Biological Science Technician (Temporary) Job in Sitka, AK

Vacancy No. AK-SITK-26-13050815-BST Department National Park Service
Salary $63,186.00 to $82,139.00 Grade 8 to 8
Perm/Temp Temporary FT/PT Full-time
Open Date 8/31/2026 Close Date 9/14/2026
Job Link Apply Online Who may apply Status Candidates
Locations:
Sitka, AK


Biological Science Technician (Temporary)

Department of the Interior
National Park Service
Sitka National Historic Park

Summary

This is an excepted service appointment, that remains in the excepted service indefinitely. These positions do not confer competitive status.

This is a temporary position expected to last one year, but may be extended up to a maximum of two years based on agency needs and potential funding.

First time hires to the Federal government normally start at the step 1 rate.

This job is open to

Special authorities

Individuals eligible under a special authority not listed in another hiring path.

Clarification from the agency

This position is being filled using the Alaska National Interest Lands Conservation Act (ANILCA) local hiring authority (16 USC 3198). Any U.S. Citizen who has special knowledge or expertise regarding the natural or cultural resources, by reason of having either lived or worked in or near Alaska Public Lands may apply. Your application package must clearly show periods of time having lived or worked in or near Alaska Public Lands. See Qualifications section for eligibility requirements.

Duties

Some of the major duties you will perform include but are not limited to the following:

  • Performs assignments in collecting data from field investigations and making observations in which biological conditions are readily identifiable for the park's ecology, wildlife, fishery, and/or habitat conditions.
  • Analyzes data and reviews biological reports in an office and drafts reports, assigned portions of reports, or full reports. Prepares maps, graphs, and charts representing data.
  • Participates in phases of planning, organizing, and implementing of biological investigations that affect ecology, wildlife, fishery, and/or habitat conditions.
  • Performs progressively more complex duties supporting the investigations of the organization including gathering, organizing, and interpreting biological, ecological, pathological, public use data, or other information pertinent to the research studies and/or scientific investigations.

Requirements

Conditions of employment

  • Must be a U.S. Citizen or National.
  • Appointment subject to background investigation and favorable adjudication.
  • Males born after 12-31-59 must be registered for Selective Service.
  • Direct Deposit participation required.
  • Successfully pass the E-Verify employment verification check. To learn more, visit www.dhs.gov/EVerify/.
  • Must have and maintain a valid driver's license throughout employment.
  • You are required to wear a uniform and comply with the uniform standards. A uniform allowance will be provided.
  • You must be at least (1)18 years old or (2) at least 16 years old and: (a) Have graduated from high school or been awarded a certificate equivalent to graduating from high school; or (b) Have completed a formal vocational training program; or (c) Have received a statement from school authorities agreeing with their preference for employment rather than continuing their education; or (d) Be currently enrolled in a secondary school and either work only during school vacation periods or work part-time during the school year under a formal student employment program.

Qualifications

All qualifications must be met by the closing date of this announcement 09/14/2026 unless otherwise stated in this vacancy announcement.

ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS: Special knowledge or expertise concerning the park's or preserve's natural and/or cultural resources and the management thereof is required. Local knowledge of the resources and the typical conditions that affect the work to be accomplished will be applied in the performance of duties.

-AND-

To be eligible your application package must clearly show periods of time having lived or worked in or near the area of consideration. The area of consideration can be found in the below paragraphs.

Areas considered "near" Sitka National Historical Park are Baranof Island, which includes the community of Sitka, and the adjacent Admiralty Island including Angoon, the adjacent Chichagof Island including Hoonah, and the nearby City and Borough of Juneau.-

ALSO-


The following are the competencies identified for this position. Applicants are not required to address these competencies in a separate document but are encouraged to include in their resumes experience related to these competencies:

  1. Knowledge of biological resource management techniques and equipment and studies using a variety of specialized equipment, and other related programs.
  2. Knowledge and understanding of the application of instrumentation used in sampling and analyses so that prescribed procedures can be modified to accommodate existing sampling and analytical conditions.
  3. Ability to operate and maintain complex equipment and systems common to the specific area of natural resource management and/or research which must be calibrated and synchronized to achieve desired results.
  4. Ability to communication effectively to provide timely, concise, and accurate information to others both orally and in writing.
  5. Knowledge of safe laboratory and field procedures.

