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Pysical Scientist
Department of the Interior
National Park Service
Wrangell-St. Elias National Park and Preserve
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Summary
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.
Learn more about this agency
Summary
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.
Learn more about this agency
Overview
Help
Accepting applications
Location
1 vacancy in the following location:
Copper Center, AK
No matching locations found.
Work site options
Telework eligible Yes-as determined by the agency policy. Remote job No Relocation expenses reimbursed No Salary $84,439 - $109,777 per year
An additional 3% cost of living allowance (COLA) will be added to the salary above. Pay is subject to annual review and adjustment.
Pay scale & grade
GS 11
Promotion potential None
Learn more about pay scale and grade
Pay scale and grade determines the salary of the job.
Work schedule Full-time Travel Required 25% or less - You may be expected to travel for this position.
Appointment type Permanent
Occupations and job series
Supervisory status No Federal service type This job is in the Excepted Service Represented by a union No
Drug test Yes Security clearance Not Required Position sensitivity and risk Non-sensitive (NS)/Low Risk
Jobs require a background check and some require a security clearance. The type depends on the job.
Background check type
Financial disclosure required No
Some jobs require financial disclosure to identify conflicts of interests.
Announcement number CAHM-26-13076531-EX-LL Control number 886898700
This job is open to
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The public
U.S. Citizens, Nationals or those who owe allegiance to the U.S.
Clarification from the agency
This position is being filled using the Alaska National Interest Lands Conservation Act (ANILCA) local hiring authority (16 USC 3198). Any U.S. Citizen who has acquired special knowledge or expertise regarding the natural or cultural resources of Wrangell-St. Elias National Park and Preserve, by reason of having either lived or worked in or near the unit may apply. See Qualifications section for eligibility requirements.
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Duties
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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:
Requirements
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Conditions of employment
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*
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:
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.
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.
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:
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.
Additional information
Additional vacancies may be filled using this job announcement.
First time hires to the Federal government normally start at the step 1 rate.
This is an excepted service appointment, that confers competitive status after two years and upon meeting all performance and OPM qualification requirements.
Physical Demands/Work Environment: The position may require strenuous physical activity including periods of standing, walking, climbing, and lifting and carrying heavy objects. Some activities will occur in physically dangerous areas or settings. Documentary research and report writing work is sedentary, entails the ability to concentrate and write for long periods of time.
Work is performed both indoors and outdoors in all types of weather. Assignments may be performed in potentially hazardous areas including steep slopes, rocky terrain, volcanoes, caves, fire lines, arctic environments, swamps, deserts, and forests. Flying in fixed-wing aircraft and helicopters is possible.
All Department of Interior (DOI) employees, their spouses, and minor children may not acquire or retain any claim, permit, lease, small tract entry, or other rights granted by the Department in Federal lands, with limited exceptions. Additional ethics prohibitions can be found here, https://www.doi.gov/ethics/ethics-prohibitions.
The duties of this position are suitable for telework and the selectee may be allowed to telework with supervisor approval
Alaska currently does not have a state income tax.
All travel, transportation, and relocation expenses associated with reporting for duty in this position will be the sole responsibility of the selectee.
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Candidates should be committed to improving the efficiency of the Federal government, passionate about the ideals of our American republic, and committed to upholding the rule of law and the United States Constitution.
Benefits
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A career with the U.S. government provides employees with a comprehensive benefits package. As a federal employee, you and your family will have access to a range of benefits that are designed to make your federal career very rewarding. Opens in a new windowLearn more about federal benefits.
Review our benefits
Eligibility for benefits depends on the type of position you hold and whether your position is full-time, part-time or intermittent. Contact the hiring agency for more information on the specific benefits offered.
How you will be evaluated
You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.
Your qualifications will be evaluated based on your application materials (e.g., resume, supporting documents, responses to the questions in the assessment). If your application package does not clearly reflect having lived / worked within the area of consideration, does not clearly reflect special knowledge of the natural and/or cultural resources of the park or preserve, or if you fail to submit all required documentation, you will be rated ''ineligible'' or ''not qualified''.
Your resume must not exceed 2 pages. 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.
Veterans'' preference will be based solely on the claimed preference. Your eligibility will not be changed based on the documentation provided. If you are uncertain which preference to claim, you can learn more by visiting the VetGuide.
