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 150 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 Season Per Park: March - October: Klamath Network April - October: Olympic National Park, Sierra Nevada Netework, Yosemite National Park May - October: Lassen Volcanic National Park, Sequoia & Kings Canyon National Parks May - November: North Cascades National Park Some of the Biological Science Technician (Plants) Standard Duties include but are not limited to: Manages invasive plant populations and restores disturbed sites using best available methods in accordance with established policy and standards, applying experimental methods when needed. Collects, cleans, and stores native plant materials for subsequent propagation, seeding, and transplanting; manages and inventories materials and plants in a nursery; outplants and provides post-planting care. Produces containerized plants from seed collections and cuttings; maintains these and other plant materials received from government cooperators and private growers in good condition. Develops annual nursery and plant propagation work plans based on restoration priorities, species lists, and quantities established by supervisor. Manage and analyze data using spreadsheet, database, statistical, and GIS software. Develops seasonal and weekly work plans for vegetation staff and partners in coordination with supervisor; independently sets daily schedules and trains staff in work protocols. Collects field data to monitor all vegetation management actions; updates and improves protocols as needed; completes required reporting for all vegetation management actions. Conduct vegetation sampling in remote wilderness settings. Additional duties for GS9: Executes complex invasive plant management operations, providing technical leadership in the identification, monitoring, mapping, and implementation of treatments for invasive species; ensures adherence to established protocols and safety standards and evaluates treatment effectiveness to inform adaptive management strategies. Develops successful field and greenhouse propagation techniques for native species through review of scientific literature, discussions with subject matter experts in plants and restoration ecology, and experimentation for a limited number of species as needed. Develops outyear work plans and completes analytical reporting on vegetation management tasks; develops novel protocols for vegetation management; coordinates with partners to develop and improve resource management strategies. Following established procedures and within a defined scope, conduct scientifically credible forest plot data collection. Plans and executes multi-day backcountry field data collection trips into the backcountry. Leads field crews on backcountry field data collection trips, prioritizing safety and scientific validity of data collection efforts; making independent decisions in the field that align with safety and project goals.
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-08 grade level, you must possess one of the following: One year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-7 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 nursery work involving the growing and maintenance of native plants in a controlled environment; participating in site rehabilitation through soil preparation, native seed collection, broadcast or drill seeding, native plant salvage, and/or planting of native plants for upland and/or wetland restoration; conducting field surveys and vegetation mapping, including identification to sub-species of native vegetation, using established protocols; assisting with invasive plant management through identification, monitoring, and control of invasive species; and serving as a crew member on revegetation and vegetation management work. To qualify for this position at the GS-09 grade level, you must possess one of the following: A. One year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-8 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: Producing containerized plants from seed collections and cuttings; leading site rehabilitation efforts through soil preparation, native seed collection, broadcast or drill seeding, native plant salvage, and/or planting of native plants for upland and/or wetland restoration; leading field surveys and vegetation mapping in remote locations to document and assess plant presence, abundance, reproduction, management issues, and population dynamics using established protocols; managing and summarizing vegetation data using computer software (such as Microsoft Access, Excel, Word, ArcGIS, Pathfinder Office, or comparable); leading an invasive plant management crew, including planning and executing invasive plant control methods; leading a vegetation research or monitoring project, including quality control/assessment, data summary, and reporting; and training other staff in vegetation management and restoration techniques. -OR- B. Successfully completed at least two years of progressively higher-level graduate education leading to a master's degree or equivalent graduate degree in a field that is directly related to the work of this position, such as botany, horticulture, ecology, restoration ecology, fire ecology, rangeland ecology, or other directly related subject matter. -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. 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 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 possess a Class A or B Commercial Driver's License. You may be required to handle/apply pesticide and/or herbicide. 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.
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. GS-08: There is no substitution of education for experience at the grade level(s) of this announcement.