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Open: March 27, 2026 — Closes: April 6, 2026
Summary
What General Information Do I Need To Know About This Position? Salary: $25.64 hourly (Step 01) to $32.03 hourly (Step 10); NOTE: First time hires to the Federal Government are typically hired at the Step 01.
Major Duties
Duration of Appointment: This is a temporary excepted service position not-to-exceed 1 year but may be extended without further competition. Employment may not exceed 1,039 hours in a service year. All qualified applicants, with or without Federal status may apply and be considered. Appointment to this position, however, will not convey permanent status in the Federal service. As a Physical Science Technician (Field Assistant) within the Woods Hole Coastal & Marine Science Center, some of your specific duties will include: Assists scientists and technicians by evaluating field data and samples-such as rocks, soils, water, and vegetation-and documenting environmental, geologic, and biological characteristics. Digitize and organize records, refile delicate documents, and catalog research assets. Assist with data management workflow to ensure timely processing and delivery of reports and information products to authors, researchers, and stakeholders. Prepares samples for isotopic, microbial, physical, chemical, and mechanical analyses, ensuring sterile technique and performing qualitative and quantitative laboratory tests. Conducts chemical and physical measurements using instruments such as spectrophotometers, gas chromatographs, and mass spectrometers, and performs calculations to determine sample composition. Physical Demands: Laboratory work requires prolonged periods of standing and manual dexterity to operate equipment. Field work requires moderate to strenuous outdoor activities such as hiking, digging, lifting, and driving a vehicle. Work is physically demanding and includes walking, bending, climbing, and lifting of equipment and/or carrying samples up to 100 pounds when in the field, sometimes during adverse weather conditions. Work Environment: The work is performed in a laboratory or field environment. Field work involves moderate risks and discomforts, exposure to conditions such as rain, cold/hot weather, and rapidly running or icy streams and rivers. Laboratory work involves exposure to moderate risks or discomforts such as high levels of noise and vibration, dust, grease, exposed moving parts of machinery, or irritant fumes and chemicals. Work requires protective clothing, gear, and observance of safety precautions.
