About this role
Job 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.
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 the following: One year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the GS-07 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. You must include hours per week worked. Examples of specialized experience include: Planning logistics and leading implementation of field-based complex natural resource monitoring protocols across multiple parks Leading, and training others to lead, large diverse field crews made up of park and network staff, interns and citizen scientists Performing expert, accurate identification of native wildlife species of the Sonoran Desert from images, tracks, and other sign, and managing these and other park resource data in existing program databases, as well as providing training and oversight for the work of lower graded technicians Setting an annual program schedule and working with cooperators to develop public education and citizen science programs related to wildlife biology and other related park resource themes.
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 at least the GS-08 level in the Federal service (obtained in either the public or private sector). Examples of specialized experience include: Independently setting annual work priorities, field schedules and staffing levels for field implementation of complex natural resource monitoring protocols across multiple parks Leading, and training others to lead, large diverse field crews made up of park and network staff, interns and citizen scientists Performing expert, accurate identification of native wildlife species of the Sonoran Desert from images, tracks, and other sign, while providing training and oversight for the work of lower graded technicians Managing data from collection to data publication, and interpreting and documenting research findings to be included in annual reports, presentations, or journals Increasing capacity and breadth of public education and citizen science programs by increasing partnerships with cooperators and parks, and collaboratively increasing volunteer program utilization across multiple science programs and park resource data themes. -OR- B. Successful completion of two full years of progressively higher-level graduate education leading to a master's or equivalent graduate degree, if directly related.
Related degrees may include biology, chemistry, statistics, entomology, animal husbandry, botany, physics, agriculture, or mathematics. -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.
Specialties: All applicants will be reviewed for the Biological Science Technician (Wildlife) (Seasonal) position using the general qualification requirements. The specialties below are additional areas of consideration. To be referred for a specialty, your resume must clearly demonstrate that you meet the additional experience requirements for that specialty. Owl Specialty To be considered for the Owl Specialty, you must have experience working with and handling live owls. This experience must be clearly demonstrated in your resume.
Bat Specialty To be considered for the Bat Specialty, you must have experience working with and handling live bats. You must also be willing to receive any required rabies vaccination. Insect Specialty To be considered for the Insect Specialty, you must have experience working with and handling live insects. Large Mammals/Carnivores Specialty To be considered for the Large Mammals/Carnivores Specialty, you must have experience working with large mammal or carnivore species, such as bears, coyotes, cougars, or wolves.
Experience may include trapping, tagging, collaring, radio telemetry, tracking, wildlife capture, or immobilization. This work may involve strenuous field duties, including lifting and carrying up to 50 pounds, hiking over rough terrain during the day or at night, working in extreme weather conditions, and working overtime, nights, or weekends. You must also have firearm experience and be willing to complete any required pre-employment drug testing associated with the position. Your qualifying experience must be clearly demonstrated in your resume.
Avian Specialty To be considered for the Avian Specialty, you must have experience working with and handling live birds. Qualifying experience may include: Conducting surveys of avian species or other wildlife and recording scientific data; Collecting and recording information on avian species.; Assisting with bird banding; Collecting, identifying, marking, sexing, weighing, or measuring birds; Performing avian research, monitoring, or control activities in field or controlled settings. Yosemite National Park Wildlife-Avian Selective FactorTo be considered for the Wildlife-Avian Specialty position at Yosemite National Park, you must meet the Biological Technician Wildlife qualification requirements AND all of the following requirements: Be proficient in ornithology.
Have experience conducting surveys for passerine species native to the Sierra Nevada ecosystem, specifically using point counts and area searches. Be able to accurately identify at least 50 passerine species native to the Sierra Nevada ecosystem by both sight and sound. Be able to perform long, arduous days of hiking, including hiking up to 16 miles over rough terrain while carrying a backpack weighing up to one-third of your body weight. You must clearly demonstrate the required ornithology, survey, and species-identification experience in your resume. Your resume must contain enough information for us to determine that you possess these skills.
- Please see additional information for Work condition requirements.
Major Duties
- The typical seasonal entry-on-duty period is April - November but can be variable during these months due to weather conditions, project needs, or funding.
- Some of the Biological Science Technician (Wildlife) Standard Duties include but are not limited to: Coordinates field operations with park staff and field crews to ensure logistics (housing, campsites, working areas, keys, check in/out procedures) and scheduling needs are met, and that all activities are clearly communicated to park and field staff.
- Collects and organizes natural resource field data (e.g., plant, water, geomorphology, stream biology) using network monitoring protocols, standardized data collection procedures, and equipment.
- Makes field observations of natural resource conditions.
- Installs, operates, and maintains equipment.
- Enters data and follows quality assurance procedures to ensure accurate data entry and transcription in established databases.
- Utilizes a variety of computer programs to compile, reduce, store, retrieve, analyze, and report data and other resource management information.
- Conducts fieldwork in remote backcountry settings and under difficult conditions in a safe and efficient manner.
- Uses 4WD and off-trail hiking to access monitoring sites.
- Additional duties for GS-09: Oversees and trains field crew members in appropriate data collection and verification (quality control).
- Assists with protocol revisions, prepares reports and publications, and communicates results to various audiences.
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. Use of non-LE firearms, you will be required to submit to a drug test and receive a negative drug test result prior to appointment for specific Biological Science Technician Wildlife Specialties. In addition, this position is subject to random testing for illegal drug use. Some locations may require employees who handle wildlife to have a current rabies vaccination or be willing to receive one as a condition of the assignment. 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.