Summary
* * The closing date of this announcement has been extended from 10-06-2026 to 10-13-2026. * * Career-Seasonal appointments are permanent positions and include the same benefits as permanent appointments, but do not provide work on a year-round basis. You will work for approximately mid-June through late May, and you will be in a non-pay status for the remainder of the year.
Duties
This position is located within the Department of the Interior, National Park Service, Wrangell-St. Elias National Park in Copper Center, AK. In this position, you will serve as a Physical Scientist and will be responsible for program development and implementation related to geology, soils, hydrology, hydrogeology, air quality, acoustics, paleontology, caves and karst formations, and related fields and activities. At the full performance level (GS-11) the major duties of this position include, but are not limited to the following: Manage Abandoned Mineral Lands program, as well provide subject matter expertise on hydrology, and other landscape level geological processes. Identifies research needs, prepares requests for proposals, and provides oversight for research projects. Incorporates appropriate GIS technology into job to provide comprehensive and scientifically sound answers to inquiries from managers and others. Uses automatic methods of data collection, analysis or illustration. Conducts analysis of complex data. Determines and documents the significance of findings. Represents the superintendent and/or supervisor when working with others on physical science matters. Develops and maintains liaisons and effective working relations with related groups and individuals, agencies, and the public. May carry out program management duties by developing work plans and schedules, scopes of work, cost estimates, and proposals and/or grants to justify funding requests and accomplish goals. Attends management and professional conferences and other events for the purpose of exchanging information and advancing advocacy for park stewardship.
Requirements
Must be a U.S. Citizen or National. Appointment subject to background investigation and favorable adjudication. Males born after 12-31-59 must be registered for Selective Service. Direct Deposit participation required. Successfully pass the E-Verify employment verification check. To learn more, visit www.dhs.gov/EVerify/. Must have and maintain a valid driver's license throughout employment. You may be required to work on-call, evenings, weekends, holidays, overtime and shift work. You may be required to complete training and operate a four-wheel drive vehicle. Pre-employment and random drug testing are required. You will not be appointed to the position if a verified positive drug test is received. Requires operation of a small watercraft less than 26 feet in length. You are required to obtain and maintain a Motorboat Operator Certification Course (MOCC). You must be able to lift 50 pounds. You may be required to travel overnight away from home a total of five to six weeks per year. Travel will be for meetings and fieldwork. You must obtain a government charge card for travel purposes. This position requires carrying firearms in the backcountry for protection from dangerous animals. You must meet all Federal, State and local laws for carrying firearms on Federal public lands. You must be free of any domestic violence convictions. Eligible for conversion to competitive service after two years and upon meeting all requirements. Prior to converting to competitive service, incumbent must meet the following education requirement: Education: Successfully completed a full 4-year course of study in an accredited college or university leading to a bachelor's or higher degree in physical science, engineering, or mathematics that included 24 semester hours in physical science and/or related engineering science such as mechanics, dynamics, properties of materials, and electronics. -OR- Combination of Education and Experience: Education equivalent to one of the majors shown above that included at least 24 semester hours in physical science and/or related engineering science, plus appropriate experience, or additional education. You must provide a copy of your transcripts and hours worked per week. *Additional Requirements located under qualifications*
Education
There is no substitution of education for the required special knowledge or expertise concerning the park's or preserve's natural and/or cultural resources and the management thereof as outlined in this announcement. However, prior to conversion to competitive service you will be required to meet the education requirements outlined in the Requirements section.
How you will be evaluated
Your qualifications will be evaluated based on your application materials (e.g., resume, supporting documents, responses to the questions in the assessment). If your application package does not clearly reflect having lived / worked within the area of consideration, does not clearly reflect special knowledge of the natural and/or cultural resources of the park or preserve, or if you fail to submit all required documentation, you will be rated 'ineligible' or 'not qualified'. Your resume must not exceed 2 pages. Only the document submitted as the "Resume" under the Documents section will be used to determine your qualifications/eligibility and for rating purposes. In the event you submit more than one resume, only the latest submission will be reviewed. Veterans' preference will be based solely on the claimed preference. Your eligibility will not be changed based on the documentation provided. If you are uncertain which preference to claim, you can learn more by visiting the VetGuide. Providing false or misleading information on your resume or supporting documentation may result in removal from consideration or other action consistent with applicable federal hiring regulations. Applicants who include vulgar, offensive, or inappropriate language or information in their application package will be ineligible for further consideration for this position.