Providing false or misleading information on your resume or supporting documentation may result in removal from consideration or other action consistent with applicable federal hiring regulations. Applicants who include vulgar, offensive, or inappropriate language or information in their application package will be ineligible for further consideration for this position.
Benefits
Help
A career with the U.S. government provides employees with a comprehensive benefits package. As a federal employee, you and your family will have access to a range of benefits that are designed to make your federal career very rewarding. Opens in a new windowLearn more about federal benefits.
Review our benefits
Eligibility for benefits depends on the type of position you hold and whether your position is full-time, part-time or intermittent. Contact the hiring agency for more information on the specific benefits offered.
Required documents
Required Documents
Help
The following documents are required and must be submitted by 11:59 PM (ET) on 10/06/2026-unless otherwise stated in this vacancy announcement:
Failure to submit any of the above-mentioned required documents will result in loss of consideration due to an incomplete application package. It is your responsibility to ensure all required documents have been submitted.
Do not submit photographs with your application package. Documents with photographs may not be seen by hiring officials - you must remove your image from all documents.
Do not upload Adobe portfolio documents. Adobe portfolio documents are not viewable by our agency''s staffing offices.
How to Apply
Help
Please read the entire announcement and all the instructions before you begin an application.
There are multiple options for applying to this position, please see application options and instructions below:
To apply online: You must complete all required questionnaires, assessments and submit all required documentation as specified in the How to Apply and Required Documents section. The complete application package must be submitted by 11:59 PM (ET) on the 10/06/2026 - unless otherwise stated in this vacancy announcement to receive consideration. You must provide documentation to support your eligibility claim.
The application process is as follows:
To apply via mail: Mailed applications must be postmarked by the closing date of the announcement. If your application is postmarked by the closing date, it must be received in a sealed envelope no later than seven calendar days after the closing date. The seven-day waiting period may be extended if weather delays mail delivery.
Applications may be mailed to:
National Park Service
Alaska Regional Office
Attn: Human Resources
240 W. 5th Ave.
Anchorage, AK 99501
Applications must include the vacancy announcement number. If you are applying to multiple vacancy announcements, you must submit a separate application for each vacancy.
Applicants who apply under this job opportunity announcement agree to have their application, associated documents and applicable personal information shared with other Bureaus/Offices within the Department of the Interior (DOI) who have vacancies within the same occupational series, grade, full performance level and in the same geographic location(s), including within the same metro/commuting area. Applying to this announcement does not replace the need to apply to other job opportunity announcements for which you wish to receive consideration.
Agency contact information
Laura Lasell
Email laura_lasell@ios.doi.gov Address Alaska Regional Office
240 W 5th Avenue
Anchorage, AK 99501
US
Next steps
Please refer to your USAJOBS account for application status; the Human Resources Office cannot respond to individual status inquiries.
Once your online application is submitted you will receive a confirmation notification by email. Your application will be evaluated by the Human Resources Office to determine your eligibility for the position. After the evaluation is complete, you will receive another notification regarding the status of your application. If your name is referred to the hiring official, you may be contacted directly for a possible interview.
You can find your path with the Department of Interior at https://careers.doi.gov/.
Any exaggeration of your experience, false statements, or attempt to conceal information may disqualify you for employment consideration. We may verify all information you provide in your resume and questionnaire responses, through reference and/or background checks, and/or verification of your education. If you are selected, you will be contacted personally by the Human Resources Office posting this announcement.
Fair and transparent
The Federal hiring process is set up to be fair and transparent. Please read the following guidance.
Criminal history inquiries Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) Policy
Financial suitability New employee probationary period
Privacy Act Reasonable accommodation policy
Selective Service Signature and false statements
Social security number request
Required Documents
Help
The following documents are required and must be submitted by 11:59 PM (ET) on 10/06/2026-unless otherwise stated in this vacancy announcement:
Failure to submit any of the above-mentioned required documents will result in loss of consideration due to an incomplete application package. It is your responsibility to ensure all required documents have been submitted.
Do not submit photographs with your application package. Documents with photographs may not be seen by hiring officials - you must remove your image from all documents.
Do not upload Adobe portfolio documents. Adobe portfolio documents are not viewable by our agency''s staffing offices.
How to Apply
Help
Please read the entire announcement and all the instructions before you begin an application.
There are multiple options for applying to this position, please see application options and instructions below:
To apply online: You must complete all required questionnaires, assessments and submit all required documentation as specified in the How to Apply and Required Documents section. The complete application package must be submitted by 11:59 PM (ET) on the 10/06/2026 - unless otherwise stated in this vacancy announcement to receive consideration. You must provide documentation to support your eligibility claim.
