This position is located in Congaree National Park, in the Resource Management Division. Open to the first 100 applicants or until 01/05/2026 whichever comes first. All applications submitted by 11:59 (EST) on the closing day will receive consideration. This is a 2026 Summer Seasonal position.
All qualifications must be met by the closing date of this announcement-01/05/2026-unless otherwise stated in this vacancy announcement. 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 of qualified specialized experience. To qualify for this position at the GS-05 grade level, you must possess at least one of the following minimum specialized experience requirements 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). This experience includes activities such as work performed in a controlled environment. Examples of qualifying specialized experience include: Research activity or control program work; Nursery work that required the growing and maintenance of plants in a controlled environment; or Work comparable to that with a large dairy farm where production records, animal environment, and sanitary conditions were kept in accordance with modern dairy practice. Farming experience that was not performed in a controlled environment, or experience as a laborer who was not responsible for planning and scheduling his/her own work, but only performed assigned tasks, would not qualify as specialized experience. You must include hours per week worked. -OR- EDUCATION: Successful completion of at least a full 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. You must include transcripts. -OR- COMBINATION SPECIALIZED EXPERIENCE AND EDUCATION: Combinations of successfully completed education and specialized experience may be used to meet total experience requirements. To compute this percentage, first divide the total months of qualifying experience by 12. Then divide the number of completed post-high school education semester hours (that are in excess of 60 semester hours) by 60. Add the two percentages together; the total percentage must equal at least 100 percent to qualify. NOTE: Only post-high school education in excess of more than two-years may be used to qualify for this position which must also include 12 semester hours in any combination of courses listed above. You must include a copy of your transcripts. 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.
As a Biological Science Technician (Plants), you will perform the following duties: Implements field-based invasive plant control measures using manual, mechanical, and chemical methods. Accurately identifies target plant species and documents treatment locations using GPS, tablets, and/or field data sheets. Conducts surveys for Red-cockaded Woodpeckers (RCWs), including cavity tree inspections, habitat assessments, and data collection. Assists with data entry and reporting to support species recovery efforts. Assists with annual synchronous firefly viewing events, including logistical setup, visitor management, and interpretation. Supports forestry operations such as vegetation monitoring, basal area measurements, and prescribed fire preparation. Assists with data collection for longleaf pine restoration and other upland forest management activities. Installs, operates, and maintains resource management equipment (e.g., tools, traps, and sampling, monitoring, photographic, and laboratory equipment). Utilizes a variety of computer programs to compile, reduce, store, retrieve, analyze, and report data.