Registration Act requirements.
• Must participate in the Direct Deposit Electronic Funds Transfer Program if selected.
• Must be at least 18 years old to operate government vehicles.
• A valid driver’s license is required if operating a government or private motor vehicle as part of official duties.
• Must meet the stated minimum age and education or enrollment conditions for employment: age 18 or older, or age 16 or older and meeting one of the listed education, vocational training, school-authority, or student-employment conditions.
• For GS-6, one year of specialized experience equivalent to at least GS-5; or half a year of qualifying graduate education (9 semester hours or 13.5 quarter hours) in an appropriate physical science field; or an equivalent combination of experience and education.
• For GS-7, one year of specialized experience equivalent to at least GS-6; or one academic year of qualifying graduate education in an appropriate physical science field; or an equivalent combination of graduate education and experience. Only education beyond the GS-6 education requirement can substitute for GS-7 specialized experience.
• Education used to qualify must be supported by transcripts; foreign education must be evaluated as described in the announcement.
• Must submit a resume no longer than two single-sided pages, with duties, employment dates, and hours worked clearly indicated.
• May be required to occupy government quarters, wear a uniform, work on-call or evenings, weekends, holidays, overtime, or shift work, complete training, operate a four-wheel-drive vehicle, and obtain and maintain a government credit card with travel and purchase authority.

Responsibilities

• Collect and organize field data.
• Perform routine and recurring testing of collected samples, enter data, and compile reports.
• Monitor conditions in assigned program areas.
• Provide logistical support and area orientation for contract or cooperating scientists.
• Operate and maintain sampling, monitoring, and laboratory equipment and instruments.
• Organize, coordinate, and implement fieldwork for air resources, water resources, environmental contamination, integrated pest management, and GIS programs.
• Take precautions to prevent loss or contamination of air and water samples.
• Recommend ways to establish or improve air and water quality monitoring networks, sampling methods, and analytical procedures.
• Assist researchers in implementing projects, including environmental compliance and logistical support.
• Conduct initial assessments of potential environmental contamination levels.
• At the GS-7 level, determine suitable sites for data collection using scientific knowledge.
• At the GS-7 level, plan field crew work and use judgment to collect data safely and effectively.
• At the GS-7 level, ensure data is collected according to established protocols and provide guidance and training as needed.
• At the GS-7 level, summarize and interpret data in reports for organization managers and staff.

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