Total 104 Service Consultant job vacancies in Science / R&D / Research category in The United States of America

The parks and duty stations hiring for these positions are below. The typical seasonal entry-on-duty period for each park/duty station is listed below. These months vary due to weather conditions, project needs and/or funding.

• Denali National Park & Preserve (Denali Park): April/May - September
• Glacier Bay National Park & Preserve (Bartlett Cove & Juneau): April/May - October
• Katmai National Park & Preserve (King Salmon & Lake & Peninsula County. Applicants that apply to and are selected for Lake & Peninsula County will be duty stationed at Brooks Camp): May - October
• Kenai Fjords National Park (Seward): April - September
• Klondike Gold Rush National Historical Park (Skagway): April - September
• Lake Clark National Park & Preserve (Port Alsworth): May - October
• Yukon-Charley Rivers National Preserve & Gates of the Arctic National Park & Preserve (Fairbanks): May - August/September/October

Work includes, but is not limited to the following:
Assists professional staff in implementing wildlife inventory and monitoring programs for a variety of possible species including seabirds, water birds, passerine birds, amphibians, small mammals, ungulates, bears, raptors, etc. in the front country and the remote backcountry areas of Alaskan National Parks. For bird positions, must identify all birds in the study areas by sight and sound (calls and songs). Assists in planning, logistical arrangements, field work, data entry and result summarization. Selectee(s) will typically be stationed in the front country, but may be expected to live in primitive, remote backcountry camps in remote portions of the park for up to two weeks at a time, collecting natural resource data. Work includes field surveys to document and assess animal presence, abundance, reproduction, management issues, and population dynamics in various areas of the park using established protocols and standard equipment (including GPS).

Selectee(s) will be required to: 1) safely hike long distances through mountainous terrain (on and off trail) in adverse weather conditions with a heavy backpack; 2) work and communicate closely with team members on extended field trips; and 3) navigate to plots off trail over rugged terrain, snowfields, dense vegetation, and streams. Work may be performed in areas frequented by bears (training on how to handle bear encounters will be given). Incumbents will use computer software applications (e.g., Microsoft Access, Excel, Word, ArcGIS, Pathfinder Office, etc.) to store, retrieve, manage and analyze data, generate maps, and assist with creating reports and recommendations for natural resources projects.

Additional clarification/duties for the GS-06 and GS-07 levels:

• Assists in analysis of data and completing reports or other documents related to the project.
• GPS mapping, GIS data management, map production, managing and manipulating digital images and web or journal-based research.
• Assists with other natural resource management projects, maintains and repairs field equipment, prepares for field trips, communicates resource management topics to park staff and visitors, implements bear-human interaction, including conducting/leading aversive conditioning on black or brown bears.

Additional clarification/duties for the GS-07 level:

• Participates in planning, managing, conducting, analyzing data and writing reports on a variety of wildlife oriented biological surveys, monitoring and research activities.
• Weather data collection, water quality data collection, and web or journal-based research and training other employees and volunteers to efficiently conduct these tasks.

At least one position at Bartlett Cove may be filled with the following additional duties:
This is primarily an office-based position to assist professional staff with data management for a humpback whale research and monitoring program in a remote backcountry setting. Keeping up with incoming data during a busy field season will require that you: 1) download, label and manage photographs and observation data daily, 2) use fluke identification photographs to identify individual whales, and 3) assist once per week on whale surveys which involve long hours out on the water in a small boat in rain, sun, cold, and wind. During weekly fieldwork you will 1) assist with documenting whale observations under standardized protocols and 2) assist with driving the research vessel after initial training.

Physical Demands: The work is partially sedentary with prolonged standing, walking, and bending often required. Heavy items (e.g., packs and equipment up to 50 pounds) must be lifted and carried on a routine basis.

Working Conditions: The work is performed in an office, laboratory, and in the field. Field work includes exposure to extreme weather conditions and terrain, pesticides, poisonous plants, biting insects, and wild animals. Laboratory work may involve exposure to hazardous chemicals.

Starting at $20.36 Per Hour (GS 5-7)

As a Biological Science Technician your duties will include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Assists in refuge plant and wildlife inventory and monitoring program including vegetation, bird, small mammal, and invertebrate surveys.
• Carries out field studies on plants and plant ecology; inventorying and monitoring exotic plants and leads field crews in exotic plant eradication.
• Makes field observations of natural resource conditions.
• Evaluates observed conditions and problems, and interprets variables, trends, correlations, and interrelationships among data and conditions.
• Recommends management actions based on prescribed guidelines in existing refuge plans.
• Uses a variety of computer programs to compile, reduce, store, retrieve, analyze, and report data and other resource management information.
• Uses a wide variety of specialized equipment to carry out resource management projects.
• Assists in planning, organizing, scheduling, and implementing refuge natural resource management and habitat restoration projects.
• Works with regional, complex, refuge staff, and various partner organizations and agencies, serving as lead when applicable.
• Provides logistical support for resource management projects.
• Provides training to students, volunteers, and lower graded technicians.

