Seasonal Physical Science Technician (Paleontology)

Full Job Description

The primary purpose of these positions is to perform routine and uncomplicated physical science technical tasks that support the organization's paleontology function.

AGFO - Agate Fossil Beds National Monument, Harrison, Nebraska BADL - Badlands National Park, Interior, South Dakota All qualifications must be met by the closing date of this announcement-02/03/2026-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 of qualified specialized experience.

To qualify for this position at the GS-05 grade level, you must possess at least one of the following minimum qualifications by close of the announcement: 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).

Specialized experience is that experience which demonstrates that you have the knowledge, skills, and abilities to perform the duties of this position.

This experience includes activities such as Participating in paleontological excavations; Documenting field work; and Preparing fossil specimens. You must include hours per week worked.

-OR- EDUCATION: Successful completion of at least 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 paleontology, geology, sedimentology or applicable physical science coursework etc. You must include your transcripts.

-OR- COMBINATION: Successful completion of a combination of education and experience as described above.

Only education beyond the first 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 months 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.

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

To qualify for this position at the GS-07 grade level, you must possess at least one of the following minimum qualifications by close of the announcement: EXPERIENCE: At least one full year of specialized experience comparable in scope and responsibility to the GS-06 grade level in the Federal service (obtained in either the public or private sectors).

Specialized experience is that experience which demonstrates that you have the knowledge, skills, and abilities to perform the duties of this position.

This experience includes activities such as collecting data and drafting reports for paleontological research or resource management; collecting and analyzing paleontological monitoring data; and recording paleontological data using GPS or similar equipment.

-OR- EDUCATION: Successful completion of at least one year of directly related graduate-level education (18 semester hours or 27 quarter hours) in fields such as paleontology, geophysics, and/or geology.

You must include your transcripts.-OR- COMBINATION: A combination of specialized experience and graduate education that when combined equal 100% of the minimum requirements.

For example, six (6) months specialized experience 50%, and nine (9) semesters of graduate education directly related or 50% and when combined equal 100%.

To combine education and experience, first take the amount of completed graduate level education and convert it to a percentage of the full requirement.

Then take the number of months of full-time experience and divide it by 12 months. Add the percentages together. The total must equal at least 100 percent to qualify.

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:

Major Duties may include but are not limited to the following: GS-05 Consolidate and prepare fossil specimens under a microscope, adaptively using manual, electrical, and air-powered tools.

Produce accurate stratigraphic columns from field observations and personal notes. Use aerial photos, topographic maps, and global positioning equipment (GPS) in support of paleontological field work.

Assist Lab Manager with housing and cataloging fossil specimens. Speak to the public about paleontologic and geologic resources in the park.

GS-07 Consolidate and prepare fossil specimens under a microscope, adaptively using manual, electrical, and air-powered tools.

Draft technical reports and synthesize information for review by senior resource leadership or qualified paleontologists.

Assist Museum Curator or Museum Technician with accessioning, housing, and cataloging fossil specimens into the park museum collection.

Work with park interpretation staff to develop paleontology programs and make presentations for the public on park paleontology.

Assist with the documentation and mitigation of paleontological localities through the use of aerial photos, topographic maps, and global positioning equipment (GPS).

Agate Fossil Beds National Monument Badlands National Park GOVERNMENT HOUSING MAY BE AVAILABLE