Gardener (Seasonal)

US National Park Service; California; On-site; USD 21,000 - 30,000; Part time

Job summary

US National Park Service in California seeks a Seasonal Gardener to perform gardening and grounds maintenance: planting, transplanting, pruning, mowing, fertilizing; inspect for disease and pests; apply treatments; operate vehicles and equipment.

You will help establish and maintain healthy lawns and landscapes across park areas, following safety rules and quality standards; the position emphasizes physical fitness and attention to detail.

Qualifications

• Candidates must show capacity to perform garden tasks with minimal supervision.
• Ability to interpret instructions and specifications beyond blueprints is expected.
• Proficiency in using and maintaining hand and power tools and equipment.
• Demonstrate dexterity and safety awareness in outdoor work.

Responsibilities

• Plant, transplant, prune, mow and fertilize to maintain lawns and landscapes.
• Inspect for disease and pest conditions; apply treatments as directed.
• Operate vehicles and equipment necessary to complete grounds work.
• Assist in maintaining health and appearance of park grounds.

Skills

Screen out supervision (Ability To Do)

Interpret instructions

Tools and equipment use

Dexterity and safety

Knowledge of materials

Technical practices

Measuring instruments

Job description

The primary purpose of the Gardener is to perform seasonal gardening and grounds maintenance tasks-including planting, transplanting, pruning, mowing, and fertilizing-to establish and maintain the health and appearance of lawns, plants, and landscaped areas, while inspecting for disease and pest conditions, applying chemical treatments as directed, and operating vehicles and equipment needed to complete the work.

Likely Entry on Duty: March - May 2027. Open to the first 100 applicants.

All qualifications must be met by the closing date of this announcement-10/26/2026-unless otherwise stated in this vacancy announcement.

Applicants must be physically fit and, as required in the Office of Personnel Management Qualifications Handbook X-118C, must possess the knowledge, skills, and abilities of the job elements listed below to perform the duties of the position at the level for which they are applying. A specific length of time and experience is not required. Qualification requirements emphasis is on the quality of experience, not necessarily the length of time.

To qualify for this position, you must have sufficient knowledge and ability in the following job-related factors:

1. Ability To Do the Work of The Position Without More Than Normal Supervision (SCREEN OUT)
2. Ability to Interpret Instructions, Specifications, etc. (other than blueprints)
3. Ability to Use and Maintain Tools and Equipment
4. Dexterity and Safety
5. Knowledge of Materials
6. Technical Practices (theoretical precise, artistic)
7. Use of Measuring Instruments

If your knowledge and ability in the SCREEN OUT factor above is not sufficient, you will receive no further consideration. In preparing your application, describe in detail the experience and training which you have had that specifically prepared you for this job and to perform the duties described for this job. Experience should be clearly described and documented in your resume. Your resume must support your response to the assessment questionnaire, and if it does not, your application will be marked as not eligible. The qualifications reviewer will not assume performance of such duties by Job Titles alone. Address your knowledge, skills and/or abilities in the areas shown in the job-related factors.

You must meet at least 2 points on the screen-out element(s) and obtain an average of at least 2 points on all of the job elements to be considered qualified for this position.

Volunteer Experience: Experience refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service programs (e.g., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizations (e.g., professional; philanthropic; religious; spiritual; community, student, social). Volunteer work helps build critical competencies, knowledge, and skills and can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience.