Pysical Scientist

This position is located within the Department of the Interior, National Park Service, Wrangell-St. Elias National Park in Copper Center, AK. 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.

Major duties

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.

Qualifications

Requirements Continued... As a condition of employment for accepting this position, you will be required to serve a 2-year trial period during which your fitness and whether your continued employment advances the public interest will be evaluated. This trial period is an extension of the appointment process and therefore requires the agency to determine if continued employment would advance the public interest, meet the organization goals and mission of the agency, and/or otherwise promote the efficiency of the service. In determining if your employment advances the public interest, the agency will consider: your performance and conduct; the needs and interests of the agency; whether your continued employment would advance organizational goals of the agency or the Government; and whether your continued employment would advance the efficiency of the Federal service. Under applicable law, the employment of an individual serving a probationary or trial period automatically terminates when that period ends unless the agency affirmatively certifies, in writing, that the individual's employment should continue and that their appointment should be finalized. In the absence of agency action to affirmatively certify continued employment beyond the probationary or trial period, such appointments are terminated. Upon completion of your trial your employment will be terminated unless you receive certification, in writing, that your continued employment advances the public interest. Qualifications: All qualifications must be met by the closing date of this announcement-10/06/2026-unless otherwise stated in this vacancy announcement. ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS: Special knowledge or expertise concerning the park's or preserve's natural and/or cultural resources and the management thereof is required. Local knowledge of the resources and the typical conditions that affect the work to be accomplished will be applied in the performance of duties. -AND- To be eligible your application package must clearly show periods of time having lived or worked in or near the area of consideration. The area of consideration can be found in the below paragraph: Areas considered "near" Wrangell-St. Elias National Park and Preserve are Chisana, Chistochina, Chitina, Copper Center, Dot Lake, Gakona, Gakona Junction, Glennallen, Gulkana, Healy Lake, Kenny Lake, Long Lake, Lower & Upper Tonsina, McCarthy, Mendeltna, Mentasta Lake, Nabesna, Nelchina, Northway/Northway Village, Northway Junction, Slana, Tanacross, Tazlina, Tetlin, Tok, Tonsina and Yakutat. -ALSO- The following are the competencies identified for this position. Applicants are not required to address these competencies in a separate document but are encouraged to include in their resumes experience related to these competencies:

• Geology - Knowledge of the concepts, principles, and theories of the origins and structure of the earth and other planetary bodies, including the physical forces that have shaped it and its physical and organic history.
• Attention to Detail - Is thorough when performing work and conscientious about attending to detail.
• Hydrology - Knowledge of the concepts, principles, theories, and methods related to the magnitude, distribution, and quality of water resources including watershed management, climatology, geomorphology, groundwater hydrology, water quality, water resource management, and groundwater/surface water interactions.
• Communication - Expresses information (for example, ideas or facts) to individuals or groups effectively, considering the audience and nature of the information (for example, technical, sensitive, controversial).
• Mine Safety and Health - Knowledge of mine safety and health principles and practices, techniques and procedures, regulations, and standards as they apply to conducting inspections/investigations, identifying and evaluating unsafe conditions, and recommending methods to correct unsafe conditions.
• 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.

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.

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*