Physical Scientist

US National Park Service; Copper Center (AK); On-site; USD 52,000 - 74,000; Full time

Job summary

US National Park Service in Wrangell-St. Elias National Park (Copper Center, AK) seeks qualified applicants for a career-seasonal position focused on natural resource management.

The role emphasizes field knowledge of geology, hydrology, and related competencies, with emphasis on attention to detail and clear communication to diverse audiences. Selected candidates will work a mid-June to late May schedule and undergo a 2-year trial period, with ongoing evaluation of performance.

Qualifications

• Special knowledge or expertise concerning the park's or preserve's natural and/or cultural resources and the management thereof.
• Local knowledge of Wrangell-St. Elias resources and the conditions affecting work.
• Competencies include Geology, Hydrology, Communication, and Mine Safety and Health.

Skills

Geology

Hydrology

Attention to Detail

Communication

Mine Safety and Health

Job description

This position is located within the Department of the Interior, National Park Service, Wrangell-St. Elias National Park in Copper Center, AK.

Career-Seasonal appointments are permanent positions and include the same benefits as permanent appointments, but do not provide work on a year-round basis. You will work for approximately mid-June through late May, and you will be in a non-pay status for the remainder of the year.

Requirements Continued...

As a condition of employment for accepting this position, you will be required to serve a 2-year trial period during which your fitness and whether your continued employment advances the public interest will be evaluated.

This trial period is an extension of the appointment process and therefore requires the agency to determine if continued employment would advance the public interest, meet the organization goals and mission of the agency, and/or otherwise promote the efficiency of the service. In determining if your employment advances the public interest, the agency will consider:

• your performance and conduct;
• the needs and interests of the agency;
• whether your continued employment would advance organizational goals of the agency or the Government; and
• whether your continued employment would advance the efficiency of the Federal service.

Under applicable law, the employment of an individual serving a probationary or trial period automatically terminates when that period ends unless the agency affirmatively certifies, in writing, that the individual's employment should continue and that their appointment should be finalized. In the absence of agency action to affirmatively certify continued employment beyond the probationary or trial period, such appointments are terminated.

Upon completion of your trial your employment will be terminated unless you receive certification, in writing, that your continued employment advances the public interest.

Qualifications:

All qualifications must be met by the closing date of this announcement-10/06/2026-unless otherwise stated in this vacancy announcement.

ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS:

Special knowledge or expertise concerning the park's or preserve's natural and/or cultural resources and the management thereof is required. Local knowledge of the resources and the typical conditions that affect the work to be accomplished will be applied in the performance of duties.

-AND-

To be eligible your application package must clearly show periods of time having lived or worked in or near the area of consideration. The area of consideration can be found in the below paragraph:

Areas considered "near" Wrangell-St. Elias National Park and Preserve are Chisana, Chistochina, Chitina, Copper Center, Dot Lake, Gakona, Gakona Junction, Glennallen, Gulkana, Healy Lake, Kenny Lake, Long Lake, Lower & Upper Tonsina, McCarthy, Mendeltna, Mentasta Lake, Nabesna, Nelchina, Northway/Northway Village, Northway Junction, Slana, Tanacross, Tazlina, Tetlin, Tok, Tonsina and Yakutat.

-ALSO-

The following are the competencies identified for this position. Applicants are not required to address these competencies in a separate document but are encouraged to include in their resumes experience related to these competencies:

1. Geology - Knowledge of the concepts, principles, and theories of the origins and structure of the earth and other planetary bodies, including the physical forces that have shaped it and its physical and organic history.
2. Attention to Detail - Is thorough when performing work and conscientious about attending to detail.
3. Hydrology - Knowledge of the concepts, principles, theories, and methods related to the magnitude, distribution, and quality of water resources including watershed management, climatology, geomorphology, groundwater hydrology, water quality, water resource management, and groundwater/surface water interactions.
4. Communication - Expresses information (for example, ideas or facts) to individuals or groups effectively, considering the audience and nature of the information (for example, technical, sensitive, controversial).
5. Mine Safety and Health - Knowledge of mine safety and health principles and practices, techniques and procedures, regulations, and standards as they apply to conducting inspections/investigations, identifying and evaluating unsafe conditions, and recommending methods to correct unsafe conditions.

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.