Seasonal Biological Science Technician (Plants)

Seasonal Biological Science Technician (Plants)

Department: Department of the Interior

Location(s): Anchorage, Alaska, Denali Park, Alaska, Fairbanks, Alaska, Port Alsworth, Alaska, Seward, Alaska, Skagway, Alaska

Salary Range: $21.85 - $35.19 Per Hour

Job Summary: These positions are temporary and may not exceed 1039 hours (six months) in a service year. They may be terminated sooner or extended depending on management needs. Positions may not be filled at every duty station. Selectees may be moved between duty stations within park boundaries. Open to the first 350 applicants or until 12/12/2025 whichever comes first. All applications submitted by 11:59 (EST) on the closing day will receive consideration.

Major Duties:

• The parks and duty stations hiring for these positions are below, as is each park's anticipated seasonal period. The typical seasonal period may vary during these months due to weather conditions, project needs, or funding. Anticipated Entry on Duty: April/May 2026. Alaska Regional Office (Anchorage): May - October. Denali National Park & Preserve (Denali Park): April/May - September. Kenai Fjords National Park (Seward): April - September. Klondike Gold Rush National Historical Park (Skagway): April - September. Southwest Alaska Network (Port Alsworth): May - October. Yukon-Charley Rivers National Preserve & Gates of the Arctic National Park & Preserve (Fairbanks): April/May - September/October. As a GS-05 Biological Science Technician (Plants), you will work under the direct supervision of experienced staff at all times as a crew member for the vegetation monitoring program. Duties typically include: Assisting with collection of vegetation and environmental data in permanent plots in a variety of settings. Taking detailed data on vegetation communities and assist with data entry using multiple software platforms. Measuring tree diameters and heights and using traditional forest mensuration methods. Assisting with photo documentation of long-term monitoring plots using digital cameras and using transect, quadrat and other methodologies to compile field data. Participating with special projects including forest disturbance, fuels inventories, wetland studies, alpine monitoring, and invasive plant management. Some positions may have a focus on invasive plant management, which includes the use of herbicide. As a GS-06 Biological Science Technician (Plants), you will occasionally work under the direct supervision of experienced staff for the vegetation monitoring program, performing certain technical tasks independently with minimal supervision. Duties typically include: Making voucher collections and taking detailed data on vegetation communities and assisting with data entry using multiple software platforms. Working with less experienced staff to collect tree cores from the permanent plots. Independently perform photo documentation of long-term monitoring plots using digital cameras. Using transect, quadrat and other methodologies to compile field data. Measuring tree diameters and heights, using traditional forest mensuration methods. Participating with special projects including forest disturbance, fuels inventories, wetland studies, alpine monitoring, and invasive plant management. Assist less experienced field staff as needed. Some positions may have a focus on invasive plant management, which includes the use of herbicide. As a GS-07 Biological Science Technician (Plants), you will provide leadership for the field vegetation monitoring crew while working under the direct supervision of the program leader in lab and office situations. Duties typically include: Collecting vegetation and environmental data in permanent plots. Preparing reports and summaries of collected field data. Performing detailed data entry and extracting data using multiple software platforms. Working with less experienced staff, providing guidance and leadership for field studies. Training others on how to measure tree diameters, tree heights, and orients staff on traditional forest mensuration methods. Assisting with special projects including forest disturbance, fuels inventories, wetland studies, alpine monitoring, and invasive plant management. Some positions may have a focus on invasive plant management, which includes the use of herbicide. For all grades, GS-05, GS-06, and GS-07: Performing work in demanding field conditions which include carrying a heavy backpack and field sampling equipment over steep and uneven terrain for including long periods and overnight camping in inclement weather and in areas with brown or black bears. Please visit find a park for additional park information. 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.

