Biological Science Technician (Wildlife)(Seasonal)

US National Park Service; California; On-site; USD 60,000 - 85,000; Full time

Job summary

US National Park Service seeks Biological Science Technicians to perform field and technical work in monitoring, managing, and protecting natural resources across national parks in California. Primary duties include coordinating field logistics, leading diverse field crews, and identifying wildlife while managing related data.

Specialties cover owl, bat, insect, and large mammals/carnivores, with emphasis on public education and citizen science activities.

Qualifications

• One year of specialized experience equivalent to GS-07 level with dedicated hours per week.
• GS-09 requires one year of experience at GS-08 level or two years of graduate study, or an equivalent combination.

Responsibilities

• Plan logistics and lead field-based monitoring across multiple parks.
• Lead and train large, diverse field crews including staff, interns, and citizen scientists.
• Identify native wildlife species from images, tracks, and other signs; manage data in program databases.
• Set annual program schedules and develop education and citizen science programs with cooperators.

Skills

Field logistics planning

Crew leadership

Wildlife identification

Data management

Public education programs

Education

Graduate education (2 years) toward master's

Related degrees (biology, chemistry, statistics, entomology, animal husbandry, botany, physics, agriculture, mathematics)

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.

Likely Entry on Duty: March - May 2027.

All qualifications must be met by the closing date of this announcement-10/26/2026-unless otherwise stated in this vacancy announcement.

GS-08 Qualification

One year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the GS-07 level in the Federal service (obtained in either the public or private sector). Dedicated hours per week worked must be included.

Examples of specialized experience include:

1. Planning logistics and leading implementation of field-based complex natural resource monitoring protocols across multiple parks
2. Leading, and training others to lead, large diverse field crews made up of park and network staff, interns and citizen scientists
3. Performing expert, accurate identification of native wildlife species of the Sonoran Desert from images, tracks, and other sign, and managing these and other park resource data in existing program databases, as well as providing training and oversight for the work of lower graded technicians
4. Setting an annual program schedule and working with cooperators to develop public education and citizen science programs related to wildlife biology and other related park resource themes.

GS-09 Qualification

You must possess one of the following:

1. A. One year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the GS-08 level in the Federal service (obtained in either the public or private sector). Dedicated hours per week worked must be included. Examples of specialized experience include:
   1. Independently setting annual work priorities, field schedules and staffing levels for field implementation of complex natural resource monitoring protocols across multiple parks
   2. Leading, and training others to lead, large diverse field crews made up of park and network staff, interns and citizen scientists
   3. Performing expert, accurate identification of native wildlife species of the Sonoran Desert from images, tracks, and other sign, while providing training and oversight for the work of lower graded technicians
   4. Managing data from collection to data publication, and interpreting and documenting research findings to be included in annual reports, presentations, or journals
   5. Increasing capacity and breadth of public education and citizen science programs by increasing partnerships with cooperators and parks, and collaboratively increasing volunteer program utilization across multiple science programs and park resource data themes.
2. B. Successful completion of two full years of progressively higher-level graduate education leading to a master's or equivalent graduate degree, if directly related. Related degrees may include biology, chemistry, statistics, entomology, animal husbandry, botany, physics, agriculture, or mathematics.
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.

Specialties

Owl Specialty To be considered for the Owl Specialty, you must have experience working with and handling live owls. This experience must be clearly demonstrated in your resume.

Bat Specialty To be considered for the Bat Specialty, you must have experience working with and handling live bats. This experience must be clearly demonstrated in your resume. You must also be willing to receive any required rabies vaccination.

Insect Specialty To be considered for the Insect Specialty, you must have experience working with and handling live insects. This experience must be clearly demonstrated in your resume.

Large Mammals/Carnivores Specialty To be considered for the Large Mammals/Carnivores Specialty, you must have experience working with large mammal or carnivore species, such as bears, coyotes, cougars, or wolves. Experience may include trapping, tagging, collaring, radio telemetry, tracking, wildlife capture, or immobilization.

This work may involve strenuous field duties, including lifting and carrying up to 50 pounds, hiking over rough terrain during the day or at night, working in extreme weather conditions, and working overtime, nights, or weekends.

You must also have firearm experience and be willing to complete any required pre-employment drug testing associated with the position. Your qualifying experience must be clearly demonstrated in your resume.

Avian Specialty To be considered for the Avian Specialty, you must have experience working with and handling live birds. Qualifying experience may include:

• Conducting surveys of avian species or other wildlife and recording scientific data
• Collecting and recording information on avian species
• Assisting with bird banding
• Collecting, identifying, marking, sexing, weighing, or measuring birds
• Performing avian research, monitoring, or control activities in field or controlled settings.

Your qualifying experience must be clearly demonstrated in your resume.

Yosemite National Park Wildlife-Avian Selective Factor To be considered for the Wildlife-Avian Specialty position at Yosemite National Park, you must meet the Biological Technician Wildlife qualification requirements AND all of the following requirements:

• Be proficient in ornithology.
• Have experience conducting surveys for passerine species native to the Sierra Nevada ecosystem, specifically using point counts and area searches.
• Be able to accurately identify at least 50 passerine species native to the Sierra Nevada ecosystem by both sight and sound.
• Be able to perform long, arduous days of hiking, including hiking up to 16 miles over rough terrain while carrying a backpack weighing up to one-third of your body weight.

You must clearly demonstrate the required ornithology, survey, and species‑identification experience in your resume. Your resume must contain enough information for us to determine that you possess these skills.

Please see additional information for Work condition requirements.