Visitor Services Assistant (Seasonal)

National Park Service • Twentynine Palms, CA

1d • Onsite

About The Position

The Visitor Services Assistant serves as a representative of the park, answering visitor questions and offering guidance. The position monitors sites and maintains relationships with park partners and concessionaires during roving patrols. Seasonal entry-on-duty typically occurs from April through July, but timing may vary due to weather, project needs, or funding; anticipated entry on duty is March through July 2027. Some positions may be covered by a collective bargaining agreement.

The assistant provides visitor services through patrols, roving and fixed-post assignments, and public programs; participates in the daily operation of a seasonal contact station; monitors sites and supports resource protection; and operates two-way radio equipment. The role involves responding to visitor inquiries, educating visitors about rules, regulations, and safety, directing people with questions or problems to appropriate resources, monitoring special-use permits, and maintaining relations with partner organizations, concessions, and stakeholders. The assistant may help with medical or other emergencies within the limits of their training.

At the GS-05 level, the role also includes informal interpretation and public orientation about park events, projects, and natural, cultural, or historical resources; providing information about management policies and legislative updates; using general computer software; gathering information about accidents or incidents; and assessing situations to determine an appropriate response under policy guidelines.

This is a seasonal temporary position. Work may be terminated because of funding, project needs, performance, or other considerations. Duties may involve on-call work, evenings, weekends, holidays, overtime, or shift work. Government housing may be available but is not guaranteed, and occupancy of government quarters may be required. A uniform may be required, with a uniform allowance provided. Training and operation of a four-wheel-drive vehicle may be required; operation of a government or private motor vehicle for official duties requires a valid driver's license, and operators of government vehicles must be at least 18 years old.

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, or meet the stated eligibility conditions for applicants who are 16 or 17.
• For GS-04, qualify through one year of progressively responsible clerical, office, or other experience demonstrating ability to acquire relevant knowledge and skills; two years of post-high-school education (60 semester or 90 quarter hours) in an accredited institution; or an equivalent combination of experience and education.
• For GS-05, qualify through one year of specialized experience equivalent to GS-04, four years of post-high-school education (120 semester or 180 quarter hours) in an accredited institution, or an equivalent combination of experience and education.
• GS-04 general experience may include greeting the public, disseminating information, providing directions, and fee collection.
• GS-05 specialized experience may include providing information or assistance to the public in a business or recreation setting; instructing individuals or groups; compiling and analyzing information for reports; greeting the public, disseminating information, providing directions, fee collection; and using word processing, spreadsheet, or database software.
• For experience credit, the resume must describe duties and responsibilities, employment dates by month and year, and full-time or part-time hours worked. Resumes must not exceed two single-sided pages, and only one resume may be submitted.
• If qualifying through education, submit legible transcripts from an accredited institution. Official transcripts must be provided before work begins if selected and education was used to qualify.
• Foreign education used to meet requirements must be evaluated by a qualified organization as equivalent to an accredited U.S. education program or credited by an accredited U.S. college or university.
• A valid driver's license is required if operating a government or private motor vehicle as part of official duties.
• May be required to wear a uniform and comply with National Park Service uniform standards.
• May be required to complete training and operate a four-wheel-drive vehicle.
• May be required to complete training and obtain and maintain a government credit card with travel and purchase authority.
• May be required to work on-call, evenings, weekends, holidays, overtime, or shift work.

Responsibilities

• Provide visitor services through patrols, roving and fixed-post assignments, and public programs.
• Participate in the day-to-day operation of a seasonal contact station.
• Monitor sites and support resource protection.
• Operate two-way radio equipment.
• Respond verbally to visitor inquiries by providing information and guidance, including to people who may be distressed, confused, frustrated, difficult, or hostile.
• Monitor special-use permits and maintain good relations with partner organizations, concessions, 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 or other emergencies within the level of training.
• At the GS-05 level, provide informal interpretation and public orientation about current events, resource management or environmental projects, and natural, cultural, or historical resources.
• At the GS-05 level, provide information about management policies and legislative updates affecting preservation of natural, historical, or cultural resources.
• At the GS-05 level, operate general computer software such as word processing, spreadsheet, or database programs.
• At the GS-05 level, gather information from reporting parties about accidents or incidents and notify appropriate personnel.
• At the GS-05 level, assess situations and determine an appropriate response in accordance with policy guidelines.

Benefits

• Uniform allowance is provided if a uniform is required.
• Federal employees and their families have access to a range of benefits; eligibility depends on position type and other factors.

What This Job Offers

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