Description

Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks temporary GS-4/5/6, and Biological Science Technician (Aquatics/Fisheries) positions open Monday, October 19

Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks (SEKI) are seeking several full-time, temporary aquatic technicians for the 2027 summer field season. 

Mountain yellow-legged frog technician (up to 4 GS-4, 4 GS-5, 2 GS-6): Technicians will restore high elevation lake and stream ecosystems in Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks to benefit native species, including endangered mountain yellow-legged frogs (Rana muscosa and Rana sierrae). Technicians will work a maxiflex schedule (typically 8-days on, 6 days off) in a remote wilderness field camp. The GS-04 and GS-05 positions will be stationed in Kings Canyon National Park with projected start dates of mid-May to early-June. The GS-06 positions will be stationed in either Sequoia National Park or Kings Canyon National Park with projected start dates of early-May. Position end date is anticipated to be mid-October. 

        GS-04 level: Duties are removing nonnative fish from lakes using gill nets and from streams using backpack electrofishers; setting, cleaning and repairing gill nets; conducting visual encounter surveys for fish, amphibians, and reptiles; collecting field data; following detailed protocols; recording environmental parameters; using topographic maps, compass, and/or global positioning systems (GPS) for navigation; providing an overview of the project to park visitors, and occasional assistance with research projects. 

        GS-05 level: Additionally, interacting with the public regarding sensitive amphibian, reptile, or fisheries management issues; discussing scientific information with peers and public; and training other technicians, interns, volunteers, and field observers. 

        GS-06 level: Additionally, as an assistant crew lead, managing logistics in preparation for summer fieldwork; providing orientation, training and mentoring for summer field crews; overseeing and conducting summer field operations; manipulating aquatic datasets; providing logistic and field support to scientific research studies; conducting electronic entry, quality assurance/quality control and summary reporting of field data, and organizing and maintaining field equipment and supplies. 

Aquatic pathogen technician (up to 2 GS-4/5/6): Technicians will survey aquatic habitats for pathogen presence using multiple methods. Technicians will work a maxiflex schedule including some overnight camping. Technicians will be stationed in Sequoia National Park with projected start date of early May. Position end date is anticipated to be September/October.

        GS-04 level: Duties are surveying aquatic habitats for aquatic species presence via snorkeling and walking transects; amphibian and reptile species capture, swabbing, and processing to determine pathogen presence and load; sterile collection of water and sediment samples for eDNA analysis; following detailed protocols; recording environmental parameters; using topographic maps, compass, and/or global positioning systems (GPS) for navigation; providing an overview of the project to park visitors, and occasional assistance with other projects. 

        GS-05 level: Additionally, interacting with the public regarding sensitive amphibian, reptile, or fisheries management issues; discussing scientific information with peers and public; and training other technicians, interns, volunteers, and field observers. 

        GS-06 level: Additionally, as an assistant crew lead, managing logistics in preparation for summer fieldwork; providing orientation, training and mentoring for summer field crew; overseeing and conducting summer field operations; manipulating aquatic datasets; providing logistic and field support to scientific research studies; conducting electronic entry, quality assurance/quality control and summary reporting of field data, and organizing and maintaining field equipment and supplies.

Interested applicants must apply through the USAJOBS website at the following job announcement number: CAHQ-27-13081043-DE-JEA

Announcements open on Monday, October 19, 2026 and will close on the day when application caps have been reached. To receive consideration, complete application packages should be submitted expediently. If a cap is not reached, that announcement will close at 11:59 PM (EST) on October 26, 2026.  

For additional information about the positions, please contact the SEKI Aquatic Ecosystems program by e-mailing Kristie Stein at kristie_stein@nps.gov.

Requirements

Requirements common to all positions: Technicians working on projects located in the wilderness must have strong backpacking and wilderness camping skills including experience hiking or recreating at 10,000 ft (must include this detail in resume), the ability to hike safely across challenging on- and off-trail terrain and be comfortable in remote wilderness settings with limited human contact. Technicians must have experience in conducting amphibian, reptile, fisheries, or other wildlife surveys, and a strong commitment to conducting ecological surveys and restoration. Technicians must be able to work well in a small crew, be detail oriented, and able to work in cold or hot, wet, windy, buggy, and stormy conditions.