Biological Science Technician (Seasonal)

Clarification from the agency

Open to all U.S. Citizens. ICTAP/CTAP eligibles.

• Participates in the planning and implementation of complex marine and coastal ecological restoration projects, including coral reef, seagrass, coastal forest, and other habitat restoration activities.
• Provides technical support for project coordination, scheduling, logistics, and field operations.
• Conducts biological monitoring, surveys, and resource assessments using established scientific protocols to evaluate marine species, habitat conditions, ecosystem relationships, invasive species, and impacts from disturbances such as storms, vessel groundings, disease, and marine debris.
• Implements restoration activities using established methods and techniques, including coral salvage and outplanting, coral propagation, seagrass restoration and monitoring, invasive species removal, native vegetation planting, and marine debris removal.
• Collects, manages, analyzes, and summarizes biological data; performs quality assurance and quality control of field data; and prepares technical reports, data summaries, and other documentation to support resource management decisions.
• Evaluates field conditions, identifies resource concerns, and recommends management actions based on established protocols, scientific guidance, and park resource management plans.
• Conducts extensive field activities using SCUBA, snorkeling, boats, and other specialized equipment in support of marine resource monitoring, restoration, and protection activities.

Conditions of employment

• U.S. Citizenship required.
• Appointment subject to background investigation and favorable adjudication.
• Males must meet Selective Service Registration Act requirement.
• Selectee will be required to participate in the Direct Deposit Electronics Funds Transfer Program.
• You will be required to submit to a drug test and receive a negative drug test result prior to appointment. In addition, this position is subject to random testing for illegal drug use.
• You will be required to submit to and pass a physical examination required for NPS Blue Card (diving) certification prior to appointment.
• You will be required to operate a government (or private) motor vehicle as part of your official duties; a valid driver's license is required. You will be required to submit a Motor Vehicle Operator's License and Driving Record. You must also submit (within a State sealed envelope or submitted directly by the State authorities), and at your own expense, all certified driving records from all States that disclose all valid driver's licenses, whether current or past, possessed by you.
• You may be required to complete training and operate a four-wheel drive vehicle.
• You will be required to wear a uniform and comply with the National Park Service uniform standards. A uniform allowance will be provided.
• You may be required to work on-call, evenings, weekends, holidays, overtime and shift work.
• You may be required to travel overnight away from home occasionally. You must obtain a government charge card for travel purposes.
• You will be required to obtain and maintain a NPS Blue Card (diving certification). In order to obtain and maintain a NPS Blue Card you will need to be able to complete the following:
  • Swim 25 yards underwater without swim aids.
  • Swim 400 yards without swim aids within 15-minute time limit. Kick on the surface 330 yards while wearing scuba gear, but not breathing from scuba unit.
  • Swim 900 yards within 18 minutes, using mask, fins and snorkel and any stroke.
  • Surface dive without swim aids to least 10 feet and recover an object.
  • Without swim aids, perform an in-water swimming rescue of a swimmer and transport a distance of 25 yards.
  • Tread water for 10 minutes, or 2 minutes without the use of hands/arms, without swim aids.
  • Complete a simulated emergency swimming ascent.
• You must be able to lift and carry up to 50 lbs.

Qualifications

All qualifications must be met by the closing date of this announcement-08/11/2026-unless otherwise stated in this vacancy announcement.

Credit will be given for all appropriate qualifying experience. To receive credit for experience, your 2 page 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. Resumes must not exceed two single-sided pages and resumes longer than two pages will not be accepted. You may only submit one resume. Only the document submitted as the "Resume" under the Documents section will be used to determine your qualifications/eligibility and for rating purposes. In the event you submit more than one resume, only the latest submission will be reviewed.

In order to qualify for this position, you must possess both the Selective Factors and Minimum Qualification.

SELECTIVE FACTORS:

Selective Factor 1: This position requires Motorboat Operator Certification Course (MOCC) or equivalent and substantial experience operating vessels (up to 28' in length) in open water marine environments. You must submit documentation of how you meet this requirement, such as photocopies of certifications and descriptions of experience in your resume. -AND-

Selective Factor: This position requires advanced open water SCUBA certification and also requires that you have completed at least 50 scientific and/or commercial dives. You must submit copies of certification cards and dive logs displaying complete information for each dive to demonstrate that you meet this requirement.

MINIMUM QUALIFICTION:

To qualify for this position at the GS-09 grade level, you must possess one of the following:

A. Specialized Experience: One year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-08 grade level in the Federal Service (obtained in either the public or private sectors ) that demonstrates experience independently conducting and coordinating marine or aquatic resource monitoring and stewardship activities; applying scientific protocols for biological surveys, habitat assessments, restoration projects, and resource protection efforts; analyzing and interpreting ecological data; managing field data collection efforts; and preparing technical documentation to inform resource management decisions. Examples of specialize experience includes adapting sampling methods to field conditions, resolving logistical and scientific challenges, coordinating with partners or project teams, and contributing to the implementation of complex natural resource programs.-OR-

B. Education: Two full academic years of graduate education or possess a master's degree in a field directly related to the work of the position, such as biology, ecology, environmental science, marine biology, marine ecology, or other directly related coursework. You must provide transcripts.-OR-

C. Combination: Successful completion of a combination of specialized experience and education, as described above, that when combined equal 100% of the minimum qualification requirement for the GS-09 level. Only graduate education in excess of the amount required for the next lower grade level can be combined with the appropriate level of experience to qualify applicants. For example, if a school's requirement for 1 year of graduate study is 18 semester hours, only graduate education beyond the first 18 semester hours or 27 quarter hours can be combined with GS-7 level experience to qualify for a GS-9 level position. Thus, 27 semester hours of graduate education and 6 months of GS-7 level experience cannot be combined to qualify for a GS-9 position. You must submit a copy of your transcripts as proof of any claimed education.

