Park Guide (Seasonal)

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.

• 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.

Conditions of employment

• U.S. Citizenship required.
• 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.
  • Use find a park to contact specific parks for more information on government housing.
• 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. Prior to your first official motor vehicle operation and again every year thereafter (or more frequently if management determines such need exists) you will be required to sign an affidavit certifying to your possession of a valid State issued drivers license that is current and has not been revoked suspended canceled or otherwise disqualified in any way to prohibit your operation of a motor vehicle. You will also submit a photocopy of your valid State issued drivers license prior to your first official motor vehicle operation and again every year or more frequently if management determines such need exists. Lastly you may be required to submit (within a State sealed envelope or submitted directly by the State authorities) and at your own expense all certified driving records from all States that discloses all valid drivers licenses whether current or past possessed by you. Please indicate in your application whether you possess a valid State drivers license.

Qualifications

All qualifications must be met by the closing date of this announcement-02/08/2026-unless otherwise stated in this vacancy announcement.

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 (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 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 the event you submit more than one resume only the latest submission will be reviewed.

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 applicants 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:

A. 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.
-OR-
B. Successfully completed four years of study above high school (120 semester hour or 180 quarter hours) leading to a bachelors degree with courses related to the occupation such as American History science public speaking parks and recreation education or communications.
-OR -
C. Equivalent combination of experience and education that together equal 100% of the qualification standards listed above when combined.

Note: This position includes money handling preference for optional consideration. Money handling requires a higher background check.

Qualifying experience may be obtained in the private or public sectors. The OPM Qualification Standards Handbook is available for review at: OPM Qualification Standards.

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.

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. 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.