Starting at $46,696 Per Year (GS 7)

This is a position with the Division of Sea Turtle Science and Recovery at Padre Island National Seashore. Serves as a Biological Science Technician assisting with a variety of projects, including collection, organization, and analysis of sea turtle data and gathering information related to complex sea turtle nesting and stranding projects. The position will include both administrative functions conducted in an office setting along with field work conducted in difficult and varied environmental conditions, including high temperatures, cold temperatures, wind, and humidity in a sandy and rough beach terrain.

• Aids with coordination of daytime sea turtle patrols on remote beaches to detect nesting by Kemp's ridley and other sea turtles, including live and dead stranded sea turtles via four-wheel drive vehicles.
• Responds to observations by other staff and volunteers and aids them in the field.
• Finds nests, collects sea turtle eggs and places them in the incubation facility and corral for protected incubation; and cares for eggs (including day and night monitoring).
• May camp in a remotely-located cabin (with up to 12 other people working with the project) for up to five nights each week in conjunction with patrols, egg incubation, stranding and oversight of corral and camp.
• Documents nesting sea turtles, sea turtle nests, and live and dead sea turtles found washed ashore on the beach; tags sea turtles; releases turtle hatchlings and stranded turtles; and transports sea turtle eggs and live and dead sea turtles.
• Analyzes unhatched eggs and performs necropsies on dead sea turtles, collects biological specimens, and logs and ships specimen samples.
• Aids with providing information and technical assistance to partners, cooperating scientists, cooperators, the public and a variety of entities.
• Prepares and delivers oral presentations and training to the public, staff, volunteers, and professional groups related to conservation, research, and monitoring projects.
• Edits and writes safety plans and planning documents for project activities.
• Coordinates and aids with the management of daytime patrols conducted via utility transport vehicles and four-wheel drive vehicles to detect and protect threatened and endangered sea turtles.
• May be scheduled to work weekends, holidays, and overtime to meet program needs.

Duties will be developmental in nature when filled below the full performance level.

Starting at $42,238 Per Year (GS 6-7)

• The duties may include, but are not limited to:
• Responsible for organizing and conducting direct control operations to reduce wildlife damage within a geographical area or technical/subject area of program involvement.
• Inspects and surveys areas and, as necessary, will revise existing WDM programs in close consultation with higher-level management.
• May be required to use chemical immobilization and euthanasia drugs to capture and handle wildlife.
• Assists Wildlife Biologists by correctly identifying current, and forecasting future damage, problems and relating them to the damage-causing species.
• Modifies or adapts established damage control techniques as necessary to meet local conditions and address specific environmental, economic or political considerations.
• Assists in the negotiation of cooperative service agreements with landowners, lessees, or administrators to accomplish the goals outlined for the WS program.
• Assists in conducting demonstrations and training for others, including other cooperators or other interested groups, on WDM methods, procedures, and program objectives.
• Carries out duties in accordance with program decisions made in compliance with the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) and Endangered Species Act (ESA) under guidance and oversight by supervisor.

Starting at $42,022 Per Year (GS 6)

This Biological Science Technician position is with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service's Red Wolf Recovery Program in northeastern North Carolina. The position performs a variety of red wolf related duties, such as those described below, in support of Program biologists and other stakeholders towards the management and conservation of red wolves in the only wild population.

• Conduct canid-trapping operations in the wild using foothold traps for the purpose of attaching radio collars, taking biological samples and the translocation of individuals.
• Observe landscape use and movement patterns of wild canids via tracks, remote sensing cameras, scat, radio telemetry and sightings, and record this information using maps, databases, etc.
• Work with private landowners to address any red wolf-related questions, issues and concerns to build a rapport and increase tolerance of red wolves.
• Conduct the care and feeding of canids in permanent and temporary pens. Consists of providing food and water, administering medications in their food, cleaning scats out of the enclosures, observing canids for signs of injury or illness, etc.
• Independently conduct routine maintenance of enclosures such as regularly inspecting enclosures, repairing fencing, filling in holes, etc. to maintain them in working order.

Starting at $42,541 Per Year (GS 6-7)

This Biological Science Technician position is with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service's Red Wolf Recovery Program in northeastern North Carolina. The position performs a variety of red wolf related duties, such as those described below, in support of Program biologists and other stakeholders towards the management and conservation of red wolves in the only wild population.

