Visitor Services Assistant (Seasonal)

National Park Service•Springfield, IL

23h•Onsite

About The Position

Visitor Services Assistants represent the park by answering visitor questions, providing guidance, monitoring sites, and maintaining relationships with park partners and concessionaires during roving patrols. They provide visitor services through patrols, roving and fixed-post assignments, public programs, and participation in the day-to-day operation of a seasonal contact station. They monitor sites and protect resources, educate visitors about rules, regulations, and safety, and direct people with problems or complaints to appropriate resources. They may assist with medical or other emergencies within the limits of their training. At the GS-05 level, the role also involves informal interpretation and orientation about the park or recreation area, including current events, resource management, environmental projects, and natural, cultural, or historical resources. The assistant shares information about management policies and legislative updates affecting preservation, uses general computer software, gathers information about accidents and incidents, and assesses situations to determine appropriate responses under policy guidelines. The position is seasonal, with an anticipated entry-on-duty period of March through May 2027. Work may take place in outdoor structures and isolated locations, and may involve exposure to severe weather, rugged terrain, vehicle noise and emissions, and periods of high visitor volume. Standing, walking, bending, lifting moderately heavy items, and sedentary work are required. Work may include on-call duty, evenings, weekends, holidays, overtime, or shifts.

Requirements

U.S. citizenship is required.
Appointment is subject to a background investigation and favorable adjudication.
Males must meet Selective Service registration requirements.
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 operating a vehicle is part of official duties.
Must meet the age and education or school-status conditions stated in the announcement: be at least 18, or be at least 16 and meet one of the listed high-school, vocational-training, school-authority, or student-employment conditions.
For GS-05, qualify through one of the following: one year of specialized experience equivalent to GS-04; four years of education above high school (120 semester hours or 180 quarter hours); or an equivalent combination of qualifying education and experience.
GS-05 specialized experience may include providing information or public assistance in a business or recreation setting; instructing individuals or groups; compiling and analyzing information for reports; greeting the public, disseminating information, giving directions, collecting fees; and using word-processing, spreadsheet, or database software.
For experience credit, submit a resume of no more than two single-sided pages that clearly states duties, employment dates, and hours worked; part-time hours must be specified for prorating experience.
If qualifying through education, provide legible transcripts; official transcripts must be provided before work begins if selected and education was used to qualify.
Foreign education used to meet qualifications must be evaluated by a qualified private organization as equivalent to U.S. accredited education or credited by an accredited U.S. college or university.
May be required to occupy government quarters; housing may be available but is not guaranteed.
May be required to work on call, evenings, weekends, holidays, overtime, and/or shifts.
May be required to complete training, obtain and maintain a government credit card with travel and purchase authority, and operate a four-wheel-drive vehicle.
Physical demands include standing for long periods, walking, bending, lifting moderately heavy items, and sedentary work; high-volume public contact may cause mental stress and physical fatigue.
Must comply with applicable Department of the Interior ethics restrictions on rights in federal lands.

Responsibilities

Provide visitor services through patrols, roving and fixed-post assignments, and public programs.
Participate in daily operations of a seasonal contact station.
Monitor sites and protect park resources.
Operate two-way radio equipment.
Respond to visitor inquiries verbally and provide information and guidance, including to people who may be distressed, confused, frustrated, difficult, or hostile.
Monitor special-use permits and maintain relations with partner organizations, concessionaires, and stakeholders.
Educate visitors about rules, regulations, and safety concerns to support visitor safety and resource preservation.
Direct visitors and members of the public with problems, questions, or complaints to appropriate resources.
Assist with medical and other emergencies within the level of training received.
At GS-05, provide informal interpretation and orientation about park events, resource management, environmental projects, and natural, cultural, and historical resources.
At GS-05, provide information about management policies and legislative updates affecting preservation of natural, historical, or cultural resources.
At GS-05, use general computer software such as word-processing, spreadsheet, and database programs.
At GS-05, gather information from people reporting accidents or incidents and notify appropriate personnel.
At GS-05, assess situations and determine an appropriate response in accordance with policy guidelines.
Complete required training and, if required, operate a four-wheel-drive vehicle or other government or private motor vehicle for official duties.
Comply with National Park Service uniform standards if required.