(Seasonal) Biological Science Technician

Summary These positions are located in National Parks of Eastern North Carolina, in the Resource Management and Science Division. The typical seasonal entry-on-duty period is March to April but can be variable during these months due to weather conditions, project needs, or funding. Anticipated Entry on Duty: March 2026. Open to the first 200 applicants or until 12/24/2025 whichever comes first. All applications submitted by 11:59 (EST) on the closing day will receive consideration. Duties Assists in conducting wildlife censuses and surveys and assembles basic information on wildlife populations such as habitat use, nesting success, sex, age structure, seasonal movement, and harvest characteristics. Collects data on condition of forage, range, or streams; and makes preliminary determinations on the cause of problems noted, e.g., predation, drought, overpopulations, toxins. Seeks assistance for situations not covered by instructions or guidelines. Assists in the preparation of reports, plans, and guidelines on such issues as recreational use by collecting and compiling the specified data. Enters and retrieves data from Geographic Information System (GIS) and/or other information management systems. Prepares graphs, charts and illustrations for reports and technical publications using computer software. Utilizes databases to enter and organize collected field data and uses standard statistical methods in the preparation of draft reports; enters and retrieves data from a geographic information system (GIS) and other information management systems; uses a variety of computer software programs to prepare graphs, charts and illustrations for reports and technical publications. Recommends modifications to field activity procedures to accomplish project objectives; prepares draft reports and correspondence relating to field activities and results. Provides logistical support and area orientation for contract or cooperating scientists; and provides technical information to cooperators regarding past and ongoing field activities in their specialty area. Provides advice, assistance, and training to lower graded technicians, volunteers, and/or YCC enrollees in gathering field data, including proper and safe handling of equipment and tools and operation of motorized vehicles. Interacts with visitors, the general public and attends and participates in meetings with landowners, interest groups, and local units of government. Adheres to established control/quality assurance protocols and safety procedures. AREA INFORMATION: The Outer Banks are comprised of several beach destination towns including Manteo, Nags Head, Kill Devil Hills, Kitty Hawk, Buxton, and Ocracoke that host local festivals, markets, and cultural activities. The beaches and Albemarle and Pamlico sounds provide exceptional recreational opportunities such as fishing, surfing, boating, and many other watersports. The Outer Banks has modern conveniences such as grocery stores, retail shopping, banks, a hospital, and many restaurants. The cost of living on the Outer Banks is somewhat expensive as compared to other eastern North Carolina communities. The Outer Banks Chamber of Commerce (www.outerbankschamber.com) and the Outer Banks Visitors Bureau (www.outerbanks.org) websites can provide additional community information. Cape Hatteras National Seashore (www.nps.gov/caha): Cape Hatteras National Seashore was designated as the first National Seashore in the Park Service set aside to preserve and protect natural and cultural resources across ~75 miles of barrier islands. Requirements Conditions of employment U.S. Citizenship required. Appointment subject to background investigation and favorable adjudication. Meet Selective Service Registration Act requirement for males. Selectee will be required to participate in the Direct Deposit Electronics Funds Transfer Program. You will be required to operate a government (or private) motor vehicle as part of your official duties. Prior to your first official motor vehicle operation, and again every year thereafter (or more frequently if management determines such need exists), you will be required to sign an affidavit certifying to your possession of a valid State issued driver's license that is current and has not been revoked, suspended, canceled, or otherwise disqualified in any way to prohibit your operation of a motor vehicle. You will also submit a photocopy of your valid State issued driver's license prior to your first official motor vehicle operation, and again every year, or more frequently if management determines such need exists. Lastly, you may be required to submit (within a State sealed envelope or submitted directly by the State authorities), and at your own expense, all certified driving records from all States that discloses all valid driver's licenses, whether current or past, possessed by you. Please indicate in your application whether you possess a valid State driver's license. You will be required to complete training and operate a four-wheel drive vehicle. You will be required to wear a uniform and comply with the National Park Service uniform standards. A uniform allowance will be provided. You may be required to work evenings, weekends, and holidays. Qualifications All qualifications must be met by the closing date of this announcement-12/24/2025-unless otherwise stated in this vacancy announcement. Credit will be given for all appropriate qualifying experience. To receive credit for experience, your 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. EXPERIENCE: At least one full year of specialized experience comparable in scope and responsibility to the GS-04 grade level in the Federal service (obtained in either the public or private sectors). This experience includes activities such as: work performed in a controlled environment. Examples of qualifying specialized experience include: Research activity or control program work. Nursery work that required the growing and maintenance of plants in a controlled environment. Work comparable to that with a large dairy farm where production records, animal environment, and sanitary conditions were kept in accordance with modern dairy practice. Farming experience that was not performed in a controlled environment, or experience as a laborer who was not responsible for planning and scheduling his/her own work, but only performed assigned tasks, would not qualify as specialized experience. Your resume must include hours worked per week in your prior work experience, or your specialized experience will not be considered, and you will be found not qualified. -OR- EDUCATION: Successful completion of a full 4-year course of study leading to a bachelor's degree with major study or at least 24 semester hours in any combination of courses such as biology, chemistry, statistics, entomology, animal husbandry, botany, physics, agriculture, or mathematics. You must include transcripts in your application package if qualifying on education alone, or you will be found not qualified and removed from consideration. -OR- Successful completion of a combination of education and experience as described above. Examples of how education and experience may be combined include 6 months specialized experience (50 percent) and 90 semester hours of post-high school education (50 percent); or, 9 months specialized experience (75 percent) and 75 semester hours of post-high school education (25 percent) to equal 100 percent of the requirements. You must include transcripts if qualifying on a combination of specialized experience and education, or you will be found not qualified and removed from consideration. 