Biological Science Technician (Plants) (Seasonal)

US National Park Service; North Rim (AZ); On-site; USD 36,000 - 52,000; Part time

Job summary

US National Park Service seeks Biological Science Technicians for field and technical work dedicated to monitoring, managing, and protecting natural resources across park habitats. The role supports vegetation and wildlife projects during the spring to fall window.

Qualifications span general and specialized experience or related education, with volunteer service considered. The position is seasonal and aligns with funding and project needs.

Qualifications

• GS-04 level requires six months general and six months specialized experience or equivalent education.
• GS-05 level requires one year specialized experience or higher education with related coursework.
• Volunteer experience and national service programs can count toward qualifications.

Responsibilities

• Perform field and technical work to monitor, manage, and protect natural resources including plants, wildlife, aquatic resources and habitats.
• Assist with vegetation inventories, surveys, seed collection, planting, propagation, and weeding as part of habitat management.
• Apply basic methods to address threats to native vegetation and related habitats.

Skills

General experience

Specialized experience

Plant data collection

Vegetation management

Education

Two years of college study with science courses

Bachelor'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-October, but can be variable during these months due to weather conditions, project needs, or funding.

Anticipated Entry on Duty: April 2027. All qualifications must be met by the closing date of this announcement-10/13/2026-unless otherwise stated in this vacancy announcement.

To qualify for this position at the GS-04 grade level, you must possess one of the following:

A. Six (6) months of general experience and six (6) months of specialized experience, for a total of one year of experience. General experience is any type of work that demonstrates the ability to perform the work of the position or provides familiarity with the subject matter or processes of the broad biological sciences field.

Examples of specialized experience include:

1. Assisting with basic plant or vegetation inventories, studies, and surveys;
2. collecting and recording field data related to plants, vegetation, or associated habitats; and
3. assisting with routine vegetation management activities such as seed collection, planting, propagation, weeding, or other plant maintenance activities.

-OR- B. Successfully completed at least two (2) full years of college level study that includes at least 12 semester hours in any combination of courses such as biology, chemistry, statistics, entomology, animal husbandry, botany, physics, agriculture, mathematics, etc. At least six (6) semester hours were directly related to this position (i.e. 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.

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. Applying/performing a variety of manual, mechanical, and chemical methods to manage threats to native plants, vegetation, and associated habitats;
2. performing basic vegetation inventories, studies, and surveys; and
3. participating in vegetation management activities such as seed collection, planting, propagation, and weeding.

-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 this position (i.e., 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.

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.