This internship program provides students enrolled in education environments (high schools, colleges, trade schools and other qualifying educational institutions) with paid opportunities to explore Federal careers. This position is established to provide a meaningful employment opportunity in the Biological Science Technician Occupation. This is a Temporary appointment not-to-exceed 1039 hours.
All qualifications must be met by the closing date of this announcement-03/28/2025-unless otherwise stated in this vacancy announcement. To be eligible for this pathway position you must: 1) Be enrolled in a degree seeking program 2) Be enrolled on one half (1/2) time basis 3) Have a minimum 2.0 grade average 4) Attending an accredited educational institution 5) Provide transcripts with your name, school name, credit hours, course level, major(s), and grade-point average or class ranking. 6) Be enrolled for the next semester/quarter following the period of this vacancy. Credit will be given for all appropriate qualifying experience. To receive credit for experience, your resume MUST clearly indicate the nature of the duties and responsibilities for each position, starting and ending dates of employment (month/year), 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 amount qualified specialized experience. To qualify for this position at the GS-04 grade level, you must possess one of the following minimum qualifications by close of the announcement: EXPERIENCE: At least six (6) months of general experience and six (6) months of specialized experience for a total of one year of experience. General experience is any type of work that demonstrates your ability to perform the work of the position or provide familiarity with the subject matter or processes of the broad subject area. Specialized Experience is experience which demonstrates that you have the knowledge, skills, and abilities to perform the duties of this position. Examples of specialized experience include conducting biological field studies and surveys and assembling the information. Follow standardized procedures to collect data on condition of resources. Use statistical methods and procedures to perform routine testing of field data collected. Assist in vegetation of soils mapping. Develop improved methods of controlling weeds and plant diseases or other related work. -OR- EDUCATION: Successful completion of at least two (2) full years of college level study that includes at least 12 semester hours in any combination of courses such as biology, chemistry, statistics, entomology, animal husbandry, botany, physics, agriculture, mathematics, etc. At least six (6) semester hours were directly related to this position (i.e. plant taxonomy, botany, forestry, plant ecology, etc.) You MUST submit a copy of your transcripts indicating credit hours in order to qualify based on education). A copy of your official transcripts will be required before entrance on duty, if selected. -OR- Successful completion of a combination of education and experience as described above. The total must equal at least 100 percent to qualify. You MUST submit a copy of your transcripts indicating credit hours in order to qualify based on education). A copy of your official transcripts will be required before entrance on duty, if selected. To qualify for this position at the GS-05 grade level, you must possess one of the following minimum qualifications by close of the announcement: EXPERIENCE: At least one full year of specialized experience comparable in scope and responsibility to the GS-04 grade level in the Federal service (obtained in either the public or private sectors). Specialized experience is that experience which demonstrates that you have the knowledge, skills, and abilities to perform the duties of this position. Examples include conducting biological field studies and surveys and assembling the information. Follow standardized procedures to collect data on Wildlife, Fisheries, or plants. Use statistical methods and procedures to perform testing of field data collected. Install, operate and maintain resource management equipment (tools, sampling and monitoring photographic and laboratory equipment) prepare graphs, charts, and illustrations for reports and technical publications relating to biological management activities. -OR- EDUCATION: Successful completion of a full four (4) year course of study (120 semester hours or 180 quarter hours) leading to a bachelor's degree with major study or at least twenty-four (24) semester hours in any combination of courses such as biology, chemistry, statistics, entomology, animal husbandry, botany, physics, agriculture, mathematics, etc. At least six (6) semester hours were directly related to this position (i.e., plant taxonomy, botany, forestry, plant ecology, etc.). You MUST submit a copy of your transcripts indicating credit hours in order to qualify based on education). A copy of your official transcripts will be required before entrance on duty, if selected. -OR- Successful completion of a combination of education and experience as described above. Only education in excess of the first 60 semester hours of a course of study leading to a bachelor's degree is creditable toward meeting the specialized experience requirements. Two full academic years of study, or 60 semester hours, beyond the second year is equivalent to l year of specialized experience. Determine the total qualifying experience as a percentage of the year of specialized experience required at the GS-5 level. Then determine education as a percentage of the education that meets the requirements for GS-5. Add the two percentages. The total percentage must equal at least 100 percent to qualify an applicant for GS-5. For example, 6 month of specialized experience (50% of the specialized experience requirement) and 3 years of education above high school with at least 12 semester hours related to the position and 3 hours directly related to the position (50 percent of the education requirement) would be considered qualifying. If you are qualifying based in part, upon education, you MUST submit a copy of your transcripts. A copy of your official transcripts will be required before entrance on duty, if selected. Volunteer Experience: 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.
