Biological Science Technician (Fisheries-Diver)(Seasonal)

U.S. National Park Service; Ventura (CA); On-site; USD 50,000 - 72,000; Full time

Job summary

U.S. National Park Service seeks Biological Science Technicians to 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. For the GS-05 level, candidates must meet specialized experience in subtidal biological marine monitoring using SCUBA techniques and may qualify with education alternatives as detailed in the vacancy notice.

Qualifications

• Resume must clearly indicate duties and dates with hours worked.
• Transcript submission if education used for qualification.

Responsibilities

• Conduct subtidal marine monitoring using SCUBA and methods like transects and roving counts.
• Document field observations with video/photo and temperature loggers.
• Meet Department of the Interior, National Park Service diving standards within 30 days of entrance on duty.

Skills

SCUBA certification

marine monitoring

field work

Education

Bachelor's degree in related field

30+ semester hours in ichthyology/oceanography

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.

Anticipated Entry on Duty: April 2027.

REQUIREMENTS CONTINUED

• 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.

QUALIFICATIONS

All qualifications must be met by the closing date of this announcement-11/16/2026-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.

SELECTIVE FACTOR

You mustpossess a current SCUBA diving certification from a recognized organization such as (1) Professional Association of Diving Instructors (PADI) OR (2) National Association of Underwater Instructors (NAUI); AND a scientific diving certification from an organization such as American Academy of Underwater Sciences (AAUS); AND I have a minimum of 100 cold water open ocean kelp forests dives logged; AND I am able to meet all Department of the Interior, National Park Service diving standards within 30 days of entrance on duty. Experience and Certification MUST be notated in resume or application packet.

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. Specialized experience is defined as demonstrated experience: conducting various aspects of a subtidal biological marine monitoring program using SCUBA, such as band transects, quadrats, random point contacts, video transects, fish transects, fish sizing, roving diver fish counts, size frequency measurements, artificial recruitment modules, video/photo documentation and use of remote temperature loggers.

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 ichthyology, fishery biology, aquatic botany, aquatic fauna, oceanography, fish culture, or related courses in the field of fishery biology. (You must include a copy of your transcripts).

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.