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. ICTAP/CTAP: Current surplus and current or former displaced Federal individuals who have special priority selection rights under the Agency Career Transition Assistance Program (CTAP) or the Interagency Career Transition Assistance Program (ICTAP) must be well qualified for the position to receive consideration for special priority selection. Well qualified means that the applicant meets the following: OPM qualification standards for the position; all selective placement factors, where applicable; special qualifying conditions that OPM has approved for the position, where applicable; is physically qualified with reasonable accommodation, where appropriate to satisfactorily perform the duties of the position upon entry; and is rated by the organization at least at the well qualified level on all competencies. Federal employees seeking CTAP/ICTAP eligibility must submit proof that they meet the requirements of 5 CFR 330.605(2) for CTAP and 5 CFR 330.704 for ICTAP. This includes a copy of the agency notice, a copy of their most recent Performance Rating, and a copy of their most recent SF-50 noting current position, grade level, and duty location. Please annotate your application to reflect that you are applying as a CTAP/ICTAP eligible. If you are selected for Federal employment, you will be required to fill out a Declaration of Federal Employment, OF-306, prior to being appointed to determine your suitability for Federal employment and to authorize a background investigation. Failing to answer all questions truthfully and completely or providing false statements on your application may be grounds for not hiring you, or for firing you after you begin work. Also, you may be punished by fine or imprisonment (U.S. Code, Title 18, section 1001). Education To qualify based on education, you must submit a legible copy of transcripts from an accredited institution with your name, school name, credit hours, course level, major(s), and grade-point average or class ranking. Transcripts do not need to be official, but if you are selected for this position and you used your education to qualify, you must provide official transcripts before you begin work. If you are using education completed in foreign colleges or universities to meet qualification requirements, you must show that your education credentials have been evaluated by a private organization that specializes in interpretation of foreign education programs and such education has been deemed equivalent to that gained in an accredited U.S. education program; or full credit has been given for the courses at a U.S. accredited college or university. Additional information Government housing may be available. A selectee receiving a first appointment to the Federal Government (Civil Service) is entitled only to the lowest step of the grade for which selected. The display of a salary range on this vacancy shall not be construed as granting an entitlement to a higher rate of pay. This announcement may be used to fill additional positions if identical vacancies occur within 90 days of the issue date of the referral certificate. Non-Competitive Rehire Eligibility: Temporary seasonal employees can only maintain their non-competitive rehire eligibility if they work no more than a combined total of Temporary NTE less than 1040 hours anywhere in the National Park Service (NPS) within their established service year. Accordingly, non-competitive rehire eligibility allows for re-appointment to the same position or another position appropriate for temporary appointment with the same qualification requirements (5 CFR 316.402[b][7]), based on series and grade, anywhere in the major subdivision (NPS). If you have held a temporary seasonal appointment in the past 12 months and have already worked the maximum temporary appointment less than 1040 hours during that period, you are still welcome to apply. However, please be aware that exceeding the limit of 1040 hours in your established service year will result in the loss of your non-competitive rehire eligibility. The limit can be exceeded by working multiple temporary seasonal positions that result in a combined total greater than 1040 hours. The limit also can be exceeded by working a single temporary seasonal appointment that exceeds 1040 hours, unless granted an exception by OPM. Employment may be terminated at any time due to fluctuations in funding levels, project needs, employee performance, or other considerations. Physical Demands: The work is partially sedentary with prolonged standing, walking, and bending often required. Heavy items (e.g., packs and equipment up to 50 pounds) must be lifted and carried on a routine basis. Working Conditions: The work is performed in an office, laboratory, and in the field. Field work includes exposure to extreme weather conditions and terrain, pesticides, poisonous plants, biting insects, and wild animals. Laboratory work may involve exposure to hazardous chemicals. Candidates should be committed to improving the efficiency of the Federal government, passionate about the ideals of our American republic, and committed to upholding the rule of law and the United States Constitution. Benefits A career with the U.S. government provides employees with a comprehensive benefits package. As a federal employee, you and your family will have access to a range of benefits that are designed to make your federal career very rewarding. Opens in a new windowLearn more about federal benefits. Review our benefits Eligibility for benefits depends on the type of position you hold and whether your position is full-time, part-time or intermittent. Contact the hiring agency for more information on the specific benefits offered.