The application process is as follows:
To apply via mail: Mailed applications must be postmarked by the closing date of the announcement. If your application is postmarked by the closing date, it must be received in a sealed envelope no later than seven calendar days after the closing date. The seven-day waiting period may be extended if weather delays mail delivery.
Applications may be mailed to:
National Park Service
Alaska Regional Office
Attn: Human Resources
240 W. 5th Ave.
Anchorage, AK 99501
Applications must include the vacancy announcement number. If you are applying to multiple vacancy announcements, you must submit a separate application for each vacancy.
Applicants who apply under this job opportunity announcement agree to have their application, associated documents and applicable personal information shared with other Bureaus/Offices within the Department of the Interior (DOI) who have vacancies within the same occupational series, grade, full performance level and in the same geographic location(s), including within the same metro/commuting area. Applying to this announcement does not replace the need to apply to other job opportunity announcements for which you wish to receive consideration.
Expand Hide how to apply
Agency contact information
Laura Lasell
Email laura_lasell@ios.doi.gov Address Alaska Regional Office
240 W 5th Avenue
Anchorage, AK 99501
US
Next steps
Please refer to your USAJOBS account for application status; the Human Resources Office cannot respond to individual status inquiries.
Once your online application is submitted you will receive a confirmation notification by email. Your application will be evaluated by the Human Resources Office to determine your eligibility for the position. After the evaluation is complete, you will receive another notification regarding the status of your application. If your name is referred to the hiring official, you may be contacted directly for a possible interview.
You can find your path with the Department of Interior at https://careers.doi.gov/.
Any exaggeration of your experience, false statements, or attempt to conceal information may disqualify you for employment consideration. We may verify all information you provide in your resume and questionnaire responses, through reference and/or background checks, and/or verification of your education. If you are selected, you will be contacted personally by the Human Resources Office posting this announcement.
Expand Hide next steps
Fair and transparent
The Federal hiring process is set up to be fair and transparent. Please read the following guidance.
Criminal history inquiries Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) Policy
Financial suitability New employee probationary period
Privacy Act Reasonable accommodation policy
Selective Service Signature and false statements
Social security number request
National Park Service
The Department of the Interior protects and manages the Nation''s natural resources and cultural heritage; provides scientific and other information about those resources; and honors its trust responsibilities or special commitments to American Indians, Alaska Natives, Native Hawaiians, and affiliated Island Communities. Click here to learn more about the Department of the Interior and its bureaus.
The mission of the National Park Service (NPS) is to preserve the natural and cultural resources and values of the National Park System for the enjoyment, education, and inspiration of this and future generations. You can make a difference by bringing your unique experience, background, and perspective to our work. Click here to learn more about the National Park Service.
Agency contact information
Laura Lasell
Email laura_lasell@ios.doi.gov Address Alaska Regional Office
240 W 5th Avenue
Anchorage, AK 99501
US
Visit our careers page
Learn more about what it''s like to work at National Park Service, what the agency does, and about the types of careers this agency offers.
https://www.youtube.com/embed/nKonBsAFNbY
Summary
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.
Learn more about this agency
Overview
Help
Accepting applications
Location
1 vacancy in the following location:
Copper Center, AK
No matching locations found.
Work site options
Telework eligible Yes-as determined by the agency policy. Remote job No Relocation expenses reimbursed No Salary $84,439 - $109,777 per year
An additional 3% cost of living allowance (COLA) will be added to the salary above. Pay is subject to annual review and adjustment.
Pay scale & grade
GS 11
Promotion potential None
Learn more about pay scale and grade
Pay scale and grade determines the salary of the job.
Work schedule Full-time Travel Required 25% or less - You may be expected to travel for this position.
Appointment type Permanent
Occupations and job series
Supervisory status No Federal service type This job is in the Excepted Service Represented by a union No
Drug test Yes Security clearance Not Required Position sensitivity and risk Non-sensitive (NS)/Low Risk
Jobs require a background check and some require a security clearance. The type depends on the job.
Background check type
Financial disclosure required No
Some jobs require financial disclosure to identify conflicts of interests.
Announcement number CAHM-26-13076531-EX-LL Control number 886898700
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| Location | AK |
| Salary | $84,439–$109,777 Per Year |
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