Seasonal Student Trainee (Laborer-Trails)

The incumbent will routinely perform the following duties of the position as follows:

• Clearing brush and fallen limbs from trails. Cleans repairs and constructs log or rock drains; installs log or rock retainer bars/steps and checks/ constructs foot and stock bridges from native materials.
• Constructs and maintains trail structures such as turnpikes causeways cribbing trail tread and constructs new segments of trail; performs rehabilitation and meadow restoration on abandoned or heavily impacted sections of trail.
• Uses and maintains tools and equipment to include shovels picks rakes axes Pulaskis McLeods crosscut pole bow boppers chisels sledgehammers single jacks rock bars draw knives measuring tapes levels squares scribes jackhammers rock drills etc.
• Assists other park crews on projects if time permits.

Cut-off Dates: This is an open continuous announcement in which applications are collected over several months and have multiple cut-off dates. Applications will be considered throughout the open period of the announcement. **INITIAL CUT OFF IS Monday January 12 2026** Additional referral certificates will be issued when a hiring official exhausts current certificate and/or additional vacancies need to be filled.

For more information about the park of the position please contact:
Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore

Conditions of employment

• U.S. Citizenship required.
• Appointment subject to background investigation and favorable adjudication.
• Meet Selective Service Registration Act requirement for males.
• Direct Deposit: Selectee will be required to participate in the Direct Deposit Electronics Funds Transfer Program.
• Pathways Agreement: Pathways participant agreement is required.
• Incidental Driving: 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to sign an affidavit certifying to your possession of a valid State issued drivers license that is current and has not been revoked suspended canceled or otherwise disqualified in any way to prohibit your operation of a motor vehicle.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.
• Vehicle Operation: You may be required to complete training and operate a four-wheel drive vehicle.
• Uniform: You will be required to wear a uniform and comply with the National Park Service uniform standards. A uniform allowance will be provided.
• Minimum Age Requirement: Applicants must be at least (1)18 years old or (2) at least 16 years old and: (a) Have graduated from high school or been awarded a certificate equivalent to graduating from high school; or (b) Have completed a formal vocational training program; or (c) Have received a statement from school authorities agreeing with their preference for employment rather than continuing their education; or (d) Be currently enrolled in a secondary school and either work only during school vacation periods or work part-time during the school year under a formal student employment program.
• Government Housing: Housing may be available.

Qualifications

Applicants must be physically fit and as required in the Office of Personnel Management Qualifications Handbook X-118C must possess the knowledge skills and abilities of the elements listed in Section 25 of the Online Occupational Questionnaire to perform the duties of the position at the level for which they are applying. A specific length of time and experience is not required. Qualification requirement emphasis is on the quality of experience not necessarily the length of time. You must meet the 2 point level on the screen out factor/element and an average of level 2 on all factors/elements listed.

To qualify for this position you must have sufficient knowledge and ability in the following job-related factors:

• Ability To Do The Work Of The Position Without More Than Normal Supervision (SCREEN OUT)
• Ability To Interpret Instructions Specifications etc. (other than blueprints)
• Ability To Use and Maintain Tools and Equipment
• Dexterity and Safety
• Work Practices (including keeping things neat clean and in order)

SCREENOUT: Perform independently without more than normal supervision routine and basic laborer duties involved in the maintenance repair restoration rehabilitation and stabilization of park trail systems and the rehabilitation of public use facilities or work of a similar nature (recreational facility maintenance wildland firefighting forestry landscaping ranching/farming commercial fishing). Able to lift and carry objects weighing over 50 pounds. Can hike long distances over challenging terrain and work in demands environmental conditions. Follow oral and written instructions on reoccurring assignments. Have utilized standard safety equipment and follow proper safety procedures to avoid serious injury.

If your knowledge and ability in the SCREEN OUT factor above is not sufficient you will receive no further preparing your application describe in detail the experience and training which you have had that specifically prepared you for this job and to perform the duties described for this job. Experience should be clearly described and documented in your resume. The qualifications reviewer will not assume performance of such duties by Job Titles alone. Address your knowledge skills and/or abilities in the areas shown in the job-related factors.

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.