Park Guide (Seasonal)

National Park Service • Keene, CA

20h • Onsite

About The Position

Park Guides greet visitors and educate and inform them about natural, cultural, and historical resources in National Parks. Standard duties include staffing visitor-center information counters; answering questions; presenting limited, repetitive, pre-established talks, such as film introductions, map talks, and static-exhibit interpretation; orienting hikers to conditions and equipment needs; and guiding small parties of up to 20 people on short walks. Some locations also issue backcountry camping permits and provide related information. At the GS-5 level, guides may apply broad subject-matter knowledge of the park, guide groups of up to 50 people on longer walks or programs, provide a wider range of visitor services, explain current park events, and warn visitors about safety hazards.

This is a seasonal position, with likely entry on duty between March and May 2027. Positions may require government housing occupancy, wearing a National Park Service uniform, and operating a government or private motor vehicle for official duties. Work may be on-call and may include evenings, weekends, holidays, overtime, or shift work. Employment may end at any time due to funding, project needs, performance, or other considerations. Some positions may be covered by a collective bargaining agreement. Work takes place indoors in visitor centers and outdoors, where employees may encounter extreme temperatures and weather. The role has substantial physical demands, including prolonged standing, walking up to six miles daily, negotiating steep inclines, bending, and repetitive lifting of moderately heavy items. High volumes of public contact, occasional emergency responses, and repetitive interpretive programs may cause mental stress and physical fatigue.

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.
• Participation in the Direct Deposit Electronic Funds Transfer Program is required.
• A valid state-issued driver's license is required before operating a motor vehicle for official duties; applicants should indicate whether they possess one. Driving records may also be required at the applicant's expense.
• For GS-4, qualify through six months of general experience plus six months of specialized experience; or two years of post-high-school study including at least 12 semester hours in subjects such as American history, science, or public speaking; or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
• For GS-5, qualify through one year of specialized experience equivalent to GS-4; or four years of post-high-school study leading to a bachelor's degree with occupation-related coursework; or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Specialized experience includes presenting historical, scientific, or program information orally to groups, or developing or revising technical, historical, or scientific information for oral presentation.
• Qualifying experience may be paid or unpaid, including volunteer experience.
• Applicants relying on education must submit legible transcripts; official transcripts are required before starting if selected and education was used to qualify.
• A resume must be no more than two single-sided pages, use at least 10-point body text, and have margins of at least 0.5 inches. It must describe duties and responsibilities, employment dates, and hours worked.
• The physical demands include standing for long periods; walking up to six miles daily; climbing and descending steep inclines; bending; and repetitive lifting of moderately heavy items.
• May be required to work on-call, evenings, weekends, holidays, overtime, and/or shift work.
• May be required to wear a uniform and comply with National Park Service uniform standards.

Nice To Haves

• Money-handling experience may be considered as a preference for optional consideration; it requires a higher background check.
• Occupation-related education for GS-5 may include American history, science, public speaking, parks and recreation, education, or communications.

Responsibilities

• Staff information counters in visitor centers.
• Answer visitors’ questions on a variety of subjects.
• Present limited, repetitive, pre-established talks, including film introductions, map talks, and static-exhibit interpretation.
• Orient hikers to trail conditions and equipment needs.
• Guide small parties of up to 20 people on short walks.
• At some locations, issue backcountry camping permits and provide backcountry camping information.
• At the GS-5 level, deliver programs requiring broad knowledge of the park and guide groups of up to 50 people on longer walks or programs.
• At the GS-5 level, provide a wide range of services to park visitors.
• At the GS-5 level, explain current park events and warn visitors of safety hazards.
• Operate a government or private motor vehicle for official duties if required.

Benefits

• A uniform allowance will be provided.
• Government housing may be available but is not guaranteed.
• Federal employees and their families have access to a comprehensive federal benefits package; eligibility depends on position type and other factors.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level
• Education Level: Associate degree