• Conduct canid-trapping operations in the wild using foothold traps for the purpose of attaching radio collars, taking biological samples and the translocation of individuals.
• Observe landscape use and movement patterns of wild canids via tracks, remote sensing cameras, scat, radio telemetry and sightings, and record this information using maps, databases, etc.
• Work with private landowners to address any red wolf-related questions, issues and concerns to build a rapport and increase tolerance of red wolves.
• Conduct the care and feeding of canids in permanent and temporary pens. Consists of providing food and water, administering medications in their food, cleaning scats out of the enclosures, observing canids for signs of injury or illness, etc.
• Independently conduct routine maintenance of enclosures such as regularly inspecting enclosures, repairing fencing, filling in holes, etc. to maintain them in working order.

Starting at $42,541 Per Year (GS 6-7)

The primary focus of the position(s) is to provide technical support for the control of sea lampreys in tributaries of the Great Lakes through the application of lampricides. As a Physical Science Technician your duties will include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Assist in the development and drafting of plans that describe field work, specifically portions including technical procedures and field schedules.
• Train and occasionally lead technical staff to develop, recommend, and implement technical procedures for lampricide treatments, station safety plans, and quality improvement.
• Measure and document chemical and physical parameters of streams prior to, during, and following lampricide treatments.
• Conduct stream-side bioassay tests in mobile laboratories and according to standard protocols to assist in determination of concentrations of lampricides needed for treatments.
• Design, fabricate, repair, maintain, and operate highly specialized lampricide application equipment used in lampricide treatments.
• Collect, measure, and record biological, physical, environmental, and geographical data.

Starting at $42,022 Per Year (GS 6-7)

The primary focus of the position(s) is to provide technical support for the control of sea lampreys in tributaries of the Great Lakes through the application of lampricides. As a Physical Science Technician your duties will include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Assist in the development and drafting of plans that describe field work, specifically portions including technical procedures and field schedules.
• Train and occasionally lead technical staff to develop, recommend, and implement technical procedures for lampricide treatments, station safety plans, and quality improvement.
• Measure and document chemical and physical parameters of streams prior to, during, and following lampricide treatments.
• Conduct stream-side bioassay tests in mobile laboratories and according to standard protocols to assist in determination of concentrations of lampricides needed for treatments.
• Design, fabricate, repair, maintain, and operate highly specialized lampricide application equipment used in lampricide treatments.
• Collect, measure, and record biological, physical, environmental, and geographical data.

Starting at $42,022 Per Year (GS 6-7)

These are TERM positions expected to last 13 months but may be extended up to a total of 4 years at management's discretion.

As a Biological Science Technician (Fish) your duties will include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Assists in planning and carrying out multifaceted fish and/or wildlife studies, field investigations and surveys by contributing ideas, determining research methods, establishing practical procedures for accomplishing and reporting the work, and determining other needs, such as costs, equipment and personnel. Independently monitors, plans, and implements activities related to conservation, management, and/or control of fish/wildlife.
• Assists in planning multifaceted habitat studies, assessments and monitoring by contributing ideas, determining research methods, establishing practical procedures for accomplishing and reporting the work, and determining other needs, such as costs, equipment and personnel.
• Lead a small group of lower-graded technicians in gathering field data and providing training in techniques and procedures.
• Conduct abundance estimates of resident fish species.
• Document fish movement using radio telemetry.
• Sample water quality
• Perform fish habitat inventory.

Starting at $52,636 Per Year (GS 7)

• Perform all field tasks involved in agronomic crop production through land preparation, planting, management, harvest, and post-harvest operations.
• Maintain an inventory of chemicals.
• Safely disposes of waste material (both chemical and biological).
• Search for literature or attend training or lectures pertinent to area of research for new procedures or techniques to use in the laboratory or field.
• Adapt, modify or develop new techniques and/or procedures to satisfy the needs of the research project.
• Participate in one or more phases of the research process by performing a variety of complex technical duties in a laboratory or field.
• Operate and maintain a variety of specialized equipment (i.e. tractors, sprayers, corn and soybean combine, cotton picker, cotton module builder, ATVs).
• Operate GPS, RTK, yield monitoring, and computer controlled farm equipment.

Starting at $46,696 Per Year (GS 7-9)

• Advanced knowledge of plant identification and the ability to use taxanomic guides to identify unknown plants
• Have knowledge of natural resource management issues across various ecosystems
• Knowledge or experience in using NEPA and NPS resource laws
• Experience with working on field GPS units and ArcPro maps
• Experience in writing reports and presentations

Starting at $22.65 Per Hour (GS 7)

The major duties of the Biological Science Technician position include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Assist professional staff in planning field research and resource monitoring programs for evaluating rare, threatened and endangered plant species, vegetation communities, population dynamic, ecosystem relationships and public health/safety issues.
• Schedule, coordinate, and carry out a wide variety of field activities in support of such programs as the control of non-native and invasive plant species and enhancement of native plant populations.
• Such activities may include inventory and assessment, habitat restoration and threat mitigations, and applications of herbicides.
• Make field observation of plant conditions, evaluates conditions/problems and provides summary reports and recommendations to professional staff for use in planning protection and mitigation activities.
• This includes risk assessment of trees to determine the presence of defects.
• Develop and use databases to enter, organize and perform preliminary analysis of collected field data and use standard statistical methods in the preparation of reports; enter and retrieve data from a geographic information system (GIS) and other information management systems: use a variety of computer software programs to analyze data, develop graphs, charts, illustrations, reports, and technical publications.
• Provide work direction and guidance to lower graded technicians, volunteers, and/or Youth Conservation Corps (YCC) enrollees in gathering field data, including proper and safe handling of equipment and tools, and operation of motorized vehicles.

