Announcement details
- USAJOBS control number
- 888411500
- Occupational series
- 0404
- Work schedule
- Work schedule is dependent on the position.
- Appointment type
- Not to Exceed 1039 Hours
Summary
Biological Science Technicians perform field and technical work to monitor, manage, and protect natural resources, including plants, wildlife, aquatic resources, and their habitats. Anticipated Entry on Duty: March - July 2027. Open to the first 950 applicants. Applicants must be submitted by 11:59 (EST) on the 10/26/2026 to be considered.For more park(s) information, select "Learn more about this agency" below:
Responsibilities
Some of the Biological Science Technician (General) Standard Duties include but are not limited to: Conduct surveys and monitoring of natural resources, including plants, wildlife, aquatic resources, habitats, and other ecological conditions. Collect biological and environmental data and specimens using established field methods, protocols, 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 natural resource project data. Additional duties for GS-05: You may implement established natural resource monitoring and management 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 natural resource monitoring and management activities using established methods; operate and maintain specialized field 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 natural resource field projects and provide technical guidance to field staff, interns, and/or volunteers. You may organize, schedule, and execute established natural resource monitoring and management projects; train personnel in resource identification, field methods, data and sample collection, mapping, 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-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: Conducting biological field studies and surveys and assembling the information; following standardized procedures to collect data on Wildlife, Fisheries, or plants; using statistical methods and procedures to perform testing of field data collected; installing, operating, and maintaining resource management equipment (e.g. tools, sampling and monitoring, photographic, and laboratory equipment); and prepares graphs, charts, and illustrations for reports and technical publications relating to biological management activities. -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 six (6) semester hours are directly related to the position such as botany, forest ecology, silviculture, plant ecology, wildlife biology, zoology, ornithology etc. -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: Work involving biological science support such as: collecting, analyzing and processing samples, performing laboratory work, assisting in the management of field projects, collecting, processing and managing field data, and performing habitat restoration through management of exotics and/or native planting; using statistical methods and procedures to perform testing of field data collected; installing, monitoring, and maintaining resource management equipment (tools, sampling and monitoring, photographic, and laboratory equipment); preparing graphs, charts, and illustrations for reports and technical publications relating to plant management activities; and assisting in the development of improved methods of controlling weeds and plant diseases or other related work, etc. -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: botany, forest ecology, silviculture, plant ecology, wildlife biology, zoology, ornithology. -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-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: Assisting in planning and implementation of resource management plant, wildlife, and fisheries censuses and surveys; using statistical methods and procedures to perform testing of field data collected; installing, operating, and maintaining resource management equipment (tools, sampling and monitoring, photographic, and laboratory equipment); preparing graphs, charts, and illustrations for reports and technical publications relating to plant management activities; organizing, scheduling, and executing a wide variety of established natural resource management projects; and planning field projects, choose possible courses of action at different stages of each project. -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: botany, forest ecology, silviculture, plant ecology, as wildlife biology, zoology, ornithology. -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.
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. You may be required to complete training and operate a four-wheel drive vehicle. 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. Motorboat operation may be required. Selectee will receive appropriate training in motorboat operations and will be subject to pre-employment and random drug testing; Cape Lookout National Seashore Backcountry Country experience and travel may be required for Great Smoky Mountains and Cape Lookout National Seashore. Cape Lookout National Seashore positions may require travel greater than 76%.
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.