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Seasonal Biological Science Technician, Plants

National Park Service

Rapid City, South Dakota

Job Type Permanent
Salary $19.52 - $31.43 per hour
Benefits Appointment and payscale vary with qualifications.
Deadline Jan 27, 2026
Experience 2 - 6 years
  • Applied botany focused on the Flora of the Northern Great Plains and Black Hills
  • Based in Rapid City, South Dakota
  • Extensive travel to 11 National Parks in SD, ND, NE, WY throughout the Northern Great Plains and several Wilderness areas
  • Work in multiple ecosystems: upland prairies, cottonwood galleries, ponderosa pine forest and woodland, riparian and wetland areas
  • Training opportunities in plant identification, Wilderness First Aid, Leadership and supervision, data management
  • Data management experience using a large database, program-R, ArcGIS and FieldMaps
  • 6-month season from April/May through October/November

Here is an exciting opportunity for candidates with a strong interest in botany, forestry and grassland biology. The National Park Service Inventory and Monitoring Program based in Rapid City, South Dakota is hiring seasonal staff at the GS-05, GS-06 and GS 07 levels to be part of the Vegetation monitoring crew for 11 National Parks in South Dakota, North Dakota, Nebraska and Wyoming. These are positions that require skills in botany as well as a high degree of physical fitness to hike to remote locations. The monitoring encompasses a variety of ecosystems: upland prairies, cottonwood galleries, ponderosa pine forests, riparian and wetland zones and Wilderness areas. Staff can expect extensive travel in the summer months with training opportunities in plant identification, Wilderness First Aid, Leadership and supervision and data management. The positions begin in late-April or early-May and continue through October or early-November. Must be able to carry a 40lbs. pack on and off trails on uneven terrain. Much of this work is outdoors in remote locations, being prepared for variable and inclement weather and exposure to the elements is necessary. Qualifications for different positions are based on relevant experience.

Full job descriptions and instructions for applying can be found at USA Jobs: https://www.usajobs.gov/GetJob/ViewDetails/854827600

Category Botany , Ecology
Tags GIS , Wetland