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Biological Science Technician (Natural Resource Monitoring)

Department of the Interior
Bureau of Land Management

Summary

Explore a new career with the BLM - where our people are our most precious resource.

Positions are located throughout Nevada (see additional information section for salary information). We expect to fill a few vacancies; additional positions may be filled from this announcement if they become available.

This is a Temporary Position: Appointments to this position will not convey permanent status and will be for a period not-to-exceed 1,039 hours in a service year.

Overview

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Accepting applications
Open & closing dates
02/14/2026 to 03/02/2026
This job will close when we have received 35 applications which may be sooner than the closing date. Learn more
Salary
$40,736 to - $52,957 per year
Pay scale & grade
GS 5
Locations
Few vacancies in the following locations:
Carson City, NV
Elko, NV
Winnemucca, NV
Remote job
No
Telework eligible
Yes—as determined by the agency policy.
Travel Required
Occasional travel - You may be expected to travel for this position.
Relocation expenses reimbursed
No
Appointment type
Temporary - This is a temporary appointment. Appointment to this position will not convey permanent status and will be for a period not-to-exceed 1,039 hours in a service year.
Work schedule
Full-time
Service
Competitive
Promotion potential
5
Supervisory status
No
Security clearance
Not Required
Drug test
No
Position sensitivity and risk
Non-sensitive (NS)/Low Risk
Trust determination process
Financial disclosure
No
Bargaining unit status
No
Announcement number
NV-DEU-26-12883829-KP
Control number
857772300

This job is open to

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Clarification from the agency

All U.S. Citizens - No previous Federal Service is required. CTAP and ICTAP candidates in the local commuting area.

Duties

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  • Collects natural resource and ecological data (e.g., terrestrial, lotic, and wetland/riparian) following standardized protocols to support Bureau of Land Management natural resource monitoring and planning efforts.
  • Attend field method trainings to learn standardizing monitoring protocols and calibration techniques.
  • Assist with mapping natural and ecological resources (such as soils, vegetation, streams/rivers, wetland/riparian areas, etc.) using geographic information systems (GIS) to increase efficiency of field data collection.
  • Assist with compiling data for basic analyses of natural resources and ecological data monitoring.
  • Assist field crews conducting natural resource and ecological monitoring work by scheduling field assignments, advising lower-graded technicians, and reviewing crew member data forms to ensure adherence to protocols.

Requirements

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Conditions of employment

  • U.S. Citizenship is required.
  • Be sure to read the 'How to Apply' and 'Required Documents' Sections.
  • You cannot hold an active real estate license: nor can you have an interest or hold stocks in firms with interest in Federal Lands.
  • Direct Deposit Required.
  • Appointment will be subject to a favorably adjudicated background/suitability investigation/determination.
  • Your resume must contain enough information to show that you meet the qualification requirements as defined in the announcement. In addition, your responses to the questions must adequately reflect in your resume.
  • Some locations may require that you possess (or obtain within 30 days of entrance on duty) and maintain a valid state driver's license while employed in this position.
  • May require a one year probationary period.

Qualifications

In order to be rated as qualified for this position, we must be able to determine that you meet the qualification requirements - please be sure to include this information in your resume. No assumptions will be made about your experience.

At the GS-05 Level:

Specialized Experience: One (1) year of specialized experience equivalent to the next lower grade level (GS-04) in the Federal service. Specialized experience includes assisting with collection of vegetation or soil field data; documenting field observations to determine the need for improvement projects; and experience using maps, compasses, or Global Positioning System GPS to record and determine locations.

-OR-

Education:
Successful completion of a full four (4) 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 biology, chemistry, statistics, entomology, animal husbandry, botany, physics, agriculture, or mathematics. At least six (6) semester hours of courses must have been directly related to the position to be filled.

-OR-

Combination of Education and Specialized Experience: I possess an equivalent combination of specialized experience and appropriate undergraduate education. Undergraduate level education must demonstrate the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to do the work of this position.

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.

You must meet all qualification requirements by the closing date of the announcement.

Physical Demands: Monitoring work requires regular and recurring periods of physical exertion including walking, bending, climbing, crouching, or stooping over rough, uneven, rocky surfaces or mountainous terrain. Monitoring protocols require sufficient physical strength to use manual hand tools such as shovels, trowels, or screening devices. Monitoring work occasionally requires lifting moderately heavy items such as equipment and samples. Data analysis is performed in an office setting with no special physical demands.