Qualifying experience may be obtained in the private or public sectors. The OPM Qualification Standards Handbook is available for review at: OPM Qualification Standards.

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.

ICTAP/CTAP Statement: Current surplus and current or former displaced Federal individuals who have special priority selection rights under the Agency Career Transition Assistance Program (CTAP) or the Interagency Career Transition Assistance Program (ICTAP) must be well qualified for the position to receive consideration for special priority selection. Well qualified means that the applicant meets the following: OPM qualification standards for the position; all selective placement factors, where applicable; special qualifying conditions that OPM has approved for the position, where applicable; is physically qualified with reasonable accommodation, where appropriate to satisfactorily perform the duties of the position upon entry; and is rated by the organization at least at the well qualified level on all competencies.

How you will be evaluated

You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.

A review of your resume and supporting documentation will be made and compared against your responses to the Assessment Questionnaire to determine if you are qualified for this job. If your resume is incomplete or does not support the responses provided in the Assessment Questionnaire, or if you fail to submit all required documentation, you will be rated 'ineligible', 'not qualified', or your score will be adjusted accordingly. If a determination is made that you have inflated your qualifications or experience, you can lose consideration for this position. Please follow all instructions carefully; errors or omissions can affect your rating.

Candidates will be rated and ranked using Category Rating procedures. These procedures place candidates with veterans' preference above non-preference eligibles within each category. Veterans with a service connected disability of at least 10-percent are listed in the highest quality category, except when the position being filled is scientific or professional at the GS-09 grade level or higher. Under Category Rating, candidates will be rated and ranked into one of three categories:

• Best Qualified - applicants possessing experience that substantially exceeds the minimum qualifications of the position including all selective factors and are highly proficient in all requirements of the job and can perform effectively in the position.
• Well Qualified - applicants possessing experience that exceeds the minimum qualifications of the position including all selective factors and are proficient in most of the requirements of the job.
• Qualified - applicants possessing experience that meets the minimum qualifications of the position including all selective factors and are proficient in some, but not all of the requirements of the job.

You will be evaluated on the following competencies:

• Ecology
• Flexibility
• Planning and Evaluating
• Research
• Teamwork
• Technical Competence

Overstating your qualifications and/or experience in your application materials or application questionnaire may result in your removal from consideration. Cheating on the online assessment may also result in your removal from consideration.

ALL required documentation must be submitted to receive full consideration for eligibilities and veterans' preference selected.

The following documents are required and must be submitted by 11:59 PM (EST) on 08/11/2026:

1. Your 2-page resume which includes a list of all significant jobs held and duties performed, dates specified in month and year format, 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. If military or civilian, please include your rank and/or grade. If you do not include hours worked per week (or indicate full-time status), you will not be given credit for that experience.
2. Complete Assessment Questionnaire.
3. Other Supporting Documents, if applicable, such as:
   • Veterans' Preference Documentation:
     • If you are a Discharged, Non-Disabled Veteran, you must submit a copy of your DD-214 showing character of discharge (Member 4 copy), or other Documentation of Service and Separation under Honorable Conditions, as listed on the SF-15. If you don't have your DD-214, you may request it after discharge from the National Archives.
     • If you are a veteran within 120 days of discharge, you must submit signed documentation from the Armed Forces certifying: 1) your expected release/retirement from active duty, 2) under honorable conditions, 3) your pay grade/rank/rate at time of discharge, 4) dates of active duty service, 5) any campaign or expeditionary medals received, & 6) dated within 120 days of your separation.
     • If you are a Disabled Veteran, Purple Heart Recipient, or Mother or Spouse of a Disabled or Deceased Veteran, you must submit all additional proof required by the SF15, and if applicable, a completed SF15. You may request a copy of your Department of Veterans Affairs letter from www.ebenefits.va.gov or call 1-800-827-1000 to establish proof of disability.
4. College transcripts if qualifying based on education.
5. Documentation for Interagency/Career Transition Assistance Plan consideration if you are a displaced Federal employee within the local commuting area. You must include: 1) Proof you are a displaced Federal employee, e.g., RIF Separation Notice, Notice of Proposed Removal, etc; 2) SF-50s (Notifications of Personnel Action) showing career/conditional tenure competitive status, promotion potential and duty location; and 3) your most recent performance appraisal. To exercise selection priority, displaced or surplus Federal employees must be rated well-qualified or above 85 on the rating criteria for this position.

Do not submit photographs with your application package. Documents with photographs may not be seen by hiring officials - you must remove your image from any badges, licenses, etc.

Do not upload Adobe portfolio documents. Adobe portfolio documents are not viewable by our agency's staffing offices.

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