FUL Seasonal Biological Science Technician

Full Job Description

The purpose of the position is to perform routine and uncomplicated biological science tasks common to natural resource management.

All qualifications must be met by the closing date of this announcement-04/20/2026-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 qualified specialized experience.

To qualify for this position at the GS-05 grade level, you must possess at least one or all of the following minimum qualifications by close of the announcement: EXPERIENCE: Have one (1) year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-04 level in the federal service.

Specialized experience for Biological Technician GS-05 is that experience which demonstrates that you have the knowledge, skills, and abilities to perform the duties of this position Examples of qualifying specialized experience include conducting biological field studies and surveys and assembling the information.

Follow standardized procedures to collect data on Wildlife, Fisheries, or Plants. Use statistical methods and procedures to perform testing of field data collected.

Installs, operates, and maintains resource management equipment (tools, sampling and monitoring, photographic, and laboratory equipment) prepares graphs, charts, and illustrations for reports and technical publications relating to biological management activities.

You must include start/end dates and hours worked per week.

-OR- EDUCATION: Have successfully completed a full four (4) year course of study leading to a bachelor's degree with major study or at least 24 semester hours in any combination of scientific or technical courses such as biology, chemistry, statistics, entomology, animal husbandry, botany, physics, agriculture or mathematics.

At least six (6) semester hours are directly related to the position such as botany, forest ecology, silviculture, plant ecology, as wildlife biology, zoology, ornithology etc.

you MUST submit a copy of your transcripts.

IMPORTANT - PLEASE NOTE: If you are using education to qualify you must document your course work and/or degree completed in your resume or other application materials you submit.

You must submit a copy of your transcripts that identifies for each course the college or university, semester or quarter hours earned, grade received, and date completed.

If you are qualifying based on education and you do not submit specific course work information as described previously, your application will be rated not qualified for consideration.

(A copy of your official transcripts will be required before entrance on duty, if selected).

-OR- COMBINATION: Have a combination of specialized experience as described above and education as described above which total 100 percent.

Only education beyond the 60 semester hours above high school is considered qualifying when combined with specialized experience.

Thirty semester hours beyond the first 60 is equivalent to 6 months of specialized experience.

For example, 6 month of specialized experience (50% of the specialized experience requirement) and 90 semester hours with at least 12 semester hours related to the position and three (3) hours directly related to the position (50 % of the education requirement) would be considered qualifying.

You MUST submit a copy of your transcripts. You must include start/end dates and hours worked per week.

NOTE: If you are qualifying based in part, upon education, you MUST submit a copy of your transcripts.

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. Major Duties:

Performs routine and recurring testing of collected samples. Records all data collected and provides preliminary assessment and classification of the information.

Makes field observations of natural resource conditions. Assists in the preparation of reports, plans, and guidelines. Installs, operates, and maintains resource management equipment.

Utilizes a variety of computer programs to compile, reduce, store, retrieve, analyze, and report data. Uses mechanical and chemical methods to control invasive plants.

The selectee assists in conducting surveys and research on a variety of plants and animals, some of which are exotic or rare, threatened or endangered, and will make field observations of natural resource conditions.

Assist in the preparation of resource inventories and management plans.

The selectee will utilize resource management equipment such as 4-wheel drive vehicles, canoe, digital camera, Global Positioning System, and Geographic Information System technology.

Also, computer software programs to enter and summarize field data in concise graphic and written form.

Much of the field work will be accomplished from canoe, kayak and competence in the use of 4-wheel drive vehicles.

Selectee will assist park staff in natural resource management tasks such as invasive plant management, trail maintenance, and mowing to ensure that park natural resources and properties are well-maintained.

Ability to work as a member of a team and work independently is necessary.

The GS-05 Biological Science Technician will also assist in leading and mentoring the GS-04 Biological Science Technician and the student trainee in field and office activities.

Area Information: Missouri National Recreational River The Missouri National Recreational River consists of 126 river miles broken into four sections, two different segments of the Missouri River, the lower 20 miles of Niobrara River, and the lower eight miles of Verdigre Creek.

Missouri National Recreational River (MNRR) also consists of approximately 1,500 acres of land broken into five distinct properties which includes: three islands, one riverside property, and a scenic overlook.

MNRR is a part of the National Wild and Scenic Rivers System and unit of the National Park Service. Boating to and from the islands and along the river corridors is a recreational draw to the area.

Additionally, camping, hiking, wildlife viewing, and scenic vistas along the river corridor and in the NPS areas are recreational highlights.

Being on or around the river is a regular activity for the staff of MNRR. The headquarters building and park office are located in Yankton South Dakota.