Park Guide (Seasonal)

Summary

This announcement is for the Park Guide, to clear ICTAP/CTAP priority lists. It is only open to current surplus and current or former displaced Federal individuals who have special priority selection rights under the ICTAP/CTAP.

National Park Service-wide (location negotiable). To see available parks and duty locations, please visit Find Your Park.

Applications must be submitted by 11:59 (EST) on the 03/07/2025 to be considered.

Duties

Park Guide Standard Duties:

• Staff information counter in a visitor center.
• Answering questions on a variety of subjects.
• Present limited and repetitive pre-established talks including introductions to films, map talks, and static exhibit interpretation.
• Orient hikers to conditions and equipment needs.
• Guide small parties (up to 20 people) on short walks.
• Some park locations issue backcountry camping permits and provide backcountry camping information.

Additional duties for GS-5:

• Performs duties including programs that require application of broad subject-matter knowledge of the park.
• Guide large groups (up to 50 people) on longer walks or programs.
• Provide a wide range of services to park visitors.
• Orient and explain current park events and warn of safety hazards.

Requirements
Conditions of Employment:

• U.S. Citizenship required.
• Area of Consideration for this position refers to the ICTAP/CTAP hiring authority/eligibility and not the physical location of the position.
• Appointment subject to background investigation and favorable adjudication.
• Males must meet Selective Service Registration Act requirement.
• Selectee will be required to participate in the Direct Deposit Electronics Funds Transfer Program.
• Occupancy of government quarters may be required.
• Government housing may be available but is not guaranteed.
• You may be required to wear a uniform and comply with the National Park Service uniform standards. A uniform allowance will be provided.
• You may be required to work on-call, evenings, weekends, holidays, overtime and/or shift work.
• You may be required to operate a government (or private) motor vehicle as part of your official duties.

Qualifications
All qualifications must be met by the closing date of this announcement-03/07/2025-unless otherwise stated in this vacancy announcement.

Credit will be given for all appropriate qualifying experience. To receive credit for experience, your 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 (i.e., 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 qualified specialized experience.

To qualify for this position at the GS-04 level, you must possess one of the following:
A. Six (6) months of general experience and six (6) months of specialized experience for a total of one year of experience. General experience is any type of work that demonstrates the applicant's ability to perform the work of the position, or (2) experience that provided a familiarity with the subject matter or processes of the broad subject area of the occupation. Examples of general experience include, but are not limited to: selling merchandise, collecting and accounting for fees or other monies, greeting visitors, disseminating information, providing directions, or other work which required dealing with people on a recurring basis and that indicates the ability to acquire the knowledge and skills needed to perform the duties of this position. Specialized experience is experience that involved oral presentation of historical, scientific, or program information to groups; or developing and/or revising technical, historical, or scientific information for oral presentation to groups. Examples of specialized experience could include park guide or tour leader, naturalist, environmental educator or teacher, or other similar work.

-OR-
B. Successfully completed two years of study above high school (60 semester hours or 90 quarter hours) which included at least 12 semester hours in subjects such as American History, science and/or public speaking.

-OR-
C. Equivalent combination of experience and education that, together, equal 100% of the qualification standards listed above when combined.

To qualify for this position at the GS-05 level, you must possess one of the following:

• One year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-04 level. Specialized Experience is experience that involved oral presentation of historical, scientific, or program information to groups; or developing and/or revising technical, historical, or scientific information for oral presentation to groups. Examples of specialized experience could include park guide or tour leader, naturalist, environmental educator or teacher, or other similar work.
• Successfully completed four years of study above high school (120 semester hour or 180 quarter hours) leading to a bachelor's degree with courses related to the occupation, such as American History, science, public speaking, parks and recreation, education or communications.

Important resume information to receive full consideration:

• You must clearly describe your duties, dates of employment (including month and year), and hours worked per week in the position in order to receive credit. If you do not include this information, you will not receive credit for that experience.
• Credit for experience is given on a 40-hour workweek. Part-time experience is credited on a part-time ratio (e.g. working 20 hours per week for two months equals one month of experience). No additional credit is given for overtime.
• In describing the nature of your duties (your experience), please be clear and concise. We will not make assumptions regarding your experience.

Note: Money handling requires a higher background check.

ICTAP/CTAP Statement: 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.

Education:
To qualify based on education, you must submit a legible copy of transcripts from an accredited institution with your name, school name, credit hours, course level, major(s), and grade-point average or class ranking. Transcripts do not need to be official, but if you are selected for this position and you used your education to qualify, you must provide official transcripts before you begin work.

Additional information:
Click here for the OPM Salaries and Wages to calculate locality pay.

Cost of Living Allowance (COLA) Statement:
COLA pay in Alaska is 3.00% with the exception of Anchorage, Fairbanks, and Juneau, which is 1.49%.
COLA pay in Hawaii is 8.64% with the exception of Hawaii island, which is 2.91%.
COLA pay in Puerto Rico is 2.49%.COLA pay in U.S. Virgin Islands is 11.88%.
COLA pay in U.S. Guam & Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands is 11.88%.

• The salary annotated on this announcement does not include the cost-of-living allowance, nor locality pay.

Employment may be terminated at any time due to fluctuations in funding levels, project needs, employee performance, or other considerations.
PHYSICAL DEMANDS: The work involves extensive periods of standing and walking, and in some cases, over rough surfaces or inclines carrying backpacks, tools, rescue equipment, etc.

WORK ENVIRONMENT: The work is performed in settings in which there is regular and recurring exposure to moderate discomforts and unpleasantness (e.g. high or low temperatures, confined spaces or adverse weather conditions).