Biological Science Technician (Wildlife) (Seasonal)

US National Park Service; North Carolina; Hybrid; USD 32,000 - 55,000; Full time

Job summary

The U.S. National Park Service is seeking Biological Science Technicians to support field and technical work that monitors, manages, and protects natural resources across parks in the region.

This role focuses on plants, wildlife, aquatic resources, and habitats, with a typical seasonal window from March through October and potential extension depending on weather, project needs, or funding. Applicants should be prepared to document experience on resumes, meet qualification standards for

Qualifications

• Six months general experience plus six months specialized experience as described in standard qualification criteria.
• Two years of education above high school with at least 12 semester hours in biology, chemistry, or related subjects.
• Equivalent combination of experience and education that totals 100% of the qualifications.

Skills

Wildlife inventory

Field surveys

Data collection

Biology basics

Education

Bachelor's degree in biology or related field

Two years education with science courses

Master's degree in related field (GS-06)

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-Southeast Region is March - October, but can be variable during these months due to weather conditions, project needs, or funding. Anticipated Entry on Duty: March - April 2027.
Open to the first 950 applicants.

All qualifications must be met by the closing date of this announcement-10/26/2026-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-04 grade level, you must possess one of the following:

A. Six (6) months general experience and six (6) months of specialized experience for a total of one year of experience. In making this claim, I understand that General Experience is (1) any type of work that demonstrates the applicant's ability to perform the work of the position, or (2) experience that provided a familiarity with the subject matter or processes of the broad subject area of the occupation; and that Specialized Experience is experience which demonstrates that you have the knowledge, skills, and abilities to perform the duties of this position. Examples of specialized experience include:

1. Assisting with the collection and organization of biological science field data;
2. performing routine field tasks associated with the management, protection, restoration, or monitoring of wildlife and associated habitats;
3. performing routine laboratory or specimen-processing activities; and
4. assisting with the operation and maintenance of equipment used for natural resource management activities.

Excess specialized experience may substitute for general experience; however, excess general experience may not substitute for the required specialized experience.

-OR-
B. Successfully completed two years of education above high school in an accredited educational institution (60 semester hours or 90 quarter hours), which included at least 12 semester hours of scientific or technical courses such as biology, chemistry, statistics, entomology, animal husbandry, botany, physics, agriculture, mathematics, wildlife biology, or other directly related subject matter. And, at least six (6) semester hours are directly related to the position such as wildlife biology, wildlife management, zoology, conservation biology, wildlife ecology or similar.

-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. Participating in wildlife inventory and monitoring activities;
2. conducting basic field surveys to document wildlife presence, abundance, distribution, reproduction, behavior, or habitat conditions using established protocols and standard field equipment; and
3. collecting and recording wildlife or habitat data.

-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 wildlife biology, wildlife management, zoology, conservation biology, wildlife ecology or similar.

-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-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. Conducting wildlife inventory and monitoring activities using established protocols and standard field equipment;
2. collecting, organizing, and maintaining wildlife or habitat data; and
3. carrying out wildlife management, monitoring, or habitat improvement activities.

-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 wildlife biology, wildlife management, zoology, conservation biology, wildlife ecology or similar.

-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.