Biological Science Technician (Fisheries-Diver)(Seasonal)

National Park Service; Ventura (CA); On-site; USD 31,000 - 41,000; Full time

Job summary

National Park Service in Ventura, CA seeks a Seasonal Biological Science Technician (Fisheries-Diver) to perform field and technical work monitoring marine resources. The role uses SCUBA for underwater sampling, including fish, invertebrate, and habitat assessments, with leadership duties for other divers.

You will support data management, logbook maintenance, and report preparation while maintaining equipment and safety certifications for routine kelp forest monitoring cruises.

Qualifications

• Transcripts must be submitted for education qualifications.
• Foreign credentials may need evaluation by a private organization.

Responsibilities

• Monitors marine life and habitats using underwater sampling techniques (SCUBA).
• Lead diver for at least one other diver, providing direction under challenging conditions.
• Performs data entry and QA/QC of monitoring data in MS Access.
• Assists in preparing trip and annual reports with methods, data analyses, and figures.
• Maintains diving equipment and NPS certification; ensures readiness for multiday excursions.

Skills

Underwater sampling leadership

Data entry

Diver safety

Education

Transcripts from accredited institution

Tools

MS Access

Job description

Biological Science Technician (Fisheries-Diver)(Seasonal)

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: April 2027.

Key Responsibilities

Some of the Biological Science Technician (Fisheries-Diver) Standard Duties include but are not limited to: Monitors the abundance, distribution and size of selected marine invertebrates, algae and fish using underwater sampling techniques on SCUBA.

Techniques include, but are not limited to, band transects, quadrats, random point contacts, video transects, fish transects, fish sizing, roving diver fish counts, size frequency measurements, recruitment modules, video/photo documentation and use of remote temperature loggers. Acts as a lead diver for at least one other diver providing leadership and direction to conduct the above-mentioned work in often adverse environmental conditions.

Provides logistical support for all non-field aspects of a subtidal marine monitoring program. This includes office work associated with field collection of monitoring data under the direction of lead Biologist and in accordance with kelp forest monitoring handbook. This requires proficiency of data entry, organizational skills, and quality assurance/quality control of data and basic understanding of MS Access Database.

Assists in all aspects of preparing trip and annual reports. Assists in making field observations and documenting them appropriately. Maintains equipment and NPS diving certification. This includes maintaining all equipment used for the kelp forest monitoring program such as SCUBA life support equipment, underwater cameras, dive computers, sampling equipment used for conducting the monitoring. Identifies the need for repairs and replacement of equipment and supplies.

Maintains an accurate log of maintenance and repairs. Meets and maintains all NPS-Field Manual 4 diving regulations. Provides logistical support including preparing menus, dive plans, manifests, data sheets, purchasing provisions, loading food and equipment for multiday monitoring cruises that take place in remote conditions. Provides information to others on resource management issues by giving oral presentations.

Assists with preparing trip reports and drafts detailed annual reports on the kelp forest monitoring program to meet NPS inventory and monitoring program and park requirements. These reports include descriptions of methods, literature research, preliminary data analysis, graphs and charts, results, and recommendations for planning, protection, and mitigation activities.

Requirements & 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.

Which agency is hiring for this position?

This position is with National Park Service, Department of the Interior.

What is the salary for this position?

The posted pay range is $22.76 – $29.58/hr.

What is the application deadline?

Applications close on 2026-11-16.

Who is eligible to apply?

This position is open under the 'Fed Transition' hiring path.