Landscape Architect (Seasonal)
Job Location:
Yankton, SD - USA
Hourly Salary:
Posted:
Application Deadline:
Vacancies:
Job Summary
The purpose of the work is to provide advisory services on conventional landscape management activities and concerns; research policies procedures and statutory requirements.
The typical season is March to Oct but can vary during these months due to weather conditions project needs or funding.
Open to the first 50 applicants or until 10/26/2026 whichever comes first. All applications submitted by 11:59 (EST) on the closing day will receive consideration.
- Conducts site and visual inventories of river areas and develop visitor use site analysis.
- Creates conceptual site plans on many park projects including camping areas trails river access scenic overlooks trailhead areas.
- Sketches solutions for daily park projects and operations as well as draw site plans sections perspectives and plan view maps on a weekly basis.
- Enhances communication between park natural resource division and park facility staff and contributes to communications with local park partners.
- Works with all park divisions and reports directly to the Park Superintendent.
Area Information: The Missouri National Recreational River is made up of four free- flowing segments that comprise a portion of the National Wild and Scenic Rivers System and unit of the National Park Service. These components include the Parks 39-Mile District from the Francis Case Reservoir and Fort Randall Dam in Pickstown SD downstream to just above the Lewis and Clark Reservoir and the 59-Mile District extending from below the Gavins Point Dam in Yankton SD downstream to Ponca State Park in Nebraska. Additionally the Park encompasses the lower 20 Miles of the Niobrara River from Knox County NE to its confluence with the Missouri River and 8 miles of Verdigre Creek for a combined total of 126 linear stream miles. The Parks Congressionally authorized boundary is made up of 42000 acres which includes combinations of federal state- and privately-owned land. All areas of the Park still exhibit the river conditions and adjacent natural landscapes found during early American history and pre-development. The duty station for the position is at the National Park Service Missouri National Recreational River headquarters located in Yankton South Dakota. The greater Yankton area has a population of 20000 people and is situated in southeast South Dakota. Recreational amenities abound including hiking hunting fishing and boating (renowned canoeing kayaking and motorboating) along the Missouri Recreational River National Water Trail as well as within 3 adjacent state parks Lewis and Clark Recreation Area (SD) Niobrara State Park (NE) and Ponca State Park (NE). Affordable and abundant housing for either rental or purchase is available within the greater Yankton area. The community is congenial and friendly and offers an excellent setting to raise a family. Summers are generally hot and humid spring and autumn are mild with moderate temperatures and winters can be cold windy and snowy.
For more information about our park please visit Missouri National Recreational River
- Must be a U.S. Citizen or National.
- Appointment subject to background investigation and favorable adjudication.
- Males born aftermust be registered for Selective Service.
- Direct Deposit participation required.
- Successfully pass the E-Verify employment verification check. To learn more visit Home E-Verify
- 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.
- You are required to wear a uniform and comply with uniform standards. A uniform allowance will be provided.
- You 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.
- You may be required to work on-call evenings weekends holidays overtime and shift work.
All qualifications must be met by the closing date of this announcement-10/26/2026-unless otherwise stated in this vacancy announcement.
Minimum Qualification Requirements: To qualify for this position you must meet the following minimum qualifications:
PLEASE NOTE - Basics requirements must be met.
1. You must possess a professional degree in landscape architecture or landscape design.
OR
2. Have a combination of education and experience - for each year short of graduation the applicant must have had 1 year of experience under professional leadership and guidance of such character and diversity as to be a satisfactory substitute for the required education. This experience must have included original landscape design. Transcripts must be submitted or you will receive no further consideration for this position.
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 either full-time or 40 hours per week. If a part-time work schedule is reflected the hours must be annotated to ensure proper crediting of specialized experience.
-AND-
In addition to the basic requirements to qualify for this position at the GS-07 grade level you must possess at least one of the following:
EXPERIENCE: Possess one year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-5 grade level in the Federal service. Examples of qualifying experience include the following: assist with the preparation of compliance documents such as Section 106 or National Historic Site or Landmark nominations applying cultural resource laws rules and regulations; utilize a range of tools methods and technology (e.g. photographs statistics maps field map production remote sensing oral history measured drawings GPS and/or GIS) to research and document cultural resources; work cooperatively with individuals interagency groups or multiple organizations to plan for or manage long-term protection of cultural resources; and/or perform work requiring the ability to comprehend and apply theoretical considerations and new developments in the technical literature of landscape architecture.
-OR-
EDUCATION: Successful completion of 1 year of graduate-level education leading to a masters degree in landscape architecture landscape design or other closely related fields which has equipped me with the knowledge skills and abilities necessary to successfully perform the duties of this position.
-OR-
Successful completion of a combination of education and experience as described above. To combine education and experience first take percentage of completed education. Then take the number of months of full time experience and divide by 12 months. Add the percentages together. The total must equal at least 100 percent to qualify.
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.
Current or former displaced Federal employees who are surplus displaced or involuntarily separated have special priority selection rights under the Agency Career Transition Assistance Program (CTAP) or the Interagency Career Transition Assistance Program (ICTAP). To be considered under CTAP/ICTAP you must be well-qualified score at least 85 (i.e. meet the minimum qualification requirements including any selective placement factors; education and experience requirements) and be able to perform the duties of the position upon entry.
You must submit a copy of your transcript(s) to support claimed education if substituting education for experience. Transcripts must include your name school name grades credit hours earned major(s) grade point average or class ranking and date the degree was conferred if applicable. A typed list of courses grades semester/quarter hours GPA etc. will not be accepted. Non-submission may result in being rated not qualified for the position. Unofficial transcripts are acceptable but if you are selected for this position and you used your education to qualify you must provide official transcripts before you begin work.
Foreign Education: To receive credit for education completed outside the United States you must show proof that the education has been submitted to a private organization that specializes in interpretation of foreign educational credentials and such education has been deemed at least equivalent to that gained in conventional U.S. education programs. Recognition of Foreign Qualifications U.S. Department of Education. information Additional vacancies may be filled using this job announcement. 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. Opens in a new windowLearn more about federal 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.
First time hires to the Federal government normally start at step 1 rate.
Temporary Appointment: This is a temporary seasonal appointment not to exceed 1039 hours. The appointment is expected to end upon completion of the seasons work.
Non-Competitive Rehire Eligibility: As a temporary seasonal employee you can be rehired in future seasons without reapplying as long as you do not exceed 1039 hours anywhere in the National Park Service during your service year.
Rehire eligibility applies to the same position or to another position with the same qualification requirements as long as it is a temporary seasonal appointment. Your service year is the 12 months that begin on the date of your first temporary appointment with the bureau and it starts over on that date each year. Every temporary appointment you hold with the bureau during a service year counts toward the total.
Once you reach 1040 hours this eligibility ends unless OPM approves an exception. These rules come from 5CFR 316.402b7. Already reached the limit this service year Dont worry. You are still welcome to apply to this announcement or any future one.
Employment may be terminated at any time due to fluctuations in funding levels project needs employee performance or other considerations.
Physical Demands: The work may require some physical exertion such as long periods of standing; walking over rough uneven or rocky surfaces; recurring bending crouching stooping stretching reaching or similar activities; and recurring lifting of moderately heavy items.
Working Conditions: Work is performed both indoors and occasionally outdoors with moderate risks.
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 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.
Required Experience:
Staff IC
