Seasonal Biological Science Technician (Wildlife)

Full Job Description

NOTE: OPM has identified this position as eligible for an exception to the typical 1039-hour season.

This exception allows up to 1560 hours which may extend the season(s) reflected in this announcement. See the Additional Information section for details.

The typical season for this position is April - September but can be variable during these months due to weather conditions, project needs, or funding. The anticipated entry on duty is April 2026.

All qualifications must be met by the closing date of this announcement 02/27/2026 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 paragraphs.

Areas considered "near" Denali National Park and Preserve include only: Anderson, Cantwell, Chulitna, Clear, Curry, Denali Park, Ferry, Healy, Kantishna, Lake Minchumina, McKinley Village, Nenana, Nikolai, Petersville, Talkeetna, Tanana, Telida, and Trapper Creek.

-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: GS-05 grade level: 1) Ability to make field observations of natural resource conditions in remote field locations.

2) Skill with computer and personal device use and associated software programs.

3) Ability to recognize, record, and adapt to unusual conditions or data encountered in the normal course of field or laboratory work. 4) Ability to prepare field trip reports.

5) Ability to communicate effectively (interpersonal skills). 6) Skill ensuring adequate quality control of data collected.

GS-07 grade level: 1) Knowledge of the principles and practices of wildlife biology and wildlife management. 2) Ability to communicate effectively (interpersonal skills).

3) Skill with computer use and with computer software programs.

4) Knowledge of standard Geographic Information Systems (GIS) and Global Positioning Systems (GPS) procedures and other data management systems relating to natural resource management activities.

Major Duties:

If selected, you will work as a Biological Science Technician at Denali National Park and Preserve.

Duties of the position include but are not limited to the following: Assist professional staff in implementing wildlife and vehicle traffic inventory and monitoring programs related to a variety of possible species including seabirds, water birds, passerine birds, small mammals, ungulates, bears, and raptors in the front country and the remote backcountry areas of Denali National Park and Preserve.

Assist in planning, logistical arrangements, field work, data entry and result summarization.

Selectee(s) will typically be stationed in the front country, but may be expected to live in primitive, remote backcountry camps in remote portions of the park for up to 10 days at a time for travel, collecting natural resource data.

Work will include field surveys to document and assess vehicle presence and behavior, animal presence, abundance, reproduction, management issues, and population dynamics in various areas of the park using established protocols and standard equipment (including GPS).

Field work may include long days making observations from a government vehicle or public bus.

The incumbent will use computer software applications (e.g., Microsoft Access, Excel, Word, ArcGIS, Pathfinder Office, etc.) to store, retrieve, manage and analyze data, generate maps, and assist with creating reports and recommendations for natural resources projects.

Duties at the GS-07 grade level include the duties listed above and the following: Surveys for amphibians, birds (including seabirds, shorebirds, raptors, land birds, etc.), or mammals (bears, wolves, marine mammals, etc.).

Participates in planning, managing, conducting, analyzing data and writing reports on a variety of wildlife oriented biological survey, monitoring and research activities.

Performs a wide variety of complex biological science technical support functions under the supervision of a professional specialist.

Plans study design and field sampling schemes, logistical arrangements, leading field work, data entry and analysis and completing reports or other documents related to the project.

Wildlife surveys, GPS mapping, GIS data management, map production, weather data collection, water quality data collection, data entry, managing and manipulating digital images and web or journal based research and training other employees and volunteers to efficiently conduct these tasks.

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