Biological Scence Technician (Wildlife) (Seasonal)

US National Park Service; Barstow (CA); On-site; USD 42,000 - 54,000; Full time

Job summary

The US National Park Service is seeking Biological Science Technicians for seasonal staffing in the Pacific West Region with start around December 2026. Open to the first 30 applicants; qualifications due by the closing date of 11/05/2026 unless stated otherwise.

To qualify at GS-05, applicants must meet one of the options: 1) one year of specialized experience at GS-4; 2) four years of education with relevant major; or 3) a combination of experience and education.

Qualifications

• Specialized experience is required at GS-5 level or equivalent.
• Education options include a bachelor's degree or 24 semester hours in related subjects.
• Note: transcripts must be submitted if qualifying based on education.

Skills

Wildlife inventory

Field surveys

Data collection

Specialized experience

Education

Bachelor's degree in a related field

College coursework in wildlife biology (24 semester hours)

Tools

Field equipment

Job description

Biological Science Technicians perform field and technical work to monitor, manage, and protect natural resources, including plants, wildlife, aquatic resources, and their habitats.

The anticipated entry-on-duty Seasonal Staffing Office-Pacific West Region is December 2026. but can be variable during these months due to weather conditions, project needs, or funding.

Open to the first 30 applicants. All qualifications must be met by the closing date of this announcement-11/05/2026-unless otherwise stated in this vacancy announcement.

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:

1. Participating in wildlife inventory and monitoring activities;
2. conducting basic field surveys to document wildlife presence, abundance, distribution, reproduction, behavior, or habitat conditions using established protocols and standard field equipment; and
3. collecting and recording wildlife or habitat data.

-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 wildlife biology, wildlife management, zoology, conservation biology, wildlife ecology or similar.

-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.