Biologist (Temporary) (Direct Hiring Authority)

US National Park Service; California; On-site; USD 70,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

US National Park Service seeks a Biologist (Temporary) to lead the Carnivore Program within the Terrestrial Wildlife Branch. This role develops and implements science-based ecological management for carnivores affecting terrestrial wildlife populations.

Open to experienced applicants; closes 11/09/2026. A bachelor's in biological sciences is required, transcripts must be included, and hours per week must be stated on the resume. This temporary appointment follows Direct Hiring Authority rules.

Qualifications

• Transcript required.
• Resume must show hours per week worked.

Responsibilities

• Lead development and implementation of a science-based Carnivore Program for terrestrial wildlife.
• Coordinate with the Chief of Terrestrial Wildlife and the Terrestrial Wildlife Branch to guide ecological management decisions.

Education

Bachelor's degree in biological sciences or related field

Job description

You will serve as a Biologist (Temporary) (Direct Hiring Authority), Carnivore Specialist, under the direction of the Chief of Terrestrial Wildlife in the Terrestrial Wildlife Branch.

The position leads the development and implementation of a science-based ecological management Carnivore Program for terrestrial wildlife.

Open to the first 50 applicants or until 11/09/2026 whichever comes first. All applications submitted by 11:59 (EST) on the closing day will receive consideration.

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

To receive credit for experience, your resume MUST state either "full-time" (or "40 hours a week") or "part-time" with the number of hours worked per week to ensure proper crediting of specialized experience. Failure to adequately provide information needed to determine number of hours worked in each position may result in that time not being credited when evaluating qualifying experience. For periods of time that reflect military service, the DD-214 or Statement of Service is sufficient to meet the full and/or part-time hours requirement as the service dates will be reflected.

You must meet the basic requirements AND the minimum qualifications as defined below by close of the announcement.

Basic Education Requirements for the 0401 Series:

Successful completion a full four-year course of study at an accredited college or university leading to a bachelor's or higher degree in a major field of study in biological sciences, agriculture, natural resource management, chemistry, or related disciplines appropriate to this position. You must include transcripts.

- OR -

Combination of education and experience that included course work equivalent to a major (i.e., 24 semester hours) in biological sciences, agriculture, natural resource management, chemistry, or a discipline closely related to biology; PLUS, appropriate experience or additional course work. The quality of the combination must demonstrate that you possess the knowledge, skills, and abilities required to perform the work of the position and is comparable to that normally acquired through the completion of a full four-year course of study with a major as described above.

You must include transcripts and your resume must show hours/week worked.

To qualify for this position at the GS-11 grade level, you must possess at least one of the following minimum qualifications by close of the announcement:

EXPERIENCE:

At least one full year of specialized experience comparable in scope and responsibility to the GS-09 grade level in the Federal service (obtained in either the public or private sectors). Examples of qualifying specialized experience include:

• implement and conduct terrestrial wildlife surveys;
• capture, immobilize, and handle meso- carnivores;
• manage, analyze, and interpret data for communicating research results;
• write funding proposals and prepare reports for terrestrial wildlife.

You must include hours per week worked.

-OR-

EDUCATION:

Successful completion of at least three years of progressively higher-level graduate education leading to a Ph.D. or equivalent graduate degree from an accredited educational institution concentrated in a field that is directly related to the work of this position, such as in biological sciences, agriculture, natural resource management, or ecology. You must include transcripts.

-OR-

Successful completion of a combination of education and experience as described above. When combining specialized experience and graduate education, only units in excess of the first two years (36 semester hours or equivalent) may be used to meet the educational requirement. You must include transcripts and your resume must show hours per week worked.

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.