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Seasonal Biological Science Technician

Department of the Interior
National Park Service
Sitka National Historical Park

Summary

NOTE: OPM has identified this position as eligible for an exception to the typical 1039-hour season. This exception allows up to 1560 hours which may extend the season(s) reflected in this announcement. See the Additional Information section for details.

The typical season for this position is May - September but can be variable during these months due to weather conditions, project needs, or funding. The anticipated entry on duty is May 2026.

Overview

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Accepting applications
Open & closing dates
03/03/2026 to 03/10/2026
Salary
$22.07 to - $35.54 per hour

An additional 3% cost of living allowance (COLA) will be added to the salary above. Pay is subject to annual review and adjustment.

Pay scale & grade
GS 5 - 7
Location
3 vacancies in the following location:
Sitka, AK
Remote job
No
Telework eligible
No
Travel Required
Not required
Relocation expenses reimbursed
No
Appointment type
Temporary - 1560 hours
Work schedule
Full-time
Service
Excepted
Promotion potential
None
Supervisory status
No
Security clearance
Other
Drug test
No
Position sensitivity and risk
Non-sensitive (NS)/Low Risk
Trust determination process
Financial disclosure
No
Bargaining unit status
No
Announcement number
AK-1537-SITK-26-12897194-LH
Control number
859569400

This job is open to

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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 acquired special knowledge or expertise regarding the natural or cultural resources of Sitka National Historical Park, by reason of having either lived or worked in or near the unit may apply. See Qualifications section for eligibility requirements.

Duties

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Duties of the position include but are not limited to the following:

  • Performs basic assignments in collecting basic 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.
  • 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.

Additional clarification/duties for the GS-06 and GS-07 levels:
  • Assists in analysis of data and completing reports or other documents related to the project.
  • GPS mapping, GIS data management, map production, managing and manipulating digital images and web or journal-based research.
  • Assists with other natural resource management projects, maintains and repairs field equipment, prepares for field trips, communicates resource management topics to park staff and visitors.

Additional clarification/duties for the GS-07 level:
  • Participates in planning, managing, conducting, analyzing data and writing reports on a variety of wildlife oriented biological surveys, monitoring and research activities.
  • Weather data collection, water quality data collection, and web or journal-based research and training other employees and volunteers to efficiently conduct these tasks.


Please visit find a park for additional park information.

Requirements

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Conditions of employment

  • U.S. Citizenship required.

  • Appointment subject to background investigation and favorable adjudication.

  • Meet Selective Service Registration Act requirement for males.

  • Selectee will be required to participate in the Direct Deposit Electronics Funds Transfer Program.

  • 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, and overtime.

  • Applicants must be at least 18 years old.

Qualifications

All qualifications must be met by the closing date of this announcement 03/10/2026 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 concerning the park's or preserve's natural and/or cultural resources and the management thereof as outlined in this announcement.

Additional information

NOTE: In support of Executive Order (EO) 14189 "Celebrating America's 250th Birthday" and EO 14314 "Making America Beautiful Again by Improving our National Parks," the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) has approved an exception to the 1039-hour time limitation for this position. This approval may extend the time limitation up to 1560 hours for this temporary seasonal appointment.

A selectee receiving a first appointment to the Federal Government (Civil Service) is entitled only to the lowest step of the grade for which selected. The display of a salary range on this vacancy shall not be construed as granting an entitlement to a higher rate of pay.

This announcement may be used to fill additional positions if identical vacancies occur within 90 days of the issue date of the referral certificate.

This is an excepted service appointment that does not confer competitive status.

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.

Alaska currently does not have a state income tax.

Selectee may be moved between duty stations within park boundaries.

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.

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.

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

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.

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