Qualifications: All qualifications must be met by the closing date of this announcement-12/12/2025-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 number of hours worked per week, full-time, or part-time. If you indicate part-time, you MUST indicate the number of hours worked per week so that your qualifying experience can be prorated for credit. 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: SPECIALIZED EXPERIENCE: At least one year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-04 level in the Federal service (obtained in either the public or private sector). Specialized experience is experience that equipped the applicant with the particular knowledge, skills, and abilities needed to successfully perform the duties of this position. Examples of specialized experience may include: assisting resource specialists in data collection and report preparation; identifying and/or collecting vascular and non-vascular (lichens, bryophytes) plants in the field; using a variety of software to compile, summarize and report information; and communicating the results of field studies through technical reports and/or oral presentations. You must include the number of hours worked per week within your resume. -OR- EDUCATION: Successful completion of at least four years of education above high school (120 semester hours, 180 quarter hours, or equivalent) leading to a bachelor's degree with a major study in a related field of scientific or technical study, such as in biology, chemistry, statistics, entomology, animal husbandry, botany, physics, agriculture, mathematics, or other directly-related subject matter; or at least 24 semester hours in any combination of courses such as those shown above. At least 6 semester hours must be directly related to Botany. You must submit a copy of your transcripts. -OR- A COMBINATION OF EXPERIENCE AND EDUCATION as described above: To combine education and experience, first take the number of semester hours, or equivalent, earned, in excess of the first 60 semester hours (90 quarter hours), or equivalent, and divide by 60 (or 90), or the equivalent. Take the number of months of full-time experience and divide by 12 months. Add the two percentages together. The total must equal at least 100 percent to qualify. You must submit a copy of your transcripts and include hours worked per week in your resume. To qualify for this position at the GS-06 grade level, you must possess the following minimum qualifications by close of the announcement: SPECIALIZED EXPERIENCE: At least one year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-05 level in the federal service (obtained in either the public or private sector). Specialized experience is experience that equipped the applicant with the particular knowledge, skills and abilities needed to successfully perform the duties of this position. Examples of specialized experience may include: planning field projects and collecting and summarizing field data; using taxonomic keys to identify vascular and non-vascular plants in the field; using compound and dissecting microscopes and taxonomic keys to identify vascular and non-vascular species in the lab; collecting and preparing herbarium-quality specimens of vascular and non-vascular plants; operating and maintaining equipment (e.g., data loggers, dendrometers) used in vegetation monitoring; using a variety of software to compile, summarize and report information; and providing information to other employees and visitors about the natural resources programs. You must include the number of hours worked per week within your resume. 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: SPECIALIZED EXPERIENCE: At least one year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-06 level in the federal service (obtained in either the public or private sector). Specialized experience is experience that equipped the applicant with the particular knowledge, skills and abilities needed to successfully perform the duties of this position. Examples of specialized experience may include: planning field projects and collecting and summarizing field data; using taxonomic keys to identify vascular and non-vascular (lichens, bryophytes) in the field; using compound and dissecting microscopes and taxonomic keys to identify vascular and non-vascular species in the lab; collecting and preparing large numbers of herbarium-quality specimens of vascular and non-vascular plants; preparing draft project reports; installing, operating, and maintaining equipment (e.g., data loggers, dendrometers) used in vegetation monitoring; using a variety of software to compile, summarize and report information; and providing information to other employees and visitors about the natural resources programs. You must include the number of hours worked per week within your resume. -OR- EDUCATION: Successful completion of at least one full year (18 semester hours, 27 quarter hours, or equivalent) of graduate level course work, that is directly related to the work of the position from an accredited college or university. Examples of directly related studies include scientific or technical study, such as botany, plant physiology, plant anatomy, plant taxonomy or related courses in the field of plant biology. You must submit a copy of your transcripts. -OR- A COMBINATION OF EXPERIENCE AND EDUCATION as described above: To combine education and experience, first take the number of semester hours, or equivalent, earned towards a graduate degree that are directly related to the work of the position, and divide by 18 semester hours (27 quarter hours), or the equivalent. Then take the number of months of full-time experience and divide by 12 months. Add the percentages together. The total must equal at least 100 percent to qualify. You must submit transcripts and include hours worked per week in your resume. Volunteer 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.

How to Apply: To apply for this position: You must complete the occupational questionnaire and submit the documentation specified in the Required Documents section below. To receive consideration, the complete application package must be submitted by 11:59 PM (EST) on 12/12/2025. You must provide documentation to support your claim for each eligibility selected. Please review the required documentation listed in the eligibilities language to ensure you submit the appropriate information. Note: You will only be marked eligible for those eligibilities that you selected and provided the appropriate supporting documentation. WE DO NOT ACCEPT HARD-COPY OR E-MAIL APPLICATION PACKAGES. Select Apply. If you are not logged in, you will be prompted to login or create an account. Prompted to Start the Application Process by selecting "Start Application." Click here for USAJobs Help with "How to create an application" To PREVIEW the application questionnaire, select the following link: https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/12828241 Select or add the resume you want to use for this application. Click here on how to build a resume in USAJOBS. Select documents you want included in this application. Review package to acknowledge your documents were reviewed. Select if you want to include your demographic information. After reading and certifying the application is true and submitted in good faith, select "Continue to Agency Site." Follow onscreen prompts and instructions to complete your application. Add the supporting documents by indexing your documents with the dropdown. Upload any missing required documents or optional documents. Review and Submit Application. While logged in, you can check the status of your application by selecting "+" next to the job title for this position. You can review or revise your application at any point during the open period of the announcement. To update an application, you should log into your USAJOBS account and select "+" next to the job title for this position. Select "Update Application" for this job. Note: When you click Update Application, you will be prompted to re-select your documents from USAJOBS. Documents submitted with the first application will no longer be associated with the applicant record. So it is important that you select all documents you want to use in the re-application.

Application Deadline: 2025-12-12