Park Guide (Seasonal)

Full Job Description

Park Guides greet visitors to educate and inform them in our National Parks. Work can include providing information on natural, cultural, or historical resources. Likely entry on duty: May - June 2026.

Open to the first 75 applicants or until 04/03/2026 whichever comes first. All applications submitted by 11:59 (EST) on the closing day will receive consideration.

For more park(s) information, select "Learn more about this agency" below: All qualifications must be met by the closing date of this announcement-04/03/2026-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. You MUST limit your resume to no more than 2 pages.

If more than 2 pages are submitted, only the first 2 pages will be reviewed to determine your eligibility/qualifications.

You can only submit one resume; only the resume submitted under the "Resume" "Document Type" will be used to determine your qualifications and for rating purposes.

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: 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 bachelor's 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.

Major 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-05: 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.