Physical Science Technician (Seasonal)

U.S. National Park Service; El Portal (CA); On-site; USD 45,000 - 75,000; Full time

Job summary

U.S. National Park Service in California seeks a Physical Science Technician to perform field and lab work supporting monitoring, research, and resource management.

Responsibilities include data collection and processing, equipment maintenance, and assisting with technical reports; entry on duty May–August 2027; up to 250 applicants; qualification highlights include specialized experience or appropriate degrees.

Qualifications

• One year of specialized experience at GS-04 or equivalent.
• Experience includes collecting samples, processing data, and maintaining records.
• Education may substitute for experience as described in the bulletin.

Skills

Data collection

Lab testing

Scientific data management

Technical reporting

Education

Bachelor's degree in physical science or 24 semester hours in physical science/engineering/mathematics

Graduate education in physical science (1 academic year)

Job description

The primary purpose of the Physical Science Technician is to perform technical field and laboratory work in support of physical science monitoring, research, and resource management programs, including the collection, processing, analysis, and management of scientific data and samples.

Likely Entry on Duty: May - August 2027

Open to the first 250 applicants. All qualifications must be met by the closing date of this announcement-11/16/2026-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-05 grade level, you must possess one of the following:

• One year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the GS-04 level in the Federal service.
• Examples of specialized experience include (1) collecting air, water, soil, climate, or other physical science samples or data using established procedures; (2) preparing or processing samples for analysis; (3) performing routine field or laboratory testing; (4) entering and maintaining scientific data and records; (5) operating and performing routine maintenance on scientific sampling or monitoring equipment; and (6) assisting with the preparation of scientific or technical reports or project documentation.
• Successful completion of a full 4-year course of study (120 semester hours or 180 quarter hours) leading to a bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university (a) with a major study in an appropriate field of physical science such as astronomy, physics, chemistry, hydrology, oceanography or other appropriate field of physical science, or (b) that included 24 semester hours in any combination of courses as physical science, engineering, or any branch of mathematics, except financial and commercial mathematics.

To qualify for this position at the GS-06 grade level, you must possess one of the following:

• One year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the GS-05 level in the Federal service.
• Examples of specialized experience include (1) planning logistics for physical science field sampling and monitoring activities; (2) collecting, preparing, or analyzing air, water, soil, climate, or other physical science samples or data using established methods; (3) conducting technical tests or measurements to determine physical or chemical properties or environmental conditions; (4) operating, calibrating, or maintaining scientific sampling and monitoring equipment; (5) maintaining scientific records and performing quality control of data; and (6) organizing, summarizing, or evaluating scientific data for reports or project documentation.
• Successful completion of a half-year of graduate education (9 semester hours or 13.5 quarter hours) from an accredited college or university with a major study in an appropriate field of physical science such as astronomy, physics, chemistry, hydrology, oceanography or other appropriate field of physical science.
• Equivalent combination of experience and education that, together, equal 100% of the qualification standards listed above when combined.

To qualify for this position at the GS-07 grade level, you must possess one of the following:

• One year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the GS-06 level in the Federal service.
• Examples of specialized experience include (1) planning and coordinating physical science field sampling or monitoring activities; (2) determining appropriate sampling locations, methods, or equipment based on project requirements and field conditions; (3) collecting and evaluating air, water, soil, climate, or other physical science data; (4) installing, configuring, troubleshooting, or maintaining scientific monitoring equipment; (5) reviewing scientific data for accuracy, completeness, and compliance with established protocols; (6) analyzing and summarizing scientific data to identify conditions, patterns, or trends; and (7) preparing technical reports, findings, or recommendations.
• Successful completion of one academic year of graduate education from an accredited college or university with a major study in an appropriate field of physical science such as astronomy, physics, chemistry, hydrology, oceanography or other appropriate field of physical science.
• Combination of graduate education and experience listed above that when combined, total 100% of the qualification requirements. Note: only education in excess of what is required at the GS-06 level can be used to substitute for specialized experience at the GS-07 level. For example, 12 semester hours of graduate coursework would calculate to 3 semester hours that can be used to substitute for GS-07 level experience because only 3 hours are in excess of what is required at the GS-0 level (which is 9 semester hours).

You must provide transcripts to use education to qualify for this position.

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.