Marine Ecologist

Summary

The National Park Service is seeking a Marine Ecologist to lead a coastal, estuarine, and marine ecology program supporting Everglades restoration and resource management. This position provides scientific leadership for marine research, monitoring, restoration, and management at Everglades National Park.

Learn more at National Park Service.

Duties

This position is located within the Department of the Interior, National Park Service, Southeast Region, Everglades National Park, South Florida Natural Resources Center, in Key Largo, FL. The major duties include but are not limited to:

• Leads marine and estuarine ecological research, monitoring, and assessment programs to support resource management and restoration decisions.
• Plans and evaluates marine restoration projects and assesses impacts to fisheries, seagrass, coral communities, and other marine resources.
• Serves as a senior technical advisor on marine ecology, Everglades restoration, resource management, and applied science issues.
• Coordinates with scientists, agencies, universities, and partners to develop research priorities and advance marine resource conservation.
• Supervises scientific staff and manages program operations, budgets, contracts, safety, performance, and workforce development.

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 cannot hold an active real estate license, nor can you have an interest or hold stocks in firms with interest in Federal Lands.
• A financial disclosure report will be required within 30 days of appointment.
• You are required to complete and pass the DOI Motorboat Operator Certification Course (MOCC) within one year of appointment.
• You will be required to serve a one-year probationary period. Before the probationary period ends, the agency will determine whether your continued employment advances the public interest. Continued employment is not automatic. See below for more information.

Probationary Period

As a condition of employment for accepting this position, you will be required to serve a 1 year probationary period during which your fitness and whether your continued employment advances the public interest will be evaluated. This probationary 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.
• 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 probationary period your employment will be terminated unless you receive certification, in writing, that your continued employment advances the public interest.

Qualifications

This position requires a special qualification that has been determined to be essential to perform the duties and will be used as a screen out element. This position requires English language proficiency. You must be able to read, write, and speak English to be considered for this position. Applicants who do not meet this requirement will not receive further consideration.

To qualify for this position, you must meet both of the following education requirement (IOR) and specialized experience:

Individual Occupational Requirement (IOR)

To meet this requirement you must possess a degree in biology, or a related field of science underlying ecological research that included at least 30 semester hours in basic and applied biological sciences. These hours must have included at least 9 semester hours in ecology, and 12 semester hours in physical and mathematical sciences. You must include all transcripts with your application.

Specialized Experience

In addition to the above IOR, to qualify for this position at the GS-13 grade level you must possess at least one full year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-12 level in the Federal service (obtained in either the public or private sectors). Specialized experience is defined as demonstrated experience performing scientific work directly related to coastal, estuarine, or marine ecology, including:

• Conducting marine or estuarine ecological research, monitoring, or resource management activities.
• Analyzing and interpreting ecological data to identify trends or changes in marine resources.
• Assessing the status, trends, or environmental conditions of marine species, habitats, or ecosystems using scientific data.
• Evaluating marine or estuarine restoration or resource management projects to determine their effects on marine resources or ecosystem conditions.
• Coordinating scientific activities with researchers, resource managers, partner organizations, or other stakeholders.

All qualifications must be met by the closing date of this announcement, 10/16/2026.

To receive credit for experience, your resume MUST state either "full-time" (or "40 hours a week") or "part-time" with the number of hours worked per week to ensure proper crediting of specialized experience. Failure to adequately provide information needed to determine number of hours worked in each position may result in that time not being credited when evaluating qualifying experience. For periods of time that reflect military service, the DD-214 or Statement of Service is sufficient to meet the full and/or part-time hours requirement as the service dates will be reflected.

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.

Physical Demands

The work includes both office and field activities and may involve moderate to heavy physical exertion. Field activities may include boating and scuba diving and must be able to lift up to 50 pounds.

Work Environment

Work is performed in both office and field settings. Field work may involve boating, flying, and scuba diving and may require extended exposure to high heat and humidity, biting insects, severe weather, and other potentially hazardous conditions.

Education

This position has a mandatory education requirement, please read the Qualifications section to ensure you meet this requirement.

Transcripts must be submitted with your application, please read the Required Documents section for more information on this requirement.

Additional Information

• Additional vacancies may be filled using this job announcement.
• If otherwise eligible and qualified, you may be offered a recruitment or relocation incentive. The decision to offer an incentive will be made on a case-by-case basis and is neither promised nor guaranteed. For information visit: Recruitment Incentive or Relocation Incentive. A continued service agreement may be required if it is determined you are eligible for a permanent change in duty station (PCS), recruitment, or relocation incentive.
• 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.

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

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. Learn 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.

Deadline: 10/16/2026.