Education

There is no substitution of education for the required special knowledge or expertise as outlined in this announcement.

Additional information

Additional vacancies may be filled using this job announcement.

Physical Demands: The work requires regular physical exertion such as walking or climbing over wet, rough, uneven and/or rocky surfaces; bending, crouching, stooping or reaching to observe, collect and/or record field data; or in some situations the work may require physical exertion to handle wild animals, prepare soil for planting. Moderately heavy items, such as equipment packs weighing up to 50 pounds, must be lifted and carried on a regular basis. May be required to hike several miles in a day. In other situations, there may be special requirements for agility or dexterity such as exceptional hand/eye coordination.

Work Environment: The work environment varies from office/laboratory settings to field sites. The work performed in the field involves regular and recurring exposure to extreme weather conditions and terrain, poisonous plants, biting insects and wild animals. The employee is required to use protective clothing (PPE) such as gowns, coats, boots, goggles, gloves.


All Department of Interior (DOI) employees, their spouses, and minor children may not acquire or retain any claim, permit, lease, small tract entry, or other rights granted by the Department in Federal lands, with limited exceptions. Additional ethics prohibitions can be found here, https://www.doi.gov/ethics/ethics-prohibitions.

Alaska currently does not have a state income tax.

Government housing may be available.

All travel, transportation, and relocation expenses associated with reporting for duty in this position will be the sole responsibility of the selectee.

Candidates should be committed to improving the efficiency of the Federal government, passionate about the ideals of our American republic, and committed to upholding the rule of law and the United States Constitution.

A career with the U.S. government provides employees with a comprehensive benefits package. As a federal employee, you and your family will have access to a range of benefits that are designed to make your federal career very rewarding. Opens in a new windowLearn more about federal benefits.

Review our benefits

Eligibility for benefits depends on the type of position you hold and whether your position is full-time, part-time or intermittent. Contact the hiring agency for more information on the specific benefits offered.

How you will be evaluated

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

Your qualifications will be evaluated based on your application materials (e.g., resume, supporting documents, questionnaire responses). If your application package does not clearly reflect having lived and/or worked within Alaska public lands, does not clearly reflect special knowledge of the natural and/or cultural resources of Alaska public lands, or if you fail to submit all required documentation, you will be rated 'ineligible' or 'not qualified'.

Your resume must not exceed 2 pages. 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.

Providing false or misleading information on your resume or supporting documentation may result in removal from consideration or other action consistent with applicable federal hiring regulations. Applicants who include vulgar, offensive, or inappropriate language or information in their application package will be ineligible for further consideration for this position.

Required Documents

The following documents are required and must be submitted by 11:59 PM (ET) on 09/14/2026-unless otherwise stated in this vacancy announcement:


  1. Resume which includes a list of all significant jobs held and duties performed, with dates in month-year format, and indicate hours worked per week (or full-time). Your resume must clearly show how long you have held each grade/rank. Resumes must not exceed two single-sided pages and resumes longer than two pages will not be accepted. The minimum font size is 10-point for all body text. All resumes must maintain a minimum 0.5-inch margins on all sides to ensure readability and prevent excessive content compression. Including supplemental pages or attachments disguised as resume extensions are prohibited and will not be reviewed to determine your eligibility/qualifications. Your 2-page resume must contain information sufficient to make a valid determination that you fully meet the experience requirements. If you have federal experience, you should include series, and grade for each position held, and if experience is part of a career ladder position, you must clearly distinguish the job duties and length of time working for each grade level. More information on how to write a Federal Resume: https://help.usajobs.gov/faq/application/documents/resume/what-to-include
  2. Complete all required assessments.
  3. Veterans Preference Documentation, if applicable. Veterans must submit a copy of your latest Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty, DD-214 (member 4 copy) or other Documentation of Service and Separation under Honorable Conditions, as listed on the SF15. If you are a Disabled Veteran, Purple Heart Recipient, or Parent 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.va.gov/records/ or call 1-800-827-1000. 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.
Failure to submit any of the above-mentioned required documents will result in loss of consideration due to an incomplete application package. It is your responsibility to ensure all required documents have been submitted.

