Biological Science Technician (Plants)

Whiskeytown National Recreation Area needs enthusiastic and responsible people to assist the park’s Invasive Plant Program. We are filling a number of positions at the GS-4/5 level and one position at the GS-6 level. This is an excellent opportunity to get involved with the National Park Service and gain experience in land management and natural resources. Employees will gain a variety of skills such as field data collection, GPS and mapping applications, plant identification, and various methods for controlling exotic and invasive plants. Applicants must: 1) work well as a part of a team; 2) have an enthusiasm for working outdoors; 3) be capable of hiking rough terrain; and 4) be willing to use and handle herbicides (training will be given!). Employees may also be able to take part in rare plant surveys, water quality monitoring, restoration work, public education, and other projects!

Interested or want to learn more? The GS-4/5 positions are here: https://www.usajobs.gov/job/763043100. The GS-6 position is here: https://www.usajobs.gov/job/763045100. Applications accepted until 12/6/2023 or the application cap. The cap can be reached quickly, so get your resume prepared and submitted! The announcement is shared with other NPS sites – make sure to select the Whiskeytown, CA duty location. The blanket description of duties is as follows:

Multiple positions will be filled at multiple locations. Pay rates, start dates and amount of travel required will vary based on duty location.

• Channel Islands NP: Ventura, CA
• Craters of the Moon NM & P: Arco, ID
• Lassen Volcanic NP: Mineral, CA
• Lewis and Clark NHP: Astoria, OR 
• Point Reyes NS: Point Reyes Station, CA
• Redwood NP: Orick, CA
• Whiskeytown NRA: Whiskeytown, CA

Major duties may include:

• Make field observations of natural resource conditions. Record all data collected and ensure adequate quality control. Perform routine and recurring testing of collected samples.
• Conduct routine resource monitoring programs for evaluating rare, threatened and endangered plant species, vegetation communities, population dynamics, ecosystem relationships, and public health/safety issues.
• Carry out a variety of field activities such as the plant surveys, control of non-native and invasive plant or insect species, and enhancement of native plant populations.
• Utilize a variety of computer programs to compile, reduce, store, retrieve, and report data and other resource management information.
• Utilize databases to enter and organize collected field data and uses standard statistical methods in the preparation of draft reports.
• Conduct invasives removal efforts using a variety of removal methods, including manual removal, mechanical removal using potentially chainsaws, and herbicide.
• Conduct revegetation including installation of container plants, salvaged plants, and divisions, as well as collection and sowing of seeds.
• Perform data collection, data entry, and spatial mapping and analysis using GIS (ArcGIS) and Global Positioning System (GPS) devices, including use of Trimble and mobile units running GIS software programs such as Field Maps.

Contact Tyler Self (tyler_self@nps.gov) or Chris McCarron (christopher_mccarron@nps.gov) with questions about the Whiskeytown NRA positions.