Biological Science Technician (Plants) (Seasonal)

US National Park Service; Tucson (AZ); On-site; USD 55,000 - 75,000; Full time

Job summary

The US National Park Service seeks Biological Science Technicians (Plants) for field and technical work to monitor, manage, and protect natural resources, including plants, wildlife, and habitats. Entry on duty anticipated March–July 2027, in a GS-05/06/07 framework.

Qualifications emphasize specialized experience or appropriate education in biology, botany, or related fields, with transcripts required if qualifying by education. See official vacancy for details.

Qualifications

• One year of specialized experience equivalent to GS-4 in the federal service.
• At least 24 semester hours in related science courses with six hours in plant-related subjects.
• Equivalent combination of experience and education to reach 100% of the standards.

Responsibilities

• Apply manual, mechanical, and chemical methods to manage threats to native plants and habitats.
• Conduct vegetation inventories, studies, and surveys and record field data.
• Participate in vegetation management activities like seed collection and propagation.
• Organization and maintenance of program data and information.

Skills

Vegetation management

Field data collection

Plant inventories

Project leadership

Education

Bachelor's degree in related field (biology, botany, forestry, etc.)

Graduate coursework related to plant taxonomy/botany/ecology

Combination of experience and education

Job description

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

Anticipated Entry on Duty: March - July 2027.

To qualify for this position at the GS-05 grade level, you must possess one of the following

1. 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.
2. 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.).
3. 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-06 grade level, you must possess one of the following

1. 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.
2. 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.
3. 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-07 grade level, you must possess one of the following

1. A. One year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the GS-06 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. Serving as a project or field lead in implementing vegetation or ecological resource surveys and management activities;
   2. organizing, maintaining, and compiling program and field data and information;
   3. independently applying/performing a variety of manual, mechanical, and chemical methods to manage threats to native plants, vegetation, and associated habitats;
   4. conducting vegetation inventories, studies, and surveys, including collecting and recording field data; and
   5. implementing vegetation management activities such as seed collection, planting, propagation, and weeding.
2. B. Successfully completed one full year (18 semester hours or 27 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.
3. 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.