Maintenance Worker (Trails) (Seasonal)

National Park Service • Mammoth Cave, KY

2d • Onsite

About The Position

The Maintenance Worker performs recurring building and/or utility maintenance and operation duties and assists journeymen and other higher-graded maintenance workers. This seasonal position focuses on trail maintenance and construction. The typical seasonal entry-on-duty period for the Seasonal Staffing Office-Southeast Region is March, although timing may vary with weather, project needs, or funding. The anticipated entry-on-duty period is March–April 2027. Some positions filled under the announcement may be covered by a union.

Duties include clearing trails of windfallen trees, vegetation, rock fall, and other debris; building up tread surfaces in eroded areas; assisting with the installation and maintenance of trail structures such as cribbing and retainer walls, water diversion bars, and steps; and maintaining and constructing graded and paved trails. Workers safely use and properly maintain the hand and power tools required for the job.

The work requires heavy physical effort and takes place outdoors in backcountry areas, across varied terrain and at elevations up to 13,000 feet, in extreme adverse weather. Workers may live and work in close contact with small groups for extended periods. Trail work is dusty and may involve hazards related to moving rocks and logs, rockslides, stock, explosives, falling and bucking trees, and machinery. Frequent strenuous activities include lifting and carrying objects weighing over 100 pounds, moving rocks and logs, using rock bars and hammers, extensive shoveling, and hiking up to 20 miles per day while carrying a backpack and tools.

This may be a temporary seasonal appointment not to exceed 1,560 hours rather than 1,039 hours, depending on the park and program. Employment may end at any time due to funding, project needs, performance, or other considerations. The role may require government quarters (availability is not guaranteed), uniform wear, on-call work, evenings, weekends, holidays, overtime, shift work, training, four-wheel-drive vehicle operation, and operation of a government or private motor vehicle when required for official duties. A valid driver's license is required for such vehicle operation. A uniform allowance will be provided.

Requirements

• U.S. citizenship is required.
• Appointment is subject to a background investigation and favorable adjudication.
• Males must meet the Selective Service Registration Act requirement.
• Must participate in the Direct Deposit Electronic Funds Transfer Program.
• Must meet the minimum age requirement: at least 18 years old, or at least 16 and meeting one of the listed education or student-employment conditions.
• Must be physically fit and able to perform strenuous trail work, including frequent lifting and carrying of objects over 100 pounds and hiking up to 20 miles daily while carrying a backpack and tools.
• Must demonstrate ability to do the work without more than normal supervision, interpret instructions and specifications (including blueprints), use and maintain tools and equipment, understand materials and technical practices, and use measuring instruments.
• Must meet at least 2 points on the screen-out element(s) and an average of at least 2 points across the job elements to qualify.
• A specific length of experience is not required; qualifications emphasize the quality of relevant experience.
• A valid driver's license is required when operating a government or private motor vehicle as part of official duties.
• Must complete required training and operate a four-wheel-drive vehicle if required.
• Must complete training and obtain and maintain a government credit card with travel and purchase authority if required.
• Must be able to live and work effectively outdoors in backcountry areas and in close contact with small groups for extended periods, across varied terrain, high elevations, and adverse weather.

Responsibilities

• Safely use and properly maintain the hand and power tools required for the job.
• Clear trails of windfallen trees, vegetation, rock fall, and other debris.
• Build up trail tread surfaces in eroded areas.
• Assist with installation and maintenance of trail structures, including cribbing and retainer walls, water diversion bars, and steps.
• Perform trail maintenance and construction on graded and paved trails.
• Assist journeymen and other higher-graded maintenance workers with recurring building and/or utility maintenance and operation duties.

Benefits

• A uniform allowance will be provided.
• Federal employees have access to a comprehensive benefits package; specific eligibility and benefits depend on position type, and applicants should contact the hiring agency for details.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level
• Education Level: No Education Listed