Summary
Biological Science Technicians perform field and technical work to monitor, manage, and protect natural resources, including plants, wildlife, aquatic resources, and their habitats. Likely Entry on Duty: March - May 2027. Open to the first 600 applicants.
Responsibilities
These positions may be filled for a six month seasonal period, but can be vary due to weather conditions, project needs, or funding. Defined Seasons per Park: March - October: Klamath Network, Redwood National and State Parks, Olympic National Park April - October: Channel Islands National Park, Crater Lake National Park, Mount Rainier National Park, Sierra Nevada Netework, Olympic National Park, Whiskeytown National Recreation Area May - November: North Cascades National Park, Sequoia & Kings Canyon National Parks, Great Basin National Park Some of the Biological Science Technician (Fisheries) Standard Duties include but are not limited to: Conduct surveys and monitoring of fish populations, aquatic organisms, and aquatic habitats. Collect biological and environmental data and specimens using established fisheries sampling methods and equipment. Record and maintain project data using Global Positioning System (GPS), Geographic Information System (GIS), and other data-management technology. Organize, enter, and maintain fisheries and aquatic resource project data. Additional duties for GS-05: You may implement established fisheries and aquatic resource management and monitoring projects; collect, organize, and summarize field data; and assist in the preparation of reports and project documentation. Additional duties for GS-06: You may independently conduct fisheries and aquatic resource monitoring and management activities using established methods; operate and maintain specialized sampling equipment; organize and evaluate project data; and assist with project implementation, data analysis, and preparation of reports and plans. Additional duties for GS-07: You may coordinate and lead fisheries and aquatic resource field projects and provide technical guidance to field staff, interns, and/or volunteers. You may organize, schedule, and execute established fisheries monitoring and management projects; train personnel in fish identification, sampling methods, data collection, habitat assessment, and equipment use; ensure quality control of field data; evaluate and summarize project results; and prepare draft project reports and recommendations.
Qualifications
All qualifications must be met by the closing date of this announcement-10/26/2026-unless otherwise stated in this vacancy announcement. Credit will be given for all appropriate qualifying experience. To receive credit for experience, your 2 page resume MUST clearly indicate the nature of the duties and responsibilities for each position, starting and ending dates of employment (month/year), and the resume must reflect full and/or part-time or total number of hours worked (i.e., work 40+ hours a week, rather than indicating full-time). If part-time, the hours must be annotated to be able to pro-rate the amount of qualified specialized experience. Resumes must not exceed two single-sided pages and resumes longer than two pages will not be accepted. You may only submit one resume. Only the document submitted as the "Resume" under the Documents section will be used to determine your qualifications/eligibility and for rating purposes. In the event you submit more than one resume, only the latest submission will be reviewed. To qualify for this position at the GS-04 grade level, you must possess one of the following: A. Six (6) months general experience and six (6) months of specialized experience for a total of one year of experience. In making this claim, I understand that General Experience is (1) any type of work that demonstrates the applicant's ability to perform the work of the position, or (2) experience that provided a familiarity with the subject matter or processes of the broad subject area of the occupation; and that Specialized Experience is experience which demonstrates that you have the knowledge, skills, and abilities to perform the duties of this position. Examples of specialized experience include: Assisting with biological or aquatic field activities; collecting or recording biological or environmental data using established procedures; assisting with biological sampling or resource monitoring; and providing basic field, laboratory, or logistical support for biological projects. Excess specialized experience may substitute for general experience; however, excess general experience may not substitute for the required specialized experience. -OR- B. Successfully completed two years of education above high school in an accredited educational institution (60 semester hours or 90 quarter hours), which included at least 12 semester hours of scientific or technical courses such as biology, chemistry, statistics, entomology, animal husbandry, botany, physics, agriculture, mathematics, wildlife biology, or other directly related subject matter. And, at least six (6) semester hours are directly related to the position such as fisheries biology aquatic ecology, limnology, plankton ecology, microbial ecology, phycology, malacology, aquatic resources management. -OR- C. Equivalent combination of experience and education that, together, equal 100% of the qualification standards listed above when combined. For example, six (6) months of specialized experience (50% of the experience requirement) combined with one year of education as outlined above (50% of the education above), along with 50% of the course-specific education stated above. To qualify for this position at the GS-05 grade level, you must possess one of the following: A. One year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-4 level in the federal service (obtained in either the public or private sector). Specialized experience is experience that equipped the applicant with the particular knowledge, skills and abilities needed to successfully perform the duties of this position. Examples of specialized experience may include: Performing or assisting with fisheries or aquatic resource field or laboratory assignments; collecting and recording fisheries or aquatic resource data using established methods; conducting fish counts, fish sampling, trapping, or other aquatic sampling activities; and using fisheries sampling equipment; and assisting with monitoring fish populations, aquatic species, or habitat conditions. -OR- B. Successfully completed at least four years of education above high school (120 semester hour or 180 quarter hours) leading to a bachelor's degree with a major study in a related field of scientific or technical study, such as in biology, chemistry, statistics, entomology, animal husbandry, botany, physics, agriculture, mathematics, or other directly related subject matter; or at least 24 semester hours in any combination of courses such as those shown above. At least 6 semester hours must be directly related to ichthyology, fishery biology, aquatic botany, aquatic fauna, oceanography, fish culture, or related courses in the field of fishery biology. (You must include a copy of your transcripts). -OR- C. Equivalent combination of experience and education that, together, equal 100% of the qualification standards listed above when combined. For example, six (6) months of specialized experience (50% of the experience requirement) combined with one year of education as outlined above (50% of the education above), along with 50% of the course-specific education stated above. To qualify for this position at the GS-06 grade level, you must possess one of the following: A. One year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the GS-05 level in the Federal service (obtained in either the public or private sector). Specialized experience is experience that equipped me with the knowledge, skills, and abilities needed to successfully perform the duties of this position. Examples of specialized experience include: Independently conducting fisheries or aquatic resource field or laboratory assignments using established methods and protocols; conducting fish population, aquatic species, or habitat surveys and monitoring; collecting, recording, and organizing biological and environmental data; operating and maintaining fisheries sampling and monitoring equipment; and assisting with the analysis, evaluation, or reporting of fisheries and aquatic resource data. -OR- B. Successfully completed a half year (9 semester hours or 13.5 quarter hours) of graduate level course work, from an accredited college or university, leading to a Master's degree with a major study directly related to the position to be filled. Graduate study must have been in a field of study that is directly related to the work of this position such as: ichthyology, fishery biology, aquatic botany, aquatic fauna, oceanography, fish culture, or related courses in the field of fishery biology. -OR- C. Equivalent combination of experience and education that, together, equal 100% of the qualification standards listed above when combined. For example, six (6) months of specialized experience (50% of the experience requirement) combined with one year of education as outlined above (50% of the education above), along with 50% of the course-specific education stated above.