Major duties at the GS-04 level include, but are not limited to, Assists in conducting surveys and research on a variety of plants and animals. Monitor and identify species using field guides and dichotomous keys. Utilize methods such as pulling or cutting to remove high volumes of invasive plants. Capture geospatial data using handheld GPS devices and tablets. Operate power equipment while maintain assigned equipment in working order. Ensure adequate quality control of data collected samples. At the GS-05 level, duties will be more complex and have less supervisory oversight. You may at the GS-05 level be providing guidance to others as well as providing logistical support. Pipestone National Monument (recruiting at the GS-04 and GS-05 level) Point of Contact: Lauren Blacik, lauren_blacik@nps.gov Pipestone National Monument protects red pipestone quarries for their continued use by Native American quarriers, a tradition dating back countless generations. The land is considered sacred by many American Indian Tribes and individuals because the pipestone is carved into pipes used for prayer. The monument is located adjacent to the city of Pipestone in southwestern Minnesota approximately 8 miles from the South Dakota border. The city of Pipestone is home to about 4,000 people and has public K-12 schools, a hospital, grocery stores, restaurants, a rec center, performing arts center, and nearby Minnesota and South Dakota State Parks. Housing in the area is affordably priced, and some rental options are available. Sioux Falls, South Dakota is within a one-hour drive and would provide all the amenities found in larger cities. Missouri National Recreational River (only recruiting at the GS-04 level) Point of Contact: Carolyn Campbell, carolyn_campbell@nps.gov This position does require working outdoors and around river conditions. The Missouri National Recreational River consists of 126 river miles broken into four sections, two different segments of the Missouri River, the lower 20 miles of Niobrara River, and the lower eight miles of Verdigre Creek. Missouri National Recreational River (MNRR) also consists of approximately 1,000 acres of land broken into five distinct properties which includes: three islands, one riverside property, and a scenic overlook. MNRR is a part of the National Wild and Scenic Rivers System and unit of the National Park Service. Boating to and from the islands and along the river corridors is a recreational draw to the area. Additionally, camping, hiking, wildlife viewing, and scenic vistas along the river corridor and in the NPS areas are recreational highlights. Being on or around the river is a regular activity for the staff of MNRR. The headquarters building and park office are located in Yankton South Dakota. Mississippi National River and Recreation Area (recruiting at the GS-04 and GS-05 level) Point of Contact: Neil Smarjesse, neil_smarjesse@nps.gov This 72-mile long river park offers quiet stretches for fishing, boating and canoeing. Other spots are excellent for birdwatching, bicycling and hiking. And there are numerous visitor centers and museums that highlight the history and science of the Mississippi River. And there are plenty of visitor centers and trails that highlight the fascinating human history of the Mississippi River. You will implement established natural resource management projects. You will record all data collected and provides preliminary assessment and classification of the information. At the GS-05 level, you will provide logistical support and area orientation for contract or cooperating scientists; provide technical information; ensure quality control; and solve logistical or operational problems within the scope of the incumbent's knowledge and authority. Provide advice, assistance, and training to students, student conservation assistants, and volunteers involved in resource management projects and field research.