Park Guide

National Park Service • San Francisco, CA

2d • Onsite

About The Position

The National Park Service is hiring permanent, full-time interpretive Park Guides at sites across Golden Gate National Recreation Area, including Alcatraz, Muir Woods, Fort Point/Presidio, and Marin Headlands. Guides are generally assigned to one site, with possible flexibility to work at other sites. Positions are in the San Francisco Bay Area. Limited park housing may be available to permanent employees through a bid system; transitional housing is typically available for three months.

Park Guides provide services to visitors by interpreting natural and historic features, presenting educational programs and talks, answering questions, leading tours, and providing information and directions. They learn site opening and closing procedures and may independently operate a visitor center, advise visitors about site regulations, and help protect park resources. Guides monitor and report resource conditions, coordinate with interpretive colleagues and other divisions, and contribute to visitor, employee, and public safety.

Depending on individual skills and site needs, collateral duties may include volunteer program support, seasonal staff training, digital media support, Alcatraz night tour programming, or special event support. The division emphasizes excellent interpretation, employee wellness, professional development, and creating transformative experiences in national parks.

The position requires a valid driver's license and operation of a government vehicle. Employees must wear a uniform, complete required training, and obtain and maintain a government credit card with travel and purchase authority. The work includes standing for long periods, walking long distances, climbing steep inclines, bending, and lifting moderately heavy items. It is performed indoors and outdoors in varied weather, and may involve mental stress and physical fatigue from frequent public contact, occasional emergency responses, and repetitive programming. A one-year probationary period may be required.

Requirements

• Must be a U.S. Citizen or National.
• Must pass a background investigation and receive favorable adjudication.
• Males born after December 31, 1959, must be registered for Selective Service.
• Must participate in Direct Deposit and successfully pass E-Verify employment verification.
• Must possess and maintain a valid driver's license and be able to operate a government vehicle as an essential duty.
• Must wear a uniform and comply with uniform standards.
• Must complete required training and obtain and maintain a government credit card with travel and purchase authority.
• Must be able to hike over uneven terrain.
• Must meet the GS-05 qualification requirement through one year of specialized experience equivalent to GS-04, four years of relevant post-high-school education, or an allowable combination of education and experience.
• Specialized experience may include visitor-facing information or education work; independently leading interactive learning activities for children or adults; or related group, administrative, visitor-tracking, registration, opening/closing, social media, or temporary-signage duties.
• Applicants must document hours worked per week for qualifying experience; current federal employees may need to submit a non-award SF-50 if hours are not on their resume.
• Applicants qualifying through education must submit transcripts with the specified course and credit information; foreign education must be evaluated as equivalent to U.S. education.
• May be required to complete a one-year probationary period.
• Must meet all qualifications by the announcement closing date of November 13, 2026.

Responsibilities

• Present interpretive and educational programs.
• Greet visitors, provide information and directions, and give formal and informal presentations.
• Lead tours, interpret natural and historic features, and answer visitor questions.
• Learn and carry out site opening and closing procedures.
• Independently operate a visitor center and advise visitors about visitation regulations and resource protection.
• Monitor and report the condition of park resources.
• Work with interpretive colleagues and other divisions to help ensure the safety of visitors, employees, and the public.
• Perform collateral duties as assigned, which may include volunteer program support, seasonal staff training, digital media support, night tour programming, or special event support.

Benefits

• A uniform allowance is provided.
• Limited park housing may be available for permanent employees through a bid system.
• Transitional housing is typically available for three months.
• Federal employees and their families have access to a comprehensive benefits package; specific eligibility depends on position type.

What This Job Offers

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