GS-4 Biological Science Technician (Plants, Fisheries, Wildlife, or General)

This is a posting for GS-4 Seasonal Biological Science Technicians for Intermountain Region National Park Service units. These positions have emphasis areas in multiple specialties, plants, wildlife, fisheries and aquatic invasive species.

Duties include:

• Performs technician work that is supportive of professionals in resource management (i.e. Biologists, Ecologists, etc.). These positions perform routine functions related to resource management projects associated with a variety, or any one of the following emphasis areas such as plants or forests, wildlife, fisheries, and/or habitat management. Specific duties will vary by park location.
• Assists with natural resource management projects following established procedures. Collects and records field data following quality control procedures for data or collected samples.
• Uses a variety of computer programs to compile, reduce, store, retrieve, and report data. Uses a wide variety of specialized equipment to carry out resource management projects.
• Provides logistical support and area orientation for contract or cooperating scientists.

Specialty duties may include:

• Wildlife - Performs technician work that is supportive of professionals in resource management (i.e. Wildlife Biologists). These positions are primarily concerned with research, conservation, and management of wildlife; the control of wildlife; or determination, establishment, and application of the biological facts, principles, methods, techniques, and procedures necessary for the conservation, management, and control of wildlife.
   
• Plants - Performs technician work that is supportive of professionals in resource management (i.e. Ecologists, Botanist etc.). These positions are primarily concerned with carrying out field studies on plants and plant ecology, inventorying, monitoring, and mapping plant populations; leading field crews in exotic plant eradication or revegetation work; conducting grazing and monitoring studies; developing improved methods of controlling weed and plant diseases; performing nursery work, seed collection, and similar work usually concerned with higher plant life. May also perform some forestry work concerned with monitoring, rehabilitation, reforestation, propagation, and/or thinning; monitoring hazard tree and disease programs; and monitoring and/or controlling disease and insect infestations. Specific duties will vary by park location.
   
• Fisheries - Performs technician work that is supportive of professionals in resource management (i.e. Biologists, Ecologists, etc.). These positions are primarily involved with research, conservation, production, and management of fishes, fishery resources, or in the determination, establishment, and application of biological facts, methods, techniques, and procedures necessary for research, conservation and management of fishes and other aquatic animals and resources. Some positions perform and/or lead boat inspections for aquatic nuisance species control. Specific duties will vary by park location.
   

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, camp overnight in backcountry locations, to scuba dive or operate a boat (varies by location). 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.

WORK ENVIRONMENT: The work is performed in an office, laboratory, and in a field environment. The work performed in the field involves regular and recurring exposure to extreme weather conditions and terrain, poisonous plants, biting insects and wild animals. Some positions require the use of chemicals (for example, pesticides/herbicides to control invasive plants or chemical treatments for invasive aquatic species). The employee is required to follow all safety procedures based on the task being carried out which may require use protective clothing/gear such as gowns, coats, boots, goggles, gloves, etc.