Biological Science Technician (Wildlife) (Seasonal)

About the role

This announcement is for the Biological Science Technician (Wildlife), to clear ICTAP/CTAP priority lists. It is only open to current surplus and current or former displaced Federal individuals who have special priority selection rights under the ICTAP/CTAP. Applications must be submitted by 11:59 (EST) on the 09/21/2026 to be considered.

What you will do

• Some of the duties you will perform include, but are not limited to, Assist the Wildlife Biologist in the implementation wildlife population monitoring and species recovery projects.
• Utilize a variety of computer programs to compile, store, retrieve, analyze and report data including GIS.
• Collect and record biological data and prepares summary reports.
• Assist with the assessment of habitat quality/quantity through GPS field mapping and wildlife population estimation techniques.
• Assist with wildlife population monitoring utilizing radio tracking equipment.
• May assist with live trapping, handling, and/or translocation of wildlife species.

Requirements

• U.S. Citizenship required.
• Area of Consideration for this position refers to the ICTAP/CTAP hiring authority/eligibility and not the physical location of the position.
• 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.
• Occupancy of government quarters may be required.
• Government housing may be available but is not guaranteed.
• Use find a park to contact specific parks for more information on government housing.
• You may 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/or shift work.
• You may be required to operate a government (or private) motor vehicle as part of your official duties.
• Prior to your first official motor vehicle operation, and again every year thereafter (or more frequently if management determines such need exists), you will be required to sign an affidavit certifying to your possession of a valid State issued driver's license that is current and has not been revoked, suspended, canceled, or otherwise disqualified in any way to prohibit your operation of a motor vehicle.
• You will also submit a photocopy of your valid State issued driver's license prior to your first official motor vehicle operation, and again every year, or more frequently if management determines such need exists.
• Lastly, you may be required to 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 discloses all valid driver's licenses, whether current or past, possessed by you.
• Please indicate in your application whether you possess a valid State driver's license.

Education

To qualify based on education, you must submit a legible copy of transcripts from an accredited institution with your name, school name, credit hours, course level, major(s), and grade-point average or class ranking.

Transcripts do not need to be official, but if you are selected for this position and you used your education to qualify, you must provide official transcripts before you begin work.

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 the interpretation of foreign education programs and that (1) deemed your education equivalent to that gained in an accredited U.S. education program, or (2) given full credit for courses at a U.S. accredited college or university.

How you will be evaluated

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. Interagency Career Transition Assistance Program (ICTAP) Eligibles: View information about ICTAP eligibility on OPM's Career Transition Resources website. To be considered well qualified under ICTAP, you must be rated at a minimum score of 85.0 for this position.

In addition, you must submit the supporting documents listed under the required documents section of this announcement. Area of Consideration for this position refers to the ICTAP/CTAP hiring authority/eligibility and not the physical location of the position. An interview may be required for this position.

If an interview is required, failure to complete the interview may result in removal from further consideration. You will be evaluated on the following competencies: Biology Research Technology Application Wildlife Biology

Documents you must provide

• 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 09/21/2026: 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 of amount 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.
• A complete Application Questionnaire: The Application Questionnaire is the application questions when redirected after selecting the "Apply" button within the announcement.
• 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 *** or call *** to establish proof of disability.
• College transcripts if qualifying based on education.
• Accreditation: Postsecondary Education Institutions Documentation for Interagency/Career Transition Assistance Plan consideration if you are a displaced Federal employee within the local commuting area.
• You must include: Proof you are a displaced Federal employee, e.g., RIF Separation Notice, Notice of Proposed Removal, etc; SF-50s (Notifications of Personnel Action) showing career/conditional tenure competitive status, promotion potential and duty location; and 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.

What to expect next

Many similar positions are advertised by various offices within the National Park Service.

You MUST apply to each announcement for consideration.

Officials may hire at any grade level, location or work schedule. All positions may or may not be filled. Dates and length of employment will vary between park sites depending on funding, weather conditions, and visitation.

Positions are TEMPORARY positions, not to exceed 9 months (1560 hours), and have no promotion potential. Once the Occupational Questionnaire is received you will receive acknowledgement that your submission was successful. If you are among the most qualified candidates and your name is referred to the hiring official, you may be contacted directly for a possible interview.

You will be notified of the status of your Application Package at the time candidates are referred for consideration, and when the selection process is complete. Applicants will get a response from this announcement by approximately October 2026.

Additional information

Click here for the OPM Salaries and Wages to calculate locality pay. Non-Competitive Rehire Eligibility: Temporary seasonal employees can only maintain their non-competitive rehire eligibility if they work no more than a combined total of Temporary NTE less than 1039 or 1560 hours anywhere in the National Park Service (NPS) within their established service year.

Accordingly, non-competitive rehire eligibility allows for re-appointment to the same position or another position appropriate for temporary appointment with the same qualification requirements (5 CFR 316.402[b][7]), based on series and grade, anywhere in the major subdivision (NPS).

If you have held a temporary seasonal appointment in the past 12 months and have already worked the maximum temporary appointment less than 1039 hours during that period, you are still welcome to apply. However, please be aware that exceeding the limit of 1039 hours in your established service year will result in the loss of your non-competitive rehire eligibility.

The limit can be exceeded by working multiple temporary seasonal positions that result in a combined total greater than 1039 hours. The limit also can be exceeded by working a single temporary seasonal appointment that exceeds 1039 hours, unless granted an exception by OPM.

Employment may be terminated at any time due to fluctuations in funding levels, project needs, employee performance, or other considerations. Dates and length of employment will vary between park sites depending on funding, weather conditions, and visitation.

Employment may be extended or terminated at any time due to fluctuations in funding levels, project needs, employee performance, or other considerations.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS: The work involves extensive periods of standing and walking, and in some cases, over rough surfaces or inclines carrying backpacks, tools, rescue equipment, etc. WORK ENVIRONMENT: The work is performed in settings in which there is regular and recurring exposure to moderate discomforts and unpleasantness (e.g. high or low temperatures, confined spaces or adverse weather conditions).