Seasonal Forester
National Park Service
Posted: December 15, 2025 (31 days ago)
This job has been posted for over a month. It may already be filled.
National Park Service
Department of the Interior
Location
Michigan
Salary
$28.76 - $33.56
per hour
Type
Full Time
More Maintenance & Trades jobs →Closes
This seasonal job involves working as a carpenter in Isle Royale National Park, where you'll build, repair, and maintain structures like visitor centers, historic buildings, and housing units, often handling tasks that require precision and multiple skills beyond just woodworking.
It's a hands-on role that includes planning projects, using tools safely, and working with a small team in a remote outdoor setting.
A good fit would be someone with practical carpentry experience who enjoys physical work, can follow instructions independently, and has a valid driver's license for getting around the park.
The purpose of the position is to serve as the primary carpenter for the construction and repair of carpentry work on park structures.
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) Knowledge of Equipment Assembly, Installation, Repair, etc.
Technical Practices (theoretical, precise, artistic) Ability To Interpret Instructions, Specifications, etc.
(includes blueprinting reading) Measurement and Layout Ability To Use and Maintain Tools and Equipment Knowledge of Materials SCREEN OUTS: Minimum Qualifications: Without more than normal supervision, plans and performs rough carpentry or less complex construction, modification and repair carpentry work following work orders, sketches or easily understood blueprints where the finished appearance of work products is not primary (e.g.
laying sub-floors, installing preplanned framing and wall partitions, erecting scaffolding, decking, shelving, interior/exterior doors and hardware, forms, and siding).
This includes determining and using the proper pattern, spacing and techniques for nailing, fastening, bracing, splicing and cleating and some standard joints and grooves.
Uses shop arithmetic in planning how to use boards or sheets of material in fitting and measuring.
Driver's License: You must possess and maintain a current Driver's License prior to entry on duty.
If your knowledge and ability in the SCREEN OUT factor above is not sufficient, you will receive no further consideration.
In 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.
Major Duties:
Performs construction and maintenance at developed areas for public restrooms, visitor centers, auditoriums, offices, recreational halls, dormitories, and housing units.
Performs restoration, repair, and maintenance at historic areas for residences, lighthouses, outbuildings, fences, boats, and large cultural artifacts associated with historic sites, and grounds.
Duties require a variety of skills such as carpentry, masonry, plumbing, electrical, and painting associated with the repair and maintenance of structures, related facilities and utilities.
Performs journeyman level carpentry work and selective demolition and repairs to existing structures for air and weather-tight assemblies.
Work items typically require close tolerance fit and structural soundness, necessitating accurate and careful removal of fabric and careful and complete process documentation; finished appearance is typically essential.
Repairs or replaces interior finishes such as paneling and drywall. Plans and lays out work from blueprints, drawings, and written and verbal instructions.
Determines work sequence, materials, and tools to be used. Estimates quantity, and types of materials to be used on projects. Works with a crew of two to four others.
Works closely with the Leader and/or supervisor, assisting with the identification of problems and work needs. Stabilizes structures by replacing footings; replaces siding,and rebuilds floors.
Repairs or replaces asphalt rolled and shingled roofs, wood shingled roofs, screens, floor coverings and screen doors.
Assists in installing or replacing doors, windows, joists, studs, rafters, sheetrock and siding. Performs minor repairs to plumbing and/or electrical systems.
Replaces faucet washers, valves, supply lines, drain traps, and unplugs commodes and repairs leaks. Perform minor electrical repair, installation and troubleshooting of electrical systems.
Prepare surfaces for painting, applies pre-mixed paint and stain, and replaces screens, hinges, and door closures.
Scrapes and paints buildings, shelters, picnic tables and privies, using paints, stains, or preservatives. Performs minor concrete and masonry work. Mixes and pours concrete for footings and flatwork.
Mix mortar and lay cement blocks in the construction of building foundations. Cut-off Dates: This is an open continuous vacancy announcement.
Applicants will be referred periodically throughout the announcement period.
Final application disposition will be completed once all positions have been filled or the announcement reaches the end of the open period stated in the announcement.
The first cut-off date is 11:59 pm (est.), 12/29/2025. Initial consideration will be given to candidates whose applications have been received before the first cut-off date.
Qualification requirements must be met for those applications submitted by the first cut-off date.
Area Information: Isle Royale National Park is a large, remote, and isolated island in the northwestern corner of Lake Superior.
With numerous lakes and native wildlife such as moose and wolves, the park offers a superb setting for recreational opportunities such as boating, kayaking, canoeing, backpacking, camping, fishing, hiking, and more.
Isle Royale is located approximately 70 miles north of the park's administrative headquarters in Houghton, MI. The incumbent will be duty stationed on the island and occupy government quarters.
Rent will be paid by the incumbent based on OMB Circular 45 guidelines.
Isle Royale is 99% federally-designated Wilderness with no roads, few telephones, no cellular coverage, limited amenities, and limited opportunity to travel to the mainland.
The primary mode of travel throughout the island is by boat or hiking. Internet access for personal business on government computers is permitted during non-business hours.
Government provided Wi-Fi is also available at most duty stations. Groceries and other supplies are delivered weekly or bi-weekly depending on incumbent's specific duty station on the island.
To protect Isle Royale's fauna from disease and other maladies, pets are prohibited. GOVERNMENT HOUSING: Isle Royale National Park is on a remote island in Lake Superior.
Employees live in dormitory-style housing with co-workers for the duration of the season.
This requires six hour boat rides each way to and from the island on Lake Superior which can have varying weather.
Check your resume before applying to catch common mistakes