Biological Science Technician (Plants) (Seasonal)

US National Park Service; Chinle (AZ); On-site; USD 40,000 - 55,000; Full time

Job summary

US National Park Service in Chinle, Arizona seeks a Biological Science Technician to support field and technical work monitoring, managing, and protecting natural resources, including plants, wildlife, and habitats.

The position is seasonal, with an entry-on-duty period typically April–November 2027. Qualifications include specialized experience equivalent to GS-05, or graduate study toward a related degree, or an equivalent combination, with transcripts if education is used.

Qualifications

• One year of specialized experience equivalent to GS-05 in federal service or private/public sector.
• Graduate study: half a year (9 semester hours or 13.5 quarter hours) toward a Master’s degree.
• Equivalent combination of experience and education to meet 100% of the qualification standards.

Skills

Specialized experience

Education

9 semester hours of graduate study

Master’s degree in related field

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 typical seasonal entry-on-duty period for Seasonal Staffing Office-Intermountain Region is April-November, but can be variable during these months due to weather conditions, project needs, or funding. Anticipated Entry on Duty: April-June 2027. All qualifications must be met by the closing date of this announcement-10/13/2026-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-06 grade level, you must possess one of the following:

A. One year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the GS-05 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. Examples of specialized experience include:

1. Organizing and maintaining program data and information;
2. independently applying/performing a variety of manual, mechanical, and chemical methods to manage threats to native plants, vegetation, and associated habitats;
3. conducting vegetation inventories, studies, and surveys and recording field data; and
4. carrying out vegetation management activities such as seed collection, planting, propagation, and weeding.

-OR-
B. Successfully completed a half year (9 semester hours or 13.5 quarter hours) of graduate level course work, from an accredited college or university, leading to a Master's degree with a major study directly related to the position to be filled. Graduate study must have been in a field of study that is directly related to the work of this position such as plant taxonomy, botany, forestry, plant ecology, etc.

-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.