Work Environment: Monitoring data is collected at field sites which are outdoor settings and therefore subject to the risks and discomforts arising from remoteness (e.g., distance from services such as medical offices), weather (e.g., extreme temperatures and precipitation), wildlife (e.g., bites and stings), and diverse terrain (e.g., steep, rocky, or unstable footing). Implementation of standard field-going precautions such as planning (e.g., checking the weather and sharing travel details with the supervisor or higher-graded employee), situational awareness, and proper personal protective equipment (e.g., sun protection, field clothing, gloves, sturdy footwear, a basic first aid kit) are sufficient to mitigate most risks. Accessing field sites requires the use of two- or four-wheel drive vehicles and comes with the risk of vehicular accidents. Safety instructions and risk management protocols will be communicated by the supervisor prior to initiating field work. Individuals driving a government vehicle are required to complete a Defensive Driving Course.

The quality assurance and quality control and data analysis support work is performed in a work environment that involves everyday risks or discomforts which require normal safety precautions typical of offices (e.g., use of safe work practices with office equipment, avoidance of trips and falls, observance of fire regulations and traffic signals, etc.). The work area is adequately lighted, heated, and ventilated.

Education

This position falls under the Biological Technician Series, 0404, Individual Occupation Requirements (IOR).

Applicants may qualify for these positions based on experience, education, or an equivalent combination as described in the Qualifications section of this announcement.

If using education to qualify - You MUST submit a copy of ALL your college transcripts or a list of ALL college courses that include hours and grades from an accredited U.S. college/university. Upon selection, official transcripts must be received prior to appointment. If you are using education completed in foreign colleges or universities to meet qualification requirements, you must show that your education credentials have been evaluated by a private organization that specializes in interpretation of foreign education programs and such education has been deemed equivalent to that gained in an accredited U.S. education program; or full credit has been given for the courses at a U.S. accredited college or university.

All selections and tentative offers of selection are contingent upon submission and verification of 'official' transcripts.

Additional information

All positions may not be filled, or they may be filled at different times depending on budget, hiring needs, and requirements. These positions are temporary and are expected to last for up to 6 months, but not-to-exceed 1,039 hours in a service year.

DOI uses E-Verify to confirm employment eligibility of all newly hired employees. To learn more about E-Verify, including your rights and responsibilities, please visit E-Verify.

Career Transition Assistance Plan (CTAP)/lnteragency Career Transition Assistance Program (ICTAP): These programs apply to employees who have been involuntarily separated from a Federal service position within the competitive service or Federal service employees whose positions have been deemed surplus or no longer needed. To receive selection priority, you must: 1) meet CTAP or ICTAP eligibility criteria; 2) be rated well qualified for the position with a score of 85 or above; and 3) submit the appropriate documentation to support your CTAP or ICTAP eligibility. For more information: CTAP or ICTAP

Males born after 12/31/59 must be registered for Selective Service

Travel and relocation expenses will not be paid by the Department of the Interior. Any travel, transportation and relocation expenses associated with reporting for duty in this position will be the responsibility of the selected employee.

The official worksite for the selectee is the duty station identified in this vacancy announcement. The selectee will typically report to this duty location on a regular and recurring weekly basis. The selectee may be allowed to telework with supervisor approval.

If selected from this announcement you may be rehired for identical positions without further competition based on work needs, funding, or any other condition of employment.

If selected from this or a similar competitive, seasonal announcement, your appointment may be creditable for consideration under PL-114-47, Land Management Workforce Flexibility Act (LMWFA). The Act allows certain individuals, who have or had time-limited appointments at land management agencies, to compete for any permanent position in the competitive service under "internal" merit promotion procedures. For more information, see the section under Eligibility, which starts with Question #15 (Q15. Who is eligible for appointment under these provisions?).

Duty Locations in Nevada and information about them available through link:
Carson City - Salary for Carson City is higher than the advertised amounts: $45,155- $58,702.
Elko - Salary range advertised amounts apply
Winnemucca - Salary range advertised amounts apply

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.

How you will be evaluated

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

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. Headers may be slightly larger but must remain legible. 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.

Once the application process is complete, we will review your application to ensure you meet the job requirements. To determine if you are qualified for this job, a review of your resume, supporting documentation and responses to the online questionnaire will be made. Your responses to the online questionnaire will be used to measure the degree to which your background matches the requirements for this position. Qualified applicants will be placed in one of three predefined categories: Best Qualified, Well Qualified and Qualified. However, your resume must support your responses to the scored occupational questionnaire, or your score may be lowered. Within these categories, applicants eligible for veteran's preference will receive selection priority over non-veterans. Candidates placed in the Best Qualified category will be identified for referral to the hiring manager and may be contacted for an interview.

Your answers to the online questionnaire will be used to evaluate your competencies in the following areas:

  • Data Management
  • Ecology
  • Manages and Organizes Information




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