Seasonal Biological Science Technician (Wildlife-Terrestrial)

Seasonal Biological Science Technician (Wildlife-Terrestrial)

Department: Department of the Interior

Location(s): Yosemite National Park, California

Salary Range: $19.42 - $31.28 Per Hour

Job Summary: This position is located in Yosemite National Park, in the Division of Resource Management and Science. The typical seasonal entry-on-duty period for Yosemite National Park is April-May, but can be variable during these months due to weather conditions, project needs, or funding. Anticipated Entry on Duty: April 2026. Open to the first 250 applicants or until 12/19/2025 whichever comes first. All applications submitted by 11:59 (EST) on the closing day will receive consideration.

Major Duties:

• The Pacific West Region is recruiting for TEMPORARY seasonal positions not to exceed 1039 hours work in a service year. Dates of employment will vary depending on funding, weather conditions, and visitation. Within regulatory limitations, the length of initial appointment may be shortened or extended depending on work availability and funding. Under this announcement, we are accepting applications from: 1. All United States Citizens (U.S. Citizens) 2. CTAP/ICTAP Eligibles. Major Duties: At the GS-05 level: surveying and monitoring a variety of mammals/owls using standardized survey, deploying remote cameras, tracking animals using VHF and GPS technology, collecting and recording observational data, managing data and equipment associated with bat detectors, wildlife cameras, and telemetry receivers, navigating using GPS technology, interacting with the public regarding sensitive wildlife management issues, presenting scientific information to peers and public, training interns and volunteers, entering field data in the office, assisting with other wildlife projects, as needed, working well independently, maintaining equipment and gear, demonstrating excellent problem solving and communication skills. At the GS-06 level: In addition to the duties described at the GS-05 level, the incumbent's duties may include any or all of the following or similar duties: training and organizing field crews, updating and maintaining GIS and Microsoft Access databases or other similar databases, producing maps using GIS, assisting in the preparation of reports, plans, and guidelines. Project reports may include literature search, description of methods, data analysis, preparation of figures and charts, and summary of findings. At the GS-07 level: In addition to the duties described at the GS-05 and GS-06 levels, the incumbent's duties may include any or all of the following or similar duties: being responsible for data management, conducting data analysis using statistical software and/or GIS, scheduling and supervising crews comprising 2 to 4 people. Physical Demands: The work requires physical exertions such as regular and recurring walking, hiking, or climbing over wet, rough, uneven, or rocky surfaces; bending; crouching, stooping, lifting or reaching to observe, collect, or record field data. Heavy items (e.g., equipment and packs up to 50 pounds) must be lifted and carried on a routine basis. Working Conditions: The work is performed in an office or outdoors. The work performed involves regular and recurring exposure to extreme weather conditions and terrain, poisonous plants, biting insects, and wild animals.

Qualifications: All qualifications must be met by 11:59 PM (EST) when the applicant limit is reached which may be sooner than on the closing date of this announcement-12/19/2025. 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. SELECTIVE FACTORS (This experience must be referenced in your resume):1) Positions to be filled via this job announcement require expertise with: following established protocols in data collection, surveying, data management, ability to make decisions in the field based on project training and knowledge of wildlife management and experience with one or more of the following animals: bats, fishers, owls, and peregrine falcons. If you do not demonstrate the required expertise in your resume, you will not receive further consideration for this position.2) Positions to be filled via this job announcement require that the incumbent must be physically capable of working in extreme weather conditions, able to hike, backpack up to 16 miles per day for several days at a time, carry heavy loads weighing at least one-third the person's body weight, camp in the wilderness for extended periods, and demonstrate experience working in remote wilderness settings while performing wildlife studies and support activities. - AND - To qualify for this position at the GS-05 grade level, you must possess at least one of the following minimum qualifications: Successful completion of at least one 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). This experience includes activities such as: assisting wildlife biologists with mammal and/or owl research, conducting mammal/owl surveys using standardized methods, collecting observational data on age, gender, reproductive status, behavior, and habitat use, recording field notes in a well-organized fashion, navigating using a GPS, topographic map, and compass, and assisting in the preparation of reports. Resume must include hours/week worked. -OR- Successful completion of at least four years of progressively higher-level undergraduate coursework leading to a bachelor's degree or equivalent undergraduate degree with major study or at least 24 semester hours in any combination of scientific or technical courses such as wildlife management, biology, ornithology, zoology, or ecology, and must include at least 6 semester hours directly related to wildlife management. Transcripts must be included. -OR- Successful completion of a COMBINATION of education and experience as described above. To combine education and experience, first take the number of semester hours (or equivalent) earned towards a bachelor's degree, in excess of 60 semester hours, and divide by 60 semester hours (or 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. Transcripts and hours/week worked must be included. To qualify for the position at the GS-06 grade level, you must meet one of the following minimum qualifications: Successful completion of at least one year of specialized experience comparable in scope and responsibility to the GS-05 grade level in the Federal service (obtained in either the public or private sectors). This experience includes activities such as: assisting wildlife biologists with mammal/owl research, conducting standardized surveys, and collecting data on terrestrial wildlife (e.g., bats, fisher, Sierra Nevada Red Fox, and spotted owl), entering and managing data, organizing, and maintaining field gear, and assisting with the coordination of field schedules. Resume must include hours/week worked. -OR- Successful completion of at least one year of directly related graduate education leading to a master's degree or equivalent graduate degree with a major study in a related field such as wildlife management, biology, ornithology, zoology, or ecology. Transcripts must be included. -OR- Successful completion of a COMBINATION of education and experience as described above. To combine education and experience, first take the number of semester hours (or equivalent) earned towards a graduate degree and divide by 18 semester hours (or 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. Transcripts and hours/week worked must be included. To qualify for the position at the GS-07 grade level, you must meet one of the following minimum qualifications: Successful completion of at least one 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). This experience includes activities such as: assisting wildlife biologists with mammal/owl research, conducting standardized surveys, and collecting data on terrestrial wildlife (e.g., bats, fishers, Sierra Nevada Red Fox, spotted owls), entering and managing data, organizing, and maintaining field gear, assisting professional staff in planning field research and resource monitoring programs, and coordination of field schedules for other staff members. Resume must include hours/week worked. -OR- Successful completion of at least one year of directly related graduate education leading to a master's degree or equivalent graduate degree with a major study in a related field such as wildlife management, biology, ornithology, zoology, or ecology. Transcripts must be included. -OR- Successful completion of a COMBINATION of education and experience as described above. To combine education and experience, first take the number of semester hours (or equivalent) earned towards a graduate degree and divide by 18 semester hours (or 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. Transcripts and hours/week worked must be included. 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.

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 12/19/2025. 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/12847918 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: 2025-12-19