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-01/15/2026-unless otherwise stated in this vacancy announcement. To be eligible for this pathway position you must: 1) Be enrolled in a degree seeking program or a 1-year certificate 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 of qualifying specialized experience include: Conducting plant censuses and surveys and assembling the information. Following standardized procedures to collect data on the condition of range, grazing or forage. 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 plant management activities. Research activity or control program work, nursery work that required the growing and maintenance of plants in a controlled environment. You must include hours per week worked. -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. -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 months 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. You must list hours per week worked. 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. The selectee may also provide guidance to others as well as provide logistical support. To learn more about the parks that are recruiting, please visit: Mississippi National River and Recreation Area Pipestone National Monument