Park Guide (Seasonal)

National Park Service•Fairbanks, AK

1d•Onsite

About The Position

Park Guides greet visitors and educate and inform them about natural, cultural, and historical resources in National Parks. The role may include staffing visitor-center information counters, answering visitor questions, presenting established talks, orienting hikers, and leading walks. At the GS-5 level, duties may also include applying broader subject-matter knowledge, guiding larger groups on longer walks or programs, providing a wider range of visitor services, and explaining current park events and safety hazards. This is a seasonal position with anticipated entry-on-duty dates from March through July 2027; timing may vary due to weather, project needs, or funding. The position may require on-call, evening, weekend, holiday, overtime, or shift work. Depending on the park and program, the temporary seasonal appointment may not exceed 1,560 hours rather than 1,039 hours. Employment may end early because of funding changes, project needs, performance, or other considerations. Government quarters may be required; housing may be available but is not guaranteed. Applicants must meet the age and qualification requirements for the GS-04 or GS-05 level. Qualifications may be met through relevant experience, qualifying education, or an equivalent combination. Required experience includes work involving oral presentations of historical, scientific, or program information to groups, or preparing such information for oral presentation. Related education may include history, science, public speaking, parks and recreation, education, or communications. A resume of no more than two single-sided pages is required for qualification review.

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 be at least 18 years old to operate government vehicles; a valid driver's license is required when vehicle operation is part of official duties.
Must meet the minimum age requirement: at least 18, or at least 16 and meeting one of the stated education or student-employment conditions.
For GS-04, qualify with 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 relevant subjects; or an equivalent combination.
For GS-05, qualify with one year of specialized experience equivalent to GS-04; or four years of post-high-school study leading to a bachelor's degree with related courses; or an equivalent combination.
Specialized experience must involve oral presentation of historical, scientific, or program information to groups, or developing or revising such information for oral presentation. Examples include park guide, tour leader, naturalist, environmental educator, or teacher work.
Submit a resume no longer than two single-sided pages that identifies duties, employment dates, and hours worked; submit only one resume for qualification review.
If qualifying through education, provide legible transcripts from an accredited institution; official transcripts are required before starting if selected.
May be required to wear a uniform and comply with National Park Service uniform standards.
May be required to work on-call, evenings, weekends, holidays, overtime, or shift work.
May be required to complete training, operate a four-wheel-drive vehicle, or obtain and maintain a government credit card with travel and purchase authority.

Responsibilities

Staff an information counter in a visitor center.
Answer visitor 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 GS-5, perform programs requiring application of broad park subject-matter knowledge.
At GS-5, guide groups of up to 50 people on longer walks or programs.
At GS-5, provide a wide range of services to park visitors.
At GS-5, orient visitors to current park events and warn them about safety hazards.
May issue backcountry camping permits and provide backcountry camping information at certain park locations.
May operate a four-wheel-drive vehicle or other government or private motor vehicle as part of official duties, if required.