Physical Science Technician; Seasonal

Physical Science Technician – Jewel Cave National Monument

The typical seasonal entry-on-duty period is October – March, but can vary due to weather conditions, project needs, or funding. Anticipated Entry on Duty:
October 2026.

Open to the first 50 applicants or until 07/20/2026, whichever comes first. All applications submitted by 11:59 EST on the closing day will receive consideration. All qualifications must be met by the closing date of this announcement – 07/20/2026 – unless otherwise stated.

Credit will be given for all appropriate qualifying experience. To receive credit for experience,
your 2-page resume must clearly indicate the nature of the duties and responsibilities for each position, starting and ending dates of employment (month/year), and the resume must reflect full and/or part-time or total number of hours worked (e.g., work 40+ hours a week, rather than indicating full-time). If part-time, the hours must be annotated to be able to pro-rate the amount of qualified specialized experience.

Resumes must not exceed two single‑sided pages, and resumes longer than two pages will not be accepted. You may only submit one resume. 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.

At least one full year of specialized experience comparable in scope and responsibility to the GS‑04 grade level in the Federal service (obtained in either the public or private sectors). Examples of qualifying specialized experience include work in the fields of astronomy, physics, geophysics, chemistry, hydrology, health physics, engineering, geology, oceanography, and metallurgy. Experience as a laboratory mechanic or in a trade or craft may be credited if the work was performed in close association with physical scientists or other technical personnel and provided intensive knowledge of appropriate scientific principles, methods, techniques, and precedents.

Specialized experience also includes protection of cave resources, cave restoration techniques, and safely working in a cave environment. You must include hours per week worked.

Successful completion of at least a full four‑year course of study leading to a bachelor’s degree with (a) major study in an appropriate field of physical science, or (b) that included at least 24 semester hours in any combination of courses such as physical science, engineering, or any branch of mathematics, except financial and commercial mathematics. You must include transcripts.

Successful completion of a combination of education and experience as described above. Only education in excess of the first 60 semester hours (i.e., beyond the second year) is creditable toward meeting the specialized experience requirement. For example, 6 months of specialized experience (50% of the specialized experience) and three years of education above high school (50% of the education) would qualify an applicant for this position.

The total must equal at least 100 percent to qualify. You must include hours per week worked and include transcripts.

Experience refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service programs (e.g., Peace Corps, Ameri Corps) 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.

Current surplus and current or former displaced Federal individuals who have special priority selection rights under the Agency Career Transition Assistance Program (CTAP) or the Interagency Career Transition Assistance Program (ICTAP) must be well qualified for the position to receive consideration for special priority selection. Well qualified means that the applicant meets the following: OPM qualification standards for the position; all selective placement factors, where applicable;

special qualifying conditions that OPM has approved for the position, where applicable; is physically qualified with reasonable accommodation, where appropriate, to satisfactorily perform the duties of the position upon entry; and is rated by the organization at least at the well qualified level on all competencies.

The OPM Qualification Standards Handbook is available for review at: OPM Qualification Standards.