Requirements
U.S. Citizenship required. Appointment subject to background investigation and favorable adjudication. Males must meet Selective Service Registration Act requirement. Selectee will be required to participate in the Direct Deposit Electronics Funds Transfer Program. Occupancy of government quarters may be required. Government housing may be available but is not guaranteed. Use find a park to contact specific parks for more information on government housing. You may be required to wear a uniform and comply with the National Park Service uniform standards. A uniform allowance will be provided. You may be required to work on-call, evenings, weekends, holidays, overtime and/or shift work. Pre-employment and random drug testing may be required. You will not be appointed to the position if a verified positive drug test is received. You may be required to possess a current open water and scientific diving certification from a recognized organization. You may be required to complete training and operate a four-wheel drive vehicle. Backcountry travel may be required. You may be required to operate a government (or private) motor vehicle as part of your official duties; a valid driver's license will be required in such cases. You must be at least 18 years of age or older to operate government vehicles. You may be required to complete training, obtain and maintain a government credit card with travel and purchase authority. You must be at least (1)18 years old or (2) at least 16 years old and: (a) Have graduated from high school or been awarded a certificate equivalent to graduating from high school; or (b) Have completed a formal vocational training program; or (c) Have received a statement from school authorities agreeing with their preference for employment rather than continuing their education; or (d) Be currently enrolled in a secondary school and either work only during school vacation periods or work part-time during the school year under a formal student employment program. Crater Lake National Park may require applicants to obtain an Oregon Public Pesticide Applicator license. Crater Lake National Park will provide training and pay for this licensure.
Education
QUALIFICATIONS CONTINUED: To qualify for this position at the GS-07 grade level, you must possess one of the following: A. One year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the GS-06 level in the Federal service (obtained in either the public or private sector). Specialized experience is experience that equipped me with the knowledge, skills, and abilities needed to successfully perform the duties of this position. Examples of specialized experience include: Planning, coordinating, and conducting fisheries or aquatic resource field or laboratory assignments; organizing and implementing fisheries monitoring or management projects; evaluating fisheries, aquatic species, habitat, or environmental data and identifying trends or resource conditions; ensuring the quality and completeness of field data; preparing technical summaries, reports, or recommendations; and providing technical guidance or field direction to staff, interns, or volunteers conducting fisheries or aquatic resource work. -OR- B. Successfully completed one full year (18 semester hours or 27 quarter hours) of graduate level course work, from an accredited college or university, leading to a Master's degree with a major study directly related to the position to be filled. Graduate study must have been in a field of study that is directly related to the work of this position such as: ichthyology, fishery biology, aquatic botany, aquatic fauna, oceanography, fish culture, or related courses in the field of fishery biology. (You must include a copy of your transcripts). -OR- C. Equivalent combination of experience and education that, together, equal 100% of the qualification standards listed above when combined. For example, six (6) months of specialized experience (50% of the experience requirement) combined with one year of education as outlined above (50% of the education above), along with 50% of the course-specific education stated above. NOTE: If you are qualifying based in part on education, you MUST submit a copy of your transcripts. Qualifying experience may be obtained in the private or public sectors. The OPM Qualification Standards Handbook is available for review at: OPM Qualification Standards. Volunteer Experience: Experience refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service programs (e.g., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizations (e.g., professional; philanthropic; religious; spiritual; community, student, social). Volunteer work helps build critical competencies, knowledge, and skills and can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience. EDUCATION: To qualify based on education, you must submit a legible copy of transcripts from an accredited institution with your name, school name, credit hours, course level, major(s), and grade-point average or class ranking. Transcripts do not need to be official, but if you are selected for this position and you used your education to qualify, you must provide official transcripts before you begin work. If you are using education completed in foreign colleges or universities to meet qualification requirements, you must show that your education credentials have been evaluated by a private organization that specializes in the interpretation of foreign education programs and that (1) deemed your education equivalent to that gained in an accredited U.S. education program, or (2) given full credit for courses at a U.S. accredited college or university.