Starting at $53,105 Per Year (GS 7)

• Collects, prepares, evaluates, and verifies biological samples and supporting records.
• Maintains inventory of chemicals, stock solutions, etc., prepares solutions and reagents for use in the laboratories, and safely disposes of waste material (both chemical and biological).
• Actively participates in one or more phases of the food safety research by performing a variety of biological technical duties, in a laboratory environment.
• Liaison with supervisor to resolve or correct technical difficulties and results or recommends resolution to supervisor.
• Adapts, modifies, or develops new techniques and/or procedures to satisfy the needs of the research project.
• Keeps detailed records of experimental data.
• As directed, searches for literature pertinent to area of research for new procedures or techniques to use in the laboratory or field.
• Maintains records and locates and compiles data and other information from various sources.
• Performs the full range of techniques and studies using a variety of specialized equipment and molecular techniques.
• Maintains, calibrates and modifies complex/specialized equipment and automated systems used for test and evaluation procedures.
• Performs sterile technique such as growing and maintaining microbial cultures.

Starting at $51,241 Per Year (GS 7)

• Collects, prepares, evaluates, and verifies seed samples, seed bank characterization and supporting records.
• Maintains inventory of chemicals, stock solutions, etc., prepares solutions and reagents for use in the laboratory, field, or greenhouse, and safely disposes of waste material (both chemical and biological).
• Utilizes inventory management techniques in a laboratory setting.
• Actively participates in one or more phases of the research related to vegetables or hemp seeds by performing a variety of complex technical duties, in a laboratory or field environment.
• Contributes ideas towards the planning and sequencing of the technical aspects of the research.
• Adapts, modifies, or develops new techniques and/or procedures to satisfy the needs of the research project.
• Searches for literature pertinent to research related to vegetables, hemp seed for new procedures or techniques to use in the laboratory, field, or greenhouse.
• Maintains records and locates and compiles data and other information from various sources.
• Performs the full range of techniques and studies using a variety of specialized equipment.
• Maintains, calibrates, and modifies complex/specialized equipment and automated systems used for test and evaluation procedures.
• Tabulates, statistically analyzes, and summarizes data using personal computers and software packages.

Starting at $37,696 Per Year (GS 5-7)

These positions are located within the Division of Natural Resource Management at Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore. You will serve as a Project Leader to implement new and established natural resource management projects primarily for monitoring and controlling exotic plants but also including conducting natural resource monitoring programs of rare plants; assessing forest health and treating for forest pests; organizing prescribed fire and fuel reduction; and conducting extensive beach and dune fieldwork. Duties will include identifying plants; surveying for target invasive plants; collecting field data and recording the data into established or new databases; collecting GPS and GIS data; and controlling invasive plants using hand-pulling, hand tools, power tools, and chemical herbicides.

Successful applicants will lead teams that may include NPS seasonals, interns, volunteers, and other agency staff. Individual may be asked to occasionally lead larger groups of volunteers in projects. Herbicide use and some overnight backcountry camping can be expected.
Global positioning systems, aerial photographs, topographic maps, and/or compass may be used in navigation. A portion of time will be dedicated to project logistics and preparatory groundwork, data entry, preparation of Field and Project Reports, assisting with the appraisals of seasonal staff and other duties in the laboratory/office setting.

The duties of this position require hiking off trail in forest and dune environments where the terrain is uneven, steep at times, and sandy, and/or covered with thick, tangled vegetation. There is possibility of contact with stinging insects, poison ivy, and various other hazards from variable climatic conditions. Numerous trips using a NPS boat or commercial ferry to do research on the Lakeshore's islands will occur. Staff may be hiking as much as 10 miles per day in various types of terrain while carrying backpacks, tools, and equipment. Some assignments will require being prepared to camp overnight for several days in the backcountry. Weather conditions may vary from cold (0-15 degrees F), snowy, rainy and windy in the winter and fall to sunny, hot (95-100 degrees F) and humid in the summer.

Depending on the assigned task, the applicant must be willing to become certified in Michigan for commercial restricted-use herbicide applications and to apply approved herbicides.

Starting at $20.14 Per Hour (GS 6)