Do not submit photographs with your application package. Documents with photographs may not be seen by hiring officials - you must remove your image from all documents.

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

How to Apply

Please read the entire announcement and all the instructions before you begin an application.

There are multiple options for applying to this position, please see application options and instructions below:
To apply online: You must complete all required questionnaires, assessments and submit all required documentation as specified in the How to Apply and Required Documents section. The complete application package must be submitted by 11:59 PM (ET) on the 09/14/2026 - unless otherwise stated in this vacancy announcement to receive consideration. You must provide documentation to support your eligibility claim.

The application process is as follows:

  1. Click the Apply Online button.
  2. Answer the questions presented in the application and attach all necessary supporting documentation. To PREVIEW the application questionnaire, select the following link: https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/13050815
  3. Click the Submit Application button prior to 11:59 PM (ET) on the announcement closing date.
  • To update your application, including supporting documentation: During the announcement open period, return to your USAJOBS account, find your application record, and click Edit my application. This option will no longer be available once the announcement has closed.
  • To view the announcement status or your application status, visit https://help.usajobs.gov/how-to/application/status.

To apply via mail: Mailed applications must be postmarked by the closing date of the announcement. If your application is postmarked by the closing date, it must be received in a sealed envelope no later than seven calendar days after the closing date. The seven-day waiting period may be extended if weather delays mail delivery.

Applications may be mailed to:
National Park Service
Alaska Regional Office
Attn: Human Resources
240 W. 5th Ave.
Anchorage, AK 99501

Applications must include the vacancy announcement number. If you are applying to multiple vacancy announcements, you must submit a separate application for each vacancy.


Applicants who apply under this job opportunity announcement agree to have their application, associated documents and applicable personal information shared with other Bureaus/Offices within the Department of the Interior (DOI) who have vacancies within the same occupational series, grade, full performance level and in the same geographic location(s), including within the same metro/commuting area. Applying to this announcement does not replace the need to apply to other job opportunity announcements for which you wish to receive consideration.

Agency contact information

DOI Seasonal Temp Team
Email
seasonaltempteam@ios.doi.gov
Address
Sitka National Historical Park
103 Monastery Street
Sitka, AK 99835
US

Next steps

Please refer to your USAJOBS account for application status; the Human Resources Office cannot respond to individual status inquiries.

Once your online application is submitted you will receive a confirmation notification by email. Your application will be evaluated by the Human Resources Office to determine your eligibility for the position. After the evaluation is complete, you will receive another notification regarding the status of your application. If your name is referred to the hiring official, you may be contacted directly for a possible interview.

You can find your path with the Department of Interior at https://careers.doi.gov/.

Any exaggeration of your experience, false statements, or attempt to conceal information may disqualify you for employment consideration. We may verify all information you provide in your resume and questionnaire responses, through reference and/or background checks, and/or verification of your education. If you are selected, you will be contacted personally by the Human Resources Office posting this announcement.

National Park Service

The Department of the Interior protects and manages the Nation's natural resources and cultural heritage; provides scientific and other information about those resources; and honors its trust responsibilities or special commitments to American Indians, Alaska Natives, Native Hawaiians, and affiliated Island Communities. Click here to learn more about the Department of the Interior and its bureaus.

The mission of the National Park Service (NPS) is to preserve the natural and cultural resources and values of the National Park System for the enjoyment, education, and inspiration of this and future generations. You can make a difference by bringing your unique experience, background, and perspective to our work. Click here to learn more about the National Park Service.

Agency contact information

DOI Seasonal Temp Team
Email
seasonaltempteam@ios.doi.gov
Address
Sitka National Historical Park
103 Monastery Street
Sitka, AK 99835
US

Visit our careers page

Learn more about what it's like to work at National Park Service, what the agency does, and about the types of careers this agency offers.

https://www.youtube.com/embed/nKonBsAFNbY