Biologist

National Park Service (DOI); Wyoming; On-site; USD 75,000 - 97,000; Full time

Job summary

National Park Service (DOI) in Yellowstone National Park seeks a Biologist to lead the AIS prevention program, supervise seasonal staff, and oversee procurement of supplies. You will implement inspection and decontamination procedures at watercraft inspection stations and coordinate with partners to prevent the spread of invasive species.

The role requires planning and executing early-detection monitoring using eDNA and other methods, plus data analysis and reporting on program achievements.

Qualifications

• Degree in biological sciences, agriculture, natural resource management, chemistry, or related disciplines.
• Combination of education and experience may be accepted with transcripts.
• Specialized experience at or near the GS-09 level is required.

Responsibilities

• Lead the planning and implementation of AIS prevention and monitoring programs.
• Inspect watercraft prior to launching; decontaminate as needed; deny launch if fouled.
• Plan and implement early detection monitoring using eDNA and plankton tows.
• Coordinate with state and federal entities to align AIS protocols.
• Collect, analyze data and prepare reports on program activities.

Skills

AIS inspections

Decontamination

Environmental DNA

Data analysis

Education

Biological sciences / natural resource management

Transcript required

Job description

Summary

You will serve as a Biologist with the National Park Service at Yellowstone National Park.

Career-Seasonal appointments are permanent positions and include the same benefits as Career appointments, but do not provide work on a year‑round basis. You will work for approximately 11.5 months, and you will be in a non‑pay status for one pay period in April.

Overview

Location: Yellowstone National Park, WY

Salary

$74,678 – $97,087 per year. First time hires to the Federal government normally start at the step 1 rate.

Work schedule

Full‑time

Travel Required

50% or less – You may be expected to travel for this position.

Appointment type

Permanent – Career‑Seasonal Position (subject to periods of non‑pay)

Occupations and job series

• 0401 General Natural Resources Management And Biological Sciences

Supervisory status

No

Federal service type

This job is in the Competitive Service

Represented by a union

Yes

Drug test

Yes

Security clearance

Not Required

Position sensitivity and risk

Non-sensitive (NS)/Low Risk

Jobs require a background check and some require a security clearance. The type depends on the job.

Background check type

• Credentialing
• Suitability/Fitness

Financial disclosure required

No

Some jobs require financial disclosure to identify conflicts of interests.

Announcement number

CAHN-27-13098296-IMP-KDW

Control number

891232100

This job is open to

Internal to an agency

Current federal employees of the hiring agency that posted the job announcement.

Career transition (CTAP, ICTAP, RPL)

Federal employees whose job, agency or department was eliminated and are eligible for priority over other applicants.

Clarification from the agency

National Park Service (NPS‑wide) – This is a Merit Promotion announcement for current career and career conditional National Park Service employees, Career Transition eligibles (CTAP), and National Park Service Land Management Workforce Flexibility Act (LMWFA) eligibles. Refer to Required Documents section for more information.

Duties

• Lead the planning and implementation of the Yellowstone Aquatic Invasive Species (AIS) Prevention Program. Effectively manage and supervise a team of seasonal employees to achieve Prevention Program goals. Procure and maintain supplies and equipment to support the Yellowstone AIS Prevention Program.
• Plan and oversee all operations to inspect watercraft prior to launching in park waters. Decontaminate watercraft as needed. Deny launch of any watercraft fouled with invasive species. Ensure YELL laws as defined in the compendium regarding AIS and watercraft are adhered to by visiting boaters. Staff and maintain watercraft inspection stations.
• Plan and implement early detection monitoring for AIS using environmental DNA, plankton tows, and other methods. Coordinate field sampling with state or federal laboratories that will process the samples.
• Coordinate with private, state, and federal entities in the Yellowstone region to ensure AIS prevention and monitoring protocols are aligned.
• Collect and analyze data and create reports summarizing Yellowstone AIS prevention program activities and achievements.

Conditions of employment

• Must be a U.S. Citizen or National.
• Appointment subject to background investigation and favorable adjudication.
• Males born after 12‑31‑59 must be registered for Selective Service.
• Direct Deposit participation required.
• Successfully pass the E‑Verify employment verification check. To learn more, visit https://www.e-verify.gov/.
• Must have a current or obtain within 14 days of hire a valid state driver’s license.
• Pre‑employment and random drug testing are required.
• You may be required to work on‑call, evenings, weekends, holidays, overtime and shift work.
• You may be required to travel overnight away from home up to 2 nights per month between the months of December and April. You must obtain a government charge card for travel purposes.
• You will be required to live in a remote duty location at Yellowstone Lake from approximately May – November. During this period park housing will be provided.
• You are required to wear a uniform and comply with uniform standards. A uniform allowance will be provided.
• You are required to complete training, obtain and maintain a government credit card with travel and purchase authority.
• You are required to obtain and maintain a Motorboat Operator Certification Course (MOCC) within one year of entrance on duty.
• You must possess the ability to lift 50 pounds.

Qualifications

All qualifications must be met by the closing date 11/09/2026 unless otherwise stated in this announcement.

Minimum Qualification Requirements: Basic Educational Requirement AND/OR Specialized Experience.

Basic Educational Requirements

1. Degree: biological sciences, agriculture, natural resource management, chemistry, or related disciplines appropriate to the position. You must include transcripts.

2. Combination of education and experience: Courses equivalent to a major, as shown in above, plus appropriate experience or additional education. You must include hours per week and transcripts.

Specialized Experience

To qualify, you must possess at least one full year of specialized experience comparable in scope and responsibility to the GS‑09 grade level in the Federal service.

Experience includes: performing AIS watercraft and equipment inspections and decontaminations, preparing and implementing plans and procedures to prevent or reduce AIS introduction and spread, sampling and monitoring for early detection of AIS, analyzing and identifying aquatic species, preparing articles on AIS suitable for peer‑reviewed scientific journals or distribution to the public and partners. Include hours per week worked.

Education

This position has a mandatory education requirement.

Submit a copy of transcripts to support claimed education. Transcripts must include your name, school name, grades, credit hours, major(s), GPA, and date of degree conferred.

Foreign Education

Show proof that foreign education has been submitted to a private organization that specializes in interpretation of foreign educational credentials and has been deemed at least equivalent to that gained in conventional U.S. education programs.

Useful link: https://www.ed.gov/about/initiatives/international-affairs/recognition-of-foreign-qualifications

Additional information

Additional vacancies may be filled using this job announcement.

Reasonable Accommodation (RA) Requests

If you believe you have a disability covered by the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 that would interfere with completing the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments, you may request RA in your online application. Discussions and decisions are made on a case‑by‑case basis.

Physical Demands/Work Environment

Position may require strenuous physical activity including periods of standing, walking, climbing and lifting heavy objects. Work is done both indoors and outdoors in all weather. Some activities occur in hazardous environments such as steep slopes, rocky terrain, volcanoes, caves, firelines, arctic environments, deserts, forests. Flying in fixed‑wing aircraft and helicopters is possible.

Benefits

A career with the U.S. government provides employees with a comprehensive benefits package. As a federal employee, you and your family have access to benefits designed to be rewarding.

Eligibility for benefits depends on the type of position and whether it is full‑time, part‑time or intermittent.

Required documents

1. Resume which includes a list of all significant jobs and duties performed, with dates in month‑year format, and indicate hours worked per week. Resumes must not exceed two single‑sided pages. Minimum font size 10‑point.
2. Complete all Required Assessment(s).
3. Performance Appraisals and Awards – submit most recent appraisal with official rating dated within the past 18 months.
4. College Transcript(s) if applicable.
5. Eligibility Documentation (see sub‑items).

• Current and former Federal employees – submit the latest SF‑50 showing tenure 1 or 2.
• Veterans Preference Documentation – submit Documentation of Service and Separation under Honorable Conditions (DD‑214), etc.
• Land Management Workforce Flexibility Act (LMWFA) – submit all Appointment and Termination SF‑50s.
• Career Transition Assistance Plan (CTAP) – submit proof of eligibility such as RIF Separation Notice, SF‑50s, performance appraisal.

How to Apply

To apply for this position, you must complete all required questionnaires, assessments, and submit all required documentation as specified in the application process. The complete application must be submitted by 11:59 PM (ET) on 11/09/2026. Ensure all supporting documentation is uploaded.

Agency contact information

Kelli Ward

Email: [e-mail]

Address: Yellowstone National Park
PO Box 168
Yellowstone National Park, WY 82190
US

Next steps

Refer to your USAJOBS account to monitor application status. The Human Resources Office does not respond to individual status inquiries. Once submitted, you will receive a confirmation email and your application will be evaluated for eligibility. Further notifications will be sent regarding status.