Seasonal Physical Science Technician

Full Job Description

The purpose of the position is to perform routine and uncomplicated physical science technical tasks in the physical sciences.

All qualifications must be met by the closing date of this announcement-01/30/2026-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. Quality Ranking Factor: Ideal candidates will have experience in off-trail caving.

Off-trail caving experience is any travel into an underdeveloped (no lighting system, improved walkways, handrails, stairs, etc.) cave or portion of a larger cave.

This may include purposes such as survey, exploration, scientific, recreation, or as a guide for an off-trail cave tour.

It is vital that the selectee is comfortable and capable of being in the cave environment for extended periods of time. Experience must be documented in the resume if claiming this experience.

Candidates who claim this experience and provide supporting documentation in resume will be ranked higher than candidates who do not have this 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 demonstrates the knowledge, skills, and abilities to successfully perform the duties of a Physical Science Technician.

Examples of qualifying specialized experience include work in the fields of astronomy, physics, geophysics, chemistry, hydrology, health physics, engineering, geology, oceanography, and metallurgy.

Experience as a laboratory mechanic or in a trade or craft may be credited if the work was performed in close association with physical scientists or other technical personnel and provided intensive knowledge of appropriate scientific principles, methods, techniques, and precedents.

-OR- EDUCATION: Successful completion of at least a full four 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 physical science, chemistry, geology, paleontology, geophysics, oceanography, hydrology, physics, atmospheric science, soil science, engineering, or any branch of mathematics, except financial and commercial mathematics.

You must include transcripts. -OR- COMBINATION: A combination of specialized experience and education as described above which total at least one year.

For example, 6 months of specialized experience (50% of the specialized experience) and three years of education above high school (50% of the education) would qualify an applicant for this position.

Only education in excess of the first 60 semester hours (i.e. beyond the second year) is creditable toward meeting the specialized experience requirement.

One full academic year of study beyond the second year is equivalent to 6 months of specialized experience.

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: Participating in survey trips into Wind Cave. Assisting in collecting samples or data for research projects.

Assisting with routine cave monitoring activities, including photo documentation and collecting environmental data.

Assisting with cave restoration projects including algae, lint, and dust mitigation projects.

Assisting with air quality monitoring, hydrological data collection and monitoring, bat surveys, and other physical science projects.

Area Information: The duty location of this position is in the Resource Management Division at Wind Cave National Park, Hot Springs, SD.

The 33,970-acre park includes the sixth longest cave in the world with app. 150 miles of surveyed passages and numerous backcountry caves.

Approximately 70% of the park is mixed-grass prairie with the remaining area Ponderosa pine forest.

Numerous wildlife are found in the park including bison, elk, mule deer, pronghorn, black-footed ferrets, prairie dogs, and coyotes. Wind Cave National Park GOVERNMENT HOUSING MAY BE AVAILABLE