Park Guide
Job Location:
Chicago, IL - USA
Yearly Salary:
Posted:
Application Deadline:
Vacancies:
Job Summary
This position is located at Pullman National Historic Park in the Interpretation and Education Division.
Major duties include but are not limited to the following:
- Deliver engaging interpretive talks and presentations that explain site history science features and regulations using established outlines and audiovisual tools.
- Provide accurate visitor-focused information and respond to diverse questions ensuring safe meaningful and enjoyable experiences.
- Guide large groups along fixed routes or through facilities while maintaining safety pace order and effective emergency awareness.
- Staff the visitor center front desk greet guests answer phones and email offer directions and support visitor needs with high-quality customer service.
- Maintain a neat orderly operation and foster positive working relationships across the park while assisting visitors with first aid lost items basic issues and current park conditions.
- Must provide proof of U.S. citizenship.
- 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 may be required to operate a government vehicle to complete assigned tasks. Must be able to obtain and maintain a valid drivers license within 10 days from entry-on-duty.
- You are required to wear a uniform and comply with the uniform standards. A uniform allowance will be provided.
- You may be required to work evenings holidays and occassional overtime.
- You may be required to complete training and obtain/maintain a government charge card with travel and/or purchase authority.
- 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.
Requirements Continued...
As a condition of employment for accepting this position you will be required to serve a 1-year probationary period during which your fitness and whether your continued employment advances the public interest will be evaluated.
- your performance and conduct;
- the needs and interests of the agency;
- whether your continued employment would advance organizational goals of the agency or the Government; and
- whether your continued employment would advance the efficiency of the Federal service.
Under applicable law the employment of an individual serving a probationary or trial period automatically terminates when that period ends unless the agency affirmatively certifies in writing that the individuals employment should continue and that their appointment should be the absence of agency action to affirmatively certify continued employment beyond the probationary or trial period such appointments are terminated.
Upon completion of your probationary period your employment will be terminated unless you receive certification in writing that your continued employment advances the public interest.
All qualifications must be met by the closing date of this announcement-08/21/2026-unless otherwise stated in this vacancy announcement. All candidates must also meet Time-in-Grade requirements.
Minimum Qualification Requirements: To qualify for this position you must meet the following minimum qualifications:
- Specialized Experience Requirement: You must possess at least one full year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-4 level in the Federal service (obtained in either the public or private sectors). Specialized experience is defined as demonstrated 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 include but are not limited to Park Guide or tour leader; naturalist; environmental educator or teacher; or other similar work. Note: You must include hours per week worked.
- Education: Successful completion of at least four years of education 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. Note: You must include transcripts.
- Combination of education and experience. Have an equivalent combination of education and experience. NOTE: Only education in excess of the first 60 semester hours of a course of study leading to a bachelors degree is creditable toward meeting the specialized experience requirements. Two full academic years of study or 60 semester hours beyond the second year is equivalent to l year of specialized experience. For example I have 6 months of the specialized experience described in A above (50% of the experience requirement) and 3 years of college study from an accredited institution (50% of the qualifying education) which included at least 12 semester hours of related coursework as specified in B above (50% of the related coursework required).
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.
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 This position will be filled under the Field Unit Local Hiring Authority. Eligibility is limited to applicants who reside within the defined local commuting area at the time of application. For this announcement the local commuting area is the area from which individuals can reasonably commute to the duty station under normal conditions. Working Conditions: Work is performed both indoors and outdoors resulting in exposure to a variety of weather conditions. 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.
The defined vicinity for this position is: 50 miles from Chicago Illinois. You must provide proof of residency within the defined vicinity (e.g. mortgage or property deed lease/rental agreement utility bill insurance policy etc.). See the Required Documents section for information on how to verify current residence. SF-50 cannot be accepted as proof of residence.
Additional vacancies may be filled using this job announcement.
Physical Demands: The work requires standing for long periods of time walking for long distances climbing and descending steep inclines bending and lifting moderately heavy items. Mental stress and physical fatigue occur due to high volume of personal contacts occasional emergency responses and repetitive nature of